<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/6/1593562485709.png" alt="Gov. Ricketts, NDE Commissioner Matt Blomstedt, honorees, and guests&nbsp;at today’s ceremony to recognize students for top scores on the ACT and SAT. (Photo: Gov. Ricketts' Office)" />
 <figcaption>Gov. Ricketts, NDE Commissioner Matt Blomstedt, honorees, and guests&nbsp;at today’s ceremony to recognize students for top scores on the ACT and SAT. (Photo: Gov. Ricketts' Office)</figcaption>
 </figure>News ReleaseLINCOLN, Neb.-Governor Pete Ricketts and the Nebraska Department of Education (NDE) hosted a ceremony in the State Capitol Rotunda to recognize graduates from the class of 2020 who achieved a top score on their ACT or SAT college entrance exam.“Achieving a top score on the ACT or SAT is extremely hard to do,” said Gov. Ricketts.&nbsp; “In Nebraska, 44 graduates in the class of 2020 have accomplished this remarkable feat.&nbsp; Their top scores reflect years of hard work and academic discipline, as well as the contributions of their teachers and parents.”NDE Commissioner Matt Blomstedt joined the Governor to recognize the students for their outstanding accomplishments.“Perhaps no class has faced more challenges than the class of 2020.&nbsp; These students have risen to the occasion and exceeded all expectations,” said Education Commissioner Matt Blomstedt.&nbsp; “Congratulations&nbsp;to the outstanding Nebraska students who achieved a top score on the ACT.&nbsp; These students are a great example of perseverance, hard work, and dedication. &nbsp;We are all proud of their accomplishments and wish them the best in their bright futures.”This year’s number of students with top scores (44) equaled the number of graduating seniors who achieved a top score in 2019.&nbsp; The class of 2018 in Nebraska had 22 students who scored either a 36 on the ACT or 1600 on the SAT.Elkhorn South High School had the most students with top scores in this year’s graduating class (4).&nbsp; Hastings, Lincoln East, Lincoln Pius X, Millard North, and Papillion-La Vista each had three students with top scores.The graduating students who earned a top score are:Drew Vuncannon, Columbus (Scotus Central Catholic)Ella Barnes, ElkhornDaniel Hudson, ElkhornBrayden Whitaker, Elkhorn (Mount Michael)Eugene Kim, Elkhorn SouthDerek Madden, Elkhorn SouthJoshua Oarhe, Elkhorn SouthJulia Patterson, Elkhorn SouthJacob Kosmicki, Grand Island Senior HighChase Johnson, HastingsLandon Power, HastingsCarter Wenburg, HastingsElizabeth Sasse, Home SchooledBenjamin Soria, KearneyTyler Wong, KearneyDylan Chapin, Lincoln EastCeleste Matthes, Lincoln EastPranav Palli, Lincoln EastLuke Moberly, Lincoln HighMatthew Dohmen, Lincoln NortheastGrace Driewer, Lincoln Pius XDu Duong, Lincoln Pius XLuke Tomes, Lincoln Pius XEvan Fulton, Lincoln SouthwestTuong Phung, Lincoln SouthwestIan Parmley, Millard NorthAugustus Shald, Millard NorthLucy Tu, Millard NorthLuke Partsch, Nebraska City (Lourdes Central Catholic)Hailey Bixler, Neligh-OakdaleJackson Savage, NorrisKeegan Nitsch, North Platte (St. Patrick’s)Eric Seger-Pera, Omaha CentralRichard Chapman, Omaha Creighton PrepTristan Curd, Omaha Creighton PrepRaleigh Kreis, Omaha Duchesne AcademyVictoria Fleming, Omaha Duchesne AcademyReese Pike, Omaha WestsideTheodore Jansen, Omaha WestsideBraxton Fjeldsted, Papillion-La VistaVincent Lin, Papillion-La VistaOwen Sumter, Papillion-La VistaKatherine Reisig, ScottsbluffAlyssa Gilliland, YorkVideo from today’s ceremony is available by&nbsp;<a href="https://gcc02.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2FGovernorPeteRicketts%2Fvideos%2F623551888261300%2F&amp;data=02%7C01%7Ccio.webmstr%40nebraska.gov%7C072d465356144608f81a08d81d3cc550%7C043207dfe6894bf6902001038f11f0b1%7C0%7C0%7C637291494129468266&amp;sdata=8nmGtVlF3zdcWM%2Fh%2BxbhxRHcmkV6QdeAz6XoPJnTlZI%3D&amp;reserved=0" target="_blank">clicking here</a>.

Gov. Ricketts, Dept. of Education recognize 44 Nebraska students for top ACT/SAT scores