May 19, 2024
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2 Will County students earned perfect scores on ACT college entrance exam

Fewer than half of 1 percent of students who take the ACT earn the top score

By Denise M. Baran-Unland
Plainfield North High School junior Ethan Witek (left) and Connor Todd, a junior at Providence Catholic High School in New Lenox, both earned a perfect “36” on the ACT college entrance exam.

Plainfield North High School junior Ethan Witek (left) and Connor Todd, a junior at Providence Catholic High School in New Lenox, both earned a perfect “36” on the ACT college entrance exam. (Photo provided)

Two local high school students both earned a perfect 36 on the ACT college entrance exam.

Plainfield North High School junior Ethan Witek earned that perfect 36 on his first try.

Connor Todd, a junior at Providence Catholic High School in New Lenox also earned a perfect 36 on the ACT test.

Fewer than half of 1% of students who take the ACT earn the top score – and even fewer accomplish this as a junior, according to news releases from Plainfield Community Consolidated School District 202 and Providence High School in New Lenox.

Witek not only earned a perfect ACT score, he also made the 99th percentile in the SAT with a score of 1520 out of a possible 1600.

Plainfield North High School junior Ethan Witek earned a perfect “36” on the ACT college entrance exam, on his first try. Less than half 1% of students who take the ACT earn the top score. Even fewer accomplish this as a junior.

Plainfield North High School junior Ethan Witek earned a perfect “36” on the ACT college entrance exam, on his first try. Less than half of 1% of students who take the ACT earn the top score. Even fewer accomplish this as a junior. (Photo provided)

Even though Witek had studied every day for six months for both exams, his final scores still surprised him.

“Studying during the COVID-19 pandemic was a silver lining,” Witek said in the release from District 202. “Instead of thinking of things I could not do outside of school, I focused on what I could do in school.”

Witek’s grade point average is currently a 4.0. He plays trumpet in the high school marching band and outside travel baseball. He also works part-time and plans to major in computer science in college.

His parents are Lisa and Neil Witek.

To prepare for the ACT, Todd purchased the ACT prep book, took a practice test the week before and the night before the actual ACT test and then got plenty of rest the night before the test.

Connor Todd, a junior at Providence Catholic High School in New Lenox, earned a perfect 36 on the ACT test. Fewer than half of 1% of students who take the ACT earn a top score.

Connor Todd, a junior at Providence Catholic High School in New Lenox, earned a perfect 36 on the ACT test. Fewer than half of 1% of students who take the ACT earn a top score. (Photo provided)

Todd said in the release that he felt “an overwhelming sense of accomplishment and pride” when he received his score.

“Providence has instilled a work ethic in me and has taught me the value of being able to rely on both my teachers and my fellow classmates for help,” Todd said in the release. “The rigorous classes have prepared me for my future workload in college and shown me many of the expectations that I will have to fulfill. Providence has taught me to be independent in my work as well as to be able to work well with others.”

Todd not only consistently makes Providence’s honor roll, he also belongs to the school’s art club, math team and science club. He is also a member of the National Art Honor Society and the National Honor Society.

He graduated from Cardinal Joseph Bernardin Catholic School and plans to study architectural engineering in college.

Todd’s parents are Michael and Karen Todd of Orland Hills.