SOTY 2017: from an orienteering star to a YouTuber - past winners continue to shine

“I continue to work hard to make myself a better artist and a better person, so that hopefully I can share my values with others through my music,” Chan said.

Chan has his own YouTube channel, Kessay Music, where he showcases his singing skills. In some of his videos, he layers his vocals to create harmonies with himself.

“Be genuine. People can tell when you don’t mean what you’re saying.

“Other candidates are shortlisted for a reason. Once the competition is over, they’re no longer your opponents but your peers. It is important to learn from other candidates and cherish them.”

Lam Cho-yu, 20, is now a second-year mechanical engineering student at the University of Hong Kong. But that doesn’t mean she has set her sporting ambitions aside.

While still at secondary school, Lam became a member of the Hong Kong Orienteering Team. Now that she’s at university, she plans to up her game even further.

“I hope to be in the top three at the Annual Orienteering Championships 2017, which most of the local orienteers will take part in, to be held at the end of December,” Lam said.

“I also hope to represent Hong Kong in the world orienteering championships next year.”

“Before meeting the judges, think carefully about why you play your sport, what you have learned from it, and any unforgettable experiences you have had.

“When you meet the judges, be confident, keep smiling, and stay relaxed.”

Artist Rainbow Tse Lok-yau, 20, has gone from strength to strength since winning SOTY in 2014. Earlier this month, the second year fine arts student at the University of Hong Kong held a solo watercolour exhibition. But as much as she loves being an artist, she decided to major in art history.

“I wasn’t too sure about [the subject] as it is more theoretical and my passion was for the process of making and creating art pieces,” Tse said. “[But] I began to understand how art reflects a period in time, what was important to [people], their stories,” she said.

“Be yourself; know that this is another step on your journey as an artist and a creative individual. Be encouraged by how far you’ve come but never think this is the end. Stay calm, be open-minded and use this opportunity to see and meet other artists or students on a similar path to you.”

Medical student Wu Shi-kei, 20, is currently in her third year at the University of Hong Kong. Shortly after she started her degree, she got involved in the Hong Kong Children Eye Study, which collects data about children’s eye health in Hong Kong and research the causes of common eye diseases.

“In the future, I will be involved in more laboratory-based research about corneal diseases,” Wu said. She hopes one day to be a clinical doctor as well as a medical researcher.

“Be confident and genuine. Think about your past experiences and reflect on how each of them has shaped you into who you are now. Show your passion for science to the judges and how you will use it to contribute to society.”