Recent St. Michaels University School graduate Sophia Yu ’25 was selected as a recipient of the prestigious Governor General’s Academic Medal. Sophia was able to receive her medal in person at the recent Head’s Reception in Toronto this November and it was an added delight to have Denise Lamarche, Director of Academics, on site to do the honours. The Governor General’s Academic Medal annually recognizes the student with the highest academic average across their Grade 11 and 12 years, a distinction Sophia deserved for her consistent work ethic and dedication.
A Timmis House boarder originally from Beijing, Sophia is now studying Life Sciences at the University of Toronto. During her time at SMUS, she excelled across several disciplines, distinguishing herself as both a top scholar and a talented musician. Following her Grade 11 year, Sophia was awarded the Rensselaer Medal as the school’s top STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Math) student. That honour came with a $40,000 USD scholarship for four years to attend Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute and while Sophia chose to remain in Canada for her post-secondary education it was an early nod to accompany her multiple honours in Canadian and international mathematics and science competitions.
Beyond the classroom, Sophia was equally exceptional in performing arts and in her dedication to service initiatives. As principal cellist in the school’s orchestra, Sophia was often selected as the featured soloist in performances. On the service side, Sophia co-organized a concert in support of Ukraine, further demonstrating a commitment to using her talents for the benefit of others.
The Governor General’s Academic Medal has recognized outstanding scholars across Canada for more than 125 years, and Sophia now joins a long list of distinguished recipients. It was a meaningful opportunity to recognize her achievements in person alongside fellow alumni and members of the SMUS community.
