Shweta with her certificate and medal in Patna on Thursday. Picture by Nagendra Kumar Singh

DAV, BSEB, Class XII student Shweta Shree has a mantra for those wishing to emulate her after bagging first position in the state at the International Olympiad of English Language.

“Discipline and the urge to do something can make one successful,” said 18-year-old Shweta, whose rankings have placed her at the 50th position in the country.

The competition had been organised in November by the Educational Society of English Language.

“My English has never let me down. Neither in examinations, nor when I have to express myself before an audience. I have taken part in elocutions, story writing and debates ever since my childhood and English has helped me express my emotions,” she added beaming.

About the contest, she said there were comprehensions, antonyms, synonyms, idioms and phrases in the olympiad.

Shweta, however, credits the success to her English teacher Llewellyn Galstaun, the officer on special duty at St Karen’s High School.

“Galstaun Sir made me work on my grammar and inspired me to use idioms and phrases while talking. He motivated me to use Latin and French words for debate and elocution competitions. I also read works of Shakespeare, J.K. Rowling and others. This helped me improve my English,” said Shweta.

“My daughter had won scholarship in Class I. I didn’t have to pay the school fees. I had realised then only that Shweta was different,” said Suman Kumar Mishra.

He added: “In Class X, Shweta was the headgirl of her class, in Class IX, she was chosen the president of the debating society and the vice-captain of the Yellow House. In Class VII also, she was the junior headgirl.”

Her sister Ankita Shree said: “Apart from academics, she usually bags first, second or third positions in other competitions. I want to be like her,” said Ankita.

Ankita’s mother Poonam, a Hindi teacher at St Karen’s High School, however, believes Shweta has achieved the success because of her discipline. “I keep a close eye on my daughters’ behaviour, their dresses and studies. If I find anything wrong, I tell them. Without discipline, one cannot be successful,” she said.