With their Higher School Certificate well and truly behind them, Parkes Year 12 students of 2024 are wasting no time pursuing their dreams.
While some know exactly what they want out of their further studies and others admit they're not entirely sure what the future holds, two things are for certain - they've worked hard to get here and they know what they're passionate about.
A handful of Parkes High School HSC students have shared their results after they were released on December 18, as well as their excitement for what awaits them now that their schooling has come to a close.
Kelsey Mann was named Parkes High School Dux this year prior to receiving an ATAR (Australian Tertiary Admission Rank) of 84.45.
Her HSC results included a 93 per cent and Band 6 for agriculture, Band 5s in biology (87 per cent) and PDHPE (85 per cent), two Band 4s in English advanced (79 per cent) and mathematics advanced (71 advanced) and a 33/50 (E2) for mathematics extension.
Latest Stories
Kelsey also scooped up at the school's Year 12 graduation and presentation night, receiving several awards including the Australia Defence Force 2024 Future Innovators Award, the Helen Walsh Memorial Award for outstanding achievement in biology and the Tony Danilenko Memorial Award for contribution to the community.
Kelsey has set her sights on becoming a doctor "of some form".
At the moment she's been accepted into Charles Sturt University in Orange to study physiotherapy, however she's awaiting news as to whether she's been accepted to study medicine which she'll pursue instead if successful once she finds out in February.
In the meantime Kelsey said she's "just hanging out" until university begins.
"I've got my accommodation sorted... I'm feeling confident about the future [and looking forward to everything]," she said.
Jesse Woods had just as a successful final year of high school securing an ATAR of 83.2 and a Band 6 with 92 per cent in agriculture.
She was awarded three Band 5s in biology (84 per cent), industrial technology (87 per cent) and modern history (81 per cent), and Band 4s English advanced (79 per cent) and mathematics (72 per cent).
Jesse was also presented the David Carty Memorial Award for outstanding excellence in wood technology and a Parkes and District NSW Farmers Association Award for agriculture at her graduation and presentation night.
With her love for the land and staying close to home, Jesse has opted to study a Bachelor of Agriculture online through Charles Sturt University at Wagga.
She's grown up on the family farm about 20 kilometres west of Parkes and has a real passion for agriculture, saying she enjoys "a bit of everything" in the industry.
Bridie Lacey, who's recent claim to fame is being the first student from Parkes High in 20 years to receive a nomination for the prestigious Art Express exhibition for her intricate pencilwork, received a Band 5 and a mark of 88 per cent in visual arts.
She also had a Band 5 in English (80 per cent), Band 4s in legal studies (76 per cent) and modern history (78 per cent) and a Band 3 in mathematics (67 per cent).
Her ATAR result was 69.95.
Bridie has received early entry in a Bachelor of Science degree at four different universities but admits she's not 100 per cent sure what she wants to do yet.
"I think I'll do a gap year [this] year... I want to do something to do with the environment," she said.
"I want to work and save money, and get my driver's licence."
Like his peers Tom Burkitt found the HSC to meet his expectations - he had an ATAR of 70.85, and Band 5s in industrial technology (82 per cent) and PDHPE (80 per cent), Band 4s for business studies (77 per cent), English (75 per cent) and biology (76 per cent) and Band 3 in mathematics (61 per cent).
Tom plans on becoming a physiotherapist and will be studying Exercise and Sport Science at Wollongong University, with his ultimate dream of working with Australian athletes.
"I haven't always wanted to do physiotherapy but it's what interests me the most," he said.
"I'm keen to experience new things and step into the big world, but at the same time it's a bit nerve-racking, it's a big change."
With the same aspirations as Tom, classmate Jessica Towns will join him in Wollongong in the same course to also become a physiotherapist.
She earned an ATAR of 70.55 with Band 5s in biology (80.5 per cent), industrial technology (82.5 per cent) and PDHPE (80.5 per cent) and Band 4s in English (75.4 per cent) and mathematics (71.4 per cent).
"As soon as my last exam was over I just sat back and thought 'I can be free'," Jessica said.
"I can be at home and I can just relax and not feel guilty for relaxing."
Jessica has always wanted to do something in health, saying she loves to help people and helping them to heal, including older citizens.
"The dream is to work with a sporting team, at least for a little bit, I just think that would be so cool," she said.
Parkes High School praised its Year 12 students on social media following the release of the 2024 HSC results.
"We are so proud of all our Year 12 students," the school posted.
"Their dedication and determination to senior study reaped rewards with students achieving Band 6s in agriculture and a massive 21 Band 5s in music, visual art, biology, PDHPE, industrial tech, construction, English standard, hospitality and modern history.
"With students off to university, travelling and securing jobs already we are excited for our students' futures."
