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Amee, Valedictorian of the Class of 2025, has graduated with an extraordinary academic achievement: a perfect International Baccalaureate (IB) score of 45 out of 45, a feat achieved by fewer than 1% of IB candidates worldwide. In addition to this rare distinction, she earned an A in her Extended Essay, highlighting both her academic rigour and intellectual curiosity.
Looking ahead, Amee is eager to explore the intersection of fine arts and cognitive science, driven by a deep curiosity about how people make meaning through perception, memory, and storytelling. She is drawn to spaces where scientific understanding and creative expression converge, and where rigorous inquiry is enriched by human experience. This interdisciplinary passion has led her to pursue the combined Bachelor of Arts/Doctor of Medicine (BA/MD) double degree at the University of Sydney—a highly competitive program that requires a perfect IB score of 45 for admission.
After graduation, Amee further explored her interest in cognitive sciences through a neurosurgery internship at Bumrungrad International Hospital in Bangkok, Thailand. During this experience, she observed surgical procedures, operating room dynamics, doctor–patient interactions, and complex clinical decision-making, gaining early exposure to a professional medical environment and reflecting on the values that shape modern healthcare.
Addressing a crowded hall of graduates and families at graduation, Amee reflected on the unique environment that allowed her to thrive academically without losing her sense of identity. She reminded her peers and teachers that the true value of St Andrews lies not in a transcript but in a culture that encourages independent learning, trial and error, and personal growth. Her words underscored a core philosophy of her journey: that academic excellence is most meaningful—and most sustainable—when supported by a community that values growth over perfection.
“St Andrews values diversity. We value inclusivity. It was never about creating a factory of A-star students. It was about giving people a space who are still figuring it out.”
As the Class of 2025 prepares to scatter across the globe to universities near and far, Amee’s closing remarks offered a powerful reminder of their shared beginnings. She reflected that their achievements were never solitary, but rather a tapestry woven from the people, experiences, and moments they shared together at St Andrews.
“Our successes and dreams are stitched together from the people and places we’ve been exposed to at St Andrews, and we will always carry them with us. I hope it will give you the determination, even audacity, to move forward.”
As Amee looks ahead to the rigours of medical study in Australia, she carries with her that same sense of audacity—the courage to strive for excellence, to learn through imperfection, and to remain grounded in the community that helped shape her journey.
Watch Amee’s full graduation speech: https://youtu.be/B6iuCWKFjbA?si=29AiY7i6-gI3w7QV