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Print | E-mail to a friend SCHOOLS

Homeschooled student scores perfect on ACT

September 04, 2008 @ 12:00 AM

BILL ROSENBERGER

The Herald-Dispatch

HUNTINGTON -- Michael Petrany is smart beyond his 16 years, but neither he nor his parents could believe he scored a perfect 36 on the ACT.

Michael Petrany took the college entrance test in June, when he was 15, and he was one of four West Virginia students to accomplish a perfect score, the second Huntington resident in the past year.

But as surprised as the homeschooled student was, he admitted the test was "fairly easy for the most part." He took the test, like his older brother before him, because he wanted to take classes at Marshall while finishing his high school degree. This semester, he is taking art, and he plans to take calculus, philosophy and political science.

But he's not ready to jump into college full time, although he'd probably do just as well.

"I would prefer to have a more rigorous high school curriculum and take classes at Marshall," he said.

Other than preschool, Michael Petrany has been homeschooled by his mother, Nancy-Ann Petrany. She also homeschooled his two older brothers from kindergarten to 12th grade and also partially homeschooled three daughters.

She and her husband, Dr. Stephen Petrany, met at Georgetown. She was a liberal arts major, while he advanced into a medical career.

The two backgrounds have been very helpful in giving their children a well-rounded education experience.

But the key, both she and her son said, was reading.

"The thing I've done even before they could read was instill that books are important," Nancy-Ann Petrany said.

Even with all the good study habits she has passed on, a perfect ACT score wasn't part of the plan.

"I knew he'd do well; he's a very bright young man," she said. "But I never guessed it would be a perfect score.

"He's just gifted that way," she added. "A natural scholar. He's far surpassing his mother."

When he's not reading textbooks, Michael Petrany is reading something else. He also plays the piano, volunteers at Ebenezer Medical Outreach and attends a regional Catholic youth group.

As for his future, well, he's still only 16. He's exploring his college options and may follow in his father's footsteps and become a doctor.

Huntington High senior Sam Shideler scored a 36 when he took the ACT in October.

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Lori Wolfe/The Herald-Dispatch

Michael Petrany, a homeschooled student from Huntington, scored a perfect 36 on the ACT when he took it in June. Petrany plays piano in his spare time to relax.

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Lori Wolfe/The Herald-Dispatch

Michael Petrany, a homeschooled student from Huntington, scored a perfect 36 on the ACT when he took it in June. Petrany plays piano in his spare time to relax.

Purchase this photo