Padua juniors Maria Shrefler ’27 and Melanie Cesa ’27 both earned high scores on the ACT standardized college admissions test. Shrefler recorded a perfect score of 36, while Cesa earned a near-perfect 35.
Shrefler and Cesa felt Padua and the ACT Prep Courses had them ready and at their best on testing day. Shrefler took three test prep courses, while Cesa attended one.
“There’s really a lot of things I’ve learned in high school that helped me with the ACT, like studying and keeping up with my classes throughout the year,” Shrefler said. “I read a lot for enjoyment outside of school, and that helps me get better at understanding reading and grammar.”
Cesa added, “I’ve had really good English teachers throughout my years here. Deacon Tom Litwinowicz has been my math teacher for the past couple years, and he’s really helped my math skills, too.”
Shrefler and Cesa specifically noted Padua’s MedTrack® and MyTrack® programs helped shape their academic experiences.
“I’ve been in MedTrack all of high school, and Dr. Laura Hopkins-Harrington really has had an impact on me,” Shrefler said.
“I have to give a shout out to Miss Lora Winger, who runs the MyTrack Law and the Mock Trial programs, and she’s also one of my favorites,” Cesa said. “I’ve been an attorney on mock trial for three years. We made it to regionals this year, which is really exciting. I’ve been a part of MyTrack Law since freshman year as well.”
Outside of the classroom, Shrefler is a member of the Orchestra, Tri-M Music Honor Society, Jazz Ensemble, Marching Band, Pit Orchestra for theatrical productions, Key Club, Model United Nations, and National Honor Society.
“Music is a huge stress reliever for me,” Shrefler said. “Most of my extracurriculars revolve around music in some form. I play a lot of instruments, and it’s been a way that I’ve developed qualities in myself like leadership, serving others, and helping others.
“It’s also been a way just for me to outlet stress and emotions, and that’s really helped with school. Even though they seem like two different things, they’re really not. They’re connected in so many ways.”
Shrefler wants to either be a physician or go into the field of laboratory medicine. She wants to attend either The Ohio State University or Case Western Reserve University. Prior to Padua, Shrefler graduated from Incarnate Word Academy.
At Padua, Cesa is involved in Mock Trial, Theater, Italian Club, and the Acapella, Bel Canto and Honors choirs, as well as National Honor Society. Recently, Cesa became the first Padua student to receive an individual Dazzle Award nomination, honors given annually to high school students through Playhouse Square.
Cesa wants to earn a law degree, and her dream school is the University of Notre Dame. Cesa is a graduate of St. Albert the Great.
