Meet the heroes of #FreshFest16

From making candy floss to heading to Twycross Zoo, and from handing out paint powder to showing you the way to our Freshers Fair, there are some people who De Montfort Students’ Union (DSU)’s #FreshFest16 wouldn’t have been possible without.

Our team of Freshers Reps – all volunteers and current De Montfort University (DMU) students – came together last Thursday to celebrate a fantastic #FreshFest16 and so that we could say a massive thank you for all of their hard work.

Rachel Gnaniah was a Head Rep – which involved overseeing a handful of Freshers Reps – was named as Rep of the Year and said: “I’m honestly chuffed. I can’t believe it!

“I have no idea why [I was awarded it], I worked just as hard as everyone else – I guess that 7.30am start helping set up Freshers Fair made the difference! The whole thing was incredible – I loved it.”

And for those people thinking about volunteering for next year? “Do it! Just do it,” Rachel continued. “You get to meet loads of new people, it’s a great experience and it helps you grow and be more confident. Just throw yourself out there and do it.”

Rachel (right) was awarded Rep of the Year while Claire Marriot (left) was named as Rep’s Rep of the Year – both pictured with Chandini Patel, Freshers Rep Coordinator Frontrunner.

There are a variety of reasons to volunteer as a Freshers Rep, as Jamel Walfall explained. “I wanted to lend my experience from when I started uni,” he said. “When I started I was a bit shy – I wasn’t an outgoing, confident guy.

“I don’t want other students to feel like that and I wanted to give something back to others.

“The best event I volunteered at was the Activities Fair. Just seeing the amount of people, it looked like a major increase on last year.

“Plus it’s about everyone getting involved in something – which is what uni is all about.”

Fellow Freshers Rep and third-year student Henal Patel said: “The funniest moment was making the candyfloss at Welcome Weekend and getting it all stuck in my hair – oh my god! And on my eye lashes!

“It’s an experience. [Being a Freshers Rep] was so much more than I thought it was going to be – and I’ve made friends here that I’ll carry on seeing after university.

“I’ve really enjoyed mingling with everyone and making new friends.”

The heroes of #FreshFest16 celebrated at Walshy’s Sports Pad on Western Road last Thursday.

Arun Mahendra, who was a Freshers Rep for the second year running despite only being in his second year as a student, concluded: “Being a Head Rep this time round was a good opportunity as I got to know more about the events that were going on, meet more new people – and being in charge of a few people too!

“If you want to get to know new people, socialise with them then this is for you. I’ve met so many people that I didn’t know before and somehow we’ve all linked.

“But the highlight of #FreshFest16 for me has got to be the Freshers Fair – you got sooo many freebies!”