TORONTO — Sean Goldhar, 18, was one of two top scholars in the Toronto District School Board this past year.
The recent graduate of Lawrence Park Collegiate Institute finished school with a 99.7 per cent average, the same as Run Ze Cao, of Martingrove Collegiate Institute.
Goldhar, who has spent up to 20 hours a week playing Junior A hockey, said that balance is “a big thing” for him.
“You read ahead and prepare before the class. That way the class would help solidify [what you’ve learned.]”
His English mark – 98 – was his lowest.
In an interview at his home, at a media event organized by the TDSB, Goldhar, who graduated with eight awards, said he typically spent two to three hours a night on homework.
“Absolutely, I had to work hard,” he said. “I love studying, and I love reading and learning. It’s the farthest thing from a chore. It’s a lot of fun.”
This summer, Goldhar is working in a cancer research lab at Mount Sinai Hospital.
Medical school has always been a dream of his, he said, but now that he’s had a taste of research, he’s thinking of pursuing a PhD as well as an medical degree.
His parents are also both in the sciences – his father, Steven, is a physician, and his mother, Barbara, is a physiotherapist.
In September, Sean will enter the life sciences program at the University of Toronto.
Despite his academic accomplishments and numerous academic and athletic awards, Sean is very humble about his achievements, Barbara said.
Sean and his twin sister, Laura, are typical kids, she added.
Laura also graduated with honours from Lawrence Park and was recruited by St. Lawrence University in Canton, N.Y,. to play National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) tennis.
Barbara said she and her husband always told their children to “set the bar high” and to do whatever they do to the best of their abilities.”
