5 TDSB students graduate high school with 100 per cent average

For the first time ever, five Toronto District School Board (TDSB) students have graduated high school with an average of 100 per cent in their top six Grade 12 classes.

It’s a feat most of us struggle even to fathom, but four of these students were able to attend a ceremony Thursday morning at the TDSB head office in North York, honouring them for pulling it off.

Pasha Ho, who attended Harbord Collegiate Institute, Avaneesh Kulkarni from Victoria Park Collegiate Institute, Sienna Muller from the Etobicoke School of the Arts and Kyle Sung from Richview Collegiate Institute, made their parents very proud as they accepted plaques for being Top Scholars.

Sung showed off his Rubik’s Cube skills — he can finish one in under 10 seconds — as his parents told CityNews about the support he received along the way.

“It’s wonderful to get that recognition because he’s worked very hard. But I think it’s also important to understand that he’s had fantastic support all the way through with from the community, from teachers and the school,” said his father, Wayne.

Sung said part of his academic success comes from trying to see what’s coming next.

“On my wall at home, I constantly have study sheets, I print the curriculum documents, I’m always looking to know more in advance,” the committed student admitted.

While at the same time, Kulkarni said he chalks his success up to a love of learning.

“I wouldn’t say I’m the most hardworking student, but I was engaged in the classroom, and I did what I liked, and that happened to be studying,” he said.

His parents joked they had to give him the occasional nudge away from the books.

“He was very focused and did things on his own. I had to peel him from the desk to get him to do other things,” said Shrinivas, Kulkarni’s father.

“I hope he carries these things ahead, stays focused and has a bright future,” added his mother, Vibah.

The Principal of the Etobicoke School of the Arts was present, cheering on graduate Muller, highlighting joint efforts between students, staff, and parents.

“Her achievement, as she said, is representative of the hard work people put in every day, the staff and the teachers, I’m really proud,” said Grant Fawthrop.

“Everyone has just been great for just taking me as I am and helping me to be the best version of myself,” said Muller, who achieved her average of 100 per cent while also participating in an intensive dance program at the school.

Her mom said for students like Muller, her advice has been to make time for a healthy balance. “Taking time for her to enjoy the ride, I think for her, has been really important.”

Among the five graduates, Nina Do of Humberside Collegiate was not present at the ceremony.

Education Minister Stephen Lecce even made an appearance at the celebration.

“I said it to each one of them. Honest to God, they worked so hard for this,” Lecce said. “Getting to 100 per cent doesn’t come easy; it requires discipline, focus and commitment to get to the finish line.”

Each top scholar offered a piece of advice to other students, hoping to achieve this status one day.

“Do stuff that you enjoy and do that with friends and peers,” said Sung, while Kulkarni added, “Throw yourself into challenging circumstances … it’ll be intimidating, but it won’t be so bad and will pay off.”

“I think just finding something to do outside of school helps you decompress and relax a bit,” shared Ho.

Now they are off to bigger things, with Muller attending The University of British Columbia (UBC) in the fall to study science.

Sung is headed to Hamilton’s McMaster University to study math and computer science, while Ho is staying home, attending the University of Toronto for engineering science.

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With files from Meredith Bond