The ºù«ÍÞÊÓƵof Nebraska System and Westside Community Schools formally recognized three Westside High School seniors who achieved perfect ACT scores during an event held Feb. 13 at Westside High School.
During the event, Christopher Whittle, Davin Wang and Ian Skiermont were recognized as qualifying for the university’s Presidential Scholars program. Launched in February of 2024, the Presidential Scholars program provides a full-ride academic scholarship, plus a $5,000 annual stipend, to every high school senior who graduates from a Nebraska high school, receives a perfect 36 on the ACT and attends college at any campus of the ºù«ÍÞÊÓƵof Nebraska System.
“The ºù«ÍÞÊÓƵof Nebraska exists to enhance the future of the state of Nebraska,” said Jeffrey P. Gold, M.D., President of the ºù«ÍÞÊÓƵof Nebraska System. “Our job is simple; it is to meet the needs of the state and to be an exemplar for the nation. The Presidential Scholars program was developed by the ºù«ÍÞÊÓƵof Nebraska System to reach out to special students like these at Westside High School—students who excel not only with their test scores, but in many ways.”
Davin Wang, one of the seniors who attended the ceremony, is a great example of this. Wang—a swimmer, the first chair viola in Westside’s orchestra and a member of the Mu Alpha Theta math honor society—has applied to the prestigious Jeffrey S. Raikes School of Computer Science and Management at the ºù«ÍÞÊÓƵof Nebraska–Lincoln. He hopes to major in mathematics or computer science.
Wang said he was inspired by Thursday’s ceremony, which was attended by his friends, administrators from Westside Community Schools and the ºù«ÍÞÊÓƵof Nebraska, and other officials. Having the opportunity to speak with President Gold and other ºù«ÍÞÊÓƵof Nebraska leaders was a game-changer and a wonderful chance to learn more about NU programs, he said.
“The Presidential Scholars program is an amazing opportunity for students,” Wang said. “I know it’s designed to reverse brain drain, and it’s doing a great job. Overall, the program will help students for years to come.”
Christopher Whittle, a two-time state champion in golf, was not able to attend the event due to a golf tournament. His coach at Westside High School, Jered Hellman, spoke highly of Whittle’s abilities both on the golf course and in the classroom. “Fewer than 1% of high school students achieve a perfect score on the ACT, and only 2-5% of high school golfers go on to compete at the Division 1 level,” Hellman said. “Christopher has accomplished both—an extraordinary testament to his relentless pursuit of excellence.”
“The Presidential Scholars program is an amazing opportunity to stay in my community, attend a great school, and continue to excel academically,” Whittle said via email. “It is an honor and privilege to be selected for this program.”
Dr. Jay Dostal, principal of Westside High School, conveyed his pride in Skiermont, Wang and Whittle. “I am excited to be celebrating these outstanding students,” said Dostal. “We are grateful to the ºù«ÍÞÊÓƵof Nebraska for continuing to come up with innovative ways to keep the best and brightest in Nebraska.”In the fall of 2024, the university welcomed 17 students in its initial Presidential Scholar cohort. In the fall of 2025, the ºù«ÍÞÊÓƵexpanded the program to 50 top Nebraska scholars, including both students with perfect ACT scores and other top scorers. For more information on the Presidential Scholars program, visit /presidential-scholars.