69 Talented Students from Agricultural High Schools Across Romania Celebrated at National Olympiad

Miercurea Ciuc, April 23–27, 2025 — A total of 69 outstanding students representing 34 agricultural high schools from across the country successfully completed the National Olympiad in the Curricular Area of Technologies – Agriculture Domain, hosted by the “Venczel József” Technological High School in Miercurea Ciuc.

This year, Miercurea Ciuc became a central hub for national Olympiads, hosting several competitions that brought together students from all over Romania. One of the most significant for agricultural education was the National Olympiad in Technologies – Agriculture, with a focus on Animal Husbandry and Plant Cultivation.

The event gave young competitors a valuable opportunity to showcase both their theoretical knowledge and practical skills in domains such as veterinary medicine, soil science, and plant pathology. Students were tested on a wide range of topics, from identifying and administering veterinary medications and animal anatomy, to measuring soil temperature and diagnosing plant diseases and pests.

World Vision Romania congratulated all participants for their efforts and achievements and expressed deep appreciation for the teachers guiding these students.

“The National Agricultural Olympiad is a crucial step in training the next generation of agricultural specialists – essential for Romania’s and the world’s sustainable development.”

Winners and Honorable Mentions

Animal Husbandry – 11th Grade

• First Prize: Claudia Deea Georgiana Oprinescu – Liceul Tehnologic de Industrie Alimentară Arad (Arad County)
• Second Prize: Ana Maria Zamfir – Liceul Tehnologic “Ghenuță Coman”, Murgeni (Vaslui County)
• Third Prize: Roxana Elena Comanci – Colegiul “Emil Negruțiu” Turda (Cluj County)
• Honorable Mentions:
• Bendeguz-Alpár Illés – Liceul Tehnologic “Apor Péter” Târgu Secuiesc (Covasna)
• Mihai Ștefan Lazăr – Colegiul Național de Agricultură și Economie Tecuci (Galați)
• Daiana Mariana Timanoți – Liceul Tehnologic Agricol “Alexiu Berinde” Seini (Maramureș)
• Maia Alessia Lintiș – Colegiul pentru Agricultură și Industrie Alimentară “Țara Bârsei” Prejmer (Brașov)

Plant Cultivation – 11th Grade

• First Prize: Nectaria Andreea Păduraru – Liceul Tehnologic Vladia (Vaslui County)
• Second Prize: Mădălin Florin Stoleri-Pricop – Liceul Tehnologic “Jacques M. Elias”, Sascut (Bacău)
• Third Prize: Elena Bădărău – Liceul Tehnologic Vladia (Vaslui)
• Honorable Mentions:
• Ana Maria Iacob – Colegiul Național de Agricultură și Economie Tecuci (Galați)
• Dumitru Moșniagu – Colegiul Agricol și de Industrie Alimentară “Vasile Adamachi” Iași
• Elena Lăcrămioara Tubac – Colegiul Agricol și de Industrie Alimentară “Vasile Adamachi” Iași
• Ștefan Gabriel Diaconescu – Liceul Tehnologic “Peter Băniță” Călărași (Dolj)

Animal Husbandry – 12th Grade

• First Prize: Aida Andreea Manolache – Liceul Tehnologic “Ghenuță Coman”, Murgeni (Vaslui)
• Second Prize: Andreea Iulia Blaj – Colegiul pentru Agricultură și Industrie Alimentară “Țara Bârsei” (Brașov)
• Third Prize: Ioana Maria Oprea – Colegiul pentru Agricultură și Industrie Alimentară “Țara Bârsei” (Brașov)
• Honorable Mentions:
• Irina Maria Eduțanu – Liceul Tehnologic Agricol “Olga Sturdza”, Miroslava (Iași)
• Nicoleta Denisa Mandiuc – Liceul “Andronic Motrescu”, Rădăuți (Suceava)

Plant Cultivation – 12th Grade

• First Prize: Maria Cristina Lavric – Liceul Tehnologic Vladia (Vaslui)
• Second Prize: Ion Cucu – Colegiul “Vasile Lovinescu” Fălticeni (Suceava)
• Third Prize: Onisim Daniel Pomian – Liceul Tehnologic Agricol “Alexiu Berinde” Seini (Maramureș)
• Honorable Mentions:
• Damian Robert Radu – Liceul Tehnologic Agricol “Mihai Novac”, Oravița (Caraș-Severin)
• Vasilică Alessio Plăeșu – Liceul Tehnologic “Jacques M. Elias”, Sascut (Bacău)

Voices from the Community

Prof. Both Gyárfás-Csaba, Director of “Venczel József” Technological High School:

“This is the first time the National Agricultural Olympiad is held at our school and in Miercurea Ciuc. We are delighted to meet representatives of agricultural high schools from across Romania and hope to build long-term collaborations and student exchanges.”

Daniela Farcaș, World Vision Romania:

“It’s heartening to see so many young people passionate about agriculture. These students and their dedicated teachers value a field that’s vital to our economy and well-being. We hope they seize the agribusiness opportunities within their communities.”

Conf. Univ. Dr. Mihai Buta, President of the Evaluation Committee (USAMV Cluj-Napoca):

“The Olympiad was held in excellent conditions. I thank the teachers and Harghita County School Inspectorate for their remarkable support in organizing this event.”

Building the Future of Romanian Agriculture

This Olympiad highlighted the importance of agricultural education as a pillar for Romania’s economic future and food security. Over five days, students made new friends, exchanged innovative ideas, and shared their professional aspirations—strengthening the national community of future farmers and agronomists.

Participating schools included 34 agricultural high schools from every region of Romania, many of which are part of the “Growing through Agricultural Education” (CEA) program — a joint initiative by World Vision Romania, Civitas Foundation, Junior Achievement Romania, CRPE, and supported by the Romanian-American Foundation.

Over the past decade, the CEA Consortium has supported agricultural high schools in becoming modern, practice-oriented educational hubs, improving teaching methods, business partnerships, e-learning solutions, and public policies in agricultural education.