MISD Superintendent, Coy Samons, recognizing Rianna Peng during May MISD Board Meeting
Rianna Peng, a junior at Murray High School, has earned a 36, the highest possible ACT composite score.
Peng prepped for the ACT through the ACT Prep Book, and the Murray High School ACT Boot Camp, earning the perfect score after one prior score of 32 as a Murray Middle School seventh grade student. Peng was inducted along with 15 other students into the Murray High School ACT 30+ club luncheon ceremony hosted by Murray State University in the Curris Center Ballroom. Since 2019, 80 Murray High School students who achieved a 30 or above on the ACT have been inducted.
A member of the MHS Band clarinet section, Academic Team, BETA, Math, and Art Clubs, Peng said after scoring a 32 in middle school, she continued studying, as she knew she didn’t want to lower her score. “A score doesn’t define you, just do your best,” Peng added.
Peng is the second MHS student to score a perfect 36 since the implementation of the 30 + club in 2019. Chase Renick was the first student to score a perfect 36 when the 30+ club began.
“Students with higher ACT scores benefit with increased scholarship opportunities and KEES monies, while also opening doors for more college admission possibilities,” said Toree McMain, MHS school counselor.
Murray High School provides assistance with ACT initiatives including ACT Academy, ACT Workshops, as well as the fact that MHS teachers embed ACT prep into their curriculums.
“It is my pleasure to congratulate Rianna Peng for this extraordinary achievement, and it speaks highly of the extra effort put forth while at Murray High to attain such academic excellence,” said Coy Samons, MISD superintendent.
Tony Jarvis, MHS principal, said MHS is very excited for Peng’s perfect 36 on the ACT. “This is an amazing achievement for both Rianna and her family. Rianna is a phenomenal young person who is a pleasure to have at school every day. I cannot wait to see what path she chooses for both her career and college choice, but I have no doubt about her future success! She’s a great example of a Murray High Tiger."
Peng is the daughter of Qiaofeng Zhang and Xulong Peng, Murray.