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 one percent of students who take the ACT earn the top score. Even fewer accomplish this as a junior.

“I was confident in my answers, but I was not expecting a perfect ACT score. It was a big surprise,” Witek said.

Then he did it again with the SAT, landing in the 99^th percentile with a score of 1520 out of a possible 1600.

Witek studied nearly every day for six months to prepare for both exams, he said.

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

His parents, Lisa and Neil Witek, were thrilled when they found out about his perfect ACT score.

“We are super proud of him and so happy to see that his hard work and preparation for the exam paid off,” Lisa Witek said.

Witek currently holds a 4.0 GPA. He also plays trumpet in the high school marching band, plays outside travel baseball and works part-time.

“Achieving a perfect score on his ACT is a tremendous accomplishment. It is a credit to his work ethic and dedication to excel in the classroom,” said PNHS Principal Ross Draper. “I know he will go on to do great things in college and beyond.”

Witek plans to attend college and major in computer science.