Amber said she was shocked to be told she was dux, and hadn’t felt too many nerves waiting for ATAR results to be released.
“I was more nervous before I started exams but by the time the exams were over, I accepted that whatever happens, happens, and there's nothing more I could do,” she said.
“I was not expecting to get dux at all, I was just trying to do my best and pass all my exams.
“But it was very good news, and I was very happy about it.”
Amber said she credited much of her success to her teachers.
“I’d like to thank all my teachers, specifically Ms Hocking, Ms Walker and Mr Hubbard,” she said.
She said there had been many highlights throughout the year.
“I'd actually say a big one was getting to know myself and how I work and developing studying techniques and better ways to communicate with people,” she said.
“Which I also learnt through being the school captain of the college this year, and building friendships with other people in my cohort.”
Amber is planning on undertaking a degree in paramedicine, but will take a gap year first.
“I'll be working as a personal care assistant at Benalla Health,” she said.
Following that she will look at her studying options at La Trobe, Monash or the Australian Catholic University.
“I'm hoping to be a paramedic. And if I go to an ICU, I would need to do a double degree with nursing as well,” she said.
Amber said her advice to members of next year’s Year 12 cohort was to pace their study.
“Don't burn yourself out because lots of people drop off around exams, and they're really important,” she said.
“And actually enjoy it because you won't look back on Year 12 and think about the studying, you think about all the memories that you made.”