Team Herald
PANJIM/CURCHOREM: Three students – one from Panjim and two from Curchorem – topped the Goa Board SSC exams with 96.66 percent.
The toppers are Shreeja Thali from Dr K B Hedgewar High School, Panjim, Chetan Suraj Dessai from Sarvodaya Educational Society’s High School, Curchorem, and Saina Naik from New Educational Institute, Curchorem.
Chetan, hailing from Baag-Xelvona, also scored 100 percent in science, maths and social science, while Shreeja secured full marks in the latter two subjects.
Shreeja is planning to become a doctor with specialization in paediatrics. Amidst congratulatory phone calls and visits at her Taleigao residence, she told Herald that she would dedicate 12-13 hours per day post-prelims even as she ensured to spend some time relaxing her mind.
Incidentally, she managed to top the exams without taking coaching classes. “My mother, Rupali Thali, taught me maths. My teachers and school officials have always been helpful. They would visit the house to constantly monitor the progress of my studies,” she said.
Shreeja has spent all her school years in Hedgewar School and will pursue Science in the newly set up Hedgewar Higher Secondary School.
Meanwhile, speaking to the media, Saina and Chetan said that they studied for 5 to 6 hours daily without any tension or pressure from their parents.
According to Saina, who hails from Kormonne-Kirlapal in Dabal, she took coaching classes in maths, and Chetan in maths and science. Both want to become doctors and credited their success to their parents and teachers for their guidance and support.
Chetan’s father is a serviceman and his mother a housewife, while Saina’s father is retired and her mother is a housewife; both their parents have expressed happiness at the success of their children.
Curchorem MLA Nilesh Cabral congratulated both students over the phone and wished them success in their endeavours, while Sanguem MLA Subhash Phal Dessai personally called on Chetan and congratulated him and his parents.
Meanwhile, Leanne Pereira from Fatima Convent High School, Margao, secured 95.33 percent in the SSC exams. She has scored 98 out of 100 in science and a total of 572 marks out of 600.
“I was shocked, but it was a good feeling that after working so hard for the entire year and more, I could reach that goal. I began studying at the beginning of the year and had to study almost every day,” said Leanne, adding that playing basketball was a stress-buster for her.
“I will choose science as the stream usually opens up many possibilities, but I have no specific trade in mind,” she added.
