Fresher of the Year award for Roscommon student

Lisacul’s Latisha McCrudden has scooped a prestigious national award.

The University of Galway student was named Fresher (First Year) of the Year recently out of all the third level institutions in Ireland.

Latisha admits the award was not something that was initially on her radar: “I knew about the Fresher of the Year that the University of Galway was hosting but I was not aware initially that it went on to a national level.

“All of the colleges put forward a representative. We completed a written application and a portfolio before doing an interview. The award is not to do with your degree, but all the extra-curricular activities a person takes part in throughout first year in college. I am a committee member for three different committees.

“I was first year representative on the law society, then I was president of the politics society, and I was vice-president of the Mincéir Whiden society. I was involved with the student union as I was a class representative for the law school while I was also writing articles for the SIN newspaper, a student run newspaper.” The first year law student at the University of Galway is passionate about her degree. Latisha holds a deep interest in pursuing family law as she aims to be “a voice for the voiceless”.

“I wanted to do law since I was six years of age. I always liked the idea of sticking up for people and bringing a change for people in need. I want to go into family law. I want to be a voice for the voiceless. It is something that I always had an interest in,” she proudly stated.

As a proud member of the Travelling community, Latisha is passionate about being a voice for change. She has spoken on panels as a Traveller youth changemaker and highlighted the need for better supports for the community.

The University of Galway student believes greater understanding and compassion are needed in the education system with only one per cent of the Travelling community holding a third level degree.

“It is only in the last 10 or 15 years that we have actually seen young people getting to become members of the Gardaí or when Eileen Flynn in 2020 got elected to the Seanad.

“In school there is still a lot of bullying whether it be derogatory terms. What has been said to me has been said to many children in secondary and primary school. There are often no consequences. If those types of things are said to other minority groups, there are repercussions as there should be but it doesn’t seem to be the same for Travellers.

“The government said in 2020 that Traveller heritage and culture would be put into the school curriculum and that still has not happened. That would be a good way for non-travellers to get a greater insight and they may become more open minded. I think there has to be extra supports.

“Traveller children could be going home to halting sites or they might not have electricity all the time. Children might be going home, and it might not be a guarantee that they have a parent who can read or write so they are some of the main barriers,” she explained.

After completing her first of five college exams earlier in the day, the ambitious law student states that continuing to pursue karate, which has proved a vital outlet for her, studying for first class honours degree and a crack at future local elections are her long-term goals.

“I want to get my degree and come out with first class honours. I also want to get my second Dan black belt for karate. I have gone into the teaching and coaching side of karate as my competition days are probably coming to an end due to the law degree, but it is great to see children enjoy the sport.” “I am planning hopefully, not this election but the next local elections to run if all going well,” she concluded.