Patrick Lam
Thornhill S.S.
Investors Group Academics Award
Patrick was the highest achieving mathematics student at Thornhill S.S. and one of the highest achieving mathematics students in the York Region District School Board and the Province of Ontario. Patrick faced the challenges of his mathematics course, as his teacher says, through “hard work, self-discipline, and total commitment to his academic work”. In OAC, his marks for Calculus, Algebra, Geometry and Finite ranged from 97% to 100%.
Patrick’s academic excellence has been recognized with over 20 awards, including the OAC Math Award, Award for Excellence in Mathematics, and Canadian Open Math Challenge. Patrick exhibited exceptional leadership and community skills as a mathemetics tutor, the School Prefect, President of the Chinese Student Association and member of the Yan Ya Tang’s Youth Volunteer Committee. He volunteers his time at St. Michael’s Hospital, the Gallanough Library Resource Centre and Red Cross Committee.
Karrolyn Wong
Earl Haig S.S.
Murphy & Chung Chartered Accountants Athletic Award
Sports are Karrolyn’s passion. She is always on the run, keeping fit and pursuing an active life. Her athletic accomplishments include soccer, weight training, aerobics, Ultimate Frisbee, dragon boat racing, cross country running and Nordic skiing. Her inspiration comes from Helen Keller who said, “Alone we do so little, together we can do so much.”
Karrolyn has been a key player on many sports teams. Scoring the winning overtime goal in soccer and leading the cross-country ski team to qualify for the provincial championship are among her more memorable sporting moments. Her love of working with children and fostering the talents of future Tiger Woods and Base Ruths are fulfilled as an instructor at a sports camp, camp counsellor for North York Park and Recreation camps and volunteer head coach for a community soccer team. She is certified as a Level 3 Ontario Soccer Referee and Linesman. Whether she is organizing sports behind the scenes or on the field playing, Karrolyn is always aiming for the gold.
Sarina Lee
Harbord C.I.
Toronto Mandarin Lions Club Arts Award
Since age five, Sarina has been immersed in the arts, including instrumental music, singing, drawing and acting. Beginning with piano lessons and art classes in Hong Kong, she remembers how difficult it was to continue her piano lessons when her family moved to Canada. At a time of overcoming language barriers, adapting to a new country, and attending a new school, she says she worked “tremendously hard to achieve my very best.” Sarina went on to complete her grade 8 Royal Conservatory of Music, grade 3 harmony and grade 2 theory exams, all with honours. She plays the flute and violin, has played the leading role in three musicals, and won numerous drawing contests.
Sarina’s achievements are not restricted to the arts. She has excelled in athletics where she has been the Female Athlete of the Year for three years. She has maintained an average of at least 90% and received the Academics Award in each of her high school years.
Natalie Kam
Unionville H.S.
TD Canada Trust Community Services Award
Volunteering has changed Natalie’s life. From her many volunteer experiences, Natalie has gained as much as she has given to her community. Whether she is at the Riverdale Hospital helping patients learn to use computers, at a daycare lending a helping hand, or at the CHIN Picnic leading groups of volunteers, Natalie believes strongly in fostering the passion for volunteering and helping those in need. Her leadership abilities are evident in the success of the Unionville Red Cross Youth Action Council for which she is the Chair. Many projects help the Red Cross serve its local and global communities. She has also been a volunteer for the United Way CN Stair Climb, the United Way Leaps and Bounds Run, the Canadian Red Cross Bowl-A-Thon and Gala Telethon, the Toronto CCBC, and the World Vision Telethon, all the while maintaining a place on the honour roll at school.
Natalie was one of seven youth who were recognized for community leadership with the 2002 Mayor’s Youth Task Force Award.