Indian Springs senior earns perfect ACT score

Tristan Trechsel has earned a perfect score on the ACT college entrance exam. Trechsel is a senior at Indian Springs School and a Mountain Brook resident.

The odds of achieving a perfect score are extremely low. Of the 1.8 million students who took the standardized test nationally as members of the graduating class of 2014, about 1,400— less than 0.08 percent—scored a perfect 36, according to data provided by ACT, Inc.

“Earning a perfect score on this nationwide test is no easy feat,” ISS Director Gareth Vaughan said. “We are extremely proud of Tristan and this exciting accomplishment and believe that it speaks volumes about his aptitude, talent and work ethic. It also represents well our students’ commitment to excellence in the classroom and beyond.”

Trechsel earned his perfect score on his first time to take the ACT, which was Oct. 25. He didn’t use practice exams or guides to prepare but instead believes that staying relaxed during the test helped him do his best.

“I've never had any kind of test anxiety, so before the test I remember looking up at the painted ceiling tiles in my test room, feeling nostalgic about Freshman English,” he said.

A stop by Starbucks on the way to the test might not have hurt, either.

“I got up early enough to get a double shot and a breakfast sandwich!” he said.

Trechsel, who is also a 2015 National Merit Semifinalist and an AP Scholar with Distinction, comes from a long line of Indian Springs graduates, including Dr. Frank Trechsel ’69, Hayden Trechsel ’72, Mary Trechsel Smyer ’82, Julia Trechsel Davis ’03, and Lake Trechsel ’04.

A singer/songwriter and member of the Indian Springs School Choir, Trechsel plans to study physics in college and is currently applying to some of the most selective schools across the country.

-Submitted by Indian Springs School