Scholar Success Story: Darija Kostovska – Building the Future Through Knowledge, Technology, and Creativity

Through the Support Fund for Talented High School Students “Talents Today - Leaders Tomorrow,” Macedonia2025 supports young people who demonstrate exceptional potential, dedication, and a commitment to continuous personal and academic growth.

One of these inspiring scholars is Darija Kostovska, a second-year student at Gymnasium “Kiril Pejchinovikj” in Tetovo. Passionate about mathematics, informatics, and emerging technologies, Darija has distinguished herself through academic excellence, participation in national and international competitions, and a strong desire to continuously expand her knowledge and skills.

Inspired by the opportunities that technology creates, she envisions her future as an engineer or programmer, combining analytical thinking, creativity, and innovation to contribute to society and solve real-world challenges.

A Year of Outstanding Achievements

The 2025/2026 academic year was filled with remarkable accomplishments for Darija, both in STEM disciplines and creative expression.

One of her earliest successes came at the 58th International Children’s Racin Meetings, where her original poetry was awarded Second Prize among more than 1,200 submissions from students across the region. This achievement demonstrated not only her academic abilities, but also her creativity and talent for written expression.

Her literary success continued later in the year when she earned another Second Prize at the national poetry competition “Poem and Essay -The Voice Against Violence,” organized as part of a project promoting safe school environments and youth awareness. Out of more than 900 entries submitted by high school students, Darija’s work was recognized among the best.

At the same time, she continued to excel in technology-related competitions. One of her most significant achievements was winning First Prize at the Third National Computational Thinking Competition, organized by New Corner, where she demonstrated advanced logical thinking, problem-solving abilities, and computational skills.

Her success extended to the international level as well. At the 3rd International Computational Thinking Competition, Darija earned a Bronze Certificate, further confirming her talent and potential in the fields of informatics and computer science.

Discovering the World of STEM and Cybersecurity

Throughout the year, Darija actively participated in several educational programs designed to encourage young women to pursue careers in STEM and technology.

As one of only fifteen selected students from her school, she took part in the CybHER Program -Empowering Women and Girls in Cybersecurity, supported by the British Council. Through workshops, mentoring sessions, and a national cybersecurity camp held in Ohrid, she gained valuable insight into the world of cybersecurity, digital safety, and technology careers. The experience allowed her to interact directly with professionals in the field and strengthened her confidence in pursuing a future in technology.

Darija also participated in the STEM Discovery Lab, a four-week educational program organized through the European initiative STREAM IT in cooperation with MIR Foundation. Through hands-on workshops, mentoring, and teamwork, she explored areas such as coding, robotics, and artificial intelligence while working alongside women already building successful careers in STEM. The program helped her further develop essential skills such as creativity, teamwork, public speaking, and presenting ideas before mentors and experts.

These experiences reinforced her belief that technology can be a powerful tool for innovation, problem-solving, and positive societal impact.

Passion for Science and Continuous Learning

Alongside her interests in informatics and programming, Darija also demonstrated strong achievements in the natural sciences.

She earned Third Prize at the Municipal Chemistry Competition, achieving the highest score among all students from her municipality and qualifying for the regional competition. At the regional level, she secured Second Place, advancing to the National Chemistry Competition, where she successfully represented her school and received official recognition for her participation.

These accomplishments highlight her ability to excel across multiple scientific disciplines while maintaining a strong academic record.

Her school also recognized her dedication and contribution by awarding her a special Certificate of Appreciation for Outstanding Commitment and Contribution to the Promotion of the School, a distinction she has received for consecutive years.

In addition, Darija received a special Recognition from the Municipality of Tetovo on the occasion of the Day of Saints Cyril and Methodius. Notably, only two such recognitions were awarded among students from all secondary schools in the municipality, making this honor particularly meaningful.

Mentorship and Personal Development

An important part of Darija’s journey this year was her participation in the Macedonia2025 mentorship program.

Reflecting on the experience, she emphasized how valuable the mentorship process was in helping her better understand future educational and career opportunities. Through regular discussions with her mentor, she explored different professional pathways, received guidance on personal development, and gained greater confidence in making future decisions.

She also highlighted the value of the MKMentor platform, which enabled students to connect directly with mentors whose expertise aligned with their interests and aspirations.

Darija on the “Talents Today - Leaders Tomorrow” Program

Reflecting on her experience as a scholar, Darija shared: “Participating in the ‘Talents Today - Leaders Tomorrow’ program was an experience that further strengthened my belief in the power of knowledge, dedication, and continuous development. Being surrounded by people who inspire and encourage you to strive for more is a privilege that leaves a lasting impression. Thanks to Macedonia2025, I became even more convinced that true success begins with continuous investment in oneself.”

For Darija, the scholarship represented much more than financial support - it was motivation to continue learning, developing her talents, and pursuing ambitious goals with confidence.

Looking Toward the Future

Looking ahead, Darija remains focused on expanding her knowledge in mathematics, informatics, artificial intelligence, and software development. Her experiences in computational thinking, cybersecurity, chemistry, and STEM education have helped her build a strong foundation for future academic and professional success.

She hopes to continue developing her programming skills, deepen her understanding of emerging technologies, and pursue a career that combines innovation, creativity, and problem-solving. With her strong foundation in mathematics, logical thinking, and computer science, she is steadily building the skills needed to become a future engineer, programmer, and innovator.

Darija’s story is a powerful reminder that when curiosity meets dedication, young people can create limitless opportunities for themselves and for the world around them.