Sixth Former Charlotte Corrigan beat thousands of students from across the world to be named “Future Leader of the Year 2022” in a prestigious international leadership competition.
The 18-year-old Westholme INSPIRED Sixth Form student was selected as one of just 20 international winners after successfully pitching her original campaign idea to a panel of big brands, influencers and international coaches.
Charlotte, from Accrington, will have the opportunity to work alongside Ivy House - an award-winning life-skills development programme who ran the competition – to launch her exciting new initiative, Girlvanise, to engage more girls and young women in long term sport.
Charlotte said: “I’m so excited to start working with Ivy House to develop my idea, which is all based on my own experience and relationship with sport, injury, body image and overall health.
“I’ve never been someone who likes to go with the crowd, and this is an approach has been solidified at Westholme. I have been praised for, and encouraged to, show an independent approach to learning and be my own person.
“Discovering I had been chosen by the judges was very humbling because all of the other candidates were so talented. The next chapter will be so exciting.”
Charlotte will work with high profile media organisations, sports agencies and key individuals to develop, implement and launch Girlvanise.
Fellow Sixth Form student Madeleine Stretton also secured a place in the prestigious final, selected from thousands of students from across 71 countries.
Madeleine, 17, from Chorley, said: “It was an incredible experience and I am really proud to have pushed myself and reached the finals.
“The competition was important as I am an introvert. It was really beneficial to pitch and receive feedback from such prestigious individuals and I found the whole process very insightful and inspirational.”
Led by industry experts and free for schools to enter, the competition forms an important part of Westholme INSPIRED Sixth Form’s holistic offering.
Dr Richard Robson, Principal of Westholme School said: “Congratulations to Charlotte and Madeleine. It is a huge achievement for two INSPIRED Sixth Form students to have secured a place in this prestigious international final, and both have demonstrated great promise.
“Westholme places great emphasis on extra-curricular learning and the importance of developing leadership and life skills. I am sure other pupils will be inspired by their success and we look forward to following Charlotte’s impactful campaign, Girlvanise.”