Adams aces the ACT test
Submitted by jcht2010 on
Industrial High School incoming senior James Adams was confident going into the ACT test that he would do well. He had prepared fully, and it included his best subject, science. He did not expect to open an email congratulating him for his perfect score.
"I went into this thinking 'Yes. Now I can do well.' I was not expecting a 36," he said, "I just kind of jumped up and did a little happy dance."
James' mother, Cynthia Adams, who is the principal of Industrial Elementary West in Inez, said they were sitting around the living room talking about it when he just made a comment that he should check his email for his scores, and when he did, the whole family was floored.
"He started researching it," she said, "he was like 'let me see how many people do that,' and he started reading all this data to us."
As it turns out, statistics vary year to year, but generally less that one-tenth of 1% of those who take the ACT make a perfect score on the test. In fact, James said his research revealed that 1.85 million students took the test last year, and a little over 1400 of them made a perfect 36.
James and his family are quick to point out, however, that he is a very normal, very active high school student.
"I am very deep into extracurricular," said James, "I am a runner. I do cross country, and long distance track. I am in band and I'm actually Industrial's marching drum line captain this year."
He is also very involved with UIL academic competitions. He is a two-time state qualifier in cross examination debate, and participates in current issues and events, mathematics, science, and computer science. He also plans to do UIL robotics in the coming year.
James has a deep interest in science, and plans to go to college and eventually pursue a career in biomedical engineering.
"He's always loved science, ever since he was little bitty," said his mom, “at first it was space, and it just kind of evolved."
Both were surprised by the attention his score has gotten James, because it took a little while for the gravity of the situation to hit them.
"I knew the statistics, but I wasn't really thinking it was that big of a deal," said Cynthia, "I handed (the results) to Mr. Green, and I wasn't even thinking he was going to read them at the school board meeting. I wasn't even at the school board meeting, and I usually am. After the meeting Mr. Williams sends out his board notes and then I got an email from Mr. Williams congratulating me, and evidently he sent it to the admin team. The next day Mr. Green sent it to the entire district staff."
After that, Cynthia and James both say their phones haven't stopped ringing, with congratulatory messages coming from friends and relatives all over the place.
The upcoming school year looks promising for James and his future in the field of science looks even brighter.
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