Hong Kong Students Break Barriers in Music, Writing, and Ice Hockey

In collaboration with the American School of Hong Kong*

At the American School Hong Kong (ASHK) — of the many international schools in Hong Kong — excellence is nurtured across every aspect of student life. Three exceptional secondary school students stand out not only for their academic prowess — which has earned each of them merit-based scholarships — but also for their all-round development. Their achievements reflect the students’ consistent track record of excellence, and highlight ASHK’s commitment to fostering an environment that empowers them to thrive in academics, sports, and personal growth. We spoke to Marcus Tam, Elsa Wong, and Apple Wang to ask them how their school’s academic programmes and extracurricular opportunities have helped them in their journeys.

Marcus Tam, Grade 9

Twelve-year-old Grade 9 high school student Marcus Tam is carving out a remarkable path for himself with his impressive achievements — all while being two years younger than his peers. Recently, he gained recognition as the youngest participant in the Academy for the Talented at the University of Hong Kong and made history as the first 12-year-old high school student to join the prestigious AMIS festival in Düsseldorf, Germany. The commendable results he received in the Gauss Math Competition hosted by the University of Waterloo are another addition to his long list of accomplishments.

Marcus’s musical talent earned him a silver award at the Bach Musical Composition Competition last year. He’s also an accomplished writer, having already written three books — one short story and two collections of poems. As a committee member of the Secondary Student Council, he’s involved in organising various initiatives, including food drives and Model United Nations. He also believes in giving back to the community and founded an extracurricular activity to teach the Spanish language and culture.

Marcus credits the supportive atmosphere at ASHK for motivating him to strive for excellence and embrace every opportunity for growth. “At ASHK, student life is vibrant and enriching, creating an environment that fosters a deep love for learning. My insatiable curiosity drives me to excel in all areas of my studies, particularly in English and Music. I find joy in creative writing and crafting short stories and poetry, and I eagerly participate in competitions like the Spelling Bee, where I was a winner during Literacy Week. I also had the honour of performing at the AMIS Honour Jazz Festival in Germany and at the Hong Kong Jazz Festival 2024,” says Marcus.

When asked what his goals are, Marcus says he hopes to combine a career in medicine with his love for music. “I’m excited about the prospect of integrating my passion for music with my medical studies. The skills and insights I’ve gained from my teachers at ASHK will be invaluable as I pursue my dream of becoming a doctor. I envision a future where I can combine my interests in music and medicine by using the therapeutic power of music to enhance patient care and well-being,” he says.

Elsa Wong, Grade 9

Elsa Wong moved to ASHK from a local primary school, where she nurtured her love of reading by immersing herself in classic Chinese literature. Once she moved to ASHK for her secondary school education, she started reading a variety of English books — from classics like The Wizard of Oz to modern works like the Harry Potter series. “I joined ASHK in Grade 7 from a local school in Hong Kong. The first year was thrilling and nerve-racking, but I learned so much from the experience,” says Elsa, recalling how she would look up the words in the dictionary while she read English books and benefitted from the guidance her teachers gave her to improve her writing.

Elsa has come a long way since then and is now an active member of Model United Nations and the Battle of the Books Extra-Curricular Activities (ECAs). “Together with other friends, we founded a Writing Club ECA. With the teacher’s help, we planned ice-breaker games, introduced different websites and competitions, and other fun writing activities. I also started the ASHK Stories, a collection of short stories about school life, personal experiences, and reflections, as well as fantastical tales,” she explains.

Her involvement in several charity events has inspired Elsa to make a positive impact in the community. “I’d love to open an orphanage one day — being inspired and influenced by teachers and my parents, I believe it is possible to create a warm and loving environment for orphans such as from my favourite book, The Ogress and the Orphans by Kelly Barnhill,” says Elsa, adding that she’d like to encourage fellow writers to discover their voices, unlock their creative potential, and achieve their goals.

Apple Wang, Grade 12

Grade 12 student Apple Wang is in the final year of her two-year IBDP course, which she balances with being an international athlete. Apple has played ice hockey for more than seven years and, in 2023, she was selected to play for Team Hong Kong, China at the International Ice Hockey Federation (IIHF) Women’s World Championship. She’s also attended tournaments in Romania and more recently, Istanbul. A self-confessed high achiever, she’s also won the ASHK Principal’s Award and excels in biology, chemistry, psychology, maths, English, and Chinese.

Apple says being a student athlete has helped her balance her time well and place a high value on friendship, teamwork, and perseverance. “The whole experience of playing internationally was very memorable. It was the first time in the history of Hong Kong ice hockey where we got first place as champions and it brought attention and national support to the entire sport after Covid. I still play in the division, train 3-6 times a week, and am the captain of my local team,” says Apple, adding that playing a sport regularly at such a high level has given her a strong work ethic that has helped her keep her grades up.

With such a busy schedule, it’s important to have the right kind of care network, which Apple says she gets from her teachers at ASHK. “My teachers are very supportive and caring when it comes to me and my dedication to ice hockey. They allow me to have time to play and take time off school. I also have a mentor who is helping me with my maths I want to get good results from my IBDP.”

Apple adds that her teachers also recognise her ability to bring out the best in her peers. “They’ve said that I’m a caring member of the school who encourages and motivates teammates to perform at their best. My school report also says I have a positive attitude and kindness, which has earned the respect and admiration of peers and other teachers. I’m humbled and feel honoured to achieve this,” she says.

Meet the American School of Hong Kong

Image credits: American School of Hong Kong

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