By Tyler Wright
Emerald Secondary College’s Dux Allanah Dean has her eyes set on a double degree in law and commerce at Deakin University in 2024 after receiving a 96.25 ATAR score in this year’s VCE cohort.
Allanah achieved a study score of 44 out of 50 in Business Management, a study score of 43 in English and a score of 41 in Health and Human Development.
“I found that those subjects were the most enjoyable for me; I had really good teachers for all of those, and the humanities area is my strong suit.”
“I did Legal Studies last year too, which is more my passion, and that motivated me a lot throughout last year.”
Allanah said she was “super nervous” the week leading up to, and specifically the night before the release of the ATAR and study score results.
“I couldn’t open the email, my dad opened it for me and then my parents saw it before I did,” Allanah said.
“I would have been happy with anything over 90; it was a bit of a shock when I saw [my score].
“I was super nervous, but when I saw it I was so excited and so relieved that it was what I wanted.”
While working hard to achieve her goal of an ATAR score of above 90, Allanah said she also knew Year 12 is one of the “most fun and most rewarding” years.
“I made sure that I kept a balance between social events like friends’ 18ths and formal and all of those fun things, as well as studying every night that I could and preparing for SACs and not just for a SAC, just in general, study every night and yeah, keeping a balance between work and having a bit of a break because you can’t just study all the time.”
Studying a law subject through La Trobe University in her final year also stood Allanah in good stead for her upcoming degree of choice.
“I’m really interested in law as a career, not necessarily being a lawyer; I haven’t really decided what I want to do in that yet,” she said.
“Law really interests me as well as business, so I thought it would be the best of both worlds.”
She said incoming Year 12 students should enjoy the time while it lasts.
“Year 12 is the toughest year, but it’s definitely the most rewarding and there’s the most fun experiences, but definitely work hard and set yourself a goal and just work your butt off to achieve it.
“Do heaps of practice exams – they’re the best way you can prepare for the exams – and form good relationships with your teachers.
“In Year 12 its more relaxed and your teachers are there to see you do your best.”
Allanah said it is “pretty exciting” to be Dux of 2023, with the school recognising her at a ceremony on Wednesday 13 December.
“It’s a relief that it’s all kind of over now, but I’m so happy that I achieved what I wanted.”
