Whiz Kid: Middle Schooler Scores High on College Level Test

This week’s Whiz Kid is Abby Menkhus, an intelligent middle school student who is a whiz at filling in the correct dot on certain college placement tests.

Name: Abby Menkhus

Age: 13

School: Oakville Middle School

Year in School: Outgoing seventh grader

Accomplishment: Earned “Grand Recognition” in Duke University’s Talent Identification Program (TIP).

Key to Awesomeness: Abby Menkhus didn’t let her feelings of intimidation get the best of her when she was invited by Duke University to take the ACT in a room filled with high school students. In fact, Menkhus earned a 26 on the college placement exam—a score that many high school students themselves would be proud of.

“I think it was really neat how (Duke) let seventh graders take the test. It was a great opportunity to get to know what was on it for when I take it again in the future,” Menkhus said.

When she isn’t intimidating high school students with her academic abilities, Menkhus spends her time playing softball, soccer, basketball and golf, as well as dancing. She also participates in the Math Club and National Junior Honor Society at school.

After she finishes high school and college, Menkhus hopes to go into sports journalism.