Hear Her Story: Elena Latchem

When asked what she wanted to be when she was older, there was always only one answer for Elena. A doctor. Now, that will become a reality as she goes on to study a Bachelor of Biomedicine (Specialised) (Integrated Medical Sciences and Clinical Practice) with an assured pathway to Medicine at the University of Western Australia (UWA).  

Elena said she has always known she wanted a career in STEM and during her time at MLC envisioned herself studying medicine. Achieving a perfect ATAR score of 99.95, MLC Dux Elena was awarded the prestigious Beazley Medal: WACE and was one of the 10 recipients of the UWA Fogarty Foundation Scholarship.  

Her journey to get there was one of perseverance, dedication and hard work. Studying Mathematics Methods, Mathematics Specialist, Physics, Chemistry, Literature and French: Second Language, prepared Elena for her application to medical school.  

“I have always been passionate about STEM subjects, so selecting two Science subjects and both Maths subjects was an easy choice. I really enjoyed my French studies and thought the ability to speak another language would be an invaluable skill for the future. Literature was a challenging subject that pushed me to expand my worldview and perspective, find my own voice, and think outside of the box – skills that will be invaluable both as a medical student and in my everyday life.” 

Aside from her studies, Elena was also heavily involved in MLC’s extensive co-curricular program from Music and Sport to Leadership and Service. She said these experiences taught her about teamwork, commitment and time management, as well as helped her to build self-confidence, empathy and perspective that was invaluable in the preparation for her medical interviews.  

Looking back on her MLC journey, Elena said the holistic approach and wide support network helped her to achieve both her academic and personal goals.  

“MLC is such an amazing community to be a part of. It was a supportive and motivating environment that encouraged me to sign up for a wide range of fulfilling and exciting opportunities and experiences. These have not only been eye-opening and enjoyable but have given me the confidence to take on any new challenges in the next chapter of my life.”