[Macau – February 23, 2014] The “3rd Macau Outstanding Teenagers Award” aims to recognize outstanding teenagers within our community and encourage positive life attitudes.  Nominations will begin on February 24, and the selection process will take place from April to July 2014.  The campaign is organized by the Young Men’s Christian Association of Macau (YMCA) and is sponsored by the Social Welfare Bureau of the Macau SAR Government and MGM MACAU, with the Hong Kong Playground Association as consultant.

To kick off the campaign, the organizer held an opening ceremony and press conference at MGM MACAU’s Grand Ballroom on February 23.  Officiating guests included Mr. Ip Pui Fai, President of the YMCA of Macau; Mr. Grant R. Bowie, Chief Executive Officer and Executive Director of MGM China Holdings Limited; Mr. Hon Wai, Head of Department of Prevention and Treatment for Drug Dependence of the Social Welfare Bureau of the Macau SAR Government; Mr. Wang Lap Man, Chief Development Officer of Hong Kong Playground Association; Ms. Tan Chih Wei, winner of the “1st Macau Outstanding Teenagers Award” and Mr. Leong Ieng Chong, winner of the “2nd Macau Outstanding Teenagers Award”.

At the press conference, Mr. Ip Pui Fai shared how YMCA is fulfilling its mission of promoting youth development, healthy living and social responsibility with impactful programs that strengthen communities.  Mr. Bowie echoed the sentiments, “MGM MACAU has been a major sponsor of this signature event since 2010.  We believe that the YMCA mission closely aligns with ours, which is to provide positive motivation for the next generation and contribute to the Macau community”.

The organizer then gave an overview of the campaign and the details of the nomination.  Former Macau Outstanding Teenagers Award winners Lei Sok Chong and Leong Ieng Chong, as well as former Merit Award winner Cheong Wai Tong also took the opportunity to share the stories and endeavors behind their success.  Highlights of the ceremony included a special performance featuring four former Outstanding Teenagers Award winners: Mr. Wong Sin Fong (Martial Arts), Ms. Pui Sin lei (Piano), and Mr. Cheong Wai Tong & Ms. Song Wei (Speech). 

Meanwhile, famous Hong Kong band, Rubber Band, was named Ambassador of this campaign.  Their promotional video was played at the ceremony as a way of encouraging participation.  The officiating guests then initiated the symbolic “lighting ceremony”, which represented a bright future for our youth.  At the end of the ceremony, the YMCA presented souvenirs to all the sponsors and supporting organizations as a token of appreciation.

The “3rd Macau Outstanding Teenagers Award” aims to recognize and encourage teenagers who achieve significant accomplishments in three areas: personal achievements, personal endeavors and social participation.  The campaign intends to inspire others with stories of the awardees and aims to establish a caring and harmonious community.  The judging panel, headed by Mr. Iong Kong Io, Director of the Social Welfare Bureau of the Macau SAR Government, will consist of twenty-four social and community personalities from various fields and expertise.  It will select ten outstanding and five “merit” teenagers in each category.

Nominations begin on February 24 and end on April 8 at 6pm.  Organizations or adults over 21 can nominate teenagers aged 12 to 17 in each of the three categories above.   Application forms can be downloaded from the official website (www.ymca.org.mo), and are available at all YMCA service centers, the YMCA Youth Center and bookstores. 

For enquiries, please contact Ms. Wu or Ms. Lo of the YMCA at (853) 2830 2600.

 

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Photo Captions:

1. From left to right: Ms. Tan Chih Wei, winner of the “1st Macau Outstanding Teenagers Award”; Mr. Hon Wai, Head of Department of Prevention and Treatment for Drug Dependence of the Social Welfare Bureau of the Macau SAR Government; Mr. Grant R. Bowie, Chief Executive Officer and Executive Director of MGM China Holdings Limited; Mr. Ip Pui Fai, President of the YMCA of Macau; Mr. Wang Lap Man, Chief Development Officer of Hong Kong Playground Association; and Mr. Leong Ieng Chong, winner of the “2nd Macau Outstanding Teenagers Award”, officiate at the opening ceremony of the “3rd Macau Outstanding Teenagers Award”.

 

2. The event's organizer, YMCA of Macau; former Macau Outstanding Teenagers Award winners; representatives of MGM MACAU (sponsor); the Social Welfare Bureau of the Macau SAR Government (sponsor); and the Hong Kong Playground Association (consultant); as well as members of the judging panel, come together for a group photo at the opening ceremony of the “3rd Macau Outstanding Teenagers Award”.

 

About MGM MACAU

MGM MACAU is a unique property located on a prime waterfront site in Macau. With 582 rooms, the 35-storey hotel tower rises 154 meters into the sky; its glass exterior reflects the hues of the South China Sea and the swell of the ocean surf. The US$1.25 billion property boasts a number of distinguishing features, including the architecturally stunning 1,088m² Grande Praça. Under a marvelous glass ceiling, the 25-meter high European-inspired facades and dramatic landscapes make this a unique venue for all occasions.

 

In addition to the award-winning Six Senses Spa and the authentic and intriguing art-pieces that fill the property, visitors have 8 signature restaurants and bars to fulfill any gastronomic cravings, including: Aux Beaux Arts brasserie, Rossio with its open-kitchen concept, Imperial Court, Square Eight and the Lion’s Bar, to suit any mood for the evening.

 

For media enquiries, please contact:    

Brenda Cheong

Young Men’s Christian Association of Macau

Tel: (853) 2830 2600

Fax: (853) 2830 2914

Email: brenda@ymca.org.mo               

 

Karen Lam                                                                                         

Assistant Public Relations Manager                                         

Marketing & Communications                                     

MGM MACAU                                                      

Tel: (853) 8802 3801                                            

Email: karenlam@mgmmacau.com