Around twenty Croatian students have qualified for the international competition in the knowledge of the English language, known as the Hippo Olympiad “English Without Borders”. The competition will bring together 250 finalists from a pool of approximately 88 thousand candidates in Assisi, Italy, in September. The HIPPO Olympiad is an international competition aimed at promoting English language learning, encouraging cooperation and competitiveness among young people, teachers, and mentors, as well as fostering tolerance and cultural exchange.
Among the Croatian students who qualified, the best performer was Ivano Radić from the Elementary School Pučiša. Ivano secured first place in the category for 7th and 8th grade students at the competition held in Lido di Jesolo, Italy. This achievement marked the only first place win for Croatia in the competition. The European qualifications saw participation from students representing 23 countries, with the finals in Assisi set to host around 250 finalists from all over the world. In total, over 88 thousand elementary and high school students took part in the qualifications.
“Ivano is a shining example of how hard work and dedication can lead to success, even for students from small towns. Competitions like these help to build independence, self-confidence, and critical thinking skills in children, while also exposing them to different cultures and perspectives,” said Ivano’s mentor, Srđana Vranjičić. She emphasized that participation in such competitions helps children develop important life skills that will serve them well in various aspects of their future endeavors.