Morris High Student Aces ACT Test

Jaymee Cole, 17, Senior at Morris Community High School

Jaymee Cole, a senior at Morris Community High School, took the ACT last April. This is a common thing to do in a student’s junior year of high school, especially for college bound students.

Cole did prep work at school for the test. She had study books she engaged in at home. Any moment of time she could spare she was study for the ACT.

Finally the big test day arrived.

“It was nerve wracking,” Cole said. “I’m very meticulous about my work. I always make sure that I do things right the first time. I like to take my time, but I had to watch the time during the test because we were only allotted a certain amount of time to complete it.”

Cole was relieved when the test was completed, but she has to admit that it was difficult waiting for the test scores. It can take between five to eight weeks to deliver the news to a student.

Finally, the test results came. Cole quickly opened the letter upon it’s arrival. Her reaction was complete disbelief. She scored a 36, the highest score possible, on the ACT college placement exam.

“I was so excited, my Mom thought I lost it,” Cole said with a laugh. “I don’t think I was ever that excited about anything in my life until now.”

Cole said her parents also shared in the excitement and were just as happy as she was. And when the joyous news reached her teachers, guidance counselor and peers, they were thrilled as well. That’s because Cole was the only student from Morris High School to receive a 36 on the ACT.

“My parents and teachers helped a lot with the whole college process,” Cole said.”My counselor said I was the first student he provided guidance to that ever scored that high on the ACT.”

Morris High School students were overjoyed with the news as well. So much, that Cole has been nicknamed “36.”

“I have people who I have never met at school come up to me in the halls and ask if I’m the one who got the perfect score,” Cole said.

The ACT is a standardized test for high school achievement and college admissions in the United States. All colleges and universities in the U.S. accept the ACT. The test scores range from 1-36 based on English, Math, Science and Reading. The writing portion is optional and is scored on a scale of 1-12.

Less than one-tenth of one percent of students in the country get a perfect composite score on the four main sections.

With the test behind her and a chance to be accepted in any college of her choice, Cole has narrowed her application list to four schools. She will be applying to Vanderbilt University, Duke University, Milligan College and University of Indiana-Evansville. She is unsure what her undergraduate studies will be, but she would eventually like to attend law school. 

While in college, Cole wants to study abroad. Perhaps Spain. This will also help her in her international law career. 

“I have fallen in love with the language and I love to argue,” Cole said. “This fits my interest of international law.”

Until she graduates and goes off to college next fall, Cole is focused on her classes; all honors for the exception of U.S. History. She took that class because she loves history. 

Cole is involved in many activities at school. She is a member of the Color Guard, Mathlethes, Spanish Club, Science Club, National Honors Society, Speech Team and Student Council.

Cole is also an active member of the Venture Crew. This co-ed division of the Boys Scouts of America. The organization’s goal is to be outdoors, go camping and travel and most of all have fun.