CONTRIBUTION to society, good communication skills and an outstanding academic record made sixth-former Amy Siu Yin the South China Morning Post's 20th Student of the Year.
The 18-year-old from St Paul's Secondary School, Happy Valley, beat 14 finalists to win a $20,000 scholarship and two round-trip tickets to Europe.
''Intelligent'' and ''articulate'' were the impressions Post Editor-in-Chief David Armstrong had of the winners at the awards ceremony of the competition, held in conjunction with the Education Department.
Director of Education Dominic Wong Shing-wah, who was one of the adjudicators, said the criteria included the student's contribution in and outside school and academic performance.
Judges also took into account communication skills and sense of belonging to Hong Kong, Mr Wong said.
''If a student achieves good results in his studies but fails to express himself, he cannot be considered successful,'' he said.