According to the adopted methodology of the competition for the “Professor Borivoje Jelic” award, after the selected works are deciphered, we publish them in their entirety, as well as short biographies of their authors.

Award-winning works and biographies of authors

Sara Tomasevic, Nikolina Matovic, and Nadja Miletic have won a cash prize in the amount of 10.000 (ten thousand) Serbian dinars.

Code: Zvezdica123

Blank, unwritten white pages - isn't that the image of someone who has just come into the world? And yet, there are so many combinations of letters, words, and sentences patiently waiting to be written onto a handful of white sheets. However, they need a meaningful order, structure, and stability so that chaos and confusion don’t take over, making it hard to find a way out. They need direction. In all our lives, that direction is given by our parents.

Parents are two people who, out of love, decide to start a family and, through their children, in whom their traits intertwine in unique ways, somehow continue their lives and love. These are people who have taken on a very important and difficult task: to give someone life and then help them find the right path in it. To pass on their knowledge and experiences, to teach what is right and what is not, to turn something that seems “impossible” into possible - these are just some parts of that task. There is much more to it, but the essence is that parents are the most important figures in everyone’s life, and their presence is truly invaluable. They are the only ones we can be sure love us unconditionally and want the best for us. Even when their lectures seem annoying or tiring, it is important to listen. I believe that every person holds at least one parental lesson deeply etched in their memory.

For me, that lesson would be: “Do not repay evil with evil.” I believe that every healthy person, fully aware of themselves and the world around them, has no need to do harm. Such a person is in harmony with their thoughts, their pace of life, and everything that happens around them. I also believe that upbringing from an early age plays a key role in shaping this. In addition to that, experience. Of course, life doesn’t always bring pleasant things, but I think it’s important to know how to deal with that. Once again, it’s the parent who can help us best - they are always there, they’ve already gone through certain things, and they’ve learned what’s best to take away from them. They can offer advice, but the decision is ours.

It has happened to me many times, and still does, that people harm me for no reason. They act in ways that completely contradict what I believe to be healthy human behavior. When that happens, I get confused because I don’t expect to receive what I don’t give. Often, that would lead to tears and exhausting self-doubt, as I didn’t know how to react or what to do. But when I share the problem or sadness with someone, I realize I feel better, and that there is indeed a solution. As my mother would say: “Those people are already unhappy, and their actions are just a reflection of that, a reflection of their soul, which is filled with pain; and if you repay them the same way, it won’t matter to them, because their soul has no room left, but you will bring your own soul one step closer to theirs.” That really made me think, and I realized she was right. You should distance yourself from such people and leave them alone, for your own peace and well-being. One day, they may find someone like themselves and realize their actions were wrong, or maybe they won’t. Either way, if we put ourselves first, we’ll know what we need to do and just continue with our lives and our thoughts, far away from what we could have become through contact with such people.

There are many more lessons and pieces of wisdom from our parents that have influenced me, and I believe many others as well. There are things we’ve picked up from them that should always be on our minds in every moment and every situation in life, to help us make the right choice and protect ourselves. No matter how old you are, pay attention and listen to your parents. Cherish them, because without them, life wouldn’t be even half of what it is.

Biography of Sara Tomasevic

Sara Tomasevic is a fourth-year student in the natural sciences and mathematical department at the High School in Nova Varos. Throughout her education, she has participated in competitions in Serbian and French languages, as well as in the natural sciences.

Code: Кamen123

It was a cloudy morning. I finally got up after my mom called me for the third time. My eyes were barely open, but enough to see my brother already sitting at the edge of the bed, completely ready. I never really understood why he loved going to the village so much.

I was ten years old, and like every other weekend, I was going to the village with my family. It was always hard for me, because I knew the field would be full those two days, and I wouldn’t be there. A few times I even tried to get out of the trip by pretending I had a stomachache or felt sick, but it never worked.

There was silence in the car as we drove. Dad was focused on the road, Mom was dozing off, and my brother and sister were staring thoughtfully into the distance. Suddenly, Dad broke the silence by asking what we wanted to be when we grew up. My brother immediately shouted that he would be a famous football player, while my sister was torn between becoming a doctor or a teacher. I stayed quiet, shyly. Everyone was waiting for my answer. Then Dad asked, “What about you, little one?” I calmly said, “I don’t know.” He turned to me, surprised, and said, “It’s impossible that you’ve never thought about it.” And he was right. I had always thought about how I would love to explore space, the planets, the stars... I just thought they would laugh at me, that it sounded silly and unrealistic. I quietly whispered, “You’re right.” That’s when I decided to tell my family what my dream job would look like. Then Dad looked at me with mild frustration and asked, “Why didn’t you say that right away, instead of making us pull the words out of you?” With tears in my eyes, I said it was impossible. Suddenly, he smiled gently and looked at me with care. “If you could imagine it, then it’s possible. Dreams are like thread - they often slip through your fingers, but they can be caught, especially if you work hard. First, you must always believe in yourself, and you know you’ll always have our support. Persistence and diligence are the keys to success. Big goals come with big sacrifices, you need to know that. When you feel like all is lost, that’s exactly when you need to prove otherwise.” He sounded so sure of his words that I couldn’t help but believe him. For a moment, I thought about how silly my words had sounded just before. He looked at me again and said: “There are no limits. Nothing is impossible. What would a person be without dreams and pushing boundaries? We believe in you.”

A lot of time has passed since then. My dreams have changed. But I still hear my father’s words echoing in my head, even now, as I write this. I know I can do anything. And I won’t let him down.

Biography of Nikolina Matovic

Nikolina Matovic, a fourth-year student of the natural sciences and mathematical department of the gymnasium, stands out for her participation in sports and academic competitions, particularly in mathematics, Serbian, and Russian.

Code: Zvono

Family – the foundation of every society. Parents - our support throughout life, and those who gave us life by God’s will. From our very first cry, from our first steps – they are always there for us, to give us love and guidance – our parents. They are here to lead us through life, to give everything for us, just to make sure we are well and lacking nothing.

The Church teaches exactly these values: that the father should be a protective figure, and the mother always present to offer tenderness and care. Along with that comes prayer. My parents brought me closer to the Church from an early age. I owe my deepest gratitude to my mother. I started fasting at the age of six – just a little, to begin with. First it was only the first week, then the first and the last, and so on, step by step – the same way faith is built, my will to grow spiritually was built. And now, for several years, I have been dedicating myself to each of the four Great Fasts. Wednesdays and Fridays are non-negotiable. Prayer to God is a part of my daily life. I am deeply grateful to my parents for bringing me into communion with God. They teach me not to commit any of the seven deadly sins. Every one of us, as human beings, has inherited the sin of our first ancestors – Adam and Eve. All other sins are our own doing or the doing of our ancestors, passed down as unrepented sins. They advise me not to envy, not to be greedy, not to harm others, not to lie, not to steal – in short, to avoid everything that goes against the principles of the Church. There are many life lessons I receive from them, and I try to absorb them like a sponge. I know they won’t be with me for my entire life and that we will all eventually leave “this world,” which is why I strive to live my life as closely as possible to God – so that I may earn a place in the “Heavenly Kingdom.” The path isn’t easy, but with the love and support of my parents – everything becomes easier. Everything happens for a reason, by God’s will, and for every hardship and sorrow, any kind of trouble, we should turn to the Lord – and He will find the best solution. Always, for everything. That is the lesson I will remember for the rest of my life. I often hear it from my mother, especially during hard times when I need comfort. I also often hear it during liturgies, from our priests. I will remember other lessons that were part of my upbringing, but I believe this one will remain especially enduring and unforgettable in my heart. It is the most important because we should not stress or worry about anything – everything will pass, all of it – and with this advice, everything becomes more bearable.

In difficult times, turn to God – that is salvation and the path to every deliverance. That is the principle I live by, and I “walk straight on my path.” I have no doubt that the Lord has the best plans for us. I move forward in life firmly believing in that.

Biography of Nadja Miletic

Nadja Miletic is a third-year student at the High School in Nova Varos and a long-time member of a folklore ensemble. She stands out for winning numerous awards in art competitions as well as subject-based competitions in mathematics and Serbian Language.

Members of the Managing Board warmly congratulates all the award winners and wishes them to continue multiplying the talents that God has given them. We thank all participants of this year's literary competition for the “Professor Borivoje Jelic” award for their participation, and we wish them success in winning awards in future competitions.

We extend our special thanks to principal Branka Rakonjac and the teaching staff of the High School Nova Varos for their willingness to collaborate and for the effort they invested to ensure that the competition was held in accordance with all the rules and standards applicable to this field.