An Aurora student is among four York Catholic District School Board (YCDSB) students who graduated with a 100 per cent average this school year, and students from Newmarket and Aurora schools each achieved averages of 98.5 per cent as the top scholars at their schools.
Emily Su graduated from Cardinal Carter Catholic High School in Aurora with a 100 per cent average, and will be attending the University of Waterloo to study life sciences, majoring in biomedical sciences.
Ethan Rania graduated from Sacred Heart Catholic High School in Newmarket and Ashlee Stone from St. Maximilian Kolbe Catholic High School in Aurora with averages of 98.5 per cent.
With final report cards now distributed to secondary students, YCDSB celebrating some of its most accomplished students during this school year with the release of a list of the 2023-24 YCDSB Top Scholars.
This year, YCDSB is recognizing 18 exceptional students for their outstanding academic achievements. The top scholars are the students with the highest average at their secondary school, based on an average calculated from their top six Grade 12 courses.
Four students graduated with a 100 per cent average this school year:
- Meghan Lam graduated from Father Bressani Catholic High School in Woodbridge with a perfect 100 per cent average. She will attend York University’s biomedical science program with the intention of becoming a medical doctor. Meghan is one of 10 students who received the York Science Scholars Award, which provides a scholarship and a guaranteed research position in the summer of 2025.
- Emily Su graduated from Cardinal Carter Catholic High School in Aurora with a 100 per cent average. She will join the University of Waterloo’s life science program, where she will major in biomedical sciences. Because of her passion for biochemistry and working with people, Emily aims to become a pharmacist. Emily knows that pharmacists play a vital role in the lives of their patients, so she hopes to form lifelong relationships with the people she will serve.
- Derek Yang graduated from St. Theresa of Lisieux Catholic High School in Richmond Hill with a 100 per cent average. He will study computer engineering at the University of Waterloo. Derek hopes to use his passion for computers, mathematics and physics to contribute to the advancement of these fields.
- Alec Zelec graduated from Father Bressani Catholic High School in Woodbridge with a 100 per cent average. He will study life sciences at the University of Toronto in the fall because he loves science and math. Alec plans to become a medical researcher who finds a cure for a serious disease or ailment.
Six students graduated with a 99 per cent average:
- Christian Ficara graduated from St. Jean de Brebeuf Catholic High School in Woodbridge with a 99.33 per cent average. In the fall, he will study at the Schulich School of Business at York University.
- Aiden Ma graduated from St. Robert Catholic High School in Thornhill with a 99.33 per cent average. He will study computer science at the University of Waterloo.
- Joseph Weigensberg graduated from St. Brother Andre Catholic High School in Markham with a 99.33 per cent average. He will attend Queen’s University to study life science.
- Daniel Zhang graduated from St. Robert CHS in Thornhill with a 99.33 per cent average. He will join the University of Waterloo’s computer science co-op program. Daniel also won a $100,000 scholarship from the Schulich Leaders Scholarships.
- Isabella Teixeira Damjanoski graduated from Our Lady Queen of the World Catholic Academy in Richmond Hill with a 99.17 per cent average. She will study biomedical engineering at the University of Waterloo.
- Chloe Ellison Wong graduated from St. Augustine Catholic High School in Richmond Hill with a 99.17 per cent average. She will major in integrated biomedical engineering and health sciences at McMaster University.
“Being named a top scholar is a remarkable accomplishment that is a testament to these students’ dedication, the unwavering support of their families and the tireless efforts of our exceptional staff,” said interim director of education John De Faveri in a news release. “We are immensely proud of every graduating York Catholic student and are deeply grateful for the community's collective hard work and commitment to educational excellence. Congratulations to all our graduating students, and may you continue to use your God-given talents to make the world a better place.”
The YCDSB is one of Ontario’s top-performing school boards, with EQAO and OSSLT scores far exceeding provincial averages, the release stated. With 97.3 per cent of YCDSB students graduating from secondary school in five years, the YCDSB has one of the province’s highest graduation rates.
Top 18 scholars at YCDSB schools:
- Meghan Lam, Father Bressani Catholic High School, Woodbridge, 100%
- Emily Su, Cardinal Carter Catholic High School, Aurora, 100%
- Derek Yang St. Theresa of Lisieux Catholic High School, Richmond Hill, 100%
- Alec Zelek Father Bressani Catholic High School, Woodbridge, 100%
- Christian Ficara, St. Jean de Brebeuf Catholic High School, Woodbridge, 99.33%
- Aiden Ma, St. Robert Catholic High School, Thornhill, 99.33%
- Joseph Weigensberg, St. Brother Andre Catholic High School, Markham, 99.33%
- Daniel Zhang, St. Robert Catholic High School, Thornhill, 99.33%
- Isabella Teixeira Damjanoski, Our Lady Queen of the World Catholic Academy, Richmond Hill, 99.17%
- Chloe Ellison Wong, St. Augustine Catholic High School, Markham, 99.17%
- Harjot Singh Deol, Father Michael McGivney Catholic Academy, Markham, 98.835
- Ethan Rania, Sacred Heart Catholic High School, Newmarket, 98.50%
- Ashlee Stone, St. Maximilian Kolbe Catholic High School, Aurora, 98.50%
- Xu Lin (Kylin) Zhang, St. Elizabeth Catholic High School, Thornhill, 98.50%
- Andrew Clarke, St. Joan of Arc Catholic High School, Maple, 98.17%
- Alana Moschella, Holy Cross Catholic Academy, Woodbridge, 98.0%
- Josef Spence, Our Lady of the Lake Catholic Academy, Keswick, 96.83%
- Yi-Rui Wen, St. Luke Catholic Learning Centre, 93.0%
