When I first joined Gair Rhydd in the summer of 2023, there was no Spotlight Section. I pitched a 'Student Section' in my application that would showcase societies, student-focused activities and overall, cover something I believed the newspaper was missing. Thus, Spotlight was born.
Because of this section, I have had a wealth of incredible opportunities. I have had the privilege to interview and talk to people who otherwise I wouldn't have spoken to. I have interviewed the Concert Director for the Welsh National Opera, the Head of Student Development and the Cinema Programme Manager for Chapter Arts Centre, to name a few. I got to attend Winter Wonderland for free to cover the numerous activities available for students. I got to go backstage at the Welsh National Opera to watch a dress rehersal before the evening performance. Spotlight has allowed me to go places I would have never gone, allowed me to talk to people I would have never spoken to and for that, I could not be more grateful.
However, this section could not have been possible without all of you - the students! Your articles have always been to such a high quality and without you, this section would exist. As I climb the Gair Rhydd ladder to Editor-in-Chief next year, I will be leaving Spotlight in the very capable hands of Henry Moxon. I am so excited to see the future of this section and get to see all the oppotunities that will happen next year. I will miss this section but it has truly been the best.