The future is shining bright on the academic stage for top high school scholars in Ontario, including a number of Toronto-area Catholic students making their way to post-secondary education having attained a final average of, or near, 100 per cent on their Grade 12 courses.

These students, inside and outside of the classroom, remain not only committed to excelling on paper, but also to carrying forward the values of faith and service as they head to some of Canada’s, and even the world’s, most competitive university programs.

At the York Catholic District School Board, an impressive four students graduated with perfect 100-per-cent averages. Among them is Hong Yi (Eric) Wang, a graduate of St. Theresa of Lisieux Catholic High School in Richmond Hill, who will in the fall attend the Ivy League's Yale University, where he will major in both computer science and economics.

Advertisement

Speaking to The Catholic Register, Wang shared that it was St. Theresa of Lisieux’s supportive staff and inherently Catholic environment that helped sustain him during his time working towards this remarkable achievement. 

“Apart from holding you to a high academic standard,  the teachers were very supportive and accommodating throughout my journey. I think about things like our morning Mass being a good way to reset your mind and make sure that you're focused on the right things. I used to go to the chapel in the mornings to talk to our former chaplain. These were all nice experiences,” he said. 

Having recently returned from San Francisco as part of a startup accelerator for the summer, Wang touched on his plans to eventually start his own startup in the field of finance and tech following his studies at Yale. 

The Toronto Catholic District School Board saw two students manage to achieve 100-per-cent averages in Bishop Allen Academy’s Eric Terova and Chaminade College School’s Gabriel Beghetto, while at St. Michael’s Choir School and Loretto Abbey, two of the city’s most notable Catholic institutions, graduates Patrick Wilson and Chantal Kramer both posted averages above 99.5 per cent while balancing various leadership roles across athletics and the arts. 

Wilson, who graduated with a 99.83-per-cent average, was quick to speak about how the Catholic environment at the Choir School helped him succeed from his earliest days there.

“ I had a lot of support from all my teachers and my friends, and being Catholic, I think it helped me to know that I had a purpose in the world that I wanted to work towards. I don't think I could have achieved such high grades without their support and without that tight-knit community,” he said. 

Wilson also recently received the University of Toronto National Book Award and the Governor General's Academic Medal, having also served on the school’s student council and swim team, and in St. Michael's choral and piano program. His time in the latter allowed him to perform at venues such as Massey Hall, Roy Thomson Hall, St. Michael's Cathedral Basilica and several historic churches around the world. 

Advertisement

His academic success will see him enroll at the University of Toronto’s Engineering Science program this fall, where Wilson says he is looking forward to working in labs with peers, hopeful to identify real-world issues. Wilson hopes to join the Skule Engineering Choir, hoping that the tight-knit Engineering Science cohort will feel similar to his time at St. Michael’s.

At Loretto Abbey, Kramer achieved an overall average of 99.50 per cent in the AP Program, earning subject awards in Advanced Functions, Calculus and Vectors, Biology, Chemistry, Physics and Visual Arts. Her impressive work ethic also saw her recognized with the Loretto Sisters' Excellence Award, the Community Involvement Bronze Award, the Arts Certificate Award and as the school's Schulich Leader Scholarship nominee.

Once again, the mix of supportive, passionate teachers and a strong emphasis on faith life allowed for Catholic education to easily become a supportive environment for Kramers’ success. 

“My time at Loretto Abbey has taught me that we must be servants to the good. Believing in a greater purpose for ourselves really helps to excel academically, and it motivated me to strive to do my best because I believe it will cultivate my skills and allow me to eventually help others,” she said. 

Kramer will join Wilson in Engineering Science at U of T this fall, where she's excited to use the school’s top athletic facilities while looking forward to being with like-minded students passionate about science and innovation. 

The Dufferin-Peel Catholic District School Board also announced its top Ontario Scholars at the end of July, highlighting Victoria Yefymenko from St. Michael Catholic Secondary School as the top scholar for the Bolton, Caledon and Orangeville areas with a 99-per-cent average, as well as Nolan Barreto from Loyola Catholic Secondary School in Mississauga at 99.7 per cent, Davneet Kaur Brar and Michael Francisco from St. Edmund Campion Catholic Secondary School with averages of 99.3 per cent. 

As each of these boards celebrates this year’s top scholars this summer and prepares to support the next generation of high-achieving students in the new school year, advice from those now moving on to university was offered for both inspiration and practical encouragement. From the mouths of graduates who have just completed their Catholic high school journeys, the title of Top Scholar may not be as far out of reach as it sometimes appears. 

“ Start exploring early on, join clubs, talk to people, go to events,” Wang said.

“Study a lot, ask the teachers questions, have a network of friends to lean on,” Wilson added.

Advertisement

“Don't complete an assignment just for the sake of completing it, but make something you can reflect on proudly.  Most importantly, have faith. Believing that God has a greater plan for you will take you so far,” Kramer concluded. 

Full lists of this year’s Top Scholars can be found on the school boards’ respective websites.