The Coleg Cymraeg Cenedlaethol is pleased to announce the names of 32 new ambassadors across 21 secondary schools in Wales for the 2025 to 2026 academic year.
The role of the ambassadors is to raise awareness among their classmates and peers of the benefits of continuing their Welsh skills after leaving school.
Among the new crew this year is Timur Paschenko, a year 12 pupil at Cowbridge School in the Vale of Glamorgan. Since moving to Wales from Ukraine, Timur has immersed himself in the Welsh language, and has chosen to study Welsh Second Language as an A Level subject. Timur said:
"I've fallen in love with the Welsh language and Welsh culture. I would like to contribute to keeping the language alive because the language is very beautiful and it is an important part of the culture of the country.
"I wanted to study Welsh as an A Level subject because it offers many career opportunities, and it gives you the opportunity to learn more deeply about Welsh culture which is very interesting to me.
"As an Ukrainian, I understand how it feels when your language is threatened. I feel that I will be a great ambassador for the Welsh language to remind young people how special and unique it is.
"I'm very proud of the opportunity."
Kitty Walton from Ysgol Bryn Tawe, Swansea has also been selected to be a School Ambassador for the Coleg. She is currently studying A Levels in History, Politics and Welsh. As a rugby player, Kitty hopes to have the opportunity to play rugby for Wales in the future. Kitty said:
"Playing for my country would be amazing! My passions are playing rugby and the Welsh language, so I'd like to combine the two and have a career in the Welsh media as a sports reporter.
"I come from a family where I'm the only one who speaks Welsh. So the fact that I speak Welsh and have continued to study through the medium of Welsh for A Levels is something my family are very proud of."
Music is the interest of Tomos Morgans from Ysgol Bro Myrddin, Carmarthen. As well as studying Music as one of his A Level subjects, in his spare time he is a drummer in a local band and gives drumming lessons to children. As an ambassador, he hopes to promote the Welsh language through music. Tomos said:
"I use the Welsh language when studying, and outside of school in my voluntary work at a local drama club, and in my job teaching drumming to children.
"I hope to be a positive influence on young people to show that there are lots of opportunities to use the language in a lighthearted and fun way.
"I'm also really looking forward to all the opportunities I'll receive over the next year as an ambassador."
The ambassadors' work has begun this term and their work throughout the academic year will include sharing messages in their schools about the benefits of using Welsh, representing the Coleg and their school at various national events, as well as creating content on social media to influence their peers.
Elin Williams, the Coleg's Marketing Manager, said:
"The School Ambassadors scheme is very popular across Wales with a number of schools contacting us enthusiastically to be part of the scheme.
"The pupils gain many new skills and experiences from being an ambassador and their work influencing their peers is extremely valuable, with many seeing the benefit of continuing to use Welsh after leaving school.
"We're looking forward to collaborating with the new crew this year."
To find out more about the ambassadors and to follow their work during the year visit the Coleg's social media websites.
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