Outstanding Performance Scholarship

I am a student who has a keen interest in dancing. At present, I am pursuing the Associate of Business Programme at the Hong Kong Community College.

I have been a dance enthusiast from a young age. While in secondary school, I represented my school in various dancing competitions and performances, hoping that dancing would become part of my life. However, in 2011, unable to attain satisfactory HKALE results, I felt extremely lost and confused. Subsequently, encouraged by my friends, I enrolled in the College’s sub-degree programme. At that time, parental and personal pressure spurred me to make up my mind to strive for good results so as to get a bachelor’s degree within a year. I even wanted to set aside my interest then. 

Yet I did not give up going after my dream.

In the eyes of most people, a sub-degree programme is merely a stepping stone towards articulation to a bachelor’s degree for S7 graduates, or even a “shelter” for under- performing students. But on completion of the first term at the College, I have developed a new mindset. Indeed, there is not much difference between the school life in post-secondary institutions and universities. At the College, we have a standalone school building as well as many opportunities to take part in a wide range of seminars and experiential courses, and most importantly, there are different affiliated clubs and societies. I am so glad that I have become the Vice Chairman of the 7th Dance Society where all members start from scratch. We learn how to promote dancing through organising various activities and performances and getting in touch with all kinds of people. As a result of the joint efforts of all members of the society, our annual performance has secured sponsorship from a number of major brands.

Upon admission to the College, I received an offer from a UGC-funded institution through non-JUPAS application. It was a precious opportunity, but in the end I decided to stay in the College. This was because I wished to pursue a course I was more interested in, and more importantly, I wanted to continue to devote my full energies to the Dance Society.

Rather than attributing this to “the fire of youth”, I would describe this as an impetus that drives me to do things better. In addition to the Dance Society, I also actively participated in various activities organised by the College, such as undertaking a summer internship at a clubhouse and taking part in the ACCA Hong Kong Business Competition 2012. Apart from receiving the Judges Commendation and scholarships from both the College and the Government, I also have the honour to represent the College in the Yau Tsim Mong District Outstanding Student Contest. I do not feel inferior being a sub-degree student. On the contrary, with almost two years behind me as a sub-degree student, I have had the opportunity to pursue my interest and my dream. I will never forget the things learnt and the experience gained. I enjoy what I have been doing, and am proud of what I have learnt and gained. At present, the members of the Dance Society and I are trying our very best to prepare for the annual gala performance to be held at the Tuen Mun Town Hall. There will be hardships preparing for the show, but this is what I have been pursuing – to create my own stage and make my dancing dream come true.

No matter where you pursue your studies, it is persistence that makes your dream come true and takes you to your own path.