Jacquie Gulevich said that there’s no secret to her academic success.

“Just coming to class, doing the assignments on time and asking for help when you need it are probably the most important” factors in maintaining exceptional grades, said Gulevich, who was awarded the Governor General’s Academic Medal in a presentation at North Peace Secondary School (NPSS).

To win the honour, Gulevich achieved a 98 per cent average in her Grade 11 and 12 years, attended the Canada-Wide Science Fair three years in a row and won the 2011 Year of Science of Science scholarship for her research into turning naturally occurring blue-green algae into biofuel.

“Very hard working student – very industrious. She put a lot of time and effort into her studies and wanted to excel,” said NPSS principal Raymond Asai.

Gulevich said that she and her friends would study and encourage each other to achieve high grades.

“We all worked together. If somebody was struggling in one subject we liked to help them out,” Gulevich said, adding that forming study groups was a key component to her success.

“If you know it yourself and you can teach someone else you can learn more that way,” Gulevich said.

Gulevich, who was modest about her many accomplishments, is currently working towards a bachelor of science at the University of Victoria.

“I’m kind of leaning towards chemistry but I’m still leaving my options open,” Gulevich said, “and probably medicine at some time in the future.”

Gulevich received perfect marks in chemistry and physics.

Asai added: “She has had some major accomplishments in her high school years. I look forward to seeing her go on to bigger things at the post-secondary level.”