Jackson Teen Gets Perfect ACT Score
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When it comes to the standardized ACT college entrance exam, students in Tennessee score among the lowest in the country. Just last year, Tennessee ranked 49th out of 50 in a state-by-state ACT score comparison. Only one 0.1percent of graduating Tennessee seniors earn a perfect ACT score, so when USJ junior Akua Nuako,15 – who actually took the test at 14 – opened her results, she was shocked. “I got a 36 on the ACT,” said Akua. Do not let her modesty fool you: that is perfect. “When I found out, I mean, I just kind of stared at the paper for a while,” said Akua. “I could have sworn they made some kind of mistake.” But they did not make a mistake, and neither did Akua. “I was kind of in this state, kind of fried. My brain was fried,” said Akua. “I didn’t think I had done that well on it at all” It was Akua’s first time taking the test. She said the hardest part was staying awake through the three-hour exam. “I’m proud of the score,” said Akua. “I wouldn’t say I’m proud of myself because I feel like the credit really goes to my teachers because they’re the ones who really prepared me for the test.” It is not all books for the high-scoring junior. She keeps herself pretty busy. “I played tennis this season at USJ. Last year, I was running track,” said Akua. “But all four years of high school, I’ve been pretty involved in student government.” Recently elected student body president for her senior year, Akua has a lot to look forward to next year and beyond. “I just want to go to a place where I’ll be happy and I’ll have a lot of opportunities,” said Akua. “Here at USJ, through my education and stuff, a lot of doors have been opened for me and I’m really grateful for that and I just hope that those doors lead me to the right places.” Akua said she has not thought about where she wants to go to college yet, but says she thinks she may want to study chemistry. As for advice for other students taking the ACT: she said just keep a clear head.
