Moh Xin Qian Hilary
Diploma in Nutrition, Health and Wellness (DNHW)
Awards:
Lee Kuan Yew Award
Changing the World with a Radiant and Positive Spirit
Growing up as a competitive gymnast, Moh Xin Qian Hilary developed a keen interest in the complex ways in which her body functioned to help her execute impeccable leaps, balances, and pirouettes. This led her to opt for courses in secondary school to learn more about the science behind the intricate movements.
Looking back on the defining moments in her growing up years, the CHIJ St Nicholas Girls School alumna recalls how she went through a tough time when she left secondary school and was waiting to enter Singapore Polytechnic (SP) to pursue Diploma in Nutrition, Health and Wellness. With almost all her friends entering junior college, she felt alone and questioned her decision to take the polytechnic route. Although she knew her learning style intrinsically suited a polytechnic education better, she found herself discouraged and lost.
The experience impacted her polytechnic journey tremendously and served as a reminder to treasure the time she spent with her classmates and appreciate the little things she once took for granted. As she encountered difficult and hectic examination or assignment periods, she would think back to the hardship she endured and this motivated her to persevere in the face of adversity. These were the ingredients that birthed an infectious and bubbly positive spirit and Hilary used this to encourage her friends and peers to great effect.
One of the highlights of her time in SP was when she was awarded the SP Excellence Award for her contribution as President of the Chemical & Life Sciences Club. Undaunted by the restrictions posed by the COVID-19 pandemic, Hilary led the charge and rubbed off her positive spirit on her peers to adapt and develop workarounds to the situation. With grit and determination, they succeeded in organising multiple events to engage the student body and contributed new and creative ways to enrich student life.
Her internship at BASF, a German multinational chemical company, saw her carrying out the duties of a Human Nutrition Regulatory and Marketing Assistant. The 22-week stint made Hilary realise she is someone who thrives in a dynamic, hands-on, and fast-paced environment, where she gets to work directly with others and make a positive impact in their lives. During this time, she also got to hone her communication skills as well as familiarise herself with different working styles and habits.
Having volunteer experiences educating the elderly about health issues and mentoring young children in developing their reading skills through storytelling allowed her to improve her interpersonal skills and discover her penchant for working with individuals from different age groups. She also began coaching young gymnasts in late 2021 as a way of giving back to the same gymnastics community that supported her passion and love for the sport.
Aspiring to pursue further studies in physiotherapy, Hilary envisions working as a healthcare professional in one of Singapore’s hospitals or community care facilities to devise treatment and rehabilitation plans tailored to the needs of each patient.
With the unconditional support and constant reassurance from her family, nothing seems to put a dampener on Hilary’s spirits.