Small beginnings, big impact: Huey Ying’s path to the Tay Eng Soon Gold Meda
Teng Huey Ying, proud recipient of the Tay Eng Soon Gold Medal, believes that purpose is what keeps people going and gives meaning to every step forward.
Her journey started early. She began by selling slime toys to her schoolmates, then quickly scaled it into a small business on Carousell and Instagram during her time at Hillgrove Secondary School. That curiosity drove her to pursue a Nitec in Business Administration at ITE College West, and later, a Diploma in Business at RP, where she deepened her understanding of how businesses work.
Her hard work paid off when she received the inaugural Call-Lade Scholarship in 2025 for academic excellence. Today, she graduates as Valedictorian of her batch with a perfect GPA.
Beyond the classroom, she is just as driven to lift others up. As Vice-President of the Youth Entrepreneurship Co-Operative (YEC), she led initiatives that connected students with local entrepreneurs, organising business talks and events to spark interest in entrepreneurship.
Her passion for people shines through in her community work too. Through the Youth Corps Leaders Programme by Youth Corps Singapore, she planned and led engagement sessions for underprivileged children from Care Community Services Society. “Seeing their smiles and the impact we made reminds me why it matters,” she shares.
Her commitment to service extends beyond Singapore. During a study trip to Bangalore, India in 2025, she volunteered with children at Arya Sevashrama Trust. Despite the language barrier, she used hand signs to guide them in building music boxes — a powerful reminder that making an impact knows no borders.
During her internship with CapitaLand's People Experience team, Huey Ying supported the Staff Appreciation Night while developing skills in stakeholder communication and data management, which sparked her interest in employee wellbeing. She carried this people-first mindset into her Final Year Project with Heartware Network, where she helped develop Gen Z-focused volunteer engagement strategies that brought together business insight, empathy, and community impact.
Learn more about RP’s extraordinary award winners at www.rp.edu.sg/graduation
Starting out with selling slime toys may seem modest, but this early venture laid the foundation for Huey Ying’s impressive journey in business and community leadership. From my own experience, beginning small with passion and curiosity can spark a powerful trajectory. Huey Ying’s story highlights the importance of embracing every opportunity to learn and grow, especially through practical involvement like her sales on Carousell and Instagram during secondary school. Her academic journey – progressing from a Nitec in Business Administration at ITE College West to a Diploma in Business at Republic Polytechnic – reflects how formal education can deepen one’s understanding and skills, complementing hands-on experience. Winning the inaugural Call-Lade Scholarship in 2025 not only recognized her academic excellence but also inspired her to maintain consistent effort. Another inspiring aspect is her leadership as Vice-President of the Youth Entrepreneurship Co-Operative, where connecting students and local entrepreneurs brought real-world insights and motivation to young minds. This reminds me of how community engagement and peer support are critical in nurturing entrepreneurial spirit. Huey Ying’s commitment extends beyond business to genuine community impact. Her involvement in the Youth Corps Leadership Programme and overseas volunteer work in India shows the meaningful effect of service-learning, reinforcing that empathy and purpose greatly enhance professional growth. During her internship with CapitaLand’s People Experience team, gaining skills in stakeholder communication and data management fueled her interest in employee wellbeing – an area increasingly vital in today’s workplaces. Integrating this people-first mindset into her Final Year Project for Gen Z volunteer strategies demonstrates how combining business insight with empathy creates innovative community solutions. Overall, Huey Ying’s journey teaches that purpose-driven efforts, coupled with continuous learning and community involvement, can lead to significant achievements. For anyone looking to make an impact – whether in business or social welfare – starting small with genuine passion, just like Huey Ying did, is a powerful first step.
