Peel - Anna Yue Shen from Glenforest Secondary School in Mississauga was nothing shy of perfect in the 2007-08 academic year, earning a 100 per cent average and the highest academic average in the Peel District School Board. Shen is among the Peel board's 2,939 Ontario scholars. To become an Ontario scholar, grade 12 students must have an average of 80 per cent or higher in their top six grade 12 courses.

"School is something that is extremely important to me, and I have always been good at it," says Shen. "I push myself to do better by competing with myself and no one else." In September, Shen will be heading to the University of Waterloo for the chemical engineering co-op program. "I chose this field because I felt it was an area where I could make the most impact, especially with all the concerns about the environment these days."

Two students tied for the highest academic average in Brampton. Vivek Bansal, from Heart Lake Secondary School, and Amy Deeb, from Turner Fenton Secondary School, graduated with an average of 98.5 per cent. "I just gave it my best shot from start to finish this year," says Bansal, who will be attending the University of Waterloo in September for accounting and financial management. Deeb will be taking aerospace engineering at Carleton University. "My advice for future students would be get the projects done early, sleep as much as you can and make sure you keep a good balance between school and friends," says Deeb.

The top scholar in Caledon is Humberview Secondary School's Derrick Dodgson, who graduated with a 96.2 per cent average. "I've always strived for success in all I do, especially school," says Dodgson. "I think the keys to success in school are to stay organized, hand in assignments on time and listen carefully to teachers."   Dodgson will study engineering this September at Queen's University.

In addition to being an Ontario Top Scholar, Shen and Deeb were also graduates of the International Baccalaureate diploma program. Students enrolled in the IB program are required to study all disciplines and areas of the curriculum, including mathematics, sciences, language and humanities. They must also write a 4,000 word extended essay on a topic of individual interest, and complete a community/action/service component, which encourages students to pursue non-academic interests, such as art, sports, volunteer work and community service.

BRAMPTON

CALEDON

MISSISSAUGA