July 11, 2011 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Communications TCDSB ANNOUNCES TOP SCHOLARS FOR 2010-2011 Department 80 Sheppard Avenue East David Marrello, a recent graduate from in Etobicoke has achieved , 100 percent, the highest average of all graduating students within the Catholic M2N 6E8 District School Board for the 2010-2011 academic year. David earned 100 percent in Advanced Functions, Calculus and Vectors, Chemistry, Economics, English, Physics, and Religion. Media Contact: Emmy Szekeres Milne David will be studying at the Schulich School of Business in September and has earned the Acting Manager The York University President’s Scholarship Award. David was a peer tutor at Bishop Communications Allen, belonged to the Swim Team and the Science Club and was Captain of the school’s 416-222-8282 Ext. 2356 Reach for the Top Team. In addition, he won the Great Canadian Geography Challenge, [email protected] placing 2nd in Ontario and 4th in . In addition to his academic achievements, David has earned his Grade 8 in piano and is fluent in Italian. Information: Mary Walker David thanks his family for their support throughout the years and to the staff and students Supervisor at Bishop Allen Academy for providing an excellent learning environment. Communications 416-222-8282 Ext. 2302 “The Toronto Catholic District School Board congratulates our students, their families and [email protected] our school staff. The unique partnership between family, school and parish gives our students a foundation on which they can mature emotionally, spiritually and academically. These students have clearly achieved our Catholic School Graduate Expectation of becoming self-directed, responsible, life-long learners”, says Board Chair, Ann Andrachuk.

“We are particularly proud of the leadership and extra-curricular activities that these students have undertaken”, says Associate Director of Academic Affairs, Angela Gauthier. “They express our vision of TCDSB students and the kind of support necessary to achieve at this level”.

The second place student for 2010-2011 was classmate Jurgen Frasheri, earning an average of 99.33 percent. Jurgen will be studying Engineering Science at the University of Toronto and has earned a $5,000 scholarship as well as $1,000 from the Engineering Faculty. While pursuing his studies, Jurgen found the time to belong to the Science Club, which organized science demonstrations and activities for elementary students and he was also a peer tutor in Chemistry and Mathematics. Jurgen is fluent in Albanian and French. He will be spending the summer preparing for university and studying. He is thankful for the support of his parents and his older brother, who encouraged him to study engineering.

Four TCDSB students tied for third place overall, each earning an average of 98.83 percent. In alphabetical order, they are: Joseph Cruz (Chaminade College School in North York); Ben Donato-Woodger (Bishop Allen Academy); Neruja Loganathan, (Blessed Pope John Paul II Catholic Secondary School in Scarborough) and Jimmy Palakunnel, (Bishop Allen Academy).

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TCDSB TOP SCHOLARS FOR 2010-2011 (CONT’D)

Joseph will be studying Engineering Science at the University of Toronto and received a $5,000 President’s Scholarship. While attending school, he belonged to the Chess Club.

Ben will be studying International Relations in the Trinity One program of the University of Toronto, where he has been awarded the U. of T. National Scholarship and Book Award. In high school, Ben was the Secretary General of the school’s Model United Nations team and had a co-leading role in the Social Justice Club (SCOPE). He also volunteered for the Council of Canadians, and was the Youth Coordinator of JustEarth in his spare time.

Neruja was in the International Baccalaureate programme at Blessed Pope John Paul II. She will be studying Biology and Medicine at the University of Western Ontario Western. While attending her high school, she was a member of the Environmental Council, tutored fellow students in Math and recently earned her Grade 6 in piano.

Jimmy will be studying Life Sciences at McMaster University with a view to medical school. He was awarded a Presidential Scholarship for $3,000. While attending Bishop Allen, he was a member of the school’s Student Leadership Organization, tutored students in Math and Science and was a counsellor at the Grade 9 Orientation Camp for two years. He volunteered at his parish, St. Leo Catholic Church for the past three years and is very grateful to his pastor, Reverend Francis Carpinelli, his family and his teachers for their support.

Top Students from Other Toronto Municipalities

Toronto –Zarah Khan, from St. Joseph’s College School, earned an average of 98.33%. She will be studying Life Sciences at the University of Toronto and received the $ 5000 U of T National Scholar Award. She hopes to study medicine (neurosurgery or cardiology). She belonged to the school’s Library Club, tutored her peers in Advanced Placement Physics, Chemistry and Advanced Functions. Zarah is volunteering at a health care center and preparing herself for university life. She is grateful to her parents and also her older brother who encouraged her.

York – Ruben Henriques Garcia – 90.17 – Archbishop Romero Catholic Secondary School Ruben has been accepted to Humber college for a three-year program in Game Programming, starting in September. It's been a hobby of his for the past for years and he has experienced some success in the field. He hopes to eventually to have a job developing video-games and software for the existing platforms. He is thankful to all of his teachers at Archbishop Romero for their patience and for encouraging him to complete his assignments.

- 30 - The Toronto Catholic District School Board educates more than 93,000 students from diverse cultures and language backgrounds in its 201 Catholic elementary and secondary schools and serves approximately 475,000 Catholic school supporters across the City of Toronto.