Pauline Yeung of Diocesan Girls' School impressed judges and competitors with an outstanding all-round performance to win the South China Morning Post Student of the Year award.
The runners-up were Hugh Alexander Kam of German Swiss International School, Joseph Ho Yiu-jo of St Paul's Co-educational College and Kimmy Wu Wai-ling of Sha Tin Government Secondary School. They each receive a $5,000 Muji scholarship.
The award is the latest addition to Pauline's long list of achievements, which include 10 distinctions at last year's HKCEE, the Zonta International Young Woman in Public Affairs Award, as well as a scholarship to study at Princeton University in the United States.
The finalists, which also included Elsa Sze of St Mary's Canossian College, went through a series of assessments before entering the final stage at City University.
They were asked to express their views on relations between Hong Kong and the mainland during a round-table discussion which was observed by judges and an audience. It was followed by a closed-door interview with the judges.
Pauline, who was elected best debater twice at inter-school debating competitions, displayed confidence and a keen knowledge of current affairs which helped to rack up many points, while her generosity won her friendship and praise from competitors.
After receiving her trophy, a $30,000 Muji scholarship and a course worth $1,500 from The Art School, Pauline did not hesitate to congratulate the other finalists and give credit to her school and family.
