The New Batch: Meet The Student Edge Contributors For 2016’s Second Semester

Here’s who you’ll be hearing from over the next six months.

Last month, we invited students from around the country to share their voice on the Student Edge website.

The bar was set high by our two previous groups of contributors, who wrote about domestic violence, being intersex, how to tackle climate change from home, gun control, the meaning of ‘free-range’ eggs, Australia’s asylum seeker policy, donating blood, why elections matter, what we need to know about the proposed same-sex marriage plebiscite and the questions you shouldn’t ask your gay friends.

We were lucky, and honoured, to have those writers on board, and you can still check out their great pieces here.

But now it’s time to welcome a new batch - our biggest ever. Below, you can meet the seven aspiring writers who’ll begin commenting on everything from pop culture to politics over the next six months.

Be nice.

Shreya Balabhadrapathuruni (16, NSW)

Hello, I’m Shreya Balabhadrapathuruni. (Yes, I know my last name is long.) I’m an adventurous Year 11 student from Western Sydney, hoping to see myself on top of a very big summit. I love reading books, listening to music, and drawing… basically living life to its fullest. I believe every person has a voice and it is heard louder when all of us work together. I’m really excited to work with Student Edge, which gives me a chance to develop my confidence in writing and get a taste of an industry I’m extremely passionate about.

Olivia Blasi (21, VIC)

My name is Olivia and I’m a 21-year-old, caffeine-dependent life-form. I studied Journalism for a year before pursuing studies in Architecture. Writing has always been a passion of mine. I hoped to pursue a career in the writing field in a more organic setting where I could express myself with less restriction and I believe this opportunity is a stepping stone in that direction. In my free time I love gaming, writing, crafts and going to trivia nights with my friends. I have been lucky enough to have travelled around the world and experienced other cultures first hand. I currently work as a Brand Ambassador, through which I have been a part of campaigns with a wide range of different companies and their products. I’m very excited for what the next few months hold and for this opportunity to improve and display my writing, but right now, I need a coffee.

Xavier Hazard (19, WA)

Hi! I’m Xavier. I’m a student studying Law and Journalism because Professional Television Watching and Facebook Scrolling Studies are not currently offered at my university. I can tell you more about Harry Potter than I can about my goals for the future, but I’m working on it. I like Weet-Bix, Judi Dench, pop culture references, when old people try to use Facebook and tired jokes stolen from Tumblr. I am probably a better procrastinator than you, but I doubt I’ll ever get around to proving that. I cling to my passion for writing and hope that my recent existential crises will drive me towards a career that brings me happiness. I’m impressed that you read this far and I thank you for your commitment. Oh, and last but not least, my surname is a warning for the haters.

Anthony Pearce (22, NSW)

When people see me, they usually say one of two things: "Why is that strange guy frowning, and why does he have so much hair?" or, "Why is that strange, hairy guy petting my dog?" As a journalism student and technology enthusiast, most of my life (when not petting strange dogs) is spent around obscure media theory and technology press releases, neither of which are as fun as they sound. At least 80 per cent of my time is spent thinking about words, analysing words, speaking words, and rearranging the words of other people. Sometimes I even get to write my own words, and even more rarely, I get them in the right order. If all goes well, people will enjoy the words I write, and I'll find a way to talk to people about technology and politics without boring them to death. It will probably involve memes. Or dogs.

Brittney Rigby (22, NSW)

Brittney is a journalism and law student ("yay law" - said no one ever) in her penultimate year at the University of New South Wales. She moved to Sydney a few years ago when she started uni, but before that, she lived in rural New South Wales, in a police residence. Yep. A house attached to a police station. When she's not drowning in law textbooks or fielding questions about what it was like growing up at a police station, you can find her at her job as a law clerk at a boutique firm, at a Bunnings sausage sizzle, or with her nose buried in a book. She is determined to get a decent paying job, if only to provide for her future dogs, (cute and small, please) and she loves Olivia Pope, stalking Insta-famous pets and cheese pizza. Writing is her first love; she is always looking for a home for her words.

Sarah Schofield (16, NSW)

Born in the district of Sydney’s famous Manly Beach, yet entirely incapable of riding a surfboard, I’ve grown up trying to prove myself in different ways (yes, I’m the youngest child, and yes, I’m aware it’s obvious). I’m a self-confessed musical addict, having performed in nine to date (and currently rehearsing for another one). What I lack in sporting talent, I attempt to make up in the creative arts. My writing interest began at a young age, sprouting from my love of books. My (probably slightly unrealistic) dream is to get a job that allows me to use my creativity whilst travelling the world. Hopefully one day you’ll see me on TV and be like “Wow, I read that girl’s work on Student Edge in 2016.” Until then, I hope to entertain you, and improve my chances of being “that girl” through this totally awesome opportunity.

Louie Zhu (22, NSW)

I’m currently a uni student trying to find the meaning of life. I think I’m doing quite poorly at the moment given that I am struggling to finish a paragraph that is only meant to describe what is happening in my life right now. The two favourite things I like to do are being a potato on my couch, watching a TV show or movie and also taking naps. I also enjoy questioning the minutiae of life, like: Why is it that everyone has to slap a watermelon before we choose which one to buy? Also why don’t we slap any other fruits? Hopefully these qualities will allow me to write interesting and insightful articles over the next few months.

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There they are, in their own words. I look forward to working with each of them as their Editor and publishing their articles, reviews and opinion pieces for your reading pleasure.

Thanks again to everyone who sent in an application. Remember, if you weren’t successful this time, you can have another crack in early 2017.

Photo: iStock.