From left to right, Science Hill juniors Greta Higginbotham, Franklin Dyer and Helen Hoye all recorded perfect scores on the ACT test. All told, 92 Science Hill students scored 30 or above on the standardized test, which is used for college admissions. PHOTO BY COLLIN BROOKS
The three juniors all learned last month that they made a perfect 36 on the ACT – the standardized test used for college admissions in the United States – and were three of 92 ‘Toppers that scored a 30 or above.
“We are tremendously proud that three students from Science Hill High School achieved a perfect score on the ACT, a nationally recognized instrument for measuring college readiness,” Science Hill principal Todd Barnett said. “This extraordinary level of performance by Franklin, Helen and Greta, as well as those who achieved a 30 or above, demonstrate their commitment to getting the most out of themselves, making the most of the opportunities offered at Science Hill and positioning themselves for success at the collegiate level.”
Any spare time that Hoye had between playing the violin and dancing, she spent taking practice tests, but the junior was a bit taken aback when she got her results.
“I didn’t think it was too hard, but I did not think that I was going to make a perfect score,” Hoye said. “I was so excited when I opened the scores, I went and told my parents, and then I almost started crying.”
While Hoye isn’t sure what she’ll study in college, a love of science and interest in solving crimes have piqued her interest in pursuing a career in forensic science.
Higginbotham enjoys another type of science and hopes to use physics and math to study the universe. She has become a big fan of Stephen Hawking and recently took the dive into his international best-seller “A Brief History of Time.”
Higginbotham said she has always dreamed of attending Yale, but she will start the college process soon and has also thought of the University of Chicago.
Dyer has a pure love for mathematics and hopes to pass his passion on to students after he gets done with his schooling and becomes a teacher. He noted his admiration for Science Hill math teacher Guy Mauldin, who has taught at Science Hill for over three decades.
“Doing math makes me really happy and I really enjoy it,” Dyer said. “One of the most satisfying things about math is that you are either right or wrong with your answer.”
