If it is a small school (and it sounds like it is) then dux is probably... Something more about... Picking a leader from amongst them, if that makes sense. A kid who has been there throughout the years. Has distinguished themselves through a variety of classes with different teachers etc. Consistently. Over a number of years. If she's just moved there, then she might not be accepted properly as an insider before she moves on again. Whether or not she is getting the best grades in her class.

I guess my advice would be... To forget about dux (maybe explain to her)... But worry more about... Fostering intellectual curiosity. Even if she pretends to be aloof or whatever in class most of the real work is (or can be) done at home, anyway. You can help her...

> If she wants it, but is reluctant to work for it, it would be really sad and disappointing for her.

That would be... Most people, I'm afraid... Everybody wants to be a bodybuilder... But nobody wants to lift no heavy *** weights! Etc... Everybody wants to be a doctor... Until they learn how much you have to study... Work ethic is a valuable thing to learn. Precisely because most people don't have it.

That being said, she is very young yet...