SOTY 2022/23: Best Devotion to School winner is a passionate environmentalist who started from his high school campus
- Hewitt Wong Lik-hang’s DBConserve initiative aimed to educate students at his alma mater, Diocesan Boy’s School, about their environment
- He also organised Tree Tours for younger students to deepen their connection with nature
Hewitt Wong Lik-hang won in the Best Devotion to School category at the Student of the Year awards. Photo: HandoutHewitt Wong Lik-hang isn’t just any university student. As a passionate environmentalist, he’s pioneering change, starting from the lush greenery of his high school campus at Diocesan Boys’ School and beyond.
Now studying biomedical sciences at the University of Hong Kong, Hewitt, 18, shared his journey into environmental conservation, beginning with the establishment of DBConserve during his secondary school days.
Hewitt vividly recalled the beginnings of his eco journey: “It all started in February 2021, when we joined the ‘Take Action! Youth Biodiversity Conservation Leadership Training Scheme 2021.’ Our goal was to create projects that would enhance conservation awareness among Hong Kong’s Chinese community.”
His school’s location played a part in his journey. Diocesan Boys’ School is surrounded by a haven of biodiversity, including more than 63 different tree species.
“Our school is on a mountain, rich with different trees and animals. We wanted our classmates to know more about these trees and to appreciate the school’s natural scenery,” Hewitt said.
The DBConserve initiative was born out of this idea, aiming to educate students about their environment.
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“We made tool tabs and information boards using school resources. These were made of wood, designed by us, and included the names of the trees and QR codes that linked to our website for more details,” Hewitt explained.
Hewitt and his team also organised Tree Tours for younger students to deepen their connection with nature. “We wanted students to experience the natural beauty of our campus, which is quite unique for a school,” he added.
During the Covid-19 pandemic, Hewitt faced unique challenges but turned them into opportunities for innovation. He organised “Amaze with Blaze,” an online cooking competition encouraging participants to create new dishes from food waste, reflecting his belief in the importance of sustainability.
Hewitt’s dedication to environmental conservation and contributions to his school community was recognised when he was awarded the Best Devotion to School Award at the Student of the Year (SOTY) Awards.
The judges described Hewitt as a strong advocate of sustainable development and environmental conservation, a title Hewitt happily claims.
“We are the newest generation, and we’ll be using Earth’s resources for many more years,” Hewitt said. “We have no reason to use up all these resources quickly.”
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In addition to his environmental work, Hewitt introduced students to Chinese culture through the Putonghua Society. He was also part of the Centre for Future Studies and Careers, organising school tours and developing online courses for students.
Hewitt believes his experiences have equipped him with valuable leadership, innovation, and adaptability skills. He is confident these skills will be beneficial in any future career he pursues.
Hewitt said youth play a big part in saving the environment: “Young people have a big part to play ... It’s not just about large-scale action; even small, everyday efforts can lead to substantial changes.”