The 2019 Saskatoon Board of Education Award of Excellence winner says the accolade was a team effort.
Harkirat Bhullar says his teachers, counsellors and support staff at Evan Hardy played a large role.
He averaged 99-percent in a Grade 12 curriculum based solely in math and science.
Bhullar also took home a Governor General’s Academic Medal, was named a National AP Scholar and represented Team Canada at the Intel International Science and Engineering Fair.
Seven Canadian universities offered him over a half-million dollars in scholarships but Harkirat chose Harvard University.
He says the decision to go with the American Ivy League school was based on its reputation as a liberal arts institution in addition to satisfying his interest in applied mathematics.
Bhullar calls the faculty and student body a hand-picked collection of the best in their fields which is highly motivating while providing a new life-style environment.
In addition to achieving top marks he organized a program to welcome immigrant and refugee students and earned the Duke of Edinburgh’s International Award for volunteer work.
Harkirat donated time to Autism Speaks Canada, Ronald McDonald House, the Youth Advisory Council of Canada, Canadian Orthopedic Foundation and the Festival of Words.
Bhullar moved with his family from India to Saskatoon in 2014.
He received a medal and a $5-thousand cash award at a ceremony Monday. The nominees from the other high school’s got $500 each.