Students rarely find achieving a perfect score on their SAT a breeze, but this year Indian Springs rising senior Michelle Luo pulled off the feat in one sitting.

“I didn’t go in thinking, ‘I want to make a perfect score,’” Luo said. “I wanted to just do my best, and I guess I did.”

Luo said she tried to prepare herself the best she could for all sections. She credits the perfect score on the math, writing and critical reading portions to thorough learning.

“I try to really understand the concepts behind what we are learning not just memorize,” Luo said. “If I know I don’t understand something, I’m not afraid to go ask a teacher or even my parents.”

Luo, the daughter of Dr. Ming Luo and Dr. Jun Tsao of Vestavia Hills, earned a perfect 2400 on the SAT. Only 294 students made a perfect score on the test last year.

“We are extremely proud of Michelle’s achievement on the SAT,” said ISS Director Gareth Vaughan. “Her ability to reach this height in academics, while being fully engaged in community service and extracurricular activities, speaks volumes about her talent, work ethic and generous spirit.”

Luo is also an AP Scholar and one of the nation’s top 10 scorers on the National French Exam. She will serve as the Commissioner of Citizenship at ISS this year.

This position coordinates school–wide service projects such as Development Day or D Day. Luo said students sign up for various projects ranging from dusting library books to working with Habitat for Humanity. She is also involved with the Schools for Schools Club, an organization dedicated to helping students in Uganda, and she has coordinated school fundraisers for the Council for Exceptional Children’s Alabama chapter.

“I try my hardest to manage my time and not waste my time,” Luo said.

Luo plans to continue weighing her options for college and a potential career path to follow. She’ll graduate from Indian Springs next May.