Five LPS students qualify for NU Presidential Scholars Program for perfect ACT scores

December 10, 2024

Five Lincoln Public Schools students aced their ACT tests with perfect scores – leading to a special honor from the University of Nebraska. 
 
Nicholas Li and Sarah Cai of East, Brayden Thelander of Northeast, Timofei Prakapchuk of Northwest and Ripley Becker of Southwest qualified for the university’s Presidential Scholars Program. 

The program provides a full-ride academic scholarship, plus a $5,000 annual stipend, to every high school student who graduates from a Nebraska high school, receives a perfect 36 on the ACT and attends any campus in the NU system. 

“Financially college is pretty heavy,” Thelander said. “So having that to basically cover a college journey is enough to alleviate some of that stress, hopefully, to let me perform better and then continue on with whatever I want to pursue.” 

Thelander plans to attend the University of Nebraska-Lincoln and study emerging media arts. Northeast Principal Keri Applebee said Thelander’s accomplishment exemplifies the teaching and learning happening at her school. 

“It's because of amazing students, like Brayden, who take opportunities to learn and grow so seriously, in conjunction with a wonderful staff that teaches and fosters a learning growth set in our scholars that make honors like the one Brayden is receiving possible,” Applebee said. 

NU President Jeffrey P. Gold, M.D. and LPS Superintendent Paul Gausman recognized the scholars in front of friends, family and other local dignitaries at the Steve Joel District Leadership Center during a celebration in early December. 

“Thank you to you who have supported these scholars with your unwavering encouragement,” Gausman said. “You fostered an environment where learning and perseverance flourishes and were these students’ champions in moments of both triumph and challenge.” 

Prakapchuk, who is interested in majoring in computer science or business administration, said he first got a 32 on the exam without studying. Then, he decided to challenge himself and prepare more, like taking the LPS ACT prep course to see if he could achieve the top score. After a few more tries, he finally reached his goal. 

“I ran around the house,” he said. ”It was a great feeling to know I got this.” 

He also made history for his school by being the first from Northwest to earn a perfect ACT score. He is on track to graduate early from high school. 

“Timofei's achievement of being the first at Northwest to achieve this is just fantastic for our school,” Northwest Principal Cedric Cooper said. “His brilliance and dedication shine through, and I hope it inspires other students to chase their dreams with the same passion and focus.”

NU launched the Presidential Scholars program earlier this fall and welcomed 17 Nebraska students in its inaugural cohort. Gold said the university wanted to start the program to send a clear signal to high-achieving students that the school values them. 

“The University of Nebraska is an excellent institution, but we are working to aspire to something beyond excellent in every aspect of what we do,” Gold said. “That includes the educational opportunities for our students. It includes keeping our top students here and making sure they are supported and challenged.”

NU recently announced its plan to expand the opportunity to up to 50 of the state’s top students by adding other top scorers with the perfect ACT test takers for fall 2025. 

If you or your scholar are interested in preparing for the ACT exam, visit our website at https://home.lps.org/act-testprep/ to learn more about the LPS ACT Test Prep.

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