SHS student achieves outstanding academic average

By Adelle Ellis, Times Reporter

The Governor Generals Academic Medal was handed out to Strathmore High School’s (SHS) 2017-18 recipient Adina Tarcea during a short ceremony on June 12.
The award is given to high school students earning the highest overall average for the combined academic subjects of English, math, social studies and the students next highest academic subject, calculated to include all diploma exam results.
The award has recognized outstanding scholastic achievements of students in Canada for more than 140 years. SHS has been presenting the award to students since their 1987-88 school year.
“The award truly represents the highest academic achievement for our students and the extremely high standard that these student’s set for themselves and what they are capable of achieving,” said SHS principal Kyle Larson.
Tarcea, currently enrolled in the medical sciences program at Western University in London, Ont., hopes to pursue medicine following her bachelor’s degree.
Tarcea grew up in Romania where a strong work ethic was instilled in her from a young age, and she said strong academic performance is an important part of her life.
“Most kids hold quite high standards for themselves so I have always had high standards for my own academic performance,” said Tarcea. “However, all this work isn’t something I do because I feel I have to as some sort of duty; I enjoy it, I like learning.
Tarcea was not aware she had received the award until she returned from university in May. She said the news came with a renewed wave of encouragement and she knows she is following the right path.
Not only did Tarcea receive the highest overall average of last year’s graduating class, making her the perfect candidate, but her overall average of 96.5 per cent is the second highest average to have been achieved by a SHS student in the past 20 years.
“Adina definitely was a powerhouse in our school academically… she is an outstanding student who has had a very amazing high school career and is now well on her way to achieving her dreams,” said Larson.
Tarcea said she looks forward to starting her second year at Western University. She hopes to build a career in a field where she is constantly learning and working closely with people, and enjoys the feeling of knowing that she is somehow contributing to other’s wellbeing.
“Receiving one of the Governor General’s Academic Medals is such an honour,” said Tarcea. “The award not only signifies what I have worked for up to this point, but all the things I will continue working on. It just makes me want to continue achieving.”