radhica.sookraj@guardian.co.tt
Jubilation at the Naparima Girls High School on Monday after news broke that Sharvaani Rampersad-Maharaj won the Presidents Medal Gold.
Rampersad-Maharaj who won the prestigious award in Business Studies, General Studies, Humanities and Technology is currently studying at the University of Toronto in Mississauga campus in Canada.
Speaking via Whatsapp after the announcement, Rampersad-Maharaj said she was overjoyed and grateful for the award. “This was not something that I accomplished on my own. It was my dedication to God, the support of my parents, the hard work of my teachers, my friends and my family. They were my support,” she added.
While most children are forced to give up on hobbies and extracurricular activities during examination time, Rampersad-Maharaj did no such thing.
She continued juggling a range of responsibilities. Rampersad-Maharaj said she danced with the Susan Mohip Dance Company, she maintained the presidency of her school clubhouse, she served as vice-chairman of the Information Technology and Communication Club, ran her school’s Business Club, participated as a leader of the school’s Student’s Council, directed plays and dances at the Todd Street Krishna Mandir and participated in debating at the Secondary School’s Sanskritik Sangaam.
Rampersad-Maharaj said these extra activities kept her grounded and enabled her to have time management skills. “It was about organisation and management and I enjoyed every moment of it. It was not hard because my parents were awesome. They carried me to all my activities and they were very supportive of everything that I wanted to do,” Rampersad-Maharaj said. She also said she ensured that she got six hours of rest every night.
Her father Dr Surendra Rampersad said Sharvaani was very special and competent in everything she did.
“I was at work when my wife called me. I was dumbstruck and when I spoke to her she was so thankful and relieved,” he added.
He said they never doubted their daughter’s abilities, adding that she was always striving to make a positive change in everything she did.
Mother Nalini was also overjoyed saying it was only on Sunday that Rampersad-Maharaj returned to Canada as she came down for the weekend for a family function.
School principal Carolyn Bally-Gosine also said Maharaj was an all-rounded student who represented the school in several competitions. In March she placed second in Public Speaking at the Secondary Schools Sanskritik Sangam.
“She is an excellent student. She is all rounded, pleasant, helpful and so conscientious, and dedicated. She was destined to do well. I am so happy for her,” Bally-Gosine said.
Asked whether she expected to win, Bally-Gosine said, “I didn’t know what to expect with the results because they took so long to release it. I am pleased with the results.” Naparima Girls High School got 38 scholarships, St Augustine Girls High School got 39, Naparima College got 20 and Lakshmi Girls Hindu College got 40 scholarships.
Rampersad-Maharaj has three siblings Shruti, 18, Aneesh, 13 and Vineec, 12.
A total of 400 scholarships were distributed including 179 Open scholarships and 221 Additional. The total value of scholarships were $142, 275,000.