Northern Lehigh High School senior Michael Martineau has received a certificate of merit in recognition of outstanding performance from the Pennsylvania Higher Education Assistance Agency for his ACT score.

His score is among the 5,000 highest scores in the state of Pennsylvania. The certificate addressed to Michael is signed by state Rep. Michael Peifer, chairman of the PHEAA Board of Directors, and state Sen. Wayne D. Fonata, vice chairman of the PHEAA Board of Directors.

According to The Princeton Review, “The ACT is an entrance exam used by most colleges and universities to make admissions decisions.” The exam includes sections on English, math, reading, science and writing (optional) and is designed to “measure a high school student’s readiness for college.”

Michael’s score is a 34 out of a maximum score of 36. The Princeton Review suggests that the average score is 21.

Michael hopes to combine his love of mathematics with his passion for social sciences and has expressed interest in studying mathematical economics and international economic policy.

His parents, Richard and Michele, and his brother, Griffin, an eighth-grader at Northern Lehigh, are very proud of him and are excited to see where all of his hard work will lead him. Students interested in taking the exam may register for the ACT at ACT.org.