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The TDSB proudly celebrated its Top Scholars for the 2024-25 school year at a special event on Tuesday, July 22. These four exceptional students each achieved a perfect 100% average across their top six Grade 12 courses, a remarkable accomplishment that reflects their commitment, perseverance and passion for learning.

This year’s Top Scholars are:

• Andrew Peng – Bloor Collegiate Institute
• Sheena Qin – Bloor Collegiate Institute
• Sowmya Ramanan – Bloor Collegiate Institute
• Safiya Vohra-Bangi – Cedarbrae Collegiate Institute

During the celebration, the students shared personal reflections, advice for younger peers, and insights into their academic journeys.

Heading to the University of Toronto to study Engineering, Safiya Vohra-Bangi encouraged incoming Grade 9 students to embrace opportunities and make the most of their high school years. “Have fun! Take every opportunity you can. Say yes to everything,” she advised, emphasizing the importance of keeping an open mind and enjoying the experience.

Sheena Qin, who is also off to the University of Toronto to study Computer Science after graduating from the TOPS program at Bloor CI, spoke about the importance of pushing boundaries while maintaining balance. “It’s very important to challenge yourself and take the hardest courses you can,” she said. “It’s also important to prioritize mental health and make time for extracurriculars.”

For fellow Bloor CI student Andrew Peng, also entering Computer Science at the University of Toronto, academic excellence was driven by perspective, rather than perfection. “The goal is to try to be your best, and not strive for perfection,” he said. “If you are shooting for 100, it’s not an attainable goal. Regardless of what the outcome is, you’ll be happy with yourself as long as you tried your best.”

Sowmya Ramanan, who will be heading to the University of Waterloo, highlighted the value of building connections and maintaining balance. “Extracurriculars are the most important. They are a great way to meet new people and take a break from studying,” she shared. Volunteering at Michael Garron Hospital, she said, helped her connect with people beyond her school community. “Have a good balance between school and extracurriculars,” she added. “Push yourself and challenge yourself, but keep in mind that high school should be something you can look back on without regrets.”

Congratulations to Andrew, Sheena, Sowmya and Safiya. Their stories are a powerful reminder that academic excellence goes hand in hand with curiosity, community engagement and a commitment to personal well-being. We look forward to seeing all that they will accomplish in the years ahead.