By Kelly Phares

Seniors Jason Zhao and Divya Shanmugam received perfect scores on their ACT — a feat that very few students accomplish, even in a competitive environment like NNHS.

According to the ACT student website, less than 1% of the students who take the ACT receive a 36.

Both Zhao and Shanmugan are looking in to going to college at University of Chicago. But Shanmugan is also looking at schools on the east coast.

Zhao said he is planning on majoring in either computer science or math. On the ACT, he said he felt the most confident on the math section.

Shanmugan said she would like to study computational biology at whatever school she chooses to attend in the fall. She also felt that her strongest subject was math.

Recently, the NNHS Literacy Center has begun offering free classes and tutoring sessions for juniors hoping to earn a higher score on their ACT.

Ironically, neither Zhao or Shanmugam, took a structured class or had a tutor for the ACT.

“I didn’t take any classes or anything like that,” said Shanmugam, “I just went and took the test.”

Both seniors said they were extremely surprised and humbled when they got their scores back and realized what they had accomplished. Especially because they both understand how much some of their peers, who didn’t receive a 36, studied for the test.

Shanmugan said that she rewarded herself with a burrito from “Los Taps” and tried not to make a big deal out of the situation. While Zhao said he was shocked and not expecting a perfect score.

Shanmugan’s advice for juniors nervous about taking the ACT this year was to relax. She said that she believes taking too many practice tests can just stress people out.

Zhao said that juniors should try their best on the test and take it seriously, but worrying about it too much is not worthwhile.

“I think it’s okay to be excited over a test score, and I am very grateful for having received a 36,” said Zhao, “but I don’t think lasting happiness can come from just a number. There are so many other things in life that are more gratifying.”