Top scorer is an all-rounded student

PETALING JAYA: An avid swimmer, accomplished musician, recognised public speaker and top student, Anushree Lalitha Subramaniam has achieved a lot for someone her age.

However, when Education Minister Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Tun Hussein announced that she was the second-best student in the country with 14 A1s, she got the shock of her life as she did not expect to be “so far top”.

In addition to the five core papers of Bahasa Melayu, English Language, Mathematics, History and Moral Education, the articulate Anushree scored distinctions in Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Additional Mathematics, English for Science and Technology, Principles of Accounts, Economics, Art and English Literature.

“I only took tuition for accounting and English Literature as they were not offered in my school. Economics was also not offered but I studied for it on my own,” she said.

Cream of the crop: (From left)Anushree Subramaniam,14 A1s from SMK Sri Aman, Petaling Jaya, Nur Amalina Che Bakti,17 A1s from SMK Ulu Tiram, Johor Baru and Leong Tian Seng 13 A1s from SMK Anderson, Ipoh.

The keen musician not only plays the organ, piano and violin but also composes music.

Anushree, who scored straight As in her Penilaian Menengah Rendah (PMR) and Ujian Pencapaian Sekolah Rendah examinations, now wants to pursue a liberal arts degree.

“I hope to do a double major, perhaps in economics and music. I cannot give up music as it is my passion,” said the 17-year-old, who was awarded a Diploma in Music from Trinity College, London, when she was just 14.

On plans for the future, the SMK (P) Sri Aman student said: “I am not really sure right now but I will work towards becoming an economist. Whatever it is, I want to make a difference in the world.”

In Ipoh, Leong Tian Seng obtained the same straight A results as his younger brother, Tian Weng when they both sat for the PMR in 2002.

This time round, Tian Seng came out tops when he emerged as the nation’s third best student for last year’s SPM.

“I didn’t believe my ears when my teacher told me. I was wondering if my teacher had mixed up Tian Weng’s results with mine,” he said when contacted yesterday.

Despite checking with his form teacher, 17-year-old Tian Seng was still not convinced until his results were announced yesterday.

“I had only expected to be the best student in my school,” said the SMK Anderson student.

Tian Seng, who hopes to study mechatronics engineering at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology in the United States, is so excited over his results that he plans to send an online application to the institution today upon his return here from Johor.

The King Scout, who is also involved in The Star’s BRATs (Bright, Roving, Annoying, Teenagers) programme, dismissed the notion that top scorers were usually “bookworms who spend eight hours a day studying”.

His mother, See Ai Kiong, is hoping that 16-year-old Tian Weng, who took 12 subjects, will also bring home good news today.

“Hopefully, tomorrow (today) we’ll have a double celebration,” said the 52-year-old nurse.

Source : TheStar.com.my

Home