- Andy Ho Wing-cheong, one of the judges for the grand prize, says he wants to see how nominees have adjusted to the challenges of the pandemic
- Now entering its 41st year, the event is organised by Young Post and the South China Morning Post and sponsored by the Hong Kong Jockey Club
The 2021 Student of the Year grand prize winner Dylan Fischer worked on projects to send care packages to those in need during the early months of the coronavirus pandemic. Photo: Edmond SoIn the current challenging era of Covid-19, a judge is interested in nominees who have the ability to adapt for the Student of the Year (SOTY) Awards’ grand prize, which recognises a talented and hardworking secondary student in Hong Kong.
“This year, there are many new anti-pandemic arrangements imposed on schools and society, highlighting the importance of resilience,” said Andy Ho Wing-cheong, one of the judges for the grand prize and the executive director of The Hong Kong Federation of Youth Groups.
The SOTY Awards is organised by Young Post and the South China Morning Post, and sponsored by The Hong Kong Jockey Club.
The theme of this year’s competition is “Together we grow and achieve”.
Ho wants the nominees to show how they have adapted to the “new normal” as Hong Kong fights the fifth wave of the pandemic.
“From now to the foreseeable future, huge challenges remain – teenagers have to be creative and keep putting forward new ideas to overcome difficulties,” Ho said.
In response to a shortened school term and cancelled academic events, school exam results would not be key in judging.
Ho said that working together as a community was far more important than academic achievement. He added that this was a good chance for candidates to show how they have grown through community service.
How last year’s Grand Prize winner gave back during Covid-19
Ho explained, “Candidates ... should care about others and participate in community service.”
Including the grand prize, there are a total of 11 SOTY awards in nine categories, producing a total of 37 winners.
Nominations for the Awards are open from February 15 to March 31, 2022.
Form Four to Six (Grade/Years 10 to 13) students in government registered secondary schools in Hong Kong during the academic year 2020-21 are qualified for nomination. The grand prize category is open for Forms Five to Six (Grade/Year 11 to 13). The names of shortlisted students and finalists will be announced in May and late June 2022.