And many graduates around the shire have 90-plus reasons to smile.

Jethro Kairys, of Moruya High School, topped the lot, with a dizzying UAI of 98.7.

Erin Stutchbury, of Batemans Bay High, was close with an incredible 97.05 while Carroll College's Alanna Harmey rounded out the big three with 96.3.

Other high achievers at Bay High include Grace Gown, 93, and Ella Birrell, 91.3.

Moruya's high-flyers were Ella Dalrymple, 95.9, Kevin O'Shea, 95.25, Rosy Bourne, 93.15, and Bethany Henderson, 90.5.

Carroll College recorded its best results ever this year, as six other students joined Alanna in the lofty top 10 per cent category.

They were: Daniel Herrick, 95, Toby Young, 93.8, Daniel Palise, 92, Emily Brugman, 91.05, Madison Murchie, 90.95, and Elisa Parry, 90.7.

Jethro was at a university open day when the Bay Post/ Moruya Examiner caught him on the phone yesterday.

"I'm pretty stoked, pretty excited to get into my course," he said.

Jethro wants to do a double degree in Engineering and Information Techno-logy specialising in renewable energy. He scored 93 in Math-ematics, 46 (out of 50) in Mathematics Extension One, 88 in English Advanced, 91 in Chemistry, 90 in Physics, 98 in Information Processes and Tech-nology and 94 in Software Design and Development.

Erin Stutchbury looks forward to expanding her mind in Melbourne.

"I'm stoked, it's great! The year wasn't in vain," she said. "I think it's one of the most mentally, physically and emotionally challenging things I've been through."

Erin hopes to tackle the toughest Bachelor of Arts course around, which has a required UAI of 92.

Alanna Harmey felt the pressure lift once she accessed her UAI result.

"I was really, really happy with my results, but I wasn't sure it'd cross over to my UAI," she said. "It is stressful, but for me it came down to balancing; I'd spent 13 years at school so why not put the effort in one last time when it really counts."

Alanna plans to work for a year then head to university in Sydney.