Media Release
Mangaluru, Aug 9: Mount Carmel Central School, Maryhill, celebrated academic excellence by felicitating its 68 grade X and 11 grade XII board toppers and high achievers of the academic year 2025–26 at a special ceremony held in the school auditorium on August 7.
The gathering included chief guest Sujay D’Silva, PTA vice president; guest of honour Nishkal Rao, distinguished alumnus; principal Sr Melissa, administrator Sr Carissima, superior Sr Reshma D’Souza, PTEC members, teachers, parents and students.
The celebration commenced with the dignitaries being escorted to the venue by the NCC cadets, whose discipline and sense of service set an appropriate tone for the occasion. The programme began with a prayer seeking God’s guidance and blessings, followed by a graceful welcome dance presented by the students.
In her welcome address, principal Sr Melissa welcomed the gathering and highlighted the significance of recognising academic excellence. She congratulated the toppers and high achievers and acknowledged the support of their parents and teachers in their success stories.
The chief guest Sujay D’Silva addressed the audience and encouraged the young achievers to remain focused, nurture their aspirations and continue striving for excellence. His words served as an inspiring reminder that academic success is both an achievement and a stepping stone towards greater responsibilities and opportunities.
A special highlight of the programme was the felicitation of distinguished alumnus Nishkal Rao, of the 2019–21 grade XI and XII batch, who after completing his BS-MS in physics from IISER, Pune, has been selected for a fully funded PhD programme at Johns Hopkins University, USA. His remarkable journey from the classrooms of MCCS to world-renowned research institutions was recognised and celebrated by the school.
Addressing the gathering, Nishkal Rao shared insights from his academic and research journey, inspiring students to pursue their aspirations with commitment and perseverance. He particularly encouraged students to explore research in the basic sciences, rather than limiting themselves to conventional career pathways such as medicine and engineering. He also highlighted the wide range of opportunities available globally for those pursuing research in the sciences. The school expressed immense pride in his accomplishments and wished him continued success in his research journey and future endeavours.
The grade XII Achievers were felicitated in recognition of their outstanding academic performance. Their achievements reflected months of disciplined preparation, perseverance and dedicated effort, bringing pride to the school family. Adding a personal dimension to the celebration, Dheeksha, grade XII topper, shared her experiences and reflections on her school journey. She spoke about the advantages of studying the CBSE curriculum in grades XI and XII, which provided her with a strong foundation and helped her excel in national level competitive examinations. She also fondly recalled the memories, friendships, valuable lessons and personal growth that enriched her years at school.
The felicitation of the grade X Achievers followed, celebrating the remarkable results secured by the students in the 2025–26 Board Examination. Their accomplishments stood as a testament to their determination, consistent effort and commitment to excellence. Manav Menon, grade X topper, who secured an outstanding 99.6% with four centums, then shared his reflections on school life and his journey towards academic success, capturing the many facets of student life, from challenges and achievements to friendships and cherished memories.
The ceremony concluded with a vote of thanks proposed by Sr Juliana Furtado, expressing gratitude to the dignitaries, parents, teachers, students and everyone who contributed to making the celebration meaningful. The programme came to a formal close with the School Anthem, followed by a group photograph of the achievers with the dignitaries.
The programme was compered eloquently by Tr Bharathi, who guided the proceedings with warmth and poise. Tr Priyanka read out the citation honouring Nishkal Rao, highlighting his noteworthy academic and research journey. Trs Shashwati and Vincy Thomas called out the names of the Grade X and XII toppers and high achievers respectively as they were felicitated by the dignitaries for their outstanding performance.
The felicitation ceremony was not merely a celebration of marks and results, but a tribute to the perseverance, discipline and aspirations that shaped these students’ journeys. It was a proud moment for the entire Mount Carmel Central School family as it celebrated its young achievers and encouraged them to remain true to the school motto ‘Higher and Nobler’, carrying their success forward with humility and greater ambition.