Caroline Cornett, a junior at Signal Mountain Middle/High is the third student from Signal Mountain to achieve the highest possible composite score of 36 on the ACT college entrance exam in the past year. She is the sixth student in the history of the school to achieve the score putting her in the Top 1 percent of all students who take the ACT. Cornett joins seniors Jack Poss, and Max Burk, as current students enrolled at the school in the ACT perfect 36 club.
“We are so proud of Caroline’s ACT accomplishment and all of the time and effort she puts into doing her very best at everything she takes on,” said Shane Harwood, executive principal of Signal Mountain Middle/High.
Cornett is active in academic enrichment activities including Model UN (MUN), Youth in Government, and Mock Trial. She will serve the next school year as the Secretary-General for MUN 2020, the highest student position at the Southeastern High School Model United Nations Conference, and was she was chair of the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) committee this past year. Cornett will be Speaker of the Red House at next spring’s state conference of Youth in Government.
Last summer, she was nominated, selected, and served as a participant in the 2018 Tennessee Governor’s School for International Studies and she was a member of the Signal Mountain mock trial team that won a second consecutive district title and placed third at the state Mock Trial competition.
Cornett also is an active member of the school’s Leo Club, National Honor Society, Beta Club, Mu Alpha Theta math honor society, and runs with the high school cross country and track team. This past year, she helped found a local chapter of Threads of Care that held a successful coat drive to provide for the homeless.
Outside school, Cornett is active in student ministries with Signal Presbyterian Church. When time allows, she enjoys reading and playing with her dog, Shiloh.
The ACT consists of tests in English, mathematics, reading, and science; each scored on a scale of 1-36. A student’s composite score is the average of the four test scores. The ACT is a curriculum-based achievement exam that measures what students have learned in school. Students who earn a 36 composite score have likely mastered all of the skills and knowledge they will need to succeed in first-year college courses in the core subject areas.
“Caroline is an extremely dedicated and talented student who puts her heart into everything she does,” said Kathy McCormack, chairman of the school’s Math Department.
Cornett had a few tips for success on the ACT. “look at the answers that come with the questions, which could be misleading, so it’s good to know what they’re looking for when they ask a question,” Cornett said. “And, try to stay motivated.” She also took advantage of the ACT Prep classes that Signal Mountain Middle/High offered during free periods at school. Those courses often discussed strategy for taking the ACT.
For more tips on how to succeed on the ACT, check out this
video featuring Hamilton County seniors who have had success on the ACT.
YouTube ACT Video
Google Link to ACT Video