Award recognizes outstanding teenagers in Macau

Ten teenagers and five performance award-winners were recognized in the third “Macau Outstanding Teenagers” award presentation ceremony, held yesterday at MGM Macau.
The winners have vowed to use their new public identities to influence the people near them, while the organizer hopes that they can bring more “positive energy” to society.
The award seeks to “recognize and encourage teenagers who have demonstrated extraordinary performance in personal achievements and skill development, as well as those who have positively overcome difficulties and are committed to taking responsibility and serving the society of Macau.”
Kuan Sok Leng, the general secretary of the Young Men’s Christian Association (YMCA) of Macau (which organized the event), said that the biennial activity shows that many Macau teenagers aged between 12 and 17 have stories that can motivate people.
“To award those [teenagers] is not only recognition. We also want to watch them growing up and using their own ability to emit some ‘positive energy’ for the Macau society.”
She also revealed that there is an Outstanding Teenagers alumni group that gathers the award recipients and provides a platform for them to serve society, as well as to use their experience to inspire other people, especially fellow teenagers.
Talking about the common characteristics of the winners, Kuan Sok Leng remarked that all participants are full of “positive energy,” which shows in their appearance, smiles, and expressions.
“They are full of positive energy. Also, they do not only consider themselves when thinking. We might think that people as good as them are very self-centered. But from our observation, we found that all the outstanding teenagers have a sense of social responsibility.
“After they have gone through some struggles, they will hope that they can make an impact on those around them or share their stories with others… That’s why we want them to further utilize their identity as outstanding teenagers and the mandate and responsibility it [has] brought,” said Ms Kuan.
Lei Chi Cheng, one of the “outstanding teenagers” this year, revealed that part of the evaluation involved the discussion of social issues.
“The judges will sit on the first row and will ask us some questions regarding the current affairs – questions that are related to liberal education or some planning of the Macau government.”
She believes that she did well when answering the judges’ questions.
Another award-winner, Tang Chi Ian, claimed that the activities have motivated her to know more about the situation in Macau.
“The questions that were asked gave us the chance to contemplate the issues that exist here.”
Moreover, Tan Chi Ian pointed out that people around her do not have a good knowledge of current affairs. “I think that the schools can further promote the issues in Macau. However, there is not much of that focus now,” she said.
Tang Chi Ian claimed that she has sensed a lot of “negative energy” in her friends. Since she is a singer, Tang Chi Ian hopes that she can use her music and positive energy to influence others so that they can smile anywhere they go.
Grant Bowie (pictured), CEO and executive director of MGM China, which is one of the sponsors, has praised the award as an “important and meaningful program.”
“The future of Macau, as they say, is determined by the commitment of our youth. The young people that I’ve seen over the last six years tell us that Macau’s future will be in good hands.
“The commitment and diversity determines how we will be seen in the future. We obviously all need to encourage as many young people to actively participate in our community,” said the CEO.
On the other hand, the representative of the Chair-judge and acting director of the Social Welfare Bureau, Vong Yim Mui, encouraged award-winners to continue using their skills and abilities to face their lives, to use their own stories to inspire other young people in Macau, and to “release positive energy” into society.
She also called on families and the public to provide more support to teenagers, in order to provide them with a healthy social environment.

João Pedro Lau