On a more serious note, there was the deadly Sars epidemic, bird flu and political events including the changeover of chief executives and memories of the July 1 protests.

As part of its Class of '97 documentary series, RTHK invited more than 1,000 children born in 1997 - the 'birthday' of the Special Administrative Region - to write short stories reflecting on their experience of growing up with Hong Kong over the last 10 years.

The efforts of more than 30 students were recognised at a ceremony on Monday. With family and friends in the audience, they read excerpts of their compositions off goldfish-shaped balloons.

Many of the stories RTHK received reflected on the numerous sad moments of the past 10 years. But they also spoke of hope and unity.

Due to the high quality of the children's stories, the judges decided to replace the traditional gold, silver and bronze award system with five awards; the Parental Appreciation Award, Anti-Epidemic Award, Mentor Appreciation Award, Group Reminiscing Award and Love of Life Award.

Ma Hoi-ching, of Stewards Pooi Kei Primary School, won the Mentor Appreciation Award.

'I remember how Principal Chu was always attentive to our needs,' she said after receiving her award.

'I learned from her the importance of perseverance - to never give up hope.'

The children also wrote of events and things from before the handover. Yung Wai-man, from Marymount Primary School, who won the Collective Memory Award, wrote about memories of Kai Tak and development of the city since 1997.

'Though it was sad to see Kai Tak being taken down, it was a step forward for the people of Hong Kong,' she explained.

HHCKLA Buddhist Po Kwong School principal Ho How-sim, who handed out the awards, said: 'The most impressive aspect of the children's writing was that they emphasised the importance of love. The writing shows that the children developed under their parents' and teachers'

loving care.'

The series will air on TVB Jade starting on August 14 at 7.30pm.