HOUSTON – A Lamar High School student is being recognized for doing was less than 0.1 percents of students do. He got the highest possible ACT composite score of 36.
“I’m surprised but honored," Edward "Ned" Swart said. "All things that could go right did go right for me that day. My parents are so excited. This means more scholarship money for me to go to school.”
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Swart, who is a member of the school marching band and the National Honor Society, said he took the ACT practice test the night before the exam in preparation.
He said he plans on studying engineering at Texas A&M University.
“Ned is an outstanding student, but more importantly, he’s just a great human being,” said Lamar High School Principal Dr. James McSwain. “He’s been in the Lamar band throughout high school and has always been the student who is dependable, caring, willing to help others, and mature. When I look at young people like him, I have great hope for our future. Contrary to what some may claim, students coming out of our schools today are better educated and more socially responsible than any generation before them and I think they will do a much better job of running the world than my generation. Ned Swart is a great example.”
Only 1,598 of more than 1.92 million students in the 2015 graduating class earned a score of 36.
According to the ACT, the exceptional score provides colleges with evidence of student readiness for the academic rigors that lie ahead.