By Gavin Mackintosh-
A Cambridge University student is celebrating being the youngest person to feature in this year’s new year’s honours list.
First year student, Dara McAnulty(pictured), expressed delight and honour to accept a British Empire Medal (BEM) for his work as a writer, naturalist and environmental activist in King Charles’ first New Year Honours list.
Announcing the news on Facebook, McAnulty wrote that he believes “the recognition encourages other young people that their voices are worthy and will be heard” and thanked those who have supported him: “I couldn’t continue my work without the encouragement and positivity I receive from so many — especially my brilliant family”.
The first-year Cambridge student was already a respected writer and activist before beginning his Cambridge course this October, becoming the youngest person ever to win a major literary prize in the UK when his debut Diary of a Young Naturalist was awarded the 2020 Wainwright prize.
McAnulty’s first book detailed his fourteenth year and his experience of nature as an autistic teenager facing the challenge of moving from one side of Northern Ireland to the other. He’s written two other books since — A Wild Child’s Book of Birds and Wild Child: A Journey Through Nature — all whilst juggling A-levels, activism and applying to Cambridge.
The young teenager is an example of extraordinary talent in the Uk, almost definitely nurtured in a responsible home by very intelligent, focused and ambitious parents. His story and drive is amongst those to be studied by this publication for research in understanding and tracing the passions and encouragements that produce some of the brightest and most inspiring minds of great achievers in Britain.
Talented youngsters fill Cambridge classrooms and halls of residence every year, having scored top marks in their A levels, a high percentage also top performers in their G.C.S.E’s. Among the pool of bright students are different levels ambition and aspirations . They vary widely in their long term goals and ambitions, but most are already intellectually mature and driven.
Several Cambridge academics also received honours, including economists Sir Partha Dasgupta and Dr Graham Gudgin CBE. In science, Professor Krishna Chatterjee was awarded a CBE, and Elizabeth Blane an MBE.
Acting vice-chancellor Dr Anthony Freeling offered his “warmest congratulations” to those honoured, saying “it’s gratifying to see dedicated service acknowledged and rewarded in this way.”
Cambridge is one of the very best Universities in the Uk, somewhat in the same league as Oxford University, with top rate teachers and very well grounded motivated students.