White Oaks SS Students Awarded with Prestigious Harvard Prize Book
Two Grade 11 students from White Oaks Secondary School have achieved a remarkable milestone, being among only three students selected by the Harvard Club of Toronto to receive the 2025 Harvard Prize Book. and Hasini Medabalime were presented with the award by Club representatives Pierre Chen and Nancy J. Coombs on June 17, 2025. This year is the first time in the Harvard Club of Toronto’s history that two students from the same school have received the award in the same year.
The Harvard Prize Book is awarded annually to outstanding Grade 11 students attending a Toronto-area secondary school. Recipients are recognized for academic excellence, exceptional personal character and meaningful contributions to their school or community. The award aims to inspire future leaders and scholars to strive for excellence in all areas of life.
“I am truly honoured to be a recipient of the Harvard Prize Book Award this year,” says Anjola. “This award motivates me to reach for the unimaginable and serves as a reminder that my mind is my only limit. It inspires me to keep pursuing excellence, get involved in the community, take risks and to use my strengths to design a brighter, healthier future.”
The Harvard Club of Toronto, founded in 1904, is one of the oldest Harvard alumni clubs in the world. With over 120 members and 3,500 alumni/ae living in the Toronto area, the Club fosters community among Harvard graduates and promotes educational and social activities for its members.
Both Hasini and Anjola plan to make a positive impact on the world in their futures.
“I am most excited to keep learning from the people around me, experiences, and the failures that come by,” says Hasini. “I am looking forward to pursuing a future in finance, whether it's through financial literacy, impact investing or supporting underserved communities. It is a powerful tool to drive change and create freedom by making opportunities more accessible to those who need them most. This award continues to motivate me to push forward and grow into someone who can lead with purpose and integrity, while staying curious and focused on creating a meaningful impact.”
“I am excited about creating a tangible impact in the healthcare field, leaving a lasting impression on the individuals I encounter,” says Anjola. “I aspire to approach medicine holistically – considering both the physical and psychological dimensions of patient symptoms. By exploring and researching the intersection between the mind and the body, I am confident that I can redefine treatments. Whether through research projects, academic study or direct patient care, I am excited to be a part of a larger shift towards empathetic care.”
Congratulations to Anjola and Hasini on this extraordinary achievement!
