FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Supports Local Youth Development in Collaboration with Government Entities and YMCA

[September 24, 2016, Macau] The “Fourth Macau Outstanding Teenagers Award" Presentation Ceremony was held today at MGM MACAU’s Grand Ballroom.  The event was organized by the Young Men's Christian Association of Macau (YMCA), sponsored by the Education and Youth Affairs Bureau of the Macao S.A.R. (DSEJ) and MGM. A group of teenagers were rewarded at the Ceremony for their positive outlook towards life under the witness of Guests of Honor Mr. Wu Feng, Senior Assistant Director of the Social Affairs Department of the Liaison Office of the Central People's Government in the Macao S.A.R.; Mr. Wong Kin Mou, Head of Department of Educational Research and Resources of DSEJ; Mr. Wilson Hon Wai, Vice President of the Social Welfare Bureau of the Macao S.A.R.; Mr. Ip Pui Fai, President of the YMCA of Macau; Mr. Leong Iao Cheng, Vice President of the YMCA of Macau; Board of Directors of YMCA of Macau Mr. Chan Va Lon, Ms. Winnie Kuan, Mr. Eric Tang; Ms. Grace Kuan,  General Secretary of YMCA of Macau, and Ms. Wendy Yu, Vice President of Human Resources of MGM. Other distinguished guests include Hong Kong Playground Association, Advisor of the Program; Cherry Ho and Hyper Lo, Ambassadors of Outstanding Teenagers, and other distinguished guests including judges, representatives from supporting organizations, students and faculties from local schools.

Different from previous years, new elements are added to the latest Outstanding Teenagers Award as a way of supporting local creative industries and encouraging young people to go after their dreams. Local artists Cherry Ho and Hyper Lo collaborated to write a theme song named “Masterpiece” for the campaign. Additionally, 53 finalists participated in different activities between April and August, such as a short film production related to the Award, community services and courses on social etiquette and public speaking so as to enrich their experiences and better prepare themselves for the final competition.

Secretary Alexis Tam chaired a panel of 30 social and community elites from various fields and expertise as judges to decide on the 2016 award winners. After a series of initial and final selections, a total of 10 outstanding teenagers and five outstanding performance award winners were selected based on three key aspects: “Personal Achievements,” “Personal Endeavors” and “Involvement in the Community.” The 10 Macau Outstanding Teenagers Award winners are: Coco Ieong, U I Lok, Kitty Tao, Thomas Leong, Cherry Wong, Maria Christina Ballesteros Caguia, Icey Wang, Dorothy Nong, Fritz Chao and Kimmy Leong. The five outstanding performance award winners go to: Fidelis Iek, Michelle Sin, Antonio Chiu, Joey Ng and Kelly Lao. Furthermore, the organizing unit has decided to let the mentors and finalists to vote among themselves during the training period, and the top 5 participates with the highest votes winning the individual awards, which are Cindy Ku (Best Public Speaking Award), Grace Leong (Best Etiquette Award), Cherry Wong (Best Performance), Sariputra Tong (Congeniality Award) and Donna Kam (Best Improvement).

Before the award presentation session, the organizers invited the Outstanding Teenagers Ambassadors Cherry Ho and Hyper Lo to share stories of how they overcame difficulties and went after their dreams. During the Ceremony, Mr. Ip Pui Fai gave a speech to encourage the youth to “Always strive to be a better you, rather than comparing and competing with others.” He wished the new award winners to carry on excelling in their personal developments while spreading their positive energy to others in the community. A short video was then screened for the judges, finalists, their friends and families to take a look back at the entire selection process and their transformations.

At the ceremony, the organizer presented souvenirs to the sponsoring and supporting units, as well as the judges to thank them for their recognition and selection work for the election. At the meantime, Mr. Wong Kin Mou and all of the distinguished guests witnessed the 2016 Outstanding Teenagers conduct an oath-taking ceremony, where they will positively influence other teenagers in Macau to keep learning and reaching their goals as well as to contribute and give back to the society.

Finally, a short movie, “Being a Mathematician” was played to the audience. Starring the Outstanding Teenagers and the Ambassadors of the Award, this movie reflects the story of how our teenagers put their efforts and determination to overcome difficulties in their lives in order to move forward to strive for their dreams. To conclude the Ceremony, Cherry Ho and Hyper Lo sang the song “Masterpiece” as the final encouragement to the youth.

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About MGM

MGM is an abbreviation for MGM China Holdings Limited (HKEx: 2282) and is a leading developer, owner and operator of gaming and lodging resorts in the Greater China region. We are the holding company of MGM Grand Paradise, SA which holds one of the six gaming concessions/subconcessions to run casino games in Macau.  MGM Grand Paradise, SA owns and operates MGM MACAU, the award-winning premium integrated resort located on the Macau Peninsula and is developing a second resort, MGM COTAI which is expected to more than double our presence in Macau. 

MGM MACAU is a Forbes Five-Star luxury integrated resort inspired by the arts with every element of the resort infused with creativity and style.  MGM MACAU has approximately 600 guest rooms and suites and boasts a number of distinguishing features, including the architecturally stunning European-inspired Grande Praça, housed under a soaring glass ceiling.  MGM MACAU’s world class facilities include the MGM Art Space, dedicating over 8,000 square feet to display authentic works of art, conference and event facilities, spa, and seven signature restaurants and bars to fulfill any gastronomic craving. Our property is conveniently located on prime waterfront on the Macau Peninsula and is directly connected to the luxury retail shopping complex, One Central.

MGM COTAI, designed as the “jewelry box” of Cotai, plans to offer approximately 1,500 hotel rooms and suites, meeting space, high end spa, retail offerings and food and beverage outlets as well as the first international Mansion at MGM for the ultimate luxury experience. MGM COTAI will offer Asia’s first dynamic theater and a spectacle to wow every guest who steps foot in our resort. MGM COTAI is being developed to drive greater product diversification and bring more advanced and innovative forms of entertainment to Macau as it grows as a global tourist destination. The HK$24billion project is expected to open in second quarter of 2017. 

MGM China Holdings Limited is majority owned by MGM Resorts International (NYSE: MGM) one of the world's leading global hospitality companies, operating a portfolio of destination resort brands including Bellagio, MGM Grand, Mandalay Bay and The Mirage. 

For media enquiries, please contact:    

Irene Wong                                        

Vice President of Public & Community Relations

MGM                                                                                                              

Tel: (853) 8802 2822                                      

Email: irenewong@mgm.mo

Karen Lam                                                       Juliana Kung                                       

Public Relations Manager                               Public Relations Manager

MGM                                                               MGM

Tel: (853) 8802 3801                                       Tel: (853) 8802 3803

Email: karenlam@mgm.mo                            Email: julianakung@mgm.mo