Mackay high schools’ year 12 duxes revealed
School is out for the summer and as year 12s celebrate before their next chapter, we rounded up this year’s duxes from around the wider Mackay region. Found out who was awarded the top honour here.
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After a year of intense studying, a year 12 graduate from each school across Mackay has had their hard work rewarded with a coveted award - the Dux.
The Dux award is the pinnacle of academic success, awarded to the graduating class’ best performing student each year.
The Daily Mercury has compiled a list of the region’s highest performing graduates below.
Sarina State High School
Lucy Hamblin
Lucy received Academic Honours Awards in Mathematical Methods and Physical Education.
She was also awarded with the Cattle Show Team All Rounder Award and the Rick Tunstall Memorial Award for maths and science.
Melanie Rigby
Melanie received Academic Honours in English, General mathematics, and Visual Arts.
Lily Piper
Lily received Academic Honours in General mathematics and Modern History.
Mackay Christian College
Indus Fisher
Indus was not only named as the school’s Dux for 2021 but also received the Year 12 Academic Excellence Award.
A school spokeswoman said Indus was a “great student with a passion for learning”.
“In his senior studies he has undertaken English, Mathematical Methods, Biology, Chemistry, Physics and Agricultural science,” the spokeswoman said.
“Across this challenging range of subjects, Indus has achieved an A rating in all of them.
“This includes an incredible 49/50 in Chemistry and a 50/50 in Physics.
“This is a truly remarkable achievement and secures Indus the title of 2021 Dux of Mackay Christian College. Congratulations Indus.”
Pioneer State High
Nicholas Ward-Grodd
Nicholas was not only named as one of his school’s duxes, but also received the PF Haley Award for Physics, the D Wilcox Award for Chemistry, and the R Slater Award for mathematics Methods.
He was also awarded the science All Rounder Award, sponsored by Stabler and Howlett Veterinary Surgeons, the Julie Renyard Indigenous Student of the Year award, the Australian Defence Force Future Innovator Award in STEM, and the Peter Doherty Outstanding Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander STEM award.
“This is a state award and (it is) very prestigious,” the spokeswoman said.
Nicholas was a Queensland Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Foundation Scholarship recipient.
Jade Davey
As well as being named as one of Pioneer State High School’s duxes, Jade achieved a number of awards including the B Westrup Award for Business, and the GR Chew Award for General mathematics.
Jade was also awarded the top student in the Certificate II in Business, the top student in Accounting.
She served as treasurer of the student council.
Mackay State High School
Dan Kevin Asuncion
At Mackay State High’s recent Academic Awards Night, Dan, who is also one of the school’s Vice Captains, was named as a Dux Candidate for 2021.
He was awarded Academic Honours for his overall academic achievement performance, and the Subject Award for Mathematical Methods and Legal Studies, where he attained a score of 100 per cent on his school-based assessment.
Dan was also recognised with Leadership and School Spirit Honours awards and the Year 12 JCU Shield.
In 2022, Dan is looking to study a Bachelor of Behavioural science (Psychology) combined with a Bachelor of Laws via QUT.
Ella Anderson
At Mackay State High’s recent Academic Awards Night, Ella was named as a Dux Candidate for 2021.
She was awarded Academic Honours for her overall Academic Achievement performance, and the Faculty Medal for science and Subject Awards for Ancient History and Physics.
Ella was also recognised with Leadership Honours as well as the Year 12 School Spirit Medal, in the form of the Tim Mulherin Citizenship Trophy which was sponsored by CQ University.
In 2022, Ella is looking forward to QUT studies in a Bachelor of Vision science and Master of Optometry.
Pushti Shah
School captain Pushti was also named as a Dux Candidate for 2021.
She was awarded Academic Honours for her overall Academic Achievement performance.
She was awarded the Faculty Medal in Humanities and the Subject Awards for Certificate III in Health Services Assistance and Legal Studies, where she attained a score of 100 per cent on her school-based assessment.
Pushti was also recognised with Leadership and School Spirit Honours as well as winning the Hill Family Scholarship, which is awarded to the leading Mackay SHS student who has nominated to follow a career in law.
In 2022, Pushti is looking forward to Griffith University studies with a Bachelor of in Laws (Honours) and a Bachelor of Arts.
Erin Westcott
At the Academic Awards Night Erin was named as a Dux Candidate for 2021.
She was awarded Academic Honours for her overall Academic Achievement performance.
She was awarded the Faculty Medal in English and the Subject Awards for Chemistry, Mathematical Methods and Geography.
Erin was also awarded the JCU Rising Star Scholarship.
Erin will apply to study a Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery at JCU in 2022.
Grace Clarkson
At the Academic Awards Night Grace was named as a Dux Candidate, for 2021.
She was awarded Academic Honours for her overall Academic Achievement performance.
She was awarded the Faculty Medal in mathematics and the Subject Award for Specialist mathematics.
Grace wad also recognised with School Spirit Honours for her extra-curricular participation.
Grace is looking forward to university studies at QUT in 2022.
She is enrolling in a Bachelor of Engineering (Honours) and Bachelor of mathematics.
The Daily Mercury contacted all the high schools from across the Mackay region.
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