National Junior College shooter Wong Han Xuan (fourth from right), 18, and Singapore Sports School sprinter Diane Hilary Pragasam (fourth from left), 14, received The New Paper School Sports Star Award yesterday.

The winners this year were each presented with a trophy, a certificate and a cheque for $3,000 by Minister of Culture, Community and Youth Grace Fu (centre), who was the guest of honour at the award ceremony held at the Singapore Sports School. Launched in 2011, the award recognises the best male and female student-athlete in the local school sports scene for the year.

Han Xuan, who was president of the school's shooting club, finished third in the junior category of the 38th South-east Asia Shooting Championships in December. Diane was the most decorated athlete with four gold medals at this year's Schools National Track and Field Championships.

A total of 24 nominees were shortlisted for this year's School Sports Star Award. Eight other finalists nominated in the top 10 received a trophy, a certificate and $500 each.