Radio Maria England announces school competition winners

Helena Judd
Jan 16th, 2026

Fr Toby with the winning young broadcasters

Radio Maria England has announces the winners of the Radio Maria England Young Broadcasters and Young Herald Spoken Word, Poetry, and Songwriting Competitions. With entries pouring in from schools across England, the response was truly inspiring. We were incredibly impressed by the creativity, confidence, and exceptional talent showcased by young people of all ages, making the standard of submissions outstanding and the judging process both exciting and challenging.

It was a joy for us to present the winners with their trophies and prizes at our London studios yesterday and to celebrate with Alessi's Ark performing for them. While prizes could only be awarded to the winners, Radio Maria England warmly commends every student who took part. We encourage all our young participants to continue developing and sharing their God- given gifts, using their voices and talents to help build God's beautiful Kingdom here on earth.

Fr Toby Lees, who presented the trophies and interviewed the finalists said: "St Paul wrote to the Romans, 'And how are they to hear without someone preaching?' If he'd had the privilege of hearing our winners and finalists at our Radio Maria school competitions, 'I'm sure he'd have been saying, 'How will people hear such talented young people, without a radio station that believes in them and backs them?

"It was one of the great privileges of my time at Radio Maria to be able to give these young people a chance to showcase their talents and lead our listeners closer to God. Do keep these talented young Christian artists in your prayers and well done to the parents and teachers who have encouraged them and nurtured their talents."

The special show will be on broadcast on Friday, 16th January at 5pm, Sunday, 18th January at 8pm and Friday 6th February at 5pm. The podcast will be available on our website at: https://radiomariaengland.uk/school-competition-finalists-and-winners-2025/

Competition Winners

Radio Maria Young Herald - Spoken Word / Poetry / Singing (Ages 7-11)

1st Place

Sebastian D, St George's, Enfield - "A Prayer for Christian Unity" (Spoken Word)

Joint 2nd Place

• Mairead M, St George's, Enfield "Christian Unity Song"
• Sonari O, St George's, Enfield "Song for Christian Unity"
• Zanna O, St Paul's Cheshunt "May We Be One as You Are One"

Radio Maria Young Herald - Spoken Word / Poetry / Singing (Ages 12-14)

1st Place

Mike A, Cardinal Vaughan Memorial School, London
"We Become What We Behold" (Poem)

2nd Place

Pawel J, Cardinal Vaughan Memorial School, London
"A Prayer for Christian Unity" (Poem)

Radio Maria Young Herald - Spoken Word / Poetry / Singing (Ages 15-18)

1st Place

Caitlin Rae K, All Saints School, Dagenham
"Loved in Unity" (Song)

2nd Place

Hanna J, St Augustine's, Ealing
"A Prayer for Christian Unity" (Poem)

Joint 3rd Place

• Sumi N, St Augustine's, Ealing
"The Beauty of Your Unity" (Poem)