Big thank you to the Vlogstar Challenge!

Posted 25 September 2018

Twenty-three-year-old Tomi Ojo shares her experience of making it all the way to the final of the Vlogstar Challenge 2018. The training programme, powered by the Jack Petchey Foundation and run in partnership with YouTube and the Evening Standard, trains young people from across London and Essex to create video blogs (vlogs) using their smartphones.

From one-thousand-five-hundred entries down to just 150 semi-finalists – little old me made it as one of the final 15 vloggers in the Vlogstar Challenge 2018. I am so incredibly proud of how far I got within this competition. The fact that I was able to give my topic of choice – cheerleading – a voice on a major platform was something else.

One Chance to take the win: Vlogstar Challenge Grand Final Entry - Tomi Ojo

This Vlogstar Challenge allowed me to do so many things that I didn’t think was possible. I’ve met and connected with some amazing people. The competition itself didn’t feel like a competition and that’s what I loved about it the most. It was just an opportunity for me to start growing my YouTube channel and to meet other creators.

Tomi with the other 2018 Vlogstar Challenge finalists at YouTube

The 2018 Grand Final

My experience of the Vlogstar Challenge grand final which was held at BAFTA in London was surreal. I tried my hardest to vlog on the day, but all I wanted to do was to take everything in and enjoy the moment.

Meeting up with everyone was a bigger highlight than anything. I became very close with a few of the finalists and we were all so lit up about seeing each other again. We’re all so different, but we all share the same passion for creating content for the world to see.

 

Tomi at Vlogstar Final standing beside giant BAFTA award

At the 2018 Vlogstar Challenge Final at BAFTA

When waiting for Kat Boyce, the host, to announce the winner I really thought my name was going to be called and when it wasn’t, I was still so happy. Sometimes you don’t realise that you’re already a winner without someone having to tell you that you are.

Signing up to the Vlogstar Challenge was truly one of the best things I’ve ever done.

Taking Part

Signing up to the Vlogstar Challenge was truly one of the best things I’ve ever done. I will always recommend this competition to anyone who is eligible to take part. I learnt that anyone has the opportunity to speak up and be passionate about something they love. You just need a little boost in order to get there.

Tomi has now joined Media Trust’s Vlogstar Challenge Team as a Project Coordinator and will be sharing her vlogging expertise at workshops across London and Essex.

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