Vivian Leung
Abbey Park High School
University of Toronto Scarborough Academics Award
Vivian has always been fascinated with science, a passion that has been her beacon. She joined St. John Ambulance in 2001 and applied her first aid training skills at community events, as well as in provincial and international first aid competitions. In a University of Toronto National Biology Contest, she ranked in the 98.6 percentile out of 5,400 students worldwide. Among her awards are the McMaster University’s Health Research Bursary Award, Wendy’s Classic Achiever Scholarship, Toronto Dominion Scholarship for Community Leadership, 2nd best-in-fair at the Intel International Science and Engineering Fair, and Paul Harris Fellowship Award. Her multi-year volunteer positions include chair of the Oakville Youth Advisory Committee, Youth Ambassador for Pencils for Kids, and youth volunteer coordinator at the Oakville Trafalgar Memorial Hospital. She achieved the top mark in each high school year with a final average of 98.8%.
Vivian is studying molecular and cellular biology at Harvard University.
Rachel Vuong
Sir John A. Macdonald C.I.
Murphy & Chung Chartered Accountants Athletics Award
Breaking into sports did not come easily for Rachel who focused her early years on academics and school work. During her high school years, however, eleven sports that included swimming, gymnastics, basketball, volleyball, track and field, lacrosse, ultimate Frisbee, and martial arts, filled her days as an athlete, volunteer, and instructor. Field hockey and flag football became her focus where she was top goal scorer, captain, most valuable player, and recruit for All Star teams. In the words of her coach: “Sharing, mentoring, helping, and developing positive connections with people are the cornerstones of Rachel’s portfolio.” Not only did her athleticism and leadership garner awards and high praise, she achieved honours standing in her final year.
Rachel is studying Environment and Business at the University of Waterloo.
Gordon Tang
Upper Canada College
Lue Family Community Services Award
Gordon’s early fascination with nutrition and health made a natural match with his motto “to do a good turn every day”. His deep commitment to service in the community has been applied to projects that range from one-on-one tutoring to organizing world affairs conferences. Gordon received Gold Medals for both the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award and the Vision Youth Leadership Program. As project manager of the Youth Heart Health Advocacy Program, he and his team trained 100 young people in advocacy skills to educate 2,000 elementary students on healthy eating and exercise. His volunteerism has also extended to the Heart and Stroke Foundation, Yee Hong Geriatric Centre, Scouts Canada, and St. John Ambulance.
Gordon is enrolled in Engineering at the University of Toronto.
Andrea Wai-Sze Lee
Earl Haig S.S.
Kotcheff Family Arts Award
Andrea developed her love of music at age three when she started playing the piano. Since then, she has achieved the ARCT Performer’s Diploma in piano (94%) and Grade 10 violin. Andrea played the trumpet and guitar in concert and stage bands, violin in orchestras and ensembles, and sang in a choir. Her high level of musicianship has been rounded off with her piano teaching, accompaniment and ensemble work at school and church. She is a scholarship student at the Young Artists Performance Academy at the Royal Conservatory of Music. Among her many awards are Grand Prize, Bach prizes, Best of Concerto, Best of Senior Piano, Best of Recital Class, Best of Duet, Musician of the Year, and Honorary Mention at competitions like the Kiwanis, Pickering, and Markham music festivals. Andrea is described by her music teacher as “a unique and exceptional student in a school of talented musicians.”
Andrea is studying biological and medical sciences at the University of Western Ontario.