2 Lincoln-Way Students Score Perfect 36 on ACT

Two Lincoln-Way High School District 210 students learned this summer that they are in an elite group of high school students who earned the top score of 36, the highest composite score possible, on the ACT exam.

Jacob Gasparich, Lincoln-Way West, and Brianna McKenna , Lincoln-Way East, when receiving the news were excited, very happy and relieved.

On average, less than one percent of those who take the exam earn the top score, according to ACT. The example given by ACT was the class of 2012 where only 781 out of 1.66 million students who took the test earned the top score.

“Improving student achievement has been and will continue to be the focal point of each of our four high schools. On behalf of the Board of Education, faculty and staff, I want to congratulate Jake and Brianna on their achievement of earning the top score of 36 on the ACT. I also want to recognize their parents and all the support they have given their students to help them realize this high academic achievement,” stated Dr. R. Scott Tingley, Superintendent.

Jacob (Jake) Gasparich was both excited and glad when he opened the letter from ACT and saw his score of 36.

“I took a quick break from work to check my e-mail on my phone. I was pretty excited. I didn’t get a lot of work done the rest of the day,” said Jake, with a smile.

He continued, “I had gotten a 36 on my practice test, so I was trying real hard for the 36 on the ACT. I was happy I succeeded.”

When Brianna received her letter in the mail she said she was very shocked and very happy.

“I just kept looking at the score. I hadn’t expected to ever get a 36. I had gotten a 34 and a 35 on prior practice tests. My mom was very happy,” said Brianna.

To prepare for the ACT, Jake said he had taken the practice tests offered at his high school, one on West Test Day, and one in his reading advisory class from his teacher, Ms. Dana Romano.

Jake said his advice to the juniors this year before they take the ACT is to “make sure the student is rested during the week; that the ACT is the only big focus for the week, and to really focus on the ACT.”

Jake is leaning toward a major in engineering, definitely something in math or science, he said. He is currently looking into several East coast schools including Massachusetts Institute of Technology and Princeton. He also is looking to apply to the University of Illinois.

Jake enjoys participating in school activities as well as in the classroom. He plays volleyball year round, on the West’s team and a club team. He is president of the National Honor Society, president of Mu Alpha Theta, and president of Mathletes. He is also a member of the West Board Game Club and Pi Sigma Pi. He enjoys volunteering in the math center.

When asked what makes his school special, Jake replied, “The School Spirit is crazy, everyone is just one big group.”

“Jacob is a great young man. We at West are happy for him. He is a hard worker and a strong representative of the Lincoln-Way West Warrior and the Warrior Code; honor, respect, wisdom and courage,” stated Dr. Monica Schmitt, Principal.

To prepare for the test, Brianna said she had taken the Plan Test and taken a practice test at school in her class.

Brianna said her advice to juniors this year before they take the ACT is to “not stress out over the timing of the test because that effects one’s concentration. It’s not something to get too nervous about. Take a practice test, don’t expect to just take it once, it does require practice.”

Brianna enjoys participating in school activities as well as in the classroom. She plays the French horn and has been a member of the Madrigal Brass, the Pit Band and the Pit Orchestra, which plays for the school musicals.

In addition, she is a member of Mosaic, Calliope, National Honor Society, Mu Alpha Theta and Mathletes. She also volunteers at her church.

Brianna plans on majoring in biomedical engineering. Currently she is looking to apply at Northwestern University, Washington University in St. Louis, Case Western Reserve University in Ohio and the Illinois Institute of Technology.

When asked what makes her school special, she replied, “I like the variety of courses the school offers; art, music, languages, all the elective offerings in the academic departments. All the class offerings help East students to find what they like, to experience many different classes before we go off to college or the work place.”

“Brianna is a very hard working and thoughtful young lady. Her fellow students, our faculty and staff at East are very proud of her achievement, earning the top score of 36 on the ACT,” said Dr. Sharon Michalak, Principal.

» First time commenting on Patch’s new website? Learn how here