Clinton High School reports second perfect ACT score this school year
Clinton High School reports second perfect ACT score this school year
CLINTON — Senior Andrew Amis is the second Clinton High School student this school year to score a perfect 36 on the ACT.
“I’m looking to go to one of the top colleges, and make a career in applied sciences or engineering,” he said.
Andrew is the son of Gary and Sonya Amis. He has won numerous academic achievements throughout his high school career, as well as placing in state, national and international competitions. His classmate Stephen Leavelle scored 36 on the ACT test administered in September.
The ACT consists of English, mathematics, reading and science. Each test is scored on a scale of 1-36 and a student’s composite score is the average of the four test scores. Nationally, less than one-tenth of 1 percent of students achieves the top score.
“I’ve been in this district since 1986 and I’ve never known us to have two perfect ACT scores in one school year,” said Becky Robinson, guidance counselor at CHS. “This is further indication of what outstanding and intellectual guys these are, as well as our faculty’s commitment to academic excellence.”
Andrew said he and Stephen are friends. “We motivate each other,” he said. “Hearing about his score motivated me. We’ve always pushed each other to do better.”
Andrew’s mother, Sonya, said she’s thrilled and very proud of her son’s accomplishments. “Achieving a 36 on the ACT is a goal that Andrew set for himself when he was around 12 years old,” she said. “He is a hard worker and has set high goals for himself throughout his life.”
And the scores arrived just in time for him to submit many college applications that were due at the end of December, she said. Andrew has applied at Harvard, Yale, MIT and other Ivy League schools.
“I’m not sure yet where I want to go,” he said.
Earning such high marks on the ACT ensures that both Stephen and Andrew will be STAR students at CHS, through the STAR program administered by the Mississippi Economic Council. Any Mississippi high school senior who scores at least 35 on the ACT and has a minimum 93 GPA is guaranteed to be a STAR student.
“We’re fortunate in Clinton to have a high school that fosters excellence, where teachers encourage and expect their students to perform at their very best,” said Dr. Phil Burchfield, superintendent of schools. “They try hard to recognize the potential of students and help them achieve. “Andrew and Stephen are both exceptional young men, and are both from good families. They have very bright futures ahead of them.”
