Upper School Science Teacher Nathan Cardin won “The 1% Club”, a televised game show hosted by Patton Oswalt (Alice Oswalt ’28) where 100 starting players must answer increasingly challenging questions with logic and reasoning. As the episode progresses, remaining contestants compete until they are asked a final question that only one percent of the country can get right, with the chance to win a cash prize of up to $100,000, according to the show.
Cardin appeared in episode four of the first season in the U.S. , which streams on Prime Video. Cardin and two other contestants correctly answered the final question of the night and split the grand prize pot of $97,000. Cardin received an additional $1000 for making it through the competition without skipping a single question, and ended up taking home $33,333, according to the show.
Cardin said he loved game shows from a young age but decided to participate in his first game show, “Wheel of Fortune”, and later “The 1% Club” when he realized the value of new challenges.
“Game shows were my favorite TV shows as a kid, and I always told adults that I wanted to be a game show host when I grew up,” Cardin said. “That said, I do not think I ever had the confidence to try out for game shows until some friends encouraged me. My experience on both game shows has helped me realize how often I had been saying no to the universe because I assumed those opportunities would not work out. Sometimes, though, the universe says yes. It has taught me to keep pursuing my goals and dreams, no matter how seemingly impossible.”
Cardin said his teaching background was helpful during the show because it allowed him to navigate confusing questions with ease.
“To get up in front of teenagers every day and help them tackle a tough subject like chemistry, you have to have a high level of patience and an ability to keep calm while fielding a wide array of questions,” Cardin said. “In some ways, being on “The 1% Club” felt like a vacation from teaching. In class, I often have to answer multiple questions at once, with little time to think. On “The 1% Club”, I only had to answer one question at a time and had thirty seconds for each one, which felt like a downright luxury.”
Emily Ahn ’25, a former student of Cardin’s , said she attributes his winnings to his focused demeanor and natural intelligence.
“It’s always amazing to see Cardin on television,<q data-camayak-comment=”television” class=” collapsed”>” Ahn said. “His brilliance makes us proud to be his students. His attentiveness, whether in the classroom or on game shows, helps him excel in both teaching and competitions.”</q>
Near the end of the episode, Cardin chose to risk his winnings for the big prize by answering the final question. When the host asked what prompted this decision, Cardin said he wanted to set an example for his students of being brave and challenging themselves.
“I ask my students in class to try tough things, and who am I to ask them to do that if I don’t try it myself?” Cardin said.
Cooper Ren ’26, another former student of Cardin’s, said he is happy about his teacher’s success and is looking forward to seeing what Cardin does next.
“I’m so proud of him and his accomplishment,” Ren said. “It was extremely exciting to watch my teacher answer all the questions and earn the win. I can not wait to watch him compete in the next game show.”
Cardin said he hopes to appear on more game shows in the future, though he has to wait a year before his next television endeavor.
“’$100,000 Pyramid’ and ‘Survivor’, though quite different, are my absolute favorite game shows of all time,” Cardin said. “Those and ‘Lingo’, a word-focused game show that’s right up my alley, are my newest goals. Game show contracts require you to wait one year between shows, so I will be applying again as soon as that wait time is up. Here is hoping the universe says yes to one of those too.”
