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Overcast Baldwin High School senior Melany Mendoza earns perfect AP score
Baldwin High School senior Melany Mendoza nervously waited for all 20 pages of her AP Research paper to be graded — but it was worth the wait because she received every point possible on the exam.
Mendoza was one of only 357 students in the world to receive the maximum score on any AP test. She was a junior when she received five on her paper, but it wasn’t until this past September when teachers congratulated her for her perfect score.
“One of the two AP Research teachers came into my social studies class and congratulated me, saying, ‘Congratulations on your perfect score, and it’s a big achievement,’” Mendoza said. “Except, I had no clue what he was talking about.”
Mendoza thought that the teacher might have been referring to her 100 on her history Regents. She received a message from her friend to talk to her other AP Research teacher, John Buglione, who had big news to share. Even after Buglione congratulated her, Mendoza was still puzzled about what both teachers were talking about.
“I had to pause him and say, ‘Mr. Buglione, what is everybody congratulating me for?’” Mendoza said. “And then I found out, and I was ecstatic.”
Immediately after leaving Buglione’s classroom, Mendoza sent an audio message to her mom about her perfect AP score. She said that her family was really happy for her and took her out to dinner to celebrate. Mendoza mentioned that she continues to get praise from her friends and teachers.
In a press release, Buglione described Mendoza as “brilliant.”
“She was in a research class comprised of some of the brightest students I have ever taught in my 20-year career,” Buglione said. “Even in that rarified air, Melany’s cognitive skills and work ethic set her apart. I was happy Melany achieved a perfect score on the AP exam, but I wasn’t surprised.”
After submitting the paper in May of 2023, Mendoza was unsure about what grade she was going to receive on it. Her main worry was that the theme of her essay would be “a sensitive topic for some people.” The research was about how fathers are involved in sexual health discussions and education.
“When I got my score in July, I calmed down because I got a five,” Mendoza said. “But I didn’t realize I just got a five, but also a perfect score.”
Mendoza took five AP classes last year, and she is taking five more this year. Her high academic scores propelled her to the number three ranked person in her class. Although these rankings won’t change before graduation, she said this is the position she wants to maintain.
“This year, now that I’ve got my perfect score, I’ve had a couple of underclassmen asking for my advice,” Mendoza said. “The main thing I’ve been saying is do a topic that you’re passionate about. That way you won’t get bored of the project midway through the year.”
Mendoza also noted the importance of listening to one’s peers and making sure to collaborate with others. She said that there’s “no chance” she would have gotten the perfect score without the help of her friends and teachers.
“Melany’s perfect score further solidifies that the ‘best is at Baldwin,’” Neil Testa, Baldwin High School principal, said in a press release. “She is an incredibly talented and exceptional student, and the entire high school staff is extremely proud of her and this distinction. We congratulate Melany on her extraordinary achievement.”
As Mendoza chooses which college to attend, she’s certain that she wants to be a math major because she loves the subject so much. She added that she also will be studying pre-med, and would like to become an obstetrician-gynecologist, working with Doctors Without Borders, which provides emergency aid and medical care around the globe.
