OKC Student Achieves Exceptionally High Score on ACT

OKLAHOMA CITY — Miss LaceyAnn L. Lake of Oklahoma City, going into her senior year at Bishop McGuiness High School this fall, just scored a 34 on her ACT, with a perfect 36 in the science section of the test.
That’s a remarkable feat; in Oklahoma, the average composite score for the ACT is 17.6, and only 17% of Oklahoma students taking the test meet the benchmark for the science section, scoring a 23 or better. Nationwide, the average composite score for the ACT is 19.4.
That puts the young Miss Lake among a small percentage of students both statewide and nationwide to score that highly on the ACT test, which is used by colleges and universities to measure eligibility for acceptance and for scholarships.
“It took a lot of studying,” Lake said. “I started taking it my freshman year, and I took an ACT prep course at my school. My mom ordered test booklets, and I would go over the questions that I got wrong and practice those and really target those, my weaknesses, over time.”
Lake is the daughter of Angela Bush Scobey and Randy Lake. Her mother noted that not every parent in Oklahoma is aware of the importance of their child’s ACT score plays in determining their future. Even students who have graduated at the top of their class might be denied scholarship opportunities due to ACT scores, she said.
Lake said she would encourage other students to “stay focused.”
“Really take the time to, not only study and focus on your work, but take time for yourself too, because it can be stressful at times,” she said. “Celebrate your little wins, whether that’s getting the grades you like on your test, or just making it through the school day. Celebrate the wins and just take it day by day.
“Take the ACT, and keep going until you get the score you want and get as many scholarships as you can,” she continued. “The higher that score, the more opportunities. I plan to go to college and go on a pre-med track. I’m not really sure about my major yet.”
Lake is also active with local pageants, winning Miss Lincoln County Teen and, just this last weekend, winning first runner up at the Miss Oklahoma City Teen pageant at Oklahoma City Community College (OCCC). For her placement, Lake won 48 credit hours at OCCC and $400 cash. She also won the talent competition, winning another $100 in cash, for her speech “Right Where I Belong” about her personal struggle with belonging and how she overcame it.
“And that ties to my community service initiative, BeLONG: Loving the Skin You’re In, which encourages individuals to celebrate their uniqueness and embrace the qualities that make them unique and embrace self-confidence,” she said.