Unprecedented Third Perfect Score Among Seniors

Senior Maeve McClellan returns to the basketball court this month, where she is one of the top guards for the Lions and a natural leader. Last year, her teammates voted her to receive the Lion Award, along with Sophie Vernoski.

“Over the past four years, she has been an invaluable asset to our program,” says Assistant Coach Maggie Miskowicz. “Her remarkable leadership abilities and basketball knowledge consistently drive her to hold herself and her teammates to the highest standards.”

Turns out her basketball knowledge is only part of her skill set. Maeve just earned a perfect score on the ACT. She is the third senior to achieve the feat, joining brothers Michael and Charlie O’Connor among the class of 2024.

These exceptional students lead Saint Viator administrators to believe it might be the first time in recent memory that three seniors have achieved this rare accomplishment.

“The accomplishments of Charlie, Michael, and Maeve are both remarkable and historical at the same time,” says Principal Jon Baffico. “It is incredibly rare to have three students, let alone one student, achieve perfection on a standardized test. We are incredibly proud of their hard work and achievement.”

Off the basketball court, Maeve is a Querbes Scholar, enrolled in STEM classes and participates in the Coding and Engineering Clubs, along with Student Council. She, along with Michael and Charlie O’Connor are members of the National Honor Society and were just named National Merit Commended Scholars.

At Saint Viator, Maeve developed an interest in science, she says, which contributed to her academic success.

“A class I found particularly impactful was AP Biology because it helped me to realize my interest in studying science,” Maeve says. “I credit Mrs. (Gina) Horne with helping me achieve this academic success and for always being enthusiastic and supportive in the classroom and on Academic Team.”

As a member of the Academic Team, Maeve and her teammates compete in the Academic Challenge, which was created by the University of Illinois College of Engineering and its Worldwide Youth in Science and Engineering initiative. 

"For our students to be recognized for exceptional academic promise affirms what Saint Viator strives to accomplish as an institution,” Mr. Baffico added, “that is to help students reach their full potential academically, socially, emotionally and spiritually."

According to the ACT, about one-quarter of 1% of students who take the ACT earn a top score. In last year’s graduating class, only 3,376 out of 1.34 million students across the country who took the ACT earned a top composite score of 36.

“Earning a top score on the ACT is a remarkable achievement,” said ACT CEO Janet Godwin. “A student’s exceptional score of 36 will provide any college or university with ample evidence of their readiness for the academic rigors that lie ahead.”