Student of the Year recovers from serious illness to be offered place at Cambridge University

DELYTH ROBERTS recovered from serious illness to be offered a place at the University of Cambridge.

The 19 year-old, from Wrexham, has also been named Student of the Year for Coleg Cambria Yale in past weeks.

It is an incredible achievement given Delyth was diagnosed with Crohn’s Disease and forced to delay the start of her A Levels in 2017.

She returned to the college a year later to study History, Geography and English, and is now heading to the world-renowned Corpus Christi College in Cambridge, whose notable alumni include novelist Christopher Isherwood, actor Hugh Bonneville and Kevin McCloud, presenter of the TV show Grand Designs.

Born and raised in Wrexham, she has the full support of mum Jane, dad Gary, and brothers Celyn and Elis.

The former Ysgol Morgan Llwyd pupil paid tribute to staff at Yale Sixth Form and now looks forward to the next chapter in her academic journey on the History degree.

“When I was diagnosed with Crohn’s Disease this moment could not have been further from my mind,” said Delyth.

“I have recovered and feel completely well now, but I have to thank my family and the staff and tutors at Yale for everything they’ve done for me.”

She added: “I had the chance to attend summer school at Cambridge last year and that’s what made my mind up to apply, it is such an impressive place.

“That showed me it was an option for someone with my background, that I could get into a university like that – it is achievable and an option for students.”

The interview process alone was “very tough”, so she was thrilled to be offered a place earlier this year.

“There was a lot of preparation and it was quite intense, but I had help from the sixth form with the application and mock interviews,” said Delyth.

“When I got there, I felt ready, and speaking to the professors and academics made me feel at ease that I’d made the right decision to choose Cambridge.”

She hopes to pursue a career in law but admits there are many opportunities on the path she has chosen.

And she insists Cambria was definitely the stepping-stone needed to get to this point.

“When I left school, Cambria was the best option for me,” said Delyth.

“The facilities and resources are fantastic, and it was the natural next step before university.”

Simon Woodward, Head of Yale Sixth Form Centre, praised Delyth for the progress she has made since joining the college.

“To recover and then come back to work so hard and be named Student of the Year is fantastic; we are very proud of her,” he said.

“Delyth has been incredible, and very humble – she is an inspiration and we wish her every success in Cambridge.