Winner of the 2003 Goenchem Prize

From: "Santosh Helekar" <Chimbelcho@aol.com>Posted on : <goanet@goanet.org> Sunday, August 31, In keeping with the spirit of the World Goa Day, we, the members of the Goenchem Prize committee are delighted to announce that the 2003 Goenchem Prize for the promotion of honesty, rationality and common sense is awarded to ROLAND MARTINS. We thank Mr. Martins for graciously accepting the award. Click for full text at : http://www.goacom.com/news/news2003/aug/msg00133.html (Image from:http://www.goacan.org/face_to_face/)

Tara Fernandes heading for Boston College

This Canadian hockey family doesn't believe in adding ice. Instead, Mississauga's Fernandes family continues to churn out stars in the sport of field hockey.The latest success story is Tara Fernandes. The 17-year-old graduate of Holy Name of Mary Secondary School has procured a full $30,000 U.S. scholarship at Boston College in Chestnut Hill, Mass., to play forward/midfield for the school's field hockey team. See full article at: http://www.goacom.com/news/news2003/sep/msg00002.html

Toronto ~Janelle DeSouza scores 97.86%- Top Student of Dufferin-Peel Catholic District School Board's graduating OAC students

Toronto Star
Aug. 27, 2003. 01:00 AM
Top grad came to Canada at 11 (from Bombay)

`Never get behind,' she advises
FRANK CALLEJA
STAFF REPORTER

Janelle DeSouza believes that to be a successful student, you've got to stay on top of school work. So it's not surprising the top is exactly where the Brampton resident ended up when the marks of Dufferin-Peel Catholic District School Board's graduating OAC students were announced. DeSouza's 97.83 per cent in her top six OAC subjects was the board's best. "I still don't know what my individual marks are, but it's a wonderful feeling," the lively 18-year-old graduate of Brampton's Cardinal Leger Secondary School said.

This academic year was particularly challenging and competitive because of the so-called double cohort, which saw both OAC and Grade 12 students eligible for graduation and spots in university programs.
The board's top Grade 12 graduate is Dorotea Mutabdzic, of Philip Pocock Secondary School in Mississauga, with an average of 97.33 per cent. With at least $3,000 in scholarships already in the bank and more expected, DeSouza will study commerce at the U of T's Mississauga campus.
True to her motto of always being prepared and staying on top of school work, she's taking some pre-university programs to be ready. DeSouza said her summer employer, Sobey's grocery store, has scheduled her shifts as a cashier on weekends so she can attend class.
Born in Mumbai, India, she and her family arrived in Canada when she was 11.
Fluent in English when she arrived, the petite student established her academic credentials early and won a succession of awards and prizes throughout her grade school and high school years. Her best marks were in economics, accounting, computers, finite math, algebra/geometry and calculus.
"I think it's very important to always stay on top of your school work - never get behind and never be discouraged when things don't go the way you expect.
"Set goals, focus on them and above all else, persevere," DeSouza said. But, she continued, "you can't be book-bound, You have to become involved in your community, to help people, be there for them."
"You need to have a passion for life - that's what makes the experience complete."
She was a member of the student council, worked on the school's Urban Alliance Social Committee, which supported a variety of social causes and raised money to assist in the recovery of the Iraqi people after the war. "With the help of my family and friends and trust in God, I have been able to enrich my life and hopefully the lives of others. I'm thankful for it," DeSouza said.
"Now that I've said all that, I'd better make sure I say it all to my sister, who is starting Grade 9 in September," she laughed. Like her big sister, Aurelia DeSouza, 14, is already on track. She has been named valedictorian for her Grade 8 graduating class