(Lincoln, Neb.) PHOTO GALLERY - Gov. Dave Heineman today will recognize eight Nebraska high school seniors for their academic achievement in earning top scores of 36 on the ACT college admissions exam during two events. The ceremonies are being held today at Millard West High School in Omaha and Lincoln East High School.

“I want to congratulate each of these students on their perfect ACT score,” Gov. Heineman said. “This is an incredible accomplishment. These students represent the outstanding young people in our state who have distinguished themselves in the classroom, and I’m confident they will build upon their academic accomplishments in the years ahead.”

As of May 2012, for the high school graduating class of 2012, eight Nebraska students earned a top ACT score. They include: Jackson Fisher of Lincoln East High School; Colby McGinley of Lourdes Central High School in Nebraska City; Thomas Mullen of Roncalli Catholic High School; Katherine Preston of Millard West High School; Jessica Qiu of Lincoln East High School; Emily Scholting of Platteview High School; Michael Tritz of Creighton Preparatory School; and Cole Wilhelmi of Millard North High School.

The Governor will be joined by Dr. Roger Breed, Nebraska’s Commissioner of Education, and a representative of the ACT in honoring seniors earning the highest possible composite scores on the exams.

Dr. Breed said, “On behalf of the State Board of Education and the Nebraska Department of Education, I congratulate each of you on your outstanding academic achievement. I know your teachers, schools and families are proud of your accomplishments. You are among Nebraska’s best, and I am confident that you will be highly successful.”

Jon Erickson, President of ACT Education Division, said, “ACT congratulates these outstanding Nebraska seniors for their exceptional scores and academic readiness. We also wish to recognize the important role played by the teachers, parents and schools that helped each student succeed.”

The ACT consists of four tests scored on a scale of one to 36. In 2011, more than 1.62 million graduates from the class of 2011 took the ACT; 49% of the entire graduating class nationwide. On average, fewer than one-tenth of one percent of all students who take the ACT earn a top composite score of 36. A student’s composite score is the average of the four test scores. The average composite score for Nebraska high school graduates in 2011 was 22.1.