As the highest performing VCE student at her school, Claire Stillard has been named 2024 Cobram Anglican Grammar School dux.
Even before she finished her last school term, Claire received an early offer of enrolment in the animal science program at Charles Sturt University in Wagga Wagga.
And as for receiving the title of her school’s dux?
“Never in a million years” did she see it coming.
During her final year at CAGS, Claire, 18, studied English, biology, psychology, environmental science (online), and legal studies.
She fast-tracked and finished general mathematics in Year 11.
But while Claire enjoyed English for its interpretative learning approach, psychology was always more her cup of tea.
“Psychology I liked the most because even though it’s a lot about the human brain, you can apply a lot of those concepts to animals — which is where my passion really is,” Claire said.
“So being able to relate that to my interests is what, I think, made it the most fun for me.”
Currently, Claire plans to start studying animal science at Charles Sturt before making her way into veterinarian science later down the track.
She said she had always wanted to work with animals.
“I’ve always loved animals. I have plenty of my own,” she said.
“I love the behavioural aspect of them, and being able to not only help the animals themselves, but also help people.
“When you’ve got a troubled animal, there’s no-one else you can really go to but a vet.”
As her school’s highest academic achiever, Claire received an ATAR score of 84.15.
Looking back, Claire had only praise to share when speaking of her time at CAGS.
“My teachers here have all been great,” Claire said.
“They’re always there, they’re always a positive light helping you through everything. And even if it’s not their subject they’re teaching, they’re still there to support you.
“You wouldn’t have the strength to keep going if you didn’t have the people there to reassure you and teach you different tactics and ways to overcome things.”
To everyone — family, friends and her teachers — who supported her along the way, Claire had but few words to say.
“Just the biggest thank you I can give, really,” she said.
“Nothing but ‘thank yous’. Because all along they’ve been so supportive and beyond helpful.”
One day, she said, Claire hoped to return to the town which raised her.
“I’ll always have my heart here,” she said.
“Because everyone and everything that I know is here.”
At St Mary’s of the Angels, Nathalia, Bethany Oswald was named her school’s dux. Isabella De Vincentis was named Cobram Secondary College dux.