Marist Junior Kenny Dewes Achieves Rare, Perfect 36 ACT Score

OAK LAWN, IL—An Oak Lawn teen earned a top composite score of 36 on a recent ACT. Kenny Dewes became, at last count, the tenth Marist High School student—eight since 2016—to earn a perfect score on the ACT, an entrance exam used by colleges and universities to make admissions decisions.

On average, only 0.5 percent of ACT test-takers achieve a perfect ACT score. Out of the 1.8 million students who took the ACT last year, less than 4,000 earned a composite score of 36.

The son of Jason and Catherine Dewes, Kenny, 17, a junior, is a member of the competitive Marist math team and has taken many first-place wins. The St. Catherine of Alexandria graduate also plays trombone and is a section leader in Marist’s marching, concert and jazz bands.

He’s currently considering his college options, and his perfect ACT score is likely to open a few collegiate doors. Dewes’ career goal is to work for NASA and study aerospace engineering. Perhaps he’ll take a ride on ARTEMIS to the moon.

“Although achieving a perfect score was his goal, I think he was surprised that he actually achieved it,” his mom told Patch.