Corbin High School students earns perfect ACT score

A Corbin High School sophomore known for her drive and determination applied those traits to taking the ACT test and came away with a perfect score of 36.

Fifteen-year-old Kami Garland took the test for the fourth time in December after scoring a 35 in October.

“I took it once in eighth grade and scored a 33, and took it as a freshman and scored a 34,” Garland said. “When I scored the 35, my mom said I should be done, but I was so close to that 36.”

Garland said the area bringing her score down was English, so she focused on that area when taking the practice tests prior to taking it again.

“I pretty much knew what I was doing. There was a few questions that I had to guess the answers,” Garland said. “It just came naturally.”

After taking the test, Garland said she had to wait approximately 10 days to get the result.

Garland said she was surprised by the reaction her score produced around the school.

“I had teachers I didn’t even know coming up to congratulate me,” Garland said adding that, for the first time, she was called into the principal’s office.

“He tried to scare me at first,” Garland said of Principal John Crawford when she asked why she was there.

Crawford touted Garland’s accomplishment during the regular meeting of the Corbin Board of Education last Thursday.

Crawford noted that out of the two million ACT tests taken in a given year, approximately 1,000 will be perfect.

“She is just such a well-rounded student,” Crawford said of Garland noting her accomplishments as a member of the Lady Redhounds basketball team.

Garland also plays on the girl’s soccer team and runs track in the spring. In addition, she is a member of the academic team.

Soccer Coach Hannah Goins said it didn’t surprise her that Garland achieved a perfect score.

“She is a brilliant girl who strives really hard to be the best. She is always pushing herself,” Goins said.

Goins said it is even more impressive because Garland juggles excellence in the classroom around her extra-curricular activities.

“To be able to juggle all of that school work with sports is very awesome,” Goins said. “We are very proud of her.”

Corbin High School Guidance Counselor Nancy Wyatt said while this may not be the first perfect ACT score in the school’s history, it is the only one in recent memory.

Garland said when she first came to Corbin High School, she was in the criminal justice career pathway, but has since taken more classes in the medical field with the goal of becoming a psychiatrist.

“I have always been interested in how the mind works,” Garland said.

As to what is next after she graduates from Corbin in 2021, Garland said she is looking at colleges, both near and far.

“I want to try to go to Harvard, but if I don’t do that I would like to go to UK or maybe Morehead,” Garland said.

As to what she would tell other students to help them do better on the ACT, Garland offered to things.

“You just have to manage your time and make sure to get all of the questions answered,” Garland said.

Garland lives in north Corbin. She is the daughter of Ronnie and Karen Garland.

She has attended Corbin Independent Schools beginning in preschool.