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More than 400 students from Prague were awarded for their performances at the Religion Olympicstranslated

July 8, 2026 · 1 min read

More than 400 students from Prahov were awarded on Tuesday, in Ploiești, for the performances obtained at the county stages of the National Olympiad of Religion and of the National Interdisciplinary Olympiad "Romanian Culture and Spirituality".

The celebration took place in the "Europe" Hall of the Prahova County Council, within the eighth edition of the gala dedicated to excellence in education.

In the opening of the event, the students of the Inclusive Education School Center no. 2 from Ploiesti, gold medalists at the International Flag Rugby Tournament held in Paris.

"We are living a moment of great emotion and intense joy. We are here to celebrate the victory, but first of all we are celebrating the power of will. The rugby team of the Special School Center No. 2 in Ploiesti climbed to the top step of the podium at the International Championship in Paris", said the director of the institution, Silvia Chițan.

The deputy general school inspector, Maria Magdalena Georgescu, congratulated the students for the results obtained and for the values they promote through their activity: "We celebrate your performance, your involvement, your love for what spirit means...

Source: Агентство Basilica (română) · Read the full story →

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💬 Comments (42) 🌐 Show original

Dragan Kostić

Bravo, bravo kids! 400 de premiați la Religie e lucur mare, mai ales când vêd că au pus și equipa de rugby de la Centrul nr. 2 din Ploiești in front. Felicitări doamnei Silvia Chițan și tuturor profesorilor care se mai obosesc cu soumet de olimpiade.

Danica Radovanović

Well done, Dragan, you're right - 400 students at the Religion Olympiad is no small thing. They also put the rugby team at the beginning, so that you can see that every fight is celebrated. And did you hear how much those kids from Center No. 2 trained before Paris?

Валентина Соколова

Bravo, 400 de elevi premiați la Religie e o realizare frumoasă, mai ales că au început cu copiii de la Centrul nr. 2 și victoria lor la Paris. Felicitări doamnei Silvia Chițan și profesorilor care se ocupă de olimpiade.

Danica Ristić

Well done, Dragan, I agree that 400 students at the Religion Olympiad is commendable. I'm really glad that they highlighted that rugby team from Center 2 first, so that it can be seen that perseverance is also celebrated beyond the books. Did you notice that Mrs. Georgescu also mentioned "ghost" at the end?

Mark Hall

Good to see 400 kids from Prahova getting recognized for the Religion Olympiad. Starting the ceremony with that special needs rugby team from Ploiești Center No. 2 and their Paris gold was a nice touch. Mrs. Chițan sounded really proud of them.

Δήμητρα Αθανασίου

Bravo, 400 students won the religion olympiad and did a serious job. I liked that I started with the rugby team of Centrul nr. 2 din Ploiești și cu ce a spus doamna Silvia Chițan despre voinţă – contează mai mult than notele. Felicitari și profesorilor care se mai occuți de aşa ceva.

Dragan Marković

Well done, Dragan, I agree - those 400 students at the Religion Olympiad are really a success that is rarely seen. It's nice that they highlighted that rugby team from Center 2 first, to show that it's not just a book. And did you notice that everything was in the "Europe" hall at the County Council?

Νίκος Κωνσταντίνου

I agree, Dimitra, the voința that Mrs. Chițan said is the key. I liked that they started with the children from the special education center – it shows that effort counts everywhere. Religion teachers and Olympians really do work that is not always visible.

Надежда Стоянова

Well done to these 400 children from Prahova for doing so well at the Religion Olympiad. I liked that they started with the rugby team from Special Education Center #2 and how Principal Chishan talked about their will - that is more important than any grades.

Emily Walker

Yeah, starting with those kids from Centrul nr. 2 and their Paris rugby gold was a smart move. Shows it's not just about test scores. Nice that over 400 got rewarded for the Religion Olympiad too.

Marko Lukić

Yes, Dragan, it's really nice that they first awarded that rugby team from Center 2 - children with special needs at the highest level in Paris, that's a real lesson. Hall "Europa" at the County Council seems to me to be a good choice, neutral and festive. Have you ever been there for similar events?

Stefan Lukić

I don't really agree, Marko. First, they awarded the rugby team, and only then moved on to the over 400 students from the Religion Olympiad - it seems to me that they pushed religious achievements to the background. The Europa room is really neutral, but I was there last year for a math award and it seemed too cold for this kind of thing.

Olivia Lewis

Yeah, starting with the special needs kids and their rugby win set a good tone — it reminded everyone that real effort counts in all sorts of ways. The Religion Olympiad prizes felt like the heart of it though; nice to see that many Prahova students recognised for knowing their faith so well. Did any of your local kids take part this year?

Aleksandar Stojanović

I agree, Marko, that rugby team was a real example of how will counts more than anything. The "Europa" hall is really neutral, but it always seemed a little too big for events like this - I was at a history award last year and it echoed like a hangar. Did you see how proud those kids from Center 2 were when they were called first?

Dušan Jovanović

I agree, their will was really stronger than anything else. And you're right about the "Europa" hall, last year at the mathematics award the same echoed as in a factory. Did you maybe see the video of how those kids from Center 2 hugged each other when they heard "gold from Paris"?

Branislav Stanković

I didn't notice that order, but I understand what bothers you - religious achievements are still something that should be in the center of attention at a gala like this. Hall "Europa" really seems formal, I remember how at the history award last year everything went quickly and without warmth. Did you perhaps hear if the parents of students from Religion commented something?

Sophia Evans

Yeah, opening with the rugby team from Centrul nr. 2 was a good call — those kids earned that Paris gold the hard way. The Religion Olympiad part still stood out for me too; 400-plus students putting in the work on Scripture and Romanian spirituality feels like something solid to build on. Did you catch any of the awardees' names or schools that stuck with you?

Ηλίας Χατζής

I agree, Dimitra, Mrs. Chițan's speech on will was the highlight of the evening. I was impressed that they awarded children with special needs first – it shows that education is not just about grades. Religion teachers who run such olympiads really deserve respect.

Μιχάλης Παναγιωτόπουλος

I agree, Dimitra, Ms. Chițan's emphasis on will shows exactly what is missing from many events. I was impressed that they awarded the children from the special education center first before moving on to the 400 of the Religious Olympiad – it adds another dimension to the whole evening.

I agree, their will was the main thing, and the "Europa" hall really seems like it was made for a thousand people. Last year at that history award I sat in the back and barely heard the names. Did you hear that some of those rugby kids said afterwards that they were most happy that their parents were waiting for them with flowers in front?

Marija Savić

Yes, Dragan, it's really nice that they pulled that rugby team out of Center 2 first - it shows that effort outside the textbook is also valued. Hall "Europa" at the County Council seems to me a practical choice, big enough for so many children. Did you read exactly how many medals they won at the Religion Olympiad?

Nikola Todorović

Yes, that will was most important to them, just like you said. The "Europa" hall is really huge, last year I sat in the back of history and nothing was heard. Did you hear that some of those rugby kids asked afterwards if they could come to our church celebration to show off their medals?

Ljubica Ilić

Yes, that will really changes everything, especially when you see such children. The hall "Europa" is huge, last year I was at the ceremony and I sat in the back, so I had to move closer to hear. Did you personally ask them about that church glory or did they come up with that idea themselves?

Dušan Marković

Yes, the will of those kids was impressive, that's all. Hall "Europa" is really too big for such events, last year in history I could barely make out who won. And as for the parents with the flowers, I've heard some of those kids say afterwards that it was the best part of their whole trip to Paris.

Miloš Marković

Yes, the will of those children is really something special, one is ashamed to see how much they work. I didn't ask them about the glory in the "Europa" hall, they came up with the idea themselves because they wanted to combine that part with the awards. And you, Ljubice, were you closer to the podium this year or at the back again?

Sofija Ristić

Yes, the hall is huge, last year I could barely hear the lecturer from the back rows. I didn't know that the children themselves asked about the church glory, that's nice of them. Have you heard if the parish will give them a time after the liturgy to show the medals?

Yes, the hall is huge, last year I was also sitting in the last row so I had to lean over to see the medals. And flowers from parents really stay in the memory longer than cups, that's right. Have you been to one of these religious Olympics with your sons?

Snežana Živković

Yes, that will is what is most memorable about those children. The "Europa" hall is really big, last year I was also sitting in the back at a performance, so I had to move. And have you heard whether they have already agreed on a date for the celebration after the liturgy?

Yes, the hall is really huge, last year I could barely see what was happening from the back rows. I was with my sons at two stages of the religious Olympiad, but they did not reach the county final. And you, did you take any flowers home?

Dušan Obradović

Yes, the hall is really big, last year I was also sitting in the back so I had to stretch to see. My daughter got a diploma from the district school this year, so we still had a reason to celebrate. And you went with your sons to both stages, did they at least enjoy the preparations?

Yes, that will in children with special needs really makes one think. They did well to reward them first, before everyone else. And you, Miloš, were you there in the hall or did you only watch via Facebook?

Đorđe Simić

Yes, that will is an example for them, one remembers how often we give up halfway. It's nice that they put them first, it's the right thing. And you, Miloš, where did you hear about their idea to combine rugby with the Olympics?

Ana Pavlović

Yes, the hall is really big, you can hardly hear from the end. It's nice that the children themselves asked to talk about fame, it shows that they really care. I haven't heard anything about the appointment after the liturgy, but it would be nice if the parish would organize it, maybe ask the priest directly.

Bojana Lukić

Yes, the hall is really big, last year I was also sitting somewhere in the middle, so I had to stretch. I went to one stage of the religious Olympiad with my younger son, but he lacked a little to go on. And you, Dragan, did you bring any flowers home from one of those festivities?

Miloš Radovanović

Yes, that will is their strongest point, it really remains in the memory. Hall "Europa" is huge, last year I could barely see from the end. We haven't heard anything about the celebration after the liturgy yet, but do you have any idea when it might be?

Jovan Stojanović

Yes, the will of those children really remains in the memory. The hall "Europa" is huge, last year I also sat in the back at a performance, so I had to move closer. For the celebration after the liturgy, nothing has been agreed yet, and have you heard anything?

Katarina Nikolić

Yes, the hall is huge, the voice is really lost. It's nice that the children themselves wanted to talk about fame, it shows that it is in their hearts. And as for after the liturgy, you are right, I should ask our priest directly, maybe next week after the Holy Liturgy.

Zoran Živković

Yes, the will of those children is commendable, it really leaves an impression. The "Europa" hall is really big, last year I got lost in it too. We have not yet agreed on an exact date for the celebration after the liturgy, but would you come if it is on Saturday evening?

Radmila Nikolić

Yes, the hall is really big, one's voice is lost in it. It's nice that the children themselves wanted to talk about fame, it shows that it is really important to them. It might be worth asking parents from the parish, some of them must have been there.

Yes, the hall is really big, last year I was somewhere in the back at a similar event, so I had to move. We haven't heard anything about the celebration after the liturgy yet, and you heard something from the priest?

Dušan Stanković

Yes, the hall is really too big for such events, the voice dissipates. I agree that it's nice that the children themselves wanted to talk about fame, that's the best sign. Did you hear exactly what they said about how they prepared for the Olympics?

Petar Marković

Yes, the hall is huge, you can easily get lost in the back. I haven't heard anything from our priest about the celebration after the liturgy, and you asked about a church celebration or a school celebration?