Talented Year 12 Student Wins Top Prize in University of Oxford Essay Competition

On Saturday 18th May, Year 12 student, Theo Kamara was recognised at a ceremony at Oriel College, University of Oxford. Theo was awarded a top prize in the Third Rex Nettleford Essay Competition for Year 12 students ‘Colonialism and its Legacies’, for their essay entitled ‘How have ideas about nature shaped the histories and legacies of colonialism?’ 

Theo was one of only two students to be selected as winners for the prize, from many submissions of a very high standard – an incredible achievement! 

Theo attended the annual lecture on Colonialism and its Legacies, this year presented by Paul Gilroy, Professor of Humanities and UCL and the founding director of the Sarah Parker Remond Centre for the Study of Racism and Racialisation. The lecture was followed by a ceremony in which Oriel College’s Fellow and Tutor in American Literature, Dr Nicholas Gaskill, presented Theo with their prize. Theo attended the event with their twin sister, Evie as their guest.  

The Rex Nettleford essay competition is intended to encourage students to engage with the legacies of colonialism in all its forms – historical, political, economic, social, cultural. The prizes and annual lecture series are dedicated to Oriel College alumnus, Rex Nettleford, in recognition of his distinguished contributions in the fields of scholarship, culture, and education. 

Theo is currently studying at Jane Austen College Sixth Form in A-Level Geography, Sociology and Environmental Science. With an interest in social anthropology and the geographies of development. Theo has ambitious plans to attend university to study Geography to pursue a career in academic research. 

Theo said: 

“It was a great experience, and it gave me the opportunity to learn about the history of colonialism in the context of my own interests.” 

Theo’s essay is available to read on the Oriel College website.