Sunshine Coast’s top 38 ranked students, classroom champions revealed
From hopes and dreams of highly-sought after careers to spending hours upon hours studying for perfect results, these are some of the Sunshine Coast’s best and brightest students.
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The graduating class of 2022 have prepared to enter the world with their heads held high, with a number of students being awarded prestigious academic awards, including the highly-sought after Dux.
Several Sunshine Coast and Noosa schools have shared details on their top academic achievers for 2022, including the student awarded the prestigious Dux award.
Not every school mentioned was able to provide their Duxes, however, due to some students not receiving the award until 2023 thanks to the ATAR system.
Schools not listed could not provide details by deadline; however this list will be updated as they become available.
The following students and Duxes were nominated by their schools as outstanding academic achievers:
Maroochydore State High School
Nicholas Schoenholzer – 2022 Dux
Maroochydore State High student Nicholas Schoenholzer was awarded the highest academic achievement when he was announced as the Maroochydore State High 2022 Dux.
Acting Head of Department for Year 11 and Year 12 Warren Evert said Nicholas achieved straight-A results and is planning on going to University of Queensland to complete a double degree of Engineering and Science.
Josie Buttsworth and Karina Buczynski – Academic and Citizenship Platinum Awards
Fellow Maroochydore State High students Josie Buttsworth and Karina Buczynski were both given the Academic and Citizenship Platinum award for 2022.
Acting Head of Department for Year 11 and Year 12 Warren Evert said they were acknowledged for their “exceptional academic results and contributions to the broader school community”
Sunshine Coast Grammar School
Patrick Pearse
Sunshine Coast Grammar graduate Patrick Pearse has a bright academic future ahead of him, after he received an early acceptance into the Australian National University (ANU) to study a Bachelor of Finance, Economics and Statistics (Honours).
He said he would be moving interstate for his degree, and planned to begin an Investments/Economics internship, perhaps even while still studying.
Mr Pearse said his final year of school helped him find his passions, as well as establish a new-found confidence.
“I’ve become far better at socialising, which hasn’t always been the case,” he said.
“I’ve developed self-confidence, and I’ve gained the ability to think critically, all of which have improved both my current and future life.”
His ultimate goal was to establish a career in investment banking, quantitative analysis or day trading; but one day wanted to have a family.
Oliver Parsonage
Up and coming musician Oliver Parsonage has hopes of moving to Brisbane in 2023 to study a Bachelor of Music at the Queensland Conservatorium.
From there, he said he hopes to establish a career in the music industry, whether it be as a performer, sound engineer, or even a music teacher.
“Music is my greatest passion in life and I will definitely pursue it in the future one way or another,” he said.
He said his final year at school had given him “valuable time” practising and playing his music, though he also valued the guidance of his teachers in showing him different pathways and opportunities for his goals.
Alex Ladwig
Sunshine Coast Grammar graduate Alex Ladwig has a bright academic future ahead of her after she accepted an unconditional offer to study flexible double law at the Australian National University, but she is keeping her options open.
On top of her offer, Ms Ladwig said she has also applied to study Law/Arts at the prestigious University of Queensland in Brisbane.
She said she hoped to work in the realm of corporate law before moving into politics in the distant future.
Her final year at school helped improve her time management, she said, as well as helping her grow personally and academically.
Sophie Posselt
Aspiring psychologist Sophie Posselt has high hopes of studying at the prestigious University of Queensland, after she was offered a place at the university’s Women’s College in March, where she will be living on campus.
She said her final year of school was nothing if not chaotic, but this improved her better perseverance skills and taught her how to better take care of herself.
“I think these skills will help me in the future. My teachers have also been amazing at supporting me towards adulthood and uni life,” she said.
She envisioned herself specialising in developmental psychology, but has a dream of working with children.
“Maybe I will even practise psychology in a school setting? I also one day hope to publish my own writing,” she said.
St Teresa’s Catholic College
Daniel Connell
St Teresa’s graduate Daniel Connell is one of his cohort’s star students, after he went into his exam period with full marks for five out of six of his subjects.
He received full marks in his chemistry, english, mathematical methods, physics and specialist maths subjects, and was one mark away from receiving full marks for study of religion.
He was described by his teachers as an “extremely driven young man and understands that success requires perseverance, sacrifice and an ability to use feedback effectively”.
Mr Connell said he was able to make it through his final year with flying colours thanks to the support of his friends and teachers.
“The staff at St Teresa‘s have enabled me to succeed academically and provided me with many great opportunities,” he said.
Mr Connell said he aspires to have a career in the medical field, and has applied Australia-wide to study in 2023.
Mountain Creek State High School
Yllana Waller – 2022 Dux
Mountain Creek State High graduate Yllana Waller was awarded the highest academic honour after she was named as the Dux of her school for 2022.
She said she aspires to study a Bachelor of Advanced Science at the prestigious University of Queensland in 2023.
From there, she hopes to “narrow down” her interests within the fields of biomedical science and physics, she said.
Glasshouse Christian College
Scott Roy – College Dux
Glasshouse Christian College graduate Scott Roy was named as his school’s top student when he was awarded College Dux for 2022.
Mr Roy achieved top marks for almost every subject, even after taking on more subjects than was needed. His teachers said his “excellent character and attitude” impacted his studies, resulting in him being made the 2022 Dux.
Year 12 co-ordinator Russell Modlin said Mr Roy was “focused” and “had a vision for his future”.
“He was always well-organised and worked towards achieving his goals,” he said.
Josh Ford – Middle School Dux
Glasshouse Christian College Year 9 student Josh Ford was named the top student for the middle school after he was awarded the Middle School Dux for 2022.
Head of Glasshouse Christian College Middle School Jacq Vreeling said he earnt this honour due to his academic results, work ethic, tenacity, character and values.
“Josh was also one of the faith and community leaders and has left his fingerprints all over the excellent culture and community GCC has enjoyed this year,” she said.
Burnside State High School
Alessia Tideman-Judson
Burnside State High graduate Alessia Tideman-Judson was top of her class for the most subjects in her cohort, with a total of four subjects.
These included mathematical methods, physics, Certificate II in Hospitality and specialist mathematics.
Emma Lynch
Burnside State High graduate Emma Lynch topped three subjects in her cohort, the second highest number in her year level.
She was the top student for modern history, psychology and general mathematics. She was one of three students to top three classes in her cohort.
Freddie Mansfield
Graduate Freddie Mansfield was a superstar student across three subjects in his cohort, after he was named as the highest achieving student across subjects including a Certificate III in Fitness, biology and physical education.
He is apart of a group of three students to top three subjects each in his cohort.
Lily Danielsen-Jensen
Graduate Lily Danielsen-Jensen was named as the top student across three classes in her cohort and is part of a group of students who topped the second most number of subjects in her year level.
She was named as the top student for chemistry, health and english; the latter of which she shares with fellow student Tommas Austin-Milne.
Ella Hitchens
Graduate Ella Hitchens was named as the top student across two subjects in her cohort, making her apart of a group of 10 students who topped more than one subject in their year level.
She was named as the top student for visual art and marine science.
Penny Rose
Graduate Penny Rose has a bright future in the world of music after she was named as the top student for a Certificate III Music Industry and Music.
She is apart of a group of 10 students in her cohort who topped more than one subject for 2022.
Tommas Austin-Milne
Graduate Tommas Austin-Milne topped two subjects, one of which he shares with a fellow student, and is one of 10 students in his cohort to have topped more than one subject.
He was the top student for drama in practice and english, the latter of which he shares fellow student Lily Danielsen-Jensen.
Lachlan Williams
Graduate Lachlan Williams was named as the top student across two subjects in his cohort, including sport and recreation and a Certificate III in Aviation.
Samantha Poole
Graduate Samantha Poole has a bright future in the industrial industry, after she topped both industrial graphics skills and industrial technology skills.
Yukina Mette
Graduate Yukina Mette was nominated by her school as a top academic achiever after she was named as the top student for Japanese and visual arts in practice.
Billy Bradshaw
Graduate Billy Bradshaw was named as the top student for essential mathematics.
Head of Senior School Scott Sergeant said Bradshaw, along with every other student nominated, was very committed to his studies.
Dylan Webbe
Graduate Dylan Webbe was awarded top student for Certificate II in Engineering Pathways.
Dominic Kelly
Graduate Dominic Kelly was named as the top student in his cohort for Furnishing Skills.
Head of Senior School Scott Sergeant said Mr Kelly, along with every other student nominated, was very committed to his studies.
Sean (surname redacted)
Graduate Sean (surname redacted) was awarded the top academic achievement award for business.
Lakoda Devine
Graduate Lakoda Devine was awarded the top academic achievement for dance in practice.
Keira Guymer
Graduate Keira Guymer was named as the top academic achiever for film, television and new media.
Keira Stephenson-Reed
Keira Stephenson-Reed was named as the top student for early childhood studies.
Rebecca Bamford
Graduate Rebecca Bamford was given an academic award after she was named as the top student for Essential English.
Head of Senior School Scott Sergeant said Ms Bamford, along with every other student nominated, was very committed to her studies.
Breanna Banwell
Graduate Breanna Banwell has a bright future in the legal world after she was named as the top student for legal studies.
Jarryd Sweeney
Graduate Jarryd Sweeney was named as the top student for digital solutions.
Alana Bain
Graduate Alana Bain has a bright future in the medical industry after she was named as the top student for Certificate III in Health Services Assistance.
Coolum State High School
Cooper Hinton – Wandama Award recipient
Coolum State High School graduate Cooper Hinton was the 2022 recipient of the Wandama Award – an award presented to the school’s highest achieving Year 12 student.
He was described as an “extraordinary student” with a hopes of studying medicine, specialising in neurosurgery.
He received top marks for all subjects, including maths methods, specialist maths, biology, physics, chemistry and literature, as a result of continued dedication to his studies.
Matthew Flinders Anglican College
Mallibu Burke
Matthew Flinders Anglican College Captain for 2022 Mallibu Burke has a bright future ahead of her, after she was named as one of two students at the college to achieve full marks for internal exams across five of her subjects. She shares this honour with her co-captain, Charlie Mortimer-Smith.
She is also a subject leader for physics, english, digital solutions, chemistry, and specialist mathematics.
Abhinav Pradeep
Matthew Flinders graduate Abhinav Pradeep was one of two students named as having achieved top marks for internal exams across five subjects.
He is a subject leader for physics, english, digital solutions, chemistry, and specialist mathematics.
Charlie Mortimer-Smith
College captain Charlie Mortimer-Smith was named as one of three students across the cohort to have achieved top marks for internal exams across four of his subjects. He shares this honour with his co-captain, Mallibu Burke.
He is a subject leader for specialist mathematics, philosophy and reason, mathematical methods, and chemistry.
Louis Prager
Graduate Louis Prager was named as one of three students across his cohort to have achieved top marks for internal exams across four of his subjects.
He is a subject leader in physics, mathematical methods, chemistry, and biology.
Jacob Smyth
Graduate Jacob Smyth was named as one of three students in his class to achieve top marks for internal exams across four of his subjects.
He is a subject leader in physics, mathematical methods, and chemistry.
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