Meet this year’s winners!
14-15 age group
Winner: Mukund Mahendra Soni, Queen Elizabeth’s School, Barnet
Mukund told us, “It was interesting to look at the topic in more detail, and I gained a much greater understanding of the benefits of a cashless society. I also think some of my other skills – like researching, finding good
sources, referencing them and writing an extended piece – they increased quite a lot!”
Bobby Seagull says, “Excellent article! With a clear, nuanced view about how society might transition to cashless and a judicious use of data to back up key points! Sometimes, younger writers try to convince readers through an over reliance on stats, but this didn't do that."
Claer Barrett says, “A fantastically well researched piece on the decline of cash, which drew on international examples – and some from ancient history – to hammer the main points home. Highlighting the increased costs that small businesses face from using card payment and contactless machines instead of cash was particularly insightful. As well as what happens with digital payments if your phone runs out of battery!”
Read Mukund's article
Highly commended: Rosanagh de Mestre, St Paul’s Girls School, Hammersmith
Rosanagh told us, “When I heard about this competition, I was quite drawn to the journalism aspect. Then I found it really enjoyable researching something that I didn’t know that much about before. The experience
also helped me to develop the ability to condense quite complicated ideas into more simple terms.”
Bobby Seagull says, “Draws in the reader from the very first sentence: ‘A farmer with toothache in the Galapagos’. Clear referencing to sources.”
Claer Barrett says: “A well structured piece, with a refreshingly original voice and some well chosen international examples to back up the main points.”
Read Rosanagh de Mestre's article
16-17 age group
Winner: Eliza Stevenson-Hamilton, Benenden School, Cranbrook
Eliza told us, “I saw the question and thought this is a really nice way for me to talk about my opinion on the importance of financial education and allowing young people to invest in a safe space. I think that’s 
so important and I really hope that came across in my piece.”
Bobby Seagull says, “Refreshing honesty, especially the points about adults poorly explaining how to actually become financially resilient. This article should really make adult readers think about how they engage with young people. I was impressed that the writer conducted their own primary research, and used relevant examples like GameStop to show how young people’s interest has been sparked in investment during the pandemic.”
Clear Barrett says, “The writer grabbed me from the start, with the assertion that financial resilience was being taught by lived experience of the pandemic, rather than through school textbooks. Honing in on how young people’s finances have proved the most precarious, this was a devastating critique of the poor state of financial education in Britain today.”
Read Eliza Stevenson-Hamilton's article
Highly commended: Tom Renshaw, Peter Symonds College, Winchester
Tom told us, “When I first looked at it, I wasn’t really sure what financial resilience was, but I did some research online and learnt a lot through the experience. It’s been fun to enter the competition and a lovely surprise to find
out I’ve been shortlisted.”
Bobby Seagull says, “A well structured response on the consequences of poor financial management for young people. And I liked the positive outlook at the end for the generation of 2020s youth.”
Claer Barrett says, “The writer really got to grips with how the pandemic has exposed financial vulnerabilities for millions of people, young and old.”
18-19 age group
Winner: Pamela Kruze, Pendleton Sixth Form College, Salford
Pamela told us, “It was interesting to write about being a millionaire by 30, but it was tough. I did a lot of research to make sure I was writing about the right things. And I attended a session at college about how to write as 
a journalist, to make the piece more interesting rather than just factual.”
Bobby Seagull says, “This was such a good column, I could imagine myself reading it in the Financial Times’ Money section.”
Claer Barrett says: “The writer has clearly been learning a lot about investing under lockdown. And this internationally relevant piece gave lots of sensible pointers for young investors and showed a great deal of research.”
Highly commended: Joely To, Streatham and Clapham High School
Joely told us, “I thought the titles were really interesting so I thought why not enter. I chose the investing and trading
title because I’d done some previous work experience around that and wanted to explore it further. It was really enjoyable and a great learning opportunity.”
Bobby Seagull says, “Very engaging style of writing, especially the use of the Treasure Island analogy. One of my favourites in this age category.”
Claer Barrett says, “I liked the writer’s attempt to explain the difference between gambling and investing. A lot of careful thought went into this piece.”