Destin High School Academic Team started in 2022. In the fall of 2023 both JV and Varsity Teams participated in intramural at Ft. Walton Beach High School, and Niceville High School, both JV and Varsity won rounds against the competition. Academic Teams are highly competitive. A position on the JV or Varsity team is determined by a qualifying assessment. Colleges look favorably on resume’s that list Academic Team positions such as Captain . The district competition is televised on the local TV Channel for Okaloosa County.

The State competition in Orlando includes Academic Team players from all over the state. Many Academic team players in high school, go on to Quiz Bowl in College and win Academic Scholarships. Academic team practices weekly throughout the entire school year.

All star Tryouts will take place on December 5, and 6 at NWFSC Collegiate High School.  Members from each high school team will compete for a place on the ALL Star team that will then practice every Tuesday at 3:30pm – 5:00pm  at Rocky Bayou in Niceville to prepare for the state.

Okaloosa Tournament every Tuesday February – March 3;30-5:30 Ruckle Middle School Media Center

Destin High School Academic Team practices every Monday from 2:15pm to 3:15pm in Ms. Sweeney’s Classroom C 129

Therese Sweeney

Thérèse Sweeney brings 17 years of teaching experience to Destin Highschool.   As an educator, Thérèse holds a professional certification with the FLDOE including endorsements in reading, teaching English as a second language, and teaching Gifted Students.  
Most recently, Thérèse earned superior ratings as a full professor of Literacy in the Teacher Education Department of Northwest Florida State College where Ms. Sweeney served as full time professor and advisor for the Teacher Education Department.   Ms. Sweeney supervised teacher preparation candidates as they worked through a rigorous program to become certified Florida Teachers.  During her tenure, Ms. Sweeney taught teacher preparation candidates as well as area Okaloosa County professionals as they prepared for FLDOE certification.  
Thérèse holds a Bachelor of Arts in Elementary Education, as well as a Master of Education from the University of West Florida.
Ms. Sweeney has completed several certifications through professional development with the Florida College System including Online Teaching, Educational Leader Academy,  and Master Teacher Certification.
Ms. Sweeney taught eight years in Okaloosa County serving First Grade and Fourth Grade, earning a position as the Fourth Grade Chair.  As the Gifted Teacher, Ms. Sweeney taught grades 3-5 in an after school gifted program.
Ms. Sweeney Currently teaches  English 1, English 1 honors, and English 3 honors at Destin Highschool.   Ms. Sweeney is the Academic Team Coach and serves as a mentor teacher to new faculty members.
Outside of the education world, Ms. Sweeney prioritizes her private time visiting her three children as they embark in their professional fields.

Thérèse is in her second-year teaching at Destin High School.  Ms. Sweeney’s passion is to engage students in learning and motivate them to push beyond their pre-conceived limits to reach success.

Email:  sweeneyt@destinhigh.org