The Straits Times Singaporean of the Year seeks to honour an individual or group of people whose extraordinary acts of goodwill have improved their community and the lives of others. Today, ST announces the latest batch of finalists for the third edition of the award.
Now in its third year and supported by the bank UBS Singapore, the award seeks to recognise Singaporeans whose extraordinary acts of goodwill have improved their community and the lives of others.
The final batch of shortlisted candidates will be made known later in December.
The Singaporean of the Year will receive $20,000 and a trophy, while the other nine finalists will each get $5,000.
The prize money will be sponsored by UBS. Besides editors from the ST newsroom, the judging panel includes chef and restaurateur Willin Low, and social entrepreneur and activist for children and women Saleemah Ismail.
Teenage indoor skydiver flies Singapore flag high
On a wall in Kyra Poh's home is a child's drawing of her flying over a basketball court.
"In Primary 1, they asked us to draw a super power. I drew myself flying," said Kyra, now 15.
The picture has proved remarkably prescient. These days, she "flies" every day, whirling and somersaulting inside a vertical wind tunnel - all part of a sport known as indoor skydiving.
Instructor wants to arm masses with self-defence skills
Kapap Academy chief executive and co-founder Qin Yunquan, 28, wants to teach self-defence to the masses.
The 1.62m-tall instructor teaches a version of Kapap, a form of Israeli martial arts. Ms Qin's academy, which was founded in 2008 and has had about 8,000 students this year, has tweaked the original version to better suit real-life situations.
Duo hailed as heroes after putting out KPE tunnel blaze
It was nearly 7pm on a weekday in August when emergency responders Mohamad Fuad Abdul Aziz and Syed Abdillah Alhabshee were on their way home from an interview with a radio station on emergencies and first aid.
Just as Mr Syed Abdillah was about to drive their ambulance into the Kallang-Paya Lebar Expressway (KPE) tunnel, they heard a loud explosion.
MORE INFORMATION
NOMINATION
The public can nominate Singaporean individuals or groups to be considered for The Straits Times Singaporean of the Year Award until the end of the year.
To nominate someone or find out more about The Straits Times Singaporean of the Year Award, go to str.sg/soty17nominate
Over the past few weeks, the judges have been meeting to select the finalists, announcing them in batches.
So far, seven finalists have been announced. The final batch will be made known later this month.
VOTING
After the finalists have been announced, this will be followed by two weeks of public voting.
The outcome will be used as a reference by the 15 judges when they are making their final decision.
Correction note: This article was updated for accuracy.
