[00:00:02] **Announcer:**
It’s time to get in the loop with LPS, the official podcast of Liberty Public Schools. From the latest school and district news updates on various district hot topics and opportunities to meet all of those that help make LPS great, *In the Loop with LPS* is here to provide yet another opportunity for us to stay connected with you.

[00:00:24] **Announcer:**
So let’s get started and send you to the longtime Director of Communications with Liberty Public Schools and your host of *In the Loop with LPS*, Dallas Ackerman.

[00:00:35] **Dallas Ackerman:**
And we are back. It’s another edition of *In the Loop with LPS*, the official podcast of Liberty Public Schools. My name is Dallas Ackerman, director of communications for LPS, and I am so excited to be joined by another student guest. Her name is **Natalie Coleman**, a senior at Liberty North High School — and a senior who’s been getting so many accolades, it’s hard to keep track.

[00:01:09] **Dallas Ackerman:**
Natalie, you’re making headlines everywhere. Just last week, we recognized our National Merit Semifinalists at the Board of Education meeting, and you were unable to attend because of your busy schedule. That’s what that certificate was for.

[00:01:38] **Dallas Ackerman:**
Earlier this fall, you also made big news by receiving a **perfect score on the ACT**, which is quite a feat. And we’ll also talk about the **Simone Awards** you received this year. It’s just incredible what you’ve been able to achieve.

[00:02:24] **Natalie Coleman:**
Yeah, I was pretty much just like, well, that’s kind of cool. This is the guy I’ve always heard on the phone calling snow days, so it’s good to finally talk to him. I was excited to have the opportunity.

[00:02:59] **Dallas Ackerman:**
Let’s start with the perfect ACT score. Did you ever expect to get a perfect score?

[00:03:14] **Natalie Coleman:**
I definitely want to say no. When you’re younger, it feels like this unattainable thing you hear about. But after doing well on other tests and in classes, I thought, well, it could happen.

[00:03:42] **Dallas Ackerman:**
To put it in perspective, a perfect ACT score is a 36. Only about 0.19 percent of test takers receive a perfect score nationally. Has that sunk in yet?

[00:04:14] **Natalie Coleman:**
A little bit. I also know how many opportunities we have in this district — the prep, PSAT support, Khan Academy resources — all of that really helped.

[00:04:44] **Dallas Ackerman:**
Where and when did you take the ACT?

[00:04:47] **Natalie Coleman:**
It was in June at Liberty High School.

[00:05:08] **Dallas Ackerman:**
Did you walk out thinking you nailed it?

[00:05:08] **Natalie Coleman:**
I felt pretty good. There was one science question I wasn’t sure about, but I also knew you don’t have to get every single question right for a perfect score.

[00:05:46] **Dallas Ackerman:**
What was the hardest section?

[00:05:46] **Natalie Coleman:**
Science — mostly background knowledge questions. I remember one pH question I knew I missed, but it ended up not mattering.

[00:06:23] **Dallas Ackerman:**
How much time did you spend preparing?

[00:06:23] **Natalie Coleman:**
I practiced some reading sections over the summer, but honestly, a lot of it came from my classes — especially ELA. My teachers really drilled the fundamentals.

[00:07:29] **Dallas Ackerman:**
What advice would you give students preparing for the ACT?

[00:07:29] **Natalie Coleman:**
Know your strengths and weaknesses. It’s a very study-able test. Practice, understand the format, and don’t overthink it.

[00:08:55] **Natalie Coleman:**
I got my score while I was at music camp. I checked my email in a dorm basement and was really happy — but I didn’t make a big scene.

[00:10:11] **Dallas Ackerman:**
You’ve also been recognized through the **Simone Awards**, receiving second place in the concerto competition.

[00:14:11] **Natalie Coleman:**
All three top students were from LPS, which was really cool. It was a busy time of year, but the experience of performing was incredibly rewarding.

[00:15:11] **Dallas Ackerman:**
Music is a big part of your life. Tell us about that.

[00:15:19] **Natalie Coleman:**
I play viola and sing in choir. Music has always been encouraged in my family, and I love being able to play with others — even my family when we can make it work.

[00:18:35] **Natalie Coleman:**
I also started offering free private viola and violin lessons for students at Opus Middle School. I wanted to remove cost as a barrier and help younger students.

[00:19:58] **Dallas Ackerman:**
You also mentioned Irish dance.

[00:20:28] **Natalie Coleman:**
I’ve been doing it for nearly a decade. It’s a great community and something I’ve stuck with even after friends moved on.

[00:22:08] **Dallas Ackerman:**
You experienced heat stroke during cross country your sophomore year.

[00:22:19] **Natalie Coleman:**
It was serious. I spent several days in the hospital and had to rehab for about a month, but I’m thankful it wasn’t something I could have prevented.

[00:23:59] **Dallas Ackerman:**
What’s the best advice you’ve ever received?

[00:23:59] **Natalie Coleman:**
Don’t compare yourself to others. Everyone’s situation is different. Prioritize your mental and physical health.

[00:27:43] **Dallas Ackerman:**
Time for the three random questions. Favorite Halloween costume?

[00:28:12] **Natalie Coleman:**
Last year we dressed as Pac-Man and ghosts for our orchestra concert — it took a lot of work, but we won the costume contest.

[00:30:51] **Dallas Ackerman:**
If you had to guess on a multiple-choice test?

[00:30:51] **Natalie Coleman:**
C.

[00:32:00] **Dallas Ackerman:**
How many snow days this year?

[00:32:15] **Natalie Coleman:**
Five.

[00:33:02] **Dallas Ackerman:**
What’s next for you?

[00:33:02] **Natalie Coleman:**
I’m hoping to major in viola performance and math. I love Northwestern, but I’m keeping an open mind.

[00:35:03] **Dallas Ackerman:**
Natalie, thank you for joining us and congratulations on all your accomplishments.

[00:35:29] **Announcer:**
Thanks for choosing to spend a few minutes with us and getting in the loop with LPS. This has been a production of the Liberty Public Schools Communications Office.

[00:35:56] **Announcer:**
For more about this podcast and all you need to know about LPS, visit lps53.org.