Westhampton Beach Students Earn Perfect Scores On AP Research Exams

WESTHAMPTON BEACH, NY — Two Westhampton Beach High School seniors have made their hometown proud: Jessica Curran and Meghan Kelly have become two of only 357 students in the world to earn perfect scores on their AP research exams.

Both students said they were surprised by their results and extended their gratitude to their research teacher, Dr. Dianna Gobler, for her tutelage and expertise.

“I am so happy that there were two of us to earn perfect scores,” said Curran.

And that's not all: It's not the first time that Westhampton Beach High School’s research class produced a top scorer. Last year, then-senior Joseph Litjens also received a perfect score.

Kelly earned her perfect score for a research paper she wrote on bacteria and antibiotics, while Curran earned the distinction for her research on seaweed as fertilizer, the district said. They worked on their papers during the 2022 to 2023 school year.

Both students are AP Scholars with Distinction and were recently recognized as Commended Students in the 2024 National Merit Scholarship Program as a result of their outstanding scores on the qualifying exam. Additionally, they are members of their school’s National Honor Society and the Westhampton Beach Junior Ambulance, the district said.

Kelly is also a member of her school’s debate team, Interact Club, pep band and Spanish Club and volunteers at the Quogue Wildlife Refuge. She plans to study biology or biochemistry in college.

Curran is on her school’s robotics and Quiz Bowl teams and is a member of the Cure Club. She is also a Girl Scout and earned her Gold Award, the highest award in Girl Scouting. She plans to study environmental engineering in college.

"The Westhampton Beach School District extends its congratulations to these seniors on a job well done," the district said.