Born and raised in Llanhilleth, Lowri Butler-Griffiths is the next remarkable name to join our Welsh Champion Honours List for this year鈥檚 Shwmae Su鈥檓ae Day.
A proud alumna of St Illtyd鈥檚 Primary and later Newbridge Comprehensive, Lowri鈥檚 passion for the Welsh language began early.
鈥淚 had an inspirational teacher, Mrs Whitlock, at St Illtyds primary school, who encouraged me to learn so I stuck with it all through comprehensive school. I wasn鈥檛 very academic, but I absolutely loved Welsh lessons,鈥� Lowri recalls, smiling.
Her dedication led her to Coleg Gwent Crosskeys, where she achieved her A-level in Welsh, before continuing to Aberystwyth University to complete a degree in Welsh.
鈥淎t first, I struggled. I even rang my mam in tears because everything was in Welsh and I thought I couldn鈥檛 do it. But I stuck with it鈥攁nd I鈥檓 so glad I did.鈥�
Guided by the celebrated Welsh author Mererid Hopwood, Lowri flourished under expert tuition and successfully earned her degree, followed by a PGCE.
After gaining valuable experience at Ysgol Bro Helyg and Ysgol Cwm Gwyddon, placements she thoroughly enjoyed, Lowri has come full circle. This September, she returns to her roots as the newly appointed Welsh teacher at Newbridge Comprehensive, the very school where her journey began.
鈥淚 want to inspire people to feel like me, we鈥檙e Welsh so I needed to speak Welsh.鈥� Lowri starts, 鈥淭here are so many social and cultural events and people are missing out on so much.鈥�
What鈥檚 the future going to look like for Lowri?
鈥淚鈥檇 like to start lessons in the area and help people fall in love with the language the same as I have, I just don鈥檛 understand why you wouldn鈥檛 love that we have our own beautiful language and want to speak it.鈥�
Wishing Lowri every success in her new role鈥攜our passion and dedication continue to inspire and shape the Welsh speakers of tomorrow. Diolch o galon for being such a powerful advocate for our language and culture!
If you have a nomination for the Welsh honour list, then let us know following this link: and we鈥檒l be in touch.
Fore more information on how you can start your own journey: