ThinkSeries Leaders 2012

Cosmos Chan, Wah Yan College, Kowloon

Hi everyone! This is Cosmos from Wah Yan College Kowloon. All along, I have a sanguine outlook on everything and that’s why I expose myself to various fields. Having a broad spectrum of interests, like music, art, sports and literature, I lead a full and varied life. I’m fertile of imagination and ideas, there are streams of things I’ve always wished to accomplish.

To become the ace in the pack, the ability to stand out and lead is indispensable. Leadership is something that I crave to acquire. As a student leader, I wish I could effectively lead a team, motivate the members and bind them together.

I’m often mesmerized by great leaders, by the way they make flawless speeches of passionate eloquence that moves everyone as well as their impeccable manners. I do hope that one day I would be like one of them - visionary, inspirational…

I’m glad to be one of the ThinkSeries Leaders this year. I will savour every segment of the programme and treasure the opportunities to learn and to work with 18 other leaders. Things are not expected to be plain sailing. Beneath my confident exterior, I’m a bit keyed up for the difficulties ahead. Yet, I’ll do my utmost in every task, to strive, to seek, to find and not to yield. Here I am, and I am committed.

We, young leaders, all possess the traits requisite to a great leader and thus I’ll always learn from every one of us. Together we gear up for a glorious prospect, together we achieve! 2012 ThinkSeries Leaders let us shine!

Sally Chan, Heep Yunn School

Hi everyone! I'm Sally from Heep Yunn School. I'm an optimistic and easy-going girl. People say happiness is the form of courage and I do believe it. I love putting a big smile on my face all the time as I want to make people around me feel warm and happy. Yet, I sometimes find myself not very brilliant at speaking in front of others as every time I am on the stage, I get butterflies in my stomach easily and my speech will be messed up.

This year, I am glad to be selected as one of the leaders in ThinkSeries Leadership Programme. I will definitely take this chance to improve and further discover my own hidden potential. These days, we the teenagers are dubbed as the ‘post-90s’ and stereotyped as a generation lack of critical thinking. I hope to change their mind and be a broad-minded girl who can see the world and things from a different perspective and spread my point of view to my peers. In this coming year, I am ready and looking forward to meet the upcoming challenges. I wish all the leaders can have an unforgettable experience, enjoy the time being together and most importantly influence others to think globally.

Brian Cheng, St Joseph’s College

What’s up, world? This is Brian from St. Joseph’s College and I am here to tell you more about myself. Perfect, excellent, flawless, those are certainly NOT the words to describe me. I hold a belief that no one in this world is perfect, and that is the sole reason why we do things to perfect ourselves, or at least to push ourselves nearer to perfection. Many people do this by delving into one particular aspect in their lives, and really pour in their one hundred percent effort in perfecting it. For me, I’d rather partake in a wide variety of activities, learn from each and every single one of them so as to perfect myself and be a better person. That is to say, versatility is the most important quality to me, not only as a leader, but also as a ‘person’ in general. To achieve this, I am participating in a lot of different activities now, ranging from academics, sports and music, and many of them have already become my hobbies!

It’s a great honor and pleasure to be admitted to the ThinkSeries Leadership Programme. Not only does this provide me with an opportunity to broaden my horizon, it also gives me the chance to meet a legion of student elites, to work with them and to learn from them. As my all-time maxim goes, ‘Another day another challenge’ this programme will be yet another new challenge for me, fellow leaders, are you ready to seize the opportunity and take up this challenge with me?

Ashley Cheung, Po Leung Kuk Laws Foundation College

Hey, Ashley here! I’m 15, a sophomore currently attending Po Leung Kuk Laws Foundation College. I am a vibrant person and also a deep thinker. I love reading since it can enrich my knowledge as well as sharpening my thinking skills. Apart from that, I am an optimistic and highly self-motivated person. Also, I have immense eagerness to try, learn and explore new things. Living a meaningful life, filling people around me with love and contributing to the world is my life-long goal.

“Do you know that there’s still a chance for you? ‘Cause there’s a spark in you. You just gotta ignite the light, and let it shine … Boom, boom, boom, even brighter than the moon, moon, moon. It's always been inside of you, you, you, and now it's time you let it through, ooh, ooh.” This is from the song, Firework, by Katy Perry. This song inspires me a lot and lets me know that each of us has great potential. We just have to make use of our talents and not let them be wasted, right? Each of us is special and I appreciate the differences between people, so I enjoy teamwork and interacting with others. I believe that this helps build my friendly and approachable character. Therefore, I really treasure the opportunity to be part of this team and I will try my best to be a good Leader.

Joyce Cheung, St. Paul’s Secondary School

Hello everyone! I am Joyce, a secondary 5 student. I would say I am a person who laughs all the time with positive energy. I love to smile and I am cheerful too. Also, I love animals very much. My dream is to become a vet so that I can help all the animals that are in danger. Though it may seem difficult to achieve and a long way to go, I believe in myself and I will try my best to pursue my dream.

In this realistic society, many people think that money is the most important thing to us. However, they have often forgotten their underneath dream and have neglected what they really want. I think having a dream, and at the same time taking action to achieve it is the most important for us all. Although sometimes things may not turn out the way we have wanted, at least we have tried and will definitely not regret the decisions we have made to our lives.

Meanwhile, I am really glad to be one of the ThinkSeries Leaders this year. I like making new friends and love to work with others, where I can understand my weaknesses and learn from others. I believe everyone is special and no one can replace any one of us. I am looking forward to the following months, where I will be working with other talented ThinkSeries leaders. ThinkSeries Leaders 2012, let’s start our most unforgettable journey! YES WE CAN!

Christine Chiu, St. Paul’s Secondary School

Hello, Everybody! I’m Christine Chiu, a S5 student from St. Paul’s Secondary School. I am a humorous and optimistic girl. I like telling jokes and talking about all sorts of funny stuff. Also, I am not afraid of difficulties and challenges. Instead, I like receiving challenges. Being one of the ThinkSeries leaders, I am really looking forward to take up any challenges this year.

Through participating in this programme, I wish to learn how to communicate with other outstanding leaders and acquire knowledge from different aspects. Thus, I can equip myself for the future.

I am very honored and glad to be one of the great ThinkSeries leaders. Although there will be lots of obstacles in the future, as the old saying goes, “Union is power”, I believe all of us can overcome the difficulties and become the most “powerful team” in Hong Kong. HaHa! I hope this dream can come TRUE!!!

Brian Chui, Sing Yin Secondary School

Hi everyone! I’m Brian, a S4 student from Sing Yin Secondary School. I am very delighted to be selected as one of the 19 ThinkSeries Leaders 2012! I love meeting friends and this is one of the reasons why I participated in this Leadership programme! It’s my pleasure to collaborate with other 18 leaders. I am looking forward to learning how to be a good leader and having fun together!

I am an extroverted and optimistic person. I love playing handball very much! Besides, I always like to smile no matter how poor the situation is. I believe that every problem must have at least one solution and we can solve it if we take our first step to try—this is my motto. It is crucial to be optimistic when we encounter great difficulties.

Through this leadership programme, I hope that I can boost my fluency in speaking English and learn how to be a good leader equipped with global perspective and critical thinking, as well as helping people who are in need in the society! The most important thing that this programme grants me is building up friendships with other eighteen leaders! I will cherish the time I have with you all and it will definitely be a fruitful year for us!

Dorothy Ho, Yew Chung International School

Hello! I am Dorothy Ho, a 14 year old student studying in Yew Chung International School. Like many other students, I like surfing the net during my free time. Moreover, I enjoy doing art works, as when I paint or draw, I can quiet down and have a little time to myself.

It is a pleasure to join the ThinkSeries Leadership Programme. I never believed that I would be accepted among the other 45 candidates. Thus I will try my best and work through the challenges that I will face.

I find this programme very meaningful as I can not only receive but also give. As one of the objectives of this leadership programme is to serve the society with hands-on experience. This year, we have the opportunity to serve charitable organization, where we can receive knowledge, gain leadership skills and also lend a helping hand to people who are in need. I hope that through this programme I can really help charities to bring better and easier time for people to go through.

I look forward to this fun and exciting year with all the new friends that I will make and the challenges that I will take!

Rosemarie Ho, Baptist Lui Ming Choi Secondary School

Hello there – I’m Rosemarie Ho from Baptist Lui Ming Choi Secondary School.

I honestly have no idea how to describe myself. Either I put my all in something or flat-out refuse to do it. When I care, I care deeply. I can be the most lively, vivacious, upbeat person you will ever meet in your lifetime; then again, I can come off as being cool and uncaring.

I don’t have any lofty ambitions, or wish to perfect the world we happen to inhabit. I’m not some gorgeous polyglot millionaire who could charm crowds into doing this or that, and not even those blessed/cursed with that kind of influence could do anything but rally for their cause.

But I have dreams, dreams of a better society like so many have before me. I want to become a part of that change that is, or will be taking place in our communities, in our nations, in our world; for the unstoppable tide of universal values we all cherish must, in the end, vanquish those who attempt to bring it to a halt.

All I want to do right now is to learn and experience, before my time has come to uphold those rights I speak of. Broaden my horizons. Meet new people. Have a change of perspectives. The ThinkSeries Leadership Programme does exactly that, and that’s why I am grateful to have been included in this programme along with other more talented, more experienced student leaders. I really look forward to working with all of you!

Kelly Kong, Christian Alliance S. C. Chan Memorial College

Hi everyone. I’m Kelly, a Form 5 student from Christian Alliance S. C. Chan Memorial College in Tuen Mun. I always admit that I am persistent, in a positive way, and that I won’t easily let go if things are not clearly clarified or if targets are not accomplished. I also sustain plenty of self-confidence which enables me to be keen on grasping every single opportunity.

Based on the present society, I can foresee that leadership skills of our age in the future will become more and more significant with no doubt, both to the community as a whole and to our own success, as this is exactly what allows everybody to make contributions, and help endure the globe in a harmonious way. That’s why I have already started to pack myself with abilities of working in or leading a team, representing my team to speak to the public, and knowledge of how important skills in all rounds are. Furthermore, I know that here, ThinkSeries, is where I can enhance my capability in communication, resources management, and project organization through working for different purposes in the society. Thus, I’m in.

I hope that I can fully devote myself to the others in this world with my 18 teammates in the coming days, so my instinct can be proved, materialized and expanded to more souls who should also get themselves ready. Please be prepared to appreciate and, at the same time, be inspired by the outcomes of our work.

Gino Lai, Kwai Chung Methodist College

Hi everyone, this is Gino in the picture. Handsome?

I am currently a form 5 student from Kwai Chung Methodist College. I am on cloud nine to be given the chance and being able to take up challenges here. Being a part of the ThinkSeries Leadership Training Programme is also my pleasure and I will definitely cherish this opportunity. Let me tell you a secret, I was actually chosen to be the worst speaker during the English interview and now I am wondering why I was selected! ^^

Anyway, life is full of surprises and happiness, right? If a chance is given, we must try our best to experience and explore all the wonderful things that will happen in this programme.

I think I am the oldest one in this programme. But I don’t think I am the most experienced one because all the students I meet here are intelligent and multi-talented such as good in arts, music and sports, and excel academically. All of them have great potential in different areas and I find it exciting to cooperate with them because we all have great insight and global prospective. I hope that we will all have an unforgettable experience in the coming year. Cheers!!^^

Albert Leung, Wah Yan College, Kowloon

Hi everyone, I’m Albert. I am a sporty person and enjoy competitiveness and victory. Yet, I am fascinated with architectural designs or buildings. Being creative and imaginative is what I want to personate, where part of my ideas is based on inspirations and instincts. I particularly love the feeling when people are happy and admire my works and still strive for that. But for what I experienced, I faced criticism and discouragement more than admiration. Experience is what last and that is essential for those that are growing. And these priceless opinions have at some point assisted me in improving next time.

But being an all-rounded leader, having a logical mind for making critical decisions is vital and is what I lack most. My mind always goes backward and forward, and at the end, nothing comes out, and everything comes to a standstill. But from my knowledge, those who have a logical mind, not only can make decisions but they also have a broad perspective and often have a back-up plan up his sleeves. I may not be a natural-born leader, but I am sure it can be taught through being associated with those that are.

“We are all inventors, each sailing out on a voyage of discovery, guided by a private chart, of which there is no duplicate. The world is all gates, all opportunities.” - Ralph Waldo Emerson. These words have often motivated me into trying new things, stepping up to a new level. For me, I see the leadership programme as one of the many gates that lie before me, and now I wish to grasp it and make the best out of it, that’s what inventors do.

Yidy Ma, Ning Po College

Hi, everyone! I am Yidy Ma from Ning Po College. I am really excited to be one of the Think Series Leaders this year. I enjoy cooperating and making friends with others.

The theme this year — change, not only reminds me of enriching myself with improvement, but also encourages me to set a higher goal—make good use of our talents and spend efforts to make Hong Kong a better place! I know it’s not going to be easy. I believe, however, with this dream and dogged determination, we can see this become reality.

To be honest, it’s my first time to cooperate with non-profit organization. Although I may come across difficulties during this journey, I will never give up and always ‘stay hungry, stay foolish’.

Hopefully, I can strike up lasting friendship with other dedicated leaders who will greatly encourage me to volunteer in social services in the future. I’m sure it will be a memorable year for all of us.

I am ready to be trained and to be changed!

Karensa Shum, Pope Paul VI College

Hello everyone~! I’m Karensa from Pope Paul VI College. I am energetic and a little bit boyish. I love playing ball games and I am a member of my school volleyball team. It is a priceless experience to strive for the champion in a competition with all my beloved teammates. Even though the ball team training is really tough and heavy, but I still enjoy it because all my teammates and I are striving for the same goal and we all have the same spirit. We are all in one to take up challenges and tackle problems. What I want to say is ThinkSeries Leadership Program is just like a ball team. We all are the members of the team. And I believe that the coming experiences will just be as priceless and unforgettable as my ball team. I am in a fever of excitement!!!!

Monica Tam, POCA Wong Siu Ching Secondary School

Hi everyone! My name is Monica. I am a form 3 student from Po On Commercial Association Wong Siu Ching Secondary School. I would like to be an explorer to take up all the potential challenges ahead. “Chance is always powerful. Let your hook be always cast; in the pool where you least expect it, there will be a fish.” This is my favourite quote which always reminds me to be positive. Besides, I have a great interest in literature. I am fond of taking part in drama and poetry with my friends. It is always great to be a team player!

Through this program, I would like to equip myself with an independent and analytical mind which is one of my greatest weaknesses. Also, I am gleeful and eager to be selected in this leadership programme which provides a platform for us to learn from others and cultivate us to become a caring generation. I believe I can improve myself and gain experience from it!

We grow through challenges, I don’t mind to be a failure. As long as we have tried, we can always gain something out of it. ThinkSeries Leadership Programme will be a challenging journey for all of us, I hope we can learn and gain a lot of fun from it!

Pimpen Tu, Maryknoll Convent School (Secondary Section)

Hi everyone! I’m Pimpen from Maryknoll Convent School (Secondary Section). I consider myself a cheerful and determined person. I tend to always look on the bright side and believe that there are always solutions to a problem. “Nothing is impossible” and “Never give up” are two important concepts that I always keep in mind. I am always ready to try new things and take up different challenges.

I am very happy to be selected as one of the ThinkSeries Leaders this year. This programme not only gives me a chance to broaden my horizon but also gives me a chance to meet new people and make new friends. This is a very precious opportunity and I will definitely cherish every single moment of it. I hope to further improve my communication skills, further explore my full potential and better myself through this programme. I am ready to face all the challenges ahead and just can’t wait to work with all the other outstanding leaders!

Vanessa Wu, Pope Paul VI College

Hi, everyone. I am Vanessa Wu from Pope Paul VI College. If I need to describe myself in a few words, I would use dependable, gregarious and talkative. I believe that all these characteristics have helped me a lot in developing my social life and also my ability in leadership. However, there is still a lot of room for improvement since the skills that I have right now is not enough to tackle the handicap I may face in the future, and there are always infinite knowledge in the world. I hope that I can learn more from the time I spend with my new friends and discover who I am so to develop a better me.

Dorothy Yim, St Paul’s Convent School

Hi everyone! I’m Dorothy Yim from St. Paul’s Convent School and I'm pleased to be one of the ThinkSeries Leaders 2012. Although I’m not particularly outstanding in academic studies, people call me an active learner who’s always ready to welcome new tasks, make breakthroughs and seek answers to unsolved problems. I’m self-motivated and willing to learn at any time from my neighbours, whatever their races or social statuses are, since everybody has his flaws and inadequacies.

As the saying goes “Follow your dreams for as you dream you shall become”, I believe that everyone, especially youngsters, has to dream big, set goals for oneself, and make changes concerning one’s personalities and lifestyles accordingly to accomplish them. Hence, I’m prepared to accept new challenges, to step out of my comfort zone and into my courage zone where I can identify my potentials better so as to unleash them, displaying vibrancy and self-confidence in my endeavours to meet the requirements of today’s society.

The theme for this year’s programme is “change”, which is an inevitable part of youths' growth and development. By changing one’s attitude, one can change his life, influence the mindsets of those around him and eventually change the whole world, shaping it as a harmonious, peaceful place for the entire human race. Personally, I’d like to change from adopting a silencer and listener’s role into welcoming an extrovert’s manner since actively sharing insights with others enables me to gain a better understanding of myself as well as happenings around me, helping me to become an all-rounded person. Next, I’d be able to fulfill the missions as one of the future pillars of the society and a global leader who serves the world unconditionally.

While some might doubt the practicality of my seemingly-unrealistic plans, I admit that I’m a dreamer who reckons dreams aren’t limited to kids and I’m positive that my persistent and never-losing-enthusiasm attitude will assist me as I move along different checkpoints on this journey known as life. I’m quite certain that in the months ahead, the 19 of us are going to learn together, reach the unreachable, possibilize the impossible and turn our endless dreams into reality.