Columban Schools Competition: Winners announced

Arianna Boardman won first prize for her beautiful image celebrating the Laudato Si Movement.

Source: Columban Missionaries

Winners have been announced in a media competition for young people in Britain and Ireland on the subject 'Jubilee: Pilgrims of Hope.' The competition attracted a record 272 entries across Britain and Ireland, the highest number in the eight years the Columbans have run a Schools Competition.

Young people 13-18 years were asked to produce a piece of writing or image that highlighted a community or groups bringing hope in the world in this Jubilee Year, making a difference locally, nationally or globally.

In Britain, entries from 22 schools were judged by media experts who praised the high quality of all the entries shortlisted: Ruth Gledhill (Assistant Editor at The Tablet), Josephine Siedlecka (Founder and Editor of Independent Catholic News - ICN). Also judging were Andrea Speranza (CAFOD Campaigns Manager), Columban Father Ed O'Connell (now back in Britain after many years on mission in Peru, James Trewby (Columban Education Worker) and a group with lived experiences of Migration from Hope Garden in Birmingham.

In Britain, the winning article came from Armance Young of St Catherine's in Twickenham. Runners Up were Aleksandra Niklewska from Loreto School in Altrincham, a school which had three winners, and Elsie Healy from Bishop Challoner in Birmingham.

Armance Young highlighted the 'Jubilee' work of CAFOD, Jesuit Refugee Service, the Sant'Egidio Community and Mary's Meals. She said, "I was delighted to participate in the essay competition on a topic that I am passionate about, and to have learnt about the work of the Columban Missionaries." She urged all Catholics "to recognise the power of communal action." Catherine McDonough, the Head of RE at St Catherine's, said: "We are delighted to hear that Armance has won this nationwide competition celebrating communities that bring hope in the world today. Hers is an inspiring message that resonates deeply within our community at St Catherine's, as we embark as pilgrims of hope in this special Jubilee Year. It's truly special when such a powerful example of hope and service comes directly from a young woman."

The winning image came from Arianna Boardman from Loreto Grammar School in Altrincham, with runners up being Favour Eze from All Saints, Dagenham, Cassi Walisiak from St Paul's, Milton Keynes, and Alice Holt from Loreto. Arianna drew bubbles highlighting diverse environmental problems, with Earth at the centre and celebrating the Laudato Si Movement. The Head of RE at Loreto, Ann-Marie Bridle, said, "this competition has provided us with a fantastic opportunity to engage with such an important theme in the wider context of our Catholic faith."

In Ireland, judges included William Scholes (Assistant Editor of the Irish News), Patsy McGarry (Irish Times), Dr Toni Pyke (Justice, Peace and Ecology co-ordinator with the Association of Leaders of Missionary and Religious of Ireland), Fr Paul McGlynn (Columban missionary who worked in the Philippines and is now involved in interfaith dialogue in Ireland, and Fr Jason Antiquera (Columban missionary-artist based in Korera).

In Ireland, the article winners were: Odhran McGowan of St Louis Grammar School, Ballymena; Eabha Delargy of St Louis Grammar School, Ballymena; and Alisa Bargelyte of Presentation Secondary School, Mitchelstown.

Image winners were: Olivia Darcy of Colaiste Dun Iascaigh, Cahir, Co Tipperary; Maria Rosa Black of St Louis Grammar School, Ballymena; and Marie Gillespie of St. Columba's College, Stranorlar.

Odhran McGowan who was awarded first prize for his article, 'Beyond the Classroom', commented: "I am so honoured to have won 1st place! A huge thank you to the judges for considering me and acknowledging my efforts into my written piece. I would like to recognise the remarkable work carried out by the Columban Fathers who focus on aspects such as justice and peace, and who engage us young people in a series of modern day global and ethical issues. I learned so much about the meaning of 'pilgrims of hope' when researching it prior to my piece and hope that more young people such as myself would like to take part in the competition as it is such a rewarding experience!"

Josephine Wade, Head Teacher at Colaiste Dun Iascaigh in Cahir, paid tribute to her student Olivia Darcy who won first prize for her artwork 'Flower of Hope'. She explained: "Olivia really put a huge effort in."

The Columbans thanked all the young people who entered the 2025 competition and the judging panels. Former themes of the Competition have focused on Climate Change, Migration, Throwaway Culture, Racism, 21st Century Changemakers, Peace and Biodiversity.

See full list of winners: www.columbancompetition.com/

Winning entries will go up on Columban websites in Britain and Ireland: https://columbans.co.uk/

and: https://columbans.ie/