Through the Support Fund for Talented High School Students “Talents Today – Leaders Tomorrow,” Macedonia2025 supports young people who demonstrate exceptional dedication, talent, and potential. The program provides not only financial support but also mentorship, professional guidance, and opportunities for personal development, helping students grow into future leaders and innovators.

One of these inspiring scholars is Iva Davidovska, a third-year student at “Gjorche Petrov” High School in Kriva Palanka, whose achievements span science, art, public speaking, and cultural engagement.

A Student with Curiosity Across Disciplines

Iva is a hardworking and determined student who consistently maintains excellent academic performance while actively participating in competitions, projects, and community events.

Her interests range widely across physics, biology, mathematics, and the English language, as well as art, culture, and public speaking.

Among her most notable achievements are:

• 4th Place at the National English Oratory Competition at the American University in Bulgaria (2025)
• Special Award for Artistic Expression at the National Art Competition in Raška, Serbia
• 2nd Place at the Regional Physics Competition
• 2nd Place at the National Biology Competition
• Strong results in several English language competitions

These accomplishments reflect her passion for learning and her ability to excel in multiple disciplines.

A Passion for Science and Discovery

Throughout the academic year, Iva actively participated in a number of scientific competitions and educational initiatives.

At the municipal competitions in physics and biology, she won first prizes in both subjects, qualifying for the regional competitions.

A particularly important milestone was her participation in the 47th “Young Physicists” School at the Institute of Physics, Faculty of Natural Sciences and Mathematics in Skopje, where she presented an experiment titled “Li-Fi – Data Transmission Using Light.” Her presentation attracted strong interest from the evaluation committee and earned her second prize.

Iva also participated in the Women in STEM Inspiration Workshop – Europe House Kriva Palanka, where she had the opportunity to learn from engineers, mentors, and researchers from the Faculty of Natural Sciences and Mathematics, the Global Engineer Girls initiative, and STEM Robotics Kočani. The workshop helped her gain valuable insights into STEM careers and strengthened her motivation to pursue engineering studies.

Additionally, she competed in the BEST IN ENGLISH 2025 International Competition, which involved more than 31,000 students from 33 countries, achieving an excellent result in the global ranking.

Art as Another Form of Expression

Beyond science, Iva has a strong artistic side. With the scholarship’s support, she invested in high-quality art materials, enabling her to expand her artistic practice and build a larger collection of paintings.

In December 2025, she participated in the First Exhibition of Non-Academic Local Artists in Kriva Palanka, where she proudly presented her artwork as the youngest participating artist.

Recently, she has also begun exploring icon painting, discovering new artistic techniques and spiritual themes that allow her to develop her creativity further. See more: https://www.instagram.com/_dailyart_iva/

A Voice for Ideas and Culture

Iva is equally engaged in cultural and public speaking activities.

During the “Oratory Evening” organized by her school, she delivered a speech on corruption and ethics, inspired by contemporary social issues, earning recognition and praise from the organizers.

Beyond academic and artistic activities, she is also dedicated to preserving cultural heritage. As a member of the Folklore Ensemble “Folkloristi,” she has participated in several cultural events, including:

1. International Folklore Festival “Autumn Fruits” – Podareš (2nd place with her ensemble)
2. International Folklore Festival “Maleševo Sings and Dances 2025” – Mikrevo, Bulgaria
3. Traditional Cultural Festival “Ratevski Bamburci”

These performances allowed her to proudly represent Macedonian traditions through music and dance.She also attended the European Heritage Days Event – Kriva Palanka Museum, where she explored the cultural history of her region through exhibitions and interactive activities.

Mentorship and Inspiration for the Future

Through the Macedonia2025 scholarship program, Iva is also part of the mentorship initiative, working with mentors who support her academic and professional development.

Because of her strong interest in aerospace engineering, one of her mentors connected her with two aerospace engineers, allowing her to learn about the profession firsthand and discuss potential career paths. This experience greatly motivated her to pursue ambitious goals in the field of engineering.

Looking Toward the Future

Iva dreams of becoming either an architect or an aerospace engineer, combining her analytical strengths with her creativity. She strongly believes that: “Education is a privilege, and hard work and determination are the foundation for building a brighter future.”

Through her dedication, curiosity, and passion for learning, Iva represents exactly what the “Talents Today – Leaders Tomorrow” program strives to support: young individuals who will shape the future of their communities and the country.

Iva’s story reminds us that when talent meets opportunity, extraordinary things can happen.