After numerous attempts to log in and access her ACT results due to technical issues, Maryam Tunkara, a junior at Butler Tech’s Bioscience Center and Lakota West High School, finally saw her score: a perfect 36. The moment was doubly thrilling—not only had she achieved the highest possible score, a feat accomplished by only 0.25% of test-takers in 2022, but she had also triumphed over the frustrating technology barrier that kept her results just out of reach!
Maryam’s exceptional accomplishment places her among the top ranks of 3,376 students nationally who achieved this score out of over 1.3 million ACT participants. Her journey to this point has been as dynamic as it has been diverse. Originally from West Africa, Maryam’s family moved across the United States—from Seattle to Connecticut—before settling in Butler County. Though born in the States, Maryam’s exposure to various places and cultures has enriched her worldview, which is evident in her academic and extracurricular endeavors.
Maryam excels not only in her studies but also participates in lacrosse, student government, art club, and the FIRST Robotics team at Lakota West. Her active involvement continues at Butler Tech, where she serves as a Student Ambassador and a member of HOSA—Future Health Professionals. Her skills recently secured her a first-place award and qualification for the national HOSA competition in Healthcare Issues.
Maryam’s academic pursuits are equally impressive. Enrolled in several College Credit Plus courses, she is diligently preparing for a future in healthcare, with a specific interest in Computational Biology or Pharmacology. Her aspirations include attending Johns Hopkins University, though she pragmatically plans to apply to multiple top-tier institutions, including The Ohio State University, known for its robust healthcare research programs.
“Danielle Mink, her Biomedical Science Instructor at Butler Tech, attests to her exceptional capabilities: “Maryam sets high standards for herself, which is reflected in her achievements. She possesses a remarkable ability to integrate new knowledge with existing concepts and often raises questions that push the boundaries of typical classroom discussions.”
Despite her success, Maryam is celebrated for her humility. “She’s humble and doesn’t seek attention for her successes,” Ms. Mink added, reflecting on Maryam’s modesty.
Butler Tech is proud to support such a promising student, confident in her future contributions to medical research and patient care.
Congratulations, Maryam!