Benner Earns Perfect ACT

At the Kearney Public Schools Board of Education meeting on Monday, June 8, board members recognized a 2026 Kearney High School graduate for a rare and remarkable academic accomplishment.

Ava Benner has earned a perfect score of 36 on the ACT, placing her among an elite group of students nationwide. Fewer than one percent of ACT test-takers achieve the highest possible score, and in Nebraska, less than one-tenth of one percent of graduates reach this milestone.

"Ava's accomplishment is a testament to her intelligence, perseverance, and commitment to excellence," said Kearney Public Schools Superintendent Dr. Jason Mundorf.

Ava will attend the Georgia Institute of Technology (Georgia Tech), where she plans to major in Environmental Engineering. Before beginning her studies on the Atlanta campus, she will spend her first two semesters studying abroad in London, England, and Seville, Spain through Georgia Tech's international first-year program.

Kearney Public Schools congratulates Ava on this extraordinary achievement and wishes her continued success as she begins the next chapter of her educational journey.