2 Lincoln-Way West Juniors Ace ACT College Entrance Exam

NEW LENOX, IL — Two Lincoln-Way West juniors have joined several of their peers districtwide in achieving a perfect score on the ACT college entrance exam.

Ethan Ferrucci, of Manhattan, and Ben Doggett, of New Lenox, both scored a 36 on the test. They share the distinction with Nora Flynn, Hailey Coennen, and Aidan Stockrahm at Lincoln-Way Central, as well as Logan Fox, Tiag Hertsberg, Kaitlyn Poidomani, Anthony Russotto and Felix Sacks at Lincoln-Way East.

Both L-W West juniors thought they had done well on the exam, but neither believed they'd land the highest possible score.

"I was really shocked when I got the 36," Ben Doggett said. "I wasn’t expecting it at all. I thought I did pretty well, but wasn’t expecting a 36."

In preparation for the exam, Doggett took an online practice course and tried 4-5 full-length practice tests.

"That helped me get down the pacing of the test," he said, "and what type of questions."

His toughest section was science, but he left the exam feeling confident. Doggett's parents, Andrew and Tara, were just as stunned by his core.

Before Andrew learned his score, Ben's expression gave him away, he said.

"He was pretty happy when I walked in the door, I could tell something was going on," he said.

"I believe there were some expletives. I was pretty shocked. I didn’t expect his score to be low, but it was definitely a shock."

Ben is the couple's only child. He plays guitar with the School of Rock. He competes in Mathletes, is a member of the school's history and technology clubs, as well as student council, National Honor Society and Math Honor Society.

"He’s a great kid," Andrew said. "He’s never been a problem, we’ve always been really proud of him. He’s always done really well in school—we’re blessed, absolutely."

Ben said he's not certain of any college choices, but believes he'll end up pursuing a career in the legal field.

"I'm trying to keep an open mind about it," he said. "Waiting to see what school calls out to me."

Andrew attended Northwestern; Tara went to Western Illinois University. Andrew said they're not trying to steer Ben toward any particular school.

"It’s up to him," Andrew said. "We’ve told him all along, it’s totally up to him. As long as he’s not too far away from home."

When he's not working at K9 Tailshakers this summer, Ben plans to relax.

Manhattan's Ferrucci said the prep work and opportunities provided by teachers were essential in setting him up for success on the test.

"Just getting used to the style of testing," Ferrucci said. "Compared to the SAT, the ACT is much faster-paced. All that work that my teachers were able to give me, helped me a lot with that."

Students taking the ACT this year were doing it for the first time. Having classically taken the PSAT in lower grades in preparation for the SAT entrance exam, the ACT was an entirely different testing style and experience, said Ferrucci's mom, Jennifer.

"It kinda pulled the rug out from under them," she said. "For these kids, who had been thinking and preparing all of their school career, that was a big change."

Still, Ferrucci left the exam feeling optimistic.

"I felt pretty good about the test," he said. "I knew I had gotten a pretty good score. I was talking to all my friends about it, they were a little less confident than I was.

"I had no idea I would get a perfect score."

Jennifer, too, was stunned.

"I wasn’t sure I believed it," she said, laughing. "I had to call and confirm."

It certainly worked out, though—he was hoping to only have to take it once.

"But you were prepared to take it again, if need be," Jennifer interjected.

Ferrucci is in student council, the Environmental Action Club, National Honor Society, National Spanish Honor Society and Math Honor Society. He'll also a swimmer at the school, a four-year varsity athlete.

Jennifer said she and Ferrucci's father John are so thrilled with Ethan, who is a graduate of Manhattan District 114 schools. Ferrucci is also a proud big brother to sister Ava, who graduates eighth grade this year.

“We’re always proud of him, no matter what he does, but he works so incredibly hard at everything," she said. "He’s obviously very bright, but he’s also very dedicated. So I’m just proud to see all that dedication pay off."

Ferrucci is leaning toward Butler University for college, though he has additional campus visits planned. He plans to study actuarial science.

This summer, he'll teach private swim lessons and work as a lifeguard.