Homeschooler achieves top score on ACT
by Bethie Taylor
07.16.09 - 05:57 am
Nervous about taking a national college entrance exam, 15-year-old Zachary Gibson of Apex prayed for comfort and help so he ?wouldn?t be so nervous.?

On his way out the door, a quote on the living room wall caught his attention. The quote by Elder Neil L. Andersen, an apostle for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints read ?You don?t know everything, but you know enough.?

On that day Zach certainly knew enough. He was the only student in the state of North Carolina to achieve a perfect composite score of 36.

Of all test takers worldwide, he was one of 268 to earn the top score, which equates to less than one-tenth of one percent of all students who take the national college admissions exam.

The subjects include English, mathematics, reading and science. Each test is scored on a scale of 1 to 36, and a student?s composite score is the average of the four test scores. For comparison, last year?s national high school graduating class of 2008, the average composite score was 21.1 out of 36.

In honor of Zach?s exceptional achievement, ACT Chief Executive Officer Richard L. Ferguson wrote him a letter noting that Zach should have a choice of the widest possible range of future educational options. ACT scores are accepted by all U.S. colleges and universities.

In the fall of 2010, Zach would like to attend Brigham Young University in Provo, Utah and study either Neuroscience or Physics.

Scholastic achievement is nothing new for Zach. Four years ago, Zach was involved with the Duke University Talent Identification Program (TIP) and for the 7th Grade Talent Search he earned Grand Level Recognition due to his high score in science. Additionally Zach has taken an Advanced Placement course in calculus.

His mother and teacher, Allyson Gibson, described Zach as ?a very self-motivated student. He is organized and sets goals for himself along the way. He's very logical in his approach.?

In addition to his academic studies, Zach begins his day early with a 6 a.m. religious instructional seminary class, where he has perfect attendance. As a freshman he studied the Old Testament and this year Zach completed the New Testament.

Zach credits attending the religious class with ?clarity of mind? and said ?it turns my brain on? allowing him to ?better take in information.?

His teacher Amy Winsor said ?He is a good natured, likeable young man and is well received by the other youth. I am so impressed with him.?

She explained that Zach was the class pianist and accompanied the opening hymn. At a recent Seminary event, Zach was able to recite by memory 25 scriptural passages in the New Testament which included more than 50 verses, quoting them all in less than 5 minutes.

Another area that Zach excels in is Scouts. He is a member of the Boy Scout Troop 131 and earned the rank of Eagle at 13 years old, the youngest age possible to achieve scouting?s highest youth award.

Zach continues to earn Merit Badges and currently has 4 Palms. His Scout Master Trent Green said ?Zach is one of the more self motivated young men that I have ever met. He is very bright and uses his wide range of talents well. One of my favorite things about Zach is his hunger to learn new things and to develop new skills.?

Zach recently completed a 50-mile hike on the Appalachian Trail with his Troop. Upon his return Zach?s summer days will be spent rehearsing for the lead role of Saturday?s Warrior, a musical theater presentation, which will be performed on August 22 at 7 p.m. at the meeting house of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 590 Bryan Drive in Apex. The event is free of charge and open to the public.