SHOCK, disbelief and celebrations are in order for the three top-scoring, year 12 VCE students of Sunbury Downs, Sunbury and Salesian colleges.
Sunbury College's Jorden Braddy (98.95per cent), Salesian's Chad Lazaro (98.15per cent) and Sunbury Downs' Stacey Kendall (85.85per cent) are the 'dux of school' for their respective colleges.
The three are now ready for new challenges.
It's been a remarkable journey for Mr Lazaro, who had no English when he came to Australia with his parents from the Philippines at the age of seven.
"It was really hard to pick up a completely new language, though my cousins who lived here helped a lot," Mr Lazaro said.
The eldest of three brothers, he will study psychology at RMIT University.
Mr Braddy still cannot believe he is dux of his school. He wants to be an accountant.
"I'll study for a bachelor of commerce at Melbourne University and after my education I'll be [doing] something in accounting ... high up in the city."
Miss Kendall, who is captain of her school debate team, was also surprised that she was dux of her school.
With plans to pursue a bachelor of arts from Macquarie University, Sydney, her goal is to become a Japanese translator. "I'd love to live in Japan," she says.
For an escape, she likes to immerse herself in comics and fantasy books.