SOTY 2023/24: Honouring Hong Kong’s outstanding secondary school pupils
- Grand prizewinner Au Cheuk-yi from Diocesan Girls’ School called the award a ‘recognition for her efforts’
Twenty Hong Kong secondary school pupils won top honours at the Student of the Year Awards. Photo: Edmond SoTwenty Hong Kong secondary school students bagged top honours at this year’s Student of the Year Awards. A pupil from the Diocesan Girls’ School (DGS) scooped up the grand prize for her all-around achievements and contributions to society.
Hundreds of students, teachers and families gathered at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre on Saturday for the ceremony, organised by the South China Morning Post and supported by the Education Bureau.
The event, held under the theme “Empowering Collective Impact”, celebrated the remarkable achievements and contributions of Hong Kong’s most outstanding secondary school students.
Among those who attended the ceremony were Chief Secretary Eric Chan Kwok-ki and Dr Gabriel Leung, executive director, charities and community of the Hong Kong Jockey Club, which solely sponsors the awards.
Addressing the students in his opening remarks, Chan said: “I have every confidence that you will continue to build on your achievements in your education and in your bright career ahead.”
Leung, who also spoke at the ceremony, encouraged the winners to empower others, as he highlighted their responsibility to give back.
“Where the youth thrives, the nation thrives. And indeed, you [students] are the living testament of that motto,” he said.
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“You are at the absolute pinnacle of what you do. But do not forget, the pinnacle of any pyramid only holds up because of all of the other stones that hold you up … [you have] this awesome responsibility.
“As somebody who has risen to the absolute top of what you do, make sure that you give back. Make sure that you are empowering others who have held you up.”
The 10 award categories spanned a wide range of areas, including language, science and mathematics, visual and performing arts, and sports.
The grand prize – an award worth HK$25,000 (US$3,200) – is presented each year to the student who demonstrated exceptional prowess and achievements in several areas. Runners-up receive scholarships of HK$8,000 and HK$4,000, respectively.
Grand prizewinner Au Cheuk-yi, a Form Five student at DGS, said: “[This award is] a form of recognition of my efforts”.
“It is reassuring for me. It tells me that I’m doing the right thing … it makes me more motivated to continue to pursue this path.”
The 17-year-old has led several projects, including DGS Metaverse, which allows pupils to navigate a virtual campus and purchase student-made products.
“I’ve always had the thought that … being the person that you are isn’t really enough,” she told the Post. “You have to be able to spread and inspire others to achieve more. I think I’m on that path right now, and I am really lucky to have achieved something.”
Au aspires in the future to incorporate artificial intelligence (AI) into medicine to improve the healthcare system.
The Sustainability Advocate award, which was introduced this year, was presented to Jane Poon, a student at Hong Kong International School, for her commitment and leadership in promoting sustainability.
“We do not have many sustainability awards in Hong Kong, so the fact that this [prize] is here … means a lot for the climate community,” Poon, a grade 11 student, said.
SCMP CEO Catherine So praised the students for creating “lasting positive change” and encouraged them to stay focused, curious and persevere in the face of challenges as they continued their learning journey.
“The awards also celebrate the resilience and talents of Hong Kong’s younger generation,” So said. “As you continue your learning journey, I encourage you to stay focused, stay curious and persevere in the face of challenges.”