Zeeland East Alum Sierra zurBurg Earns Perfect AP Art Portfolio Score
ZEELAND, Mich. — Just months after graduating from Zeeland East High School, alumna Sierra zurBurg has one more remarkable achievement to add to her Zeeland story: a perfect 100 out of 100 points on her AP 2-D Art and Design portfolio.
Approximately 50,000 students submitted AP 2-D Art and Design portfolios in 2026. Just 12% earned a 5, the highest AP score. ZurBurg went even further, earning full points across her portfolio. AP Art and Design portfolios are evaluated by experienced high school and college art educators using standardized College Board scoring guidelines.
For zurBurg, the portfolio was very personal. Her sustained investigation was shaped in part by her experience growing up in Ukraine and the perspective it has given her as an artist.
“Growing up in Ukraine has given me a unique perspective that helped guide my sustained investigation and allowed me to explore ideas that are meaningful to me,” zurBurg said. “I am so very grateful and honored to have received a score of 5, with a perfect 100 total points on my AP Art portfolio, and I look forward to my future as an aspiring artist.”
She credits her family with helping her talk through ideas and see her work from different perspectives. Her father even joined her in the shop to help bring one particularly ambitious canvas idea to life. ZurBurg also credits Fuller, who worked alongside her throughout the portfolio process.
“It has been such a joy to watch Sierra grow into the incredible artist she is today,” Fuller said. “Her unique perspective, creativity, and willingness to take risks have made watching her artistic journey especially rewarding.”
Fuller said the perfect score reflects much more than technical talent.
“I am incredibly proud of this accomplishment, but even more proud of the artist and young woman she has become,” Fuller said. “I have loved watching Sierra develop her voice, confidence, and artistic perspective throughout her time at Zeeland East, and I am so excited to see her continue to flourish.”
ZurBurg is now studying Art Education at Indiana Wesleyan University, with plans to bring her creativity and perspective into a future classroom of her own.
For Fuller, that may be the most exciting part of what comes next.
“I know she will bring the same creativity, passion, and unique perspective to her future students that she has brought to her own artwork,” Fuller said.
