Alex Freire's schooling was finished in a pandemic, and her chosen degree might lead her to model data for future health emergencies.
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The Scots School Albury student, 18, has an early-offer entry to a Bachelor of Mathematics at the Australian National University and received an ATAR of 95.55.
"I guess maths is just something that I liked, so I worked harder at it," she said.
"I could do lots of things in data or modelling and projecting growth."
Alex said having her HSC changed by the pandemic was a challenge.
"We couldn't do practicals for science from home - some of them were just cancelled," she said.
"And with the border crossing as well, I had to come over every day from Victoria."
Claire Stanley, 18, had to pack up her visual arts HSC project and work on it at home.
"We weren't really sure at the time how long it would last for ... it was a new dynamic to work in," she said.
"It has been really rewarding to come out at the end and get the results we wanted.
"I got a 92.8 ATAR with three band sixes in visual arts, PDHPE and mathematics.
"That was a bit higher than I expected; I was just really happy to get through the year.
"This year has really given me drive to focus on what I want to do.
"I'm really interested in public relations and communications within the business sector."
Principal Mark Geraets said almost 40 percent of the year 12 cohort was on the NSW Distinguished Achievers list.
"We're really proud of them; the way they all pulled together has just been absolutely superb," he said.
Luke Marsh, 17, was among four students who recorded scores above 95 in individual subjects, and he was the school's ATAR medal winner with an overall score of 97.65.
"I got a 98 in math extension one ... which I was very happy with," he said.
"I've always liked maths."
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Luke said 2020 was not was he was expecting for his final year of school.
"I don't feel like I've missed out on anything, but I know I've come out of this year with an experience that not many people out of year 12 have," he said.
Other students to be recognised were Sigrid Bahr, Sarah Collie, Tabitha Cross, Maddison Geddes, Freya Giles, Olivia Hearn, Kate Kingsell, Claudia Kirwan, Ziggy Lamond, Desna Ramjee, Sophie Standish, Will Tomkins, Shelby Vincent, Thomas White and Jake Wright.
