When
you look at the list of the top scholars in Orléans this
year you can't help but notice an obvious trend � they are
all young men. In fact, it's the first time since the Orléans
Star and orleansonline.ca started writing about
the area's top scholars that no females made the list.
All four
of this year's top scholars share a two common traits �
they all tried to balance their academic pursuits with extra-curricular
activities and they all are masters of time management,
although they didn't start out that way.
"Its definitely
something I had to learn.� says Uvernes Castillo, who won
the Governor General's medal as the top graduating student
at Cairine Wilson Secondary School with a 97.0 average.
"It was
always a challenge in Grade 9 and 10,� says Mohamed Radwan,
who is this year's Governor General's medal recipient at
Sir Wilfrid Laurier Secondary School after achieving a 98.0
average which is the highest average among this year's top
scholars, "but I learned to manage my time a lot better
in Grade 11 and especially this past year. The most important
thing is to do the work when it's assigned and not when
it's due and make sure you have a start time to study for
tests and exams.�
St. Matthew
High School's top scholar, Adam Steacy narrowly beat out
fellow Grade 12 grad Margaret Enein by less than one per
cent to win his Governor General's medal with a 96.8 average.
Steacy plans to go to McMaster University in Hamilton next
year where he will major in mechanical and biochemical engineering.
The 17-year-old says the key to his academic success was
making sure he pursued other interests away from his text
books.
"I played
hockey and I did a lot of skiing with my buddies,� said
Steacy.
All four
top grads in Orléans made sure to balance their studies
with extracurricular activities.
St. Peter
High School Governor General's Medal recipient Bobby Lechambre
played on both of the school's varsity football and rugby
teams and had a normal social life. After earning a 94.2
average he plans to attend the University of Ottawa this
fall where he will major in chemical engineering.
Uvernes
Castillo played competitive soccer with the Ottawa Gloucester
Hornets and took guitar lessons. He was also a member of
the Math Club. The 17-year-old plans to major in Computer
Science at Carleton University in the fall and hopes to
one day conduct leading research into artificial intelligence.
Mohamed
Radwan has enrolled at the University of Ottawa where he
plans to major in biochemistry and chemical engineering.
His goal is one day become a doctor. Like the others, he
also took time a way from his books to pursue other interests.
"I went
to the park a lot and played basketball with my friends.
I also tutured other kids at school and was a peer counsellor,�
said Radwan.
Judging
by what they've accomplished so far, all four top grads
should have a very bright future.
(This
story was made possible thanks to the generous support of
our local business partners.)
ORLÉANS RIBFEST in the Orléans Festival Plaza on Trim Road. Festival hours are Friday, Sept. 12 from 11:30 a.m. to 9 p.m., Saturday, Sept. 13 from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. and Sunday, Sept. 14 from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Free admission. For more information visit 
CUMBERLAND FARMERS MARKET from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the R.J. Kennedy Arena in Cumberland Village with 85 local farmers and vendors ready to showcase their freshest produce, handmade goods, and unique finds
ORLEANS TERRY FOX RUN in the parking lot at Sir Wilfrid Secondary School on Tenth Line Road. Registration will open on site at 7:30 a.m. Open start is anytime between 8 a.m. and 11 a.m. Bicycles, rollerblades and strollers are all welcome. Dogs must be kept on a leash. Pre-registration and donations can be made at 
