Ravaged by nerves overnight, the former student from The Riverina Anglican College woke more than an hour before her HSC results were to be texted to her.

"I could not sleep at all. I gave up at about quarter-to-five, and just got up," Johanna said.

With her marks entirely in bands five and six, Johanna was confident her ATAR would deliver the goods.

"The first [subject result] I saw when I opened up the text was English, which was a band 6," she said.

"I was really excited about that because English was the one I was most worried about. I'm more of a STEM person, I'm more confident in the sciences."

The wait between receiving her exam results and finally knowing her ATAR may have been the longest seven hours of her life so far.

But the wait was worth it, as, at 1pm on Tuesday, Johanna received her enormous 96.95 ranking.

"It finally feels like we've finished school now. It feels like I can finally take a break," she said.

With her 18th birthday coming up at the weekend, Johanna plans to hold off her full celebration until then, safe in the knowledge now that she has what she needs to start the next chapter of her life.

Beginning next year, Johanna will relocate to Canberra to study a double degree in arts and science at the Australian National University.

For Wagga Christian College graduate Ella Bergmeier, 2019 has proven an enormously strenuous year across her academic, musical and professional endeavours.

Receiving an 89.70 ATAR, on Tuesday, it was her band 6 music result that she really celebrated.

Introduced to her beloved cello at a concert at the school when she was in year 3, now almost a decade of learning and training has culminated in the 17-year-old performing live at both Carnegie Hall in New York and at the Sydney Opera House.

"It was such a wonderful opportunity," she said.

A little closer to home as well, Ella also performed an incredibly moving duo rendition of Schindler's List at Wagga's Mayoress 'Supernova' Concert in August.

With a gap year in her immediate future, Ella plans to continue her musical pursuit by perhaps coupling it with an education degree.

"I'm really pleased [with my results], it's been such hard work and constant study, I'm looking forward to having some time free," she said.

While enjoying a few day's vacation with his family, fellow Wagga Christian College graduate Calvin Combs' first instinct after seeing his results was to feed them into an ATAR calculator and pre-empt the inevitable.

His ATAR came in at 93.90, which was well on par with the online calculator's estimation. But, which falls just shy of the required result he needs to begin a double degree in maths and science at the Australian National University.

"I needed a 95 ATAR for the course, but I'm hoping to pick up a few bonus marks that might boost it and get me into it," the 18-year-old said.

Despite the momentary setback, Calvin said he is still more than happy with his results - especially with his 92 exam result in physics.

"That mark I wasn't expecting, I was pretty surprised. I didn't think I was doing quite well enough to get over 90," he said.

"It's pretty relieving to be here now. The final milestone is over and I can look back at the year, it's been a mammoth one. Finally, I can relax instead of studying and stressing."

For Kooringal High School graduate Lucy Murphy, Tuesday could not come quick enough.

Having received correspondence more than a week ago that she had placed first in the state for business services, the 18-year-old was sworn to secrecy until the official ceremony on Monday morning.

"I could only tell my immediate family, it was especially hard when I saw my teacher. I just wanted to tell her," Lucy said.

When eventually the secret was let out, the reunion with her teacher - Gayle Ayton - was declared in rapturous glory.

"There was screaming involved actually, mostly hers. We had such a great relationship, and I think that helped me get those results," Lucy said.

With a 91.70 ATAR, Lucy managed to receive the exact same ranking as fellow Kooringal graduate Cain Davey.

"My goal was 80 or above, but I was aiming for as high as I could get," Cain said. "Now that I know I'm in the top 10 per cent [of the state], I can definitely walk away happy with that."

Adding to his success, Cain also made the state's list of all-rounders, finishing as fourth overall for his entertainment industries exam.

With a 96 band 6 overall mark in the subject, the result bodes well for his future career.

"Next year I'll be going to JMC in Sydney to study entertainment, eventually I want to work in the industry. I'm interested in theatre, radio, or TV," he said.

Also at Kooringal, Sachini Bandara managed to place ninth in the state for her hospitality exam.

The fact that the big day has now arrived has not quite set in for India Becroft at Wagga High School. Describing herself as "over the moon" with her 92.55 ATAR, she said opening her results on Tuesday was also accompanied by an unexpected pang of sorrow.

"It brings a bit of sadness, this is the last reminder that it's all over," the 18-year-old said.

India almost managed the schoolyard equivalent of a royal flush, with four band 6 results and a band 5. Like her fellow school-leavers, the day began very early for her after a sleepless night.

"I didn't fall asleep until about 2am and then I had my alarm on for 5.45am, I would not have missed that for anything," she said.

Reflecting on her high school career, now she is excited to begin the next chapter with a scholarship to Wollongong University to study law and arts.

"My family are all so proud of me, and that's really all that matters."

The Daily Advertiser contacted all schools in Wagga ahead of publishing this article, to celebrate the achievements of its top achievers.

Kildare Catholic College

Kooringal High

Mater Dei Catholic College

The Riverina Anglican College

Wagga Christian College

Wagga High