A teenager with OCD has done herself proud and secured a place at her "dream university."
The 19-year-old from Wrexham has landed herself a place to study a degree in Classical Archaeology and Classical Civilisation at University College London from September. The exciting news came after completing her studies in Drama, Media, Classic Civilisation and Biology at Coleg Cambria Yale.
Faith, who lives with OCD, took the opportunity to spread awareness about the mental illness by capturing her journey on film with the help of her dad, Matthew. Faith lived with OCD for five years undiagnosed and said she will continue to share her story.
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The video, watched more than 120,000 times on the organisation's Facebook page landed her the prestigious title of BBC Wales Young Reporter of the Year in 2021. Thanking staff and students at Cambria for their support, she credited her dad, mum Donna-Marie and sister Evie as being a source of constant encouragement and positivity.
“I’ll definitely keep writing and sharing my story, especially for the many young people across the country who may be going through the same thing – it does help to know others are there for you and are able to help.”
The former Ysgol y Grango pupil said she's looking forward to the next few years of her studies. She explained: “I’m very excited – and scared – to be accepted to such a prestigious institution in London and grateful for the opportunity.
“UCL is my dream university so despite receiving offers from other places in the UK there was only one place I was ever going to go.”
She added: “I did a summer school with the Sutton Trust and Cambridge University last summer which really helped me narrow down archaeology as the right path for me, and then in the September I spent a week volunteering at the Roman Rossett dig with Wrexham Museum and Chester University.
“I'm not sure where the subject will take me but I'm happy to work in anything to do with heritage, conservation, academia, or fieldwork. I guess I'll see what happens, I just can’t wait to get started.”
Faith's studies won't be the only thing keeping her busy over the next year, however, having been selected to represent her city in the upcoming Miss Teen GB competition, with her place sponsored by the college.
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