Establishment of The Hong Kong Outstanding Students Award
In 1985, The Hong Kong Outstanding Female Students Award was initiated by the Lion & Globe Educational Trust. At that time, only female applicants were accepted. Over the first 25 years, the Award had been organized by Ms.Doreen Leung, the first female recipient of the Outstanding Young Persons of the World.
Acceptance of Male Applicants
In 1987, the Hong Kong Outstanding Students Award started to accept male applicants. The awardees were invited to an interview by TVB.
Founding of The Hong Kong Outstanding Students’ Association (HKOSA)
In 1987, the winners and finalists of the Award founded the Hong Kong Outstanding Students’ Association (HKOSA), a student-run organization to uphold the values of Hong Kong Outstanding Students in serving the community. All awardees would automatically become members of HKOSA.
The Association has initiated a number of innovative projects aiming to inspire other secondary school students in various ways, including the Volunteer Training Scheme and the Hong Kong Youth Summit.
Establishment of The Best Improved Students Award
In 1991, the Best Improved Students Award was established by the Lion & Globe Educational Trust. The Award aimed to motivate secondary school students who have shown significant improvement in academic performance, conduct and other aspects.
20th Anniversary of Hong Kong Outstanding Students Award
In 2005, past awardees gathered together to celebrate the 20th Anniversary of the Hong Kong Outstanding Students Award.
Founding of Youth Arch Foundation
In 2009, following the sudden passaway of Ms. Doreen Leung, a group of past awardees of the Hong Kong Outstanding Students Awards, with full support from the Lion & Globe Educational Trust, decided to step up and founded the Youth Arch Foundation, succeeding the role of Ms Doreen Leung as the organiser of the Hong Kong Outstanding Students Awards as well as the Youth Arch Student Improvement Award.
Establishment of Doreen Leung Memorial Service Award
In 2010, Youth Arch Foundation set up the Doreen Leung Memorial Service Award to uphold her selfless spirit of serving the community. Awardee is selected according to his or her community services records, as well as the voting result among the nominees. Mr.Chung To, a social leader, also the founder and Chairperson of Chi Heng Foundation, would be the mentor of the awardee for a year.
Reform of the Hong Kong Outstanding Students Award Assessment
Before 2011, applicants needed to sit for a written test that comprised questions from all disciplines, including languages, mathematics, logic, science and current issues. 40 finalists would be selected to participate in the group interview, from which 10 or 11 winners would be selected. Since 2011, applicants are required to take a written test of similar format. 50 finalists are short-listed to participate in a 3-day camp which aims to assess applicant’s interpersonal skills and leadership potential. 20 students are then selected to enter the panel interview. 10 winners are chosen based on their performance in all stages.
The Best Improved Students Award was renamed as the Youth Arch Student Improvement Award
The Youth Arch Foundation took over the organization of the Best Improved Students Award and renamed it as the Youth Arch Student Improvement Award, which was enhanced with programs to provide wider exposure and ongoing encouragement for the awardees, e.g. experience day at universities, career workshops and student exchange programmes. Youth Arch Student Improvement Award Scholarship is awarded to the 30 students with the most prominent improvements, 10 of whom would also receive the Youth Arch Top 10 Student Improvement Award.
Establishment of Dora Hung Memorial Teaching Award
The Dora Hung Memorial Teaching Award was established in memory of former Youth Arch Foundation Honorary Advisor, Ms. Dora Hung, who passed away peacefully in January, 2013. To pass on her spirit of philanthropy, the Youth Arch Foundation set up the Award in the same year, honoring nominating teachers of the Youth Arch Students Improvement Award, who influence others’ lives with their own. The Dora Hung Memorial Teaching Award aims at encouraging teachers to continue Ms. Dora Hung’s spirit and to cultivate responsible students to contribute to society.
30th Anniversary of the Hong Kong Outstanding Students Award
Stepping into the 30th year, an array of events was held to celebrate this joyful moment, including luncheon celebration. A microfilm ‘光環組曲’ was specially created to present the history and development of the Award, together with a song ‘讓我高飛’, composed and written by past awardees, to celebrate the spirit of perseverance of outstanding students.
Founding of the Youth Committee
With a belief of ‘Youth Empowering Youth’, Youth Arch Foundation established the Youth Committee, a teen-oriented organization allowing young people to unleash their potential in leadership and expanding their capacity by organising projects. During their 2-year term, professional training and enrichment activities are offered to nurture talents.