As soon as Kamalpreet walked through the doors of Houston Secondary, she dominated most of her classes and even broke some school records.
Last Tuesday, Houston Secondary School hosted its annual Awards Ceremony, recognizing students’ accomplishments from the 2010-2011 school year.
Two students stood out—they each won an exceptional eight awards each. These school superstars are Janet Brodie of Topley and Kamalpreet Parhar of Houston.
Janet Brodie, currently a Grade 11 student, achieved three plaques and five certificates at last Tuesday’s ceremony.
When asked what her inspiration was to work so hard and dedicate herself to achieving this kind of success in school, Janet replied that she was mostly inspired by her older sister Lena, who graduated last year.
Janet also said she aspires to become a neurologist.
Because all her courses count toward that goal, she said she feels a need to do everything to the best of her ability.
Janet also joked about needing good grades to get out of Topley.
During the ceremony, Janet said she felt nervous. She was slightly unsure whether she would get the awards that she had worked so hard to achieve. However, she was pleased with the results, she said.
When asked about her schedule, Janet said that she didn’t really have one set. But she keeps busy playing rugby, baseball, basketball, volleyball and her working at her job at Canfor.
Homework is not always something Janet wants to do. But whenever she doesn’t feel like getting around to it, Janet said she just thinks about her future and her family and that motivates her to work hard.
The other half of this brilliant twosome, Kamalpreet Parhar, had a lot in common with Janet.
She too was inspired by her older sister, Jasmine, and she also want to do something in the medical field.
However, Kamalpreet graduated from her elementary school in a large class, whereas Janet’s graduating class only had just six students.
Kamalpreet points out that her Grade 7 teacher, Mrs. Harness, was a major inspiration for her. Mrs. Harness pushed her to work hard, she said.
Every time Kamalpreet was called up to accept her awards, she was pleasantly surprised and happy for the recognition.
Kamalpreet, who is in Grade 9 this year, achieved three plaques and five certificates. She earned an outstanding 99 per cent in social studies.
That shattered a previous record that had gone unbeaten for ten years.
Kamalpreet said she participates in everything she can, and is currently working towards becoming a lifeguard.
Having already completed her bronze medallion and bronze cross, she is just waiting to turn 14 so she can do her next course.