Leeds Beckett University - City Campus,
Woodhouse Lane,
LS1 3HE
Journalism graduate to launch cheerleading magazine
Last month Charlotte Corner missed her graduation to attend the prestigious Print Futures Award ceremony where she won a £1,500 prize for her enthusiasm to create the magazine, The Cheerleader, from scratch.
The 21-year-old from Leeds, who achieved a first class honours in her degree, is now using her award to help launch the niche publication.
She said: "I had to create a magazine for one of my last projects in my final year at Leeds Met. My boyfriend Nathan Cookson is a cheerleading coach and the idea to make The Cheerleader escalated after I had a dream that I created a cheerleading magazine for my coursework.
"I've never been a cheerleader myself, but I quickly realised that not only is the sport extremely popular in the UK, but there is a huge gap in the market for a niche publication dedicated to the cheerleading community. The magazine will be aimed at teenagers: my goal is for it to be the Cosmopolitan for cheerleaders!
"The response I have had from the cheerleading community since I decided to take the magazine beyond my degree project and launch it as a business has been fantastic and winning the award at the House of Lords has given me a real boost of confidence. It was a big decision to miss my graduation and go to the award ceremony in London, but I knew it was the right thing to do for my future career and the magazine. I'm so delighted that my work has been recognised with this award."
Charlotte, who is also in the process of launching the website www.thecheerleader.co.uk, plans for the 40-page, paid-for magazine to be quarterly and to include features on UK cheerleading teams, cheerleading activities and tips, and a round-up of news within the cheerleading community.