SEED Fellows Story｜How Lucy Keep Growing Through Looking Back by Joining SEED Fellows

At SEED Foundation, we have a special alumni community called SEED Fellows.

This community brings together students who have previously participated in different SEED programs and competitions. Our belief is that learning shouldn’t stop when an event ends. It should evolve — through a shift in roles — transforming from participant to companion, supporting others while deepening personal reflection and growth.

Today’s story features Lucy, one of our most active SEED Fellows.

She first joined the IdeaPOP! 2023 Secondary School Student Startup Pitch Competition as a participant. Later, she became a SEED Fellow and began supporting various SEED activities — from coordinating competitions, leading tours to assisting in our workshops. She described the experience not only as a change in title but a shift in perspective — from moving “0 to 100” and then looking back from 100 to 0.

“Being a SEED Fellow helped me see that growth isn't a straight line — it's a path you can revisit and relearn from.”

From standing on stage as a contestant to standing offstage as an observer and supporter, Lucy shares how this shift gave her a new lens to view the same space and how she redefined the meaning of teamwork, learning, and her own influence through this transformation.

From 0 to 100 — Discovering the Starting Point of What’s Possible

Looking back at joining IdeaPOP! 2023, Lucy was a student who was curious about social issues but unsure of her own influence. At the time, climate change and carbon neutrality were big topics, and she and her team wondered: Could the kinetic energy from moving vehicles be used to generate electricity?

Their idea was to embed piezoelectric panels under busy roads or railway tracks, so the weight of vehicles could convert pressure into electricity for street lighting. Boldly, they even visualized applying the system to major infrastructure projects across the Greater Bay Area.

“As a secondary student, you really don’t think your ideas can make a difference or that you’re capable of making it happen. But when the mentors and judges seriously pointed out parts that were actually feasible and suggested improvements, it was the first time I thought: "This just might work.”

The judges’ feedback sparked her first sense of real-world possibility and helped her begin to recognize her own value.

“That was when I felt I had found some sense of value through the IdeaPOP! experience. It gave me clarity about my place and showed me I could actually do something to help others.”

A Team with Different Strengths — Building Harmony Through Differences

What also left a lasting impression was the sense of teamwork. Lucy admitted she hadn't expected the group to click, but clear roles and complementary strengths helped everyone thrive.

One teammate was the creative mind. One was great at writing proposals. Another had debate experience and could answer questions under pressure. Lucy, who didn’t see herself as strong in spontaneous responses, learned to observe the strengths of others and grew to genuinely appreciate the balance each person brought.

She reflected that in the past, she only focused on completing her own tasks. But through the competition, she shifted to thinking about the whole team and understood what true collaboration means.

It showed her that a strong team isn’t about having the same skills. It’s about how members fill in gaps and move together toward a common goal.

From 100 Back to 0 — Seeing Learning Through a New Lens

After the competition, Lucy didn’t stop learning. Introduced by a teacher, she became a SEED Fellow and returned to the same setting but in a different role: from contestant to event crew.

She described how, as a contestant, most of her attention was on preparing, performing and dealing with results. But now, as part of the event organizer team, she learned to step back and observe students’ mindsets and potential from a wider view.

Coming back to a familiar space, Lucy grew a deeper appreciation for the SEED team on how they always stayed attentive, observed each student carefully and genuinely worked together to create the best learning experience for them.

This kind of atmosphere inspired her to want to do better, not just complete tasks — but truly be a supportive presence. She wanted tomorrow’s students to feel just as seen and supported as she once did.

These changes made her reflect on her own path, and gain a deeper understanding of the meaning of learning.

Redefining Student Potential: “You Are More Than This Moment”

As a SEED Fellow, Lucy often saw teams who didn’t make it to the final round — many of whom had unique and creative ideas but their value wasn’t fully recognized due to nerves or lack of expression skills.

That was the part she found most regrettable.

“Having been through it, the one thing I want to say to them is: Your potential is more than this.”

From her role as a supporter, Lucy hopes to help set a more welcoming and encouraging tone to the partcipants, so that even those who don’t reach the finals can still recognize how much they’ve grown.

The Most Unexpected Discoveries

As a student helper, Lucy never expected to learn so much. And because she had no expectations, many moments came as surprises.

One of her most vivid memories was during a UI design competition co-hosted by SEED and AlipayHK, where secondary school students created surprisingly professional app UI designs, and explained their logic and user flow with incredible clarity.

“You suddenly realize — wow, students these days are really impressive.”

What SEED Represents in Education: Opening Access for All Who Want to Learn

Why is Lucy so devoted to supporting SEED?

She said "SEED gives shape and purpose to what an “educational NGO” should truly be."

For instance, she once led students on a visit to the Hospital Authority — a place most young people rarely interact with. Even while helping out, she herself was expanding her own horizons.

While assisting in different competition and event, She also saw with her own eyes that SEED’s competitions weren’t just skewed toward elite schools. iIn fact, many of the most creative and capable students came from schools with fewer resources.

“To me, it’s a kind of breaking hierarchy. When knowledge, experience and opportunity can flow to students of all backgrounds, that’s when society becomes more fair. If students have the courage and resources to try, they can break past old limits and see new possibilities.”

A Message to Future Participants: Be a Learner First

Lucy’s message for future participants is this: “Don’t go in thinking about what you want to get from it.”

She believes the most valuable experiences come from quiet observation, listening and reflection. When you stay open to learning, you’ll gain unexpected insights from unexpected places.

“For most people, learning goes from 0 to 100 — and that’s it. But being a SEED Fellow gives you a chance to look back from 100 to 0 and learn all over again.”

To her, that’s the unique value of joining SEED Fellows. In the act of looking back, you reframe your journey and make sure that learning never truly ends.