The six finalists will be mentored by top journalists from The Sun, with one lucky winner having their column printed in the newspaper in September.
The six finalists include:
• Elizabeth ‘Yemzi’ Akingbade, 19, from Bournemouth will be mentored by Trevor Kavanagh, The Sun’s Associate Editor (Politics). Elizabeth would like to write a column about children being adopted or fostered outside of their race.
• Tom Hale, 18, from Ludgershall, Hants will be mentored by News Reporter Veronica Lorraine. Tom would like to write a column about the symbolism of tea in British culture.
• Ridhwaan Hussein Yusef (pictured), 22, from Newham, London, will be mentored by Deputy Online Sports Editor Mark Gilbert. Ridhwaan would like to write a column about British Asian footballers.
• Laura Osborne, 21, from Andover, Hants, will be mentored by Deputy Bizarre Editor Lia Nichols. Laura would like to write a column about society’s view of older people.
• Matthew Rogers, 22, from Great Cornard, Suffolk, will be mentored by Deputy Features Editor Sean Hamilton. Matthew would like to write a column about what’s great about Britain.
• Rebecca Withey, 25, from Walsall, West Midlands, will be mentored by Digital Sub–Editor Fran Wetzel. Rebecca would like to write a column about a day in the life of a hearing impaired person.
The six mentors, recruited through Media Trust’s youth mentoring scheme, will volunteer their time to support and advise the finalists on writing their final columns. The six columns will then be judged by a high profile panel for the chance to be published in the newspaper
Column Idol 2011 is fronted by music star Jessie J, comedian James Corden and England footballer and children’s books author Theo Walcott.
Dominic Mohan, Editor of The Sun, said: “At The Sun we are committed to finding and investing in new writing talent and I’m delighted with the exceptionally high standard of entries we’ve received. We’re excited to be working with Media Trust to give young people the opportunity to talk about issues that matter to them.”
“I’m proud that some of the paper’s most respected journalists are lending their skill and expertise to mentor young people, and look forward to seeing this year’s final columns.”
Katie Simpson, Deputy Chief Executive at Media Trust said: “The six finalists each have something very important to say and it’s fantastic to have some of The Sun’s most esteemed journalists volunteering as mentors to give industry insight and expertise to young people who wouldn’t normally have access to it.
“This is the second year we’ve partnered with The Sun with the aim of getting young people’s voices heard and it’s part of a long term partnership with The Sun and News International.”
The six finalists were selected from more than 850 entrants. To enter the competition, participants submitted a short description about themselves, what they’d like to write about and why they deserve to be crowned Column Idol 2011.
About Media Trust
The Media Trust says: “Media Trust is a national charity that believes everyone should have a voice and the opportunity to be heard. We work with media organisations and charities to enhance their communications and enable communities to find their voice. We own and run Community Channel, the UK's only national channel to be run by a charity. Media Trust corporate members are BBC, Channel 4, Daily Mail and General Trust, Discovery Networks Europe, Google, Guardian Media Group, IPC Media, ITV plc, MTV Networks UK & Ireland, News International, OMD, Sky, Warner Bros and WPP.”
