ISC Class XII: 3 Strawberry Fields students among tricity toppers

Three students of Strawberry Fields High School (SFHS), Sector 26, and one each from St Xavier’s School, Sector 44, and Yadavindra Public School, Mohali, topped in their respective streams in the tricity as the Council for the Indian School Certificate Examinations (CISCE) announced the Class XII Indian School Certificate (ISC) results today.

The SFHS students — Tarika Bahl topped the humanities stream with 99 per cent marks, Aarit Sharma topped the commerce stream with 99.50 per cent marks and Advay Bajaj topped the non-medical stream with 99 per cent marks.

In the medical stream, Navtaj Kaur of St Xavier’s School scored 95 per cent marks to share the top spot with Hunnardeep Kaur Virk of Yadavindra Public School, Mohali.

Girls performed marginally better than boys. Out of the five toppers in the tricity, three are girls. At the national-level, girls performed better than boys with a pass percentage of 99.45. The boys’ pass percentage was 98.64.

“Our students’ achievements reflect not just their academic brilliance, but also the powerful impact of a symbiotic ecosystem where mental and physiological well-being and aspirations are equally prioritised. We would like to congratulate each of them in their clearing this milestone,” said Atul Khanna, Director, SFHS.

Balance holds key, says humanities topper

Daughter of Justice Vikas Bahl, Tarika relied on a simple mantra of maintaining balance between study and rest. “Studying with a sense of interest and taking regular breaks helped me release the pressure. I don’t like to compare myself with anyone and follow a strict study schedulem,” said an elated Tarika, who aims to pursue her career in law.

“Interestingly, a failed attempt at the Common Law Admission Test (CLAT) last year taught me that everything might not be the way we want it to be. I should always work hard to find something better waiting for me,” she added.

Non-medical topper a football enthusiast

A football enthusiast, Advay Bajaj scored 99 per cent to top the non-medical stream. Coming from a family of consultants, he aims to launch his own startup. Currently in the US, the Panchkula resident has scored 98.8 per cent marks. “I am happy with my score, as I studied hard to achieve this milestone. After excelling in Class 10, I was planning to take humanities, but couldn’t leave my interest for maths,” said Bajaj.

“I love playing football and whenever I get time, I make sure to play with my friends. It’s a great stress buster. I do not study beyond three hours in one sitting,” he added.

Commerce topper credits parents, teachers

Being the only child of his parents, Aarit Sharma aims to make his family proud by achieving the highest of accolades. Belonging to a business family, Sharma aims to get admission in Shri Ram College of Commerce, Delhi University. “My teachers and parents supported me in these two important years to build a perfect platform for me. I am happy with the outcome,” said Aarit.

Farmer’s daughter aspires to become heart specialist

Daughter of a farmer, Navtaj Kaur topped the medical stream in the tricity with 95 per cent marks. She studied six hours daily from December to March to give a final push to her preparation. “Keep your mind calm and focus on your goal is my mantra in any tough situation,” said Navtaj, who hails from Bandiwala village in Fazilka. Navtaj’s parents shifted to Sector 44 in Chandigarh so that she can prepare well for the medical stream. Navtaj aspires to become a heart specialist.

Cooking helps release pressure: Medical topper

Hunnardeep Kaur Virk, a joint topper in the medical stream, didn’t follow her father’s civil engineering vocation and instead chose the medical stream. “I feel there’s no specific mantra for success, but one has to set priorities right, balance your time and schedule well,” said Hunnardeep, who stays in Mohali and aspires to become a doctor.

Hunnardeep who also teaches her brother, a class 5 student, says, “Teaching is my hobby, along with cooking and debating. If not a doctor, I wish to become a teacher,” added the topper. “For Class 12 exams, I studied four hours daily in two shifts. In free time, I would cook for my family and enjoy the meal together. This helped me release the pressure,” she added.