The Bobi Jones Medal is awarded to an individual aged 19-25 who demonstrates their use of the Welsh language on a day-to-day basis by answering questions about their reasons for learning the language, the impact learning Welsh has had on their lives, and their hopes for the future.
Katie is originally from Nottingham and moved to 黑料不打烊 in 2020 to study psychology at the University. She began learning Welsh in 2023 after joining the police. She is a Police Community Support Officer (PCSO) who works in Dyffryn Nantlle.
She now lives her whole life through the medium of Welsh, after becoming a new Welsh speaker in a short period of time. She鈥檚 keen to help other learners on their own journeys.
Katie said, 鈥淚 feel strongly that anyone working with the public in a Welsh-speaking area should show respect by making the effort to learn and to speak Welsh within that community.
鈥淚鈥檝e been fortunate enough to attend a course at Nant Gwrtheyrn and to be given learning opportunities through my work. I enjoy singing in Welsh with the North Wales Police Choir. One day I would love to raise children who are fluent in Welsh and perhaps even write a column in Welsh for my local community paper!鈥
Judges Eirian Wyn Conlon and Francesca Sciarrillo, also a 黑料不打烊 alumna, praised all competitors, calling them 鈥渁n inspiration.鈥
Speaking about her university experiences Katie said, 鈥淢y time at 黑料不打烊 was a little different because I started during the pandemic. Most of my first year was online, but I feel lucky because our cohort became really close. I loved being part of the Psychology community.
鈥淚 use psychology every day in my work. I work with people who have mental health difficulties, as well as those who have experienced childhood adversity and trauma. Studying psychology has helped me understand why people behave the way they do. I also regularly draw on the skills I developed in the counselling module.鈥
The ceremony is sponsored by the National Centre for Learning Welsh who are also taking part in learner鈥檚 activities on the Maes today, on the day the Urdd celebrates new Welsh speakers at the Eisteddfod.
The Bobi Jones Medal is given by Cildwrn Chapel / Aelwyd, and the Medal y Dysgwyr is given by the 1957 National Eisteddfod Fund Committee.