Ballajura Community College 2013 Dux Jeremy Buttel.
Camera IconBallajura Community College 2013 Dux Jeremy Buttel. Credit: Supplied/Marcus Whisson

Positive end to a tumultuous year

Lauren Pilat, Eastern ReporterEastern Reporter

The former Ballajura Community College student was awarded Dux of the school, and received a 99.25 Australian Tertiary Admissions Rank and School Curriculum and Standards Authority certificate of commendation for getting 20 A grades in Western Australian Certificate of Education (WACE) courses.

Jeremy said being awarded Dux was the proudest moment of his life.

‘When my name was called and I walked onto the stage, my fellow graduates cheering and whistling for me, I couldn’t help but feel like I was going to do great things in the future,’ he said.

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The 17-year-old said he always tried his hardest but was shocked with his achievements after having to keep ‘a level head during some difficult family times’.

‘During my first semester exams, I had to put my beloved dog down after looking after him for over 10 years,’ he said.

‘Then during my second semester exams, my parents got a divorce and my mother moved over to Queensland.

‘And lastly, during my WACE exams, my father was diagnosed with prostate cancer.

‘So it hasn’t been the easiest year but my focus and determination allowed me to be so successful.’

Jeremy said he did not want to have any regrets after finishing school, so he always put in maximum effort.

‘It is so important for me to succeed with my education because my mind is my best asset,’ he said.

‘I was never really athletic or showed interests in any other subjects besides science, so the only option I have left is to go to university to pursue my career goals.

‘But it is important that I try my hardest and succeed because I don’t want to live a life of regrets and wish I had tried harder at school or university.

‘I only get one chance and I am going to make the most of it.’

Jeremy was also presented with a University of Western Australia Excellence Award, which has guaranteed him a place at the university in his chosen degree, a Bachelor of Science majoring in chemistry.