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.)