By Anna Skinner
Many high schoolers stress out over college readiness tests such as the SAT and ACT, often times retaking the test. This was not a problem for Westfield High School junior Samantha Fassnacht, who scored a perfect 36 on her first round of ACT testing.
“I’m hoping my perfect score will help me in the college application process and help me get into my dream school, Stanford University,” the 17-year-old said. “As for preparing for the exam, I didn’t do much studying for it. I just looked at the structure of the test.”
Fassnacht is aiming for Stanford because of its computer science program, a field she is very interested in. Fassnacht was recently recognized as an Indiana winner for the NCWIT Aspirations in Computing Award, which recognizes women in technology. Winning the award provided her and WHS with plaques, $250 for Fassnacht and some small scholarships for schools around the state.
“I was very shocked. I was hoping I did well, but I never would have expected to do that well,” Fassnacht said of her ACT scores. “I signed up for another computer class next year, and I’m still working on computer programs and learning more.”
She took an advanced-placement computer class with teacher Karen Podell this year.
“The teachers at Westfield have really helped prepare me for college and have just been so amazing and supportive, and I couldn’t be where I am today without all of them,” she said.
Fassnacht said in addition to Stanford’s computer science program, she found the campus friendly, warm and inviting. She will be applying this fall. She is also involved in the school’s robotics club and has participated in various computer science camps over the summer months.
