August News
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Innovative Essay contest Gives Youth Career Clarity
"As people say, if you find work that you love, you never have to work one day. It is not easily attainable, but an open mind and an open heart would serve you well." – YES Singapore volunteer, Tan Ying Ying
It is based on this principle that the YES Singapore Network organized, ‘40 Hours,’ a nationwide essay writing competition aimed at giving students a chance to write about their ambitions and shadow their role model in their dream career.
 The competition was initiated together with the launch of YES Singapore Network on February 19, 2005, at Library@Orchard with Dr Mohamad Maliki Bin Osman, Parliamentary Secretary for the Ministry of Community Development, as the Guest-of-Honor. The first round of judging took place on May 7th by YES volunteers. From the 460 entries received, 32 were short-listed for an interview session held on May 14th at the National Youth Council.
Ms Martha Lee, President of the YES Singapore Network and one of four judges for the second round of competition relayed, “We are delighted with the response received for ‘40 Hours’ – 460 entries, 32 shortlisted essays, eight winners, four occupations, six role models and memories that will last a lifetime. This has been a tremendous project. We have felt the pulse of our youth and we now better understand their heart’s desires.”
There were 8 winners from the competition. They were:
- Priscilla Goy Shi Yi - Fairfield Methodist Secondary School
- Sheryl Sim Yan Lyn - Innova Junior College
- Jerry Chen Yongjie - Singapore Polytechnic
- Justine Chan Chng Mei - National Junior College
- Fatin Hanna Bte Ibrahim - Teck Whye Secondary School
- Koo Sze Min - Bedok South Secondary School
- Teo En Qi - Raffles Junior College
- Goh Bing Yu - Queenstown Secondary School
In June, the winners shadowed professionals in each of the four featured vocations ( 2 in each) . These role models were:
- Entrepreneur - Ms. Elim Chew, Founder & Managing Director of 77th Street
- Journalist - Ms. Diana Ser, Producer Presenter, Channel NewsAsia
- Doctor - Dr. Tai E Shyong, Consultant, Department of Endocrinology, Singapore General Hospital and Dr. Gabriel Liu, Associate Professor, Department of Orthopaedics, National University Hospital
- Counsellor - Ms. Nadia Hamid Bamasri(Assistant Administrator) and Ms. Nurul Ain Md Kassim (Social Worker) of Pertapis Centre for Women and Girls
‘40 Hours’ concluded with an interactive forum at the Woodlands Regional Library on July 2nd, featuring all eight winners and their respective mentors. For more information on this program or YES Singapore Network, please contact Ms. Martha Lee at president@yes.org.sg.
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