Texas legislature honors Hebron student for perfect SAT score

Of 1.66 million test takers, only 360 scored perfectly in 2012.

Hebron High School student Yash Patel scored a perfect 2400 on his SAT. On March 4, the Texas Legislature approved a resolution honoring his achievement.

LEWISVILLE — Last December, Yash Patel, a junior at Hebron High School, scored a perfect 2400 on his SAT. He scored 800 each in critical reading, mathematics and writing, all in one sitting.

His achievement was so rare and so impressive that, on March 4, the Texas Legislature approved a resolution honoring him. The legislators also recognized him for other accomplishments. He is president of the Latin Club at Hebron and also is ranked second in his class of about 800 students.

Yash’s parents, Mihir and Bijal Patel, are extremely proud of their son. They beamed with pride as he was honored in Austin and recognized by Texas House Speaker Joe Strauss, State Sen. Jane Nelson, State Rep. Ron Simmons, and, in fact, the entire Texas House of Representatives.

“It was a wonderful experience for our family, one that can never be adequately described,” said Bijal Patel.” This occasion has inspired Yash to continue to do his very best and to take to heart that a true leader is not determined by title but by character and integrity, and leads by providing an example that others want to follow.”

Simmons, in a letter to Yash congratulating him on his achievement said, “Receiving this score is a significant achievement, bestowed on only a small fraction of those who pursue it.”

He added, “In fact, only four percent of the 1.66 million SAT takers in 2012 scored in the 2100-2400 range. Of that four percent, only 360 students made a perfect score.”

Simmons concluded, “This rare accomplishment can only be achieved through scholastic dedication and a goal-driven attitude, two characteristics that will serve you well in the future.”

Simmons, in the first resolution he ever presented to the Texas House of Representatives, noted that Yash, in addition to making a perfect score on the SAT, has won first place in area and state language competitions and placed third in a 2012 national competition.

He also noted that he “takes part in a variety of service activities as well; and during the summer preceding his junior year he worked at a hospital in a rural area of India. In addition, he has devoted more than 100 hours to volunteer duties at Baylor Dallas hospital and has assisted at the Dallas Marathon and participated in charitable benefit walks for various causes.”

Yash also received a letter of congratulations from U.S. Senator John Cornyn.

Cornyn wrote, “I recently learned that you achieved perfect score of 2400 on the SAT. Your intelligence has captured the attention and garnered the respect of your teachers and peers, and I congratulate you on this momentous occasion.”