REBECCA WONG had a heavier workload than most students when she tackled the Higher School Certificate. Her biology text came in 55 separate volumes - in Braille.

But it did not stop Ms Wong, visually impaired since birth, from joining the state's top achievers in the subject last year.

Rewarded … Jeremy Kwok and Rebecca Wong are recipients of a prize awarded to students who achieve outstanding HSC results despite significant hardship. Credit:Tamara Dean

Now doing an arts-law degree at the University of Sydney, the former Baulkham Hills High School student has been awarded a NSW Board of Studies prize for outstanding HSC results despite significant hardship.

The prize was also won by Jeremy Kwok, who studied at Sydney Grammar School. As a baby, he was diagnosed with a rare disorder and his vision, speech and hearing have been impaired.