American is best Welsh learner; Meggan began with wedding vow.

Byline: ERYL CRUMP 

AN American teacher who had never heard of Wales let alone Welsh has been named as the Welsh Learner of the Year for 2009.

Ohio-born Meggan Lloyd Prys was awarded the prestigious title at the National Eisteddfod.

The 29-year-old, who now lives in Rhiwlas near Bangor said she started learning the language the day she arrived in Wales, three years ago.

She came to Wales after meeting her husband-to-be Cynog while studying in America.

But after setting up home at Rhiwlas, she set herself the challenge of taking her wedding vows in Welsh - less than a month later.

She said: It started after I met my Cynog while both of us were studying in Ohio and he had been awarded a scholarship to promote Welsh culture.

We only spent a month together in the States.

"Then after a year I moved here and started learning the language the day I arrived."

She described learning the language as "not very difficult" but that it took a long time.

"I have no background of learning languages - I tried to learn French at school - but now I hear Welsh spoken every day, I use Welsh every day and the key message is stick at it.

"I think it's very important to go out and use the language," she said Meggan works as a classroom assistant at Ysgol Llanfairpwll putting her language skills to the test everyday.

Her family are delighted at her success and have been following the pro-gresof the Eisteddfod at home online.

She was the only overseas competitor in the event this year: the three others were all originally from England.

Meggan added: It''s a really special competition because it shows people are able to learn to a high standard and live and work through the medium of Welsh.

As well as being named the learner of the year, she won pounds 300 and a trophy in memory of author Marged Jones, from Bala, who died earlier this year.

The others shortlisted were John Burton, originally from Crewe, but now living in Penmachno; Zoe Morag Pettinger from Fareham, but now living in Aberystwyth and Dominic Gilbert, originally from Manchester but living in Beaumaris. They received the Finalists Prize, presented by the Learners of Bala, and pounds 100.

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Meggan Lloyd Prys from Rhiwlas - and originally Ohio - has been named Welsh learner of the year Picture: ARWYN ROBERTS AR060809Eist-192