The Columban Missionary Society in Britain and Ireland has announced the winners of the latest schools competition, where essays were written and images created on the theme “21st century changemakers”.
Winning articles and images focused on well-known leaders, environmentalists and campaigners such as Greta Thunberg, David Attenborough, Jane Goodall, Marcus Rashford, Malala Yousafzai, Amanda Gorman, Vanessa Nakate and Pope Francis. There were also moving essays about the inspirational role teachers and parents play in the lives of young people, and there is a tribute to Londoner Margaret Mizen for her mission of forgiveness and peace following the murder of her son. One winning article highlights an Afghani woman who promotes good hygiene in very difficult circumstances in her country.
The competition attracted 260 entries from nearly 50 schools, which were judged by panels of media experts separately in Britain and Ireland.
“The quality of entries blew me away and I was amazed at their energy and thoughtfulness,” said James Trewby, Columban education worker in Britain.
Jessica Saxon of St George’s College in Weybridge wrote the winning article about US politician Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, described by one judge as “a barnstorming piece of writing”.
Runners up were Mahi Sikan of Thomas More in Bedford, Ella Bothwell of St Richard Gwyn in Flint and Scarlett Peart-Lapidge of Bishop Thomas Grant in London.
Elijah Gilbert of Richard Challoner School, New Malden won first prize in the images section for his collage, which one judge said was, “a truly powerful and original image, with recognisable and diverse changemakers”. Runners up were Katherine Fawole of St Paul’s Academy in London, Oliver Lafite of Richard Challoner School and Paulette De Jose of Holy Cross School in New Malden.
In Ireland, Eimear Crawford of St Louis Grammar School, Ballymena wrote the winning article about Fr Alec Reid, who was pivotal to the peace process in Northern Ireland. William Scholes, Features editor of the Irish News, said it was fluently written, thoroughly researched. Inspired by the Beatitudes the entry was “a welcome assessment of Fr Alec Reid, a towering figure who was not only a true changemaker but also a peacemaker. It’s encouraging that a new generation is aware of his contribution to the peace process, and that they might be inspired by his example to build the peace in the future.”
Runners up were Erin Boylan of St Catherine's College, Armagh and Megan Nolan of St Michael’s Holy Faith Secondary School Finglas, Dublin.
Blaithin McElligott of Presentation secondary school Castleisland, Co Kerry won first prize in the images section. Her artwork, highlighting the cost of fast fashion and promoting her school’s clothes pod, was judged by William Scholes to have been an “informative entry” which “made an impact with its imaginative presentation and thoughtful examination of the issues around ‘fast fashion’ and the implications of the trend.
“That it ended on a positive note – the school’s clothes pod – shows that we can all make a real difference and be changemakers, wherever we are.” Runners up were Veronica Littlewood of St Catherine’s College, Armagh and Amy Fleming of Scoil Phobail Sliabh Luachra, Rathmore, Co Kerry.
Former Columban competitions have focused on climate change, migration, tackling throwaway culture and racism.
Full list of winners and judges can be seen here. The winning British articles and images are on the website www.columbans.co.uk and the winning Irish articles and images are on www.columbans.ie.
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