FARMINGTON, Arkansas — With college application season coming up in the next few months, rising seniors at Farmington High School Taylor Conran and Miles Batson said they’re no strangers to hard work and dedication.
So much so, that both boys scored a 36 composite score on the ACT, the highest possible score. According to the official ACT website, an average score is between 17 to 24.
"I was kind of in shock for a little bit. I didn't think it was going to happen," Conran said.
Batson then explained, “While taking the test, it was the most confident I had felt. But still, it was such a shock to see that 36.”
The two even push each other in a bit of friendly competition. Taylor received his scores back in February, prompting Miles to work even harder.
“I was like, ‘Okay, I can't let that slide. We gotta be in the 36 squad together,'” Batson laughed.
While the test results were a surprise to the boys and their families...
“Oh, I was so excited, jumping up and down,” Batson's mom, Jennifer said.
“It was so exciting,” Lori, Conran's mom, added. “He's the oldest of our four boys. That night, we went to dinner because we can maybe not have to pay for one college so we could take our family to dinner one Friday night.”
Their AP literature teacher Mrs. Belyn Rodgers said she always expected greatness.
“I am more proud of the fact that they want to learn. They want to grow as people, and they also want to grow their community around them, and this is the sort of young person that we need in Arkansas and we need in our society,” Mrs. Rodgers said, smiling.
And these boys aren’t just about the books. Batson was a lead star in the high school’s spring musical production of The Little Mermaid.
While Conran spent lots of time under the lights during the football season. Though he’s also a musical prodigy himself playing the piano and guitar.
Both of their parents said they have always stressed the importance of education first.
Lori said, “My husband and I both put a lot of emphasis on studying and being a full time student. Everything else comes after that right now.”
“We have always really cared a lot about academics, and we want him to make the world a better place,” Jennifer added.
This summer, Batson is off to Arkansas Tech for a 4-week governor’s school program. He tells 5NEWS his dream is to follow in his sister’s footsteps by going to the University of Arkansas to pursue a career in politics.
“I'm very, very passionate about trying to make a positive impact on the world, and that's sort of how I want to do that,” he explains.
While BYU is Taylor’s number one choice right now, “I'm keeping my options open to places where I can get scholarships at or more advanced schools, considering like Harvard and Stanford, for example,” Conran said.
He added that he's passionate about serving the community one day as well.
“I think a career defending people would be fulfilling for me,” he concluded.