SOTY 2023/24: Best Devotion to School winner pushes boundaries in music and tech
So Hei-tung, a Form Six student at Diocesan Girls’ School, is a passionate advocate for innovation and community engagement.
So Hei-tung, a Form Six student at Diocesan Girls’ School, develops an AI device for double bass players. Photo: HandoutSo Hei-tung, a Form Six student at Diocesan Girls’ School, is passionate about pushing boundaries and committed to bringing new ideas and experiences to her school and community.
Her effort was recently recognised with the Best Devotion to School award at the prestigious Student of the Year awards, organised by the South China Morning Post and solely sponsored by the Hong Kong Jockey Club.
“I’m truly grateful for the support my school has given me,” she said. “These opportunities have allowed me to explore new things and broaden my horizons.”
Her latest project blended Chinese, Western and choir music for a school charity fair.
“The event was close to Christmas, so it felt festive,” said Hei-tung.
The experiment, which involved collaboration across the entire music department, was well-received.
“We presented something innovative. I have always aimed to show that Chinese music isn’t static – it can be creative and modern,” she said.
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Another of Hei-tung’s projects was an AI device she developed with her classmates to help beginner double bass players detect posture issues.
“Few students at school were learning the double bass because it was challenging to self-learn. They often weren’t sure if their posture was correct while practising at home,” Hei-tung said.
“To address this, we developed an AI system with a camera to capture the student’s posture and provide feedback,” she explained.
The team also incorporated a Microbit sensor to better track the bow’s range of motion, overcoming difficulties in capturing correct angles.
Hei-tung has taken on leadership roles related to civic education. As a deputy leader of her school’s Civic Education Team and a Basic Law Ambassador, she has organised events to increase students’ understanding of national laws.
“We organised theme weeks and talks to help students learn about national policies,” she said. “We even held a Basic Law treasure hunt to introduce the law in a fun way.”
Hei-tung’s commitment to civic education extends beyond organising events. She actively seeks opportunities to involve students in discussions about the country’s development.
“We invited experts to share insights about governance and how government departments function,” she said. “It was an opportunity for students to ask questions and reflect on the speakers’ insight.”
Reflecting on her experiences, Hei-tung said her roles have helped her grow personally.
“I feel I’ve become more proactive and outgoing,” she said. “These experiences pushed me to interact with people of different ages and interests. They’ve broadened my perspective and helped me become more innovative.
Looking ahead, Hei-tung is considering a career in medicine or medical technology. She wants to fuse her interests in technology and healthcare, seeing the growing trend of artificial intelligence in medicine.
“With my knowledge of technology and music, I hope to contribute meaningfully to society. Whether through healthcare or promoting Chinese music and culture, I want to make a positive impact.”