Armenian Maria Vardanyan, who is only 16 years old, managed to surprise the Russians. She is a student at the Number 236 Secondary School named after Shchedrin in Moscow. She is one of the special students who has never received a 4 (B) as a grade. As someone who received perfect grades, Maria was able to get an education through state benefits- entirely paid for by the Russian state budget. English, history, social studies, physics… whenever there is a competition in any subject, the school chooses Maria to participate.
Maria is also the winner of a Russian inter-regional competition for research that was within the framework of a project implemented by the “Home of My Ancestors” program.
Maria’s mother, Margarita, proudly told Aravot Daily in an interview that she doesn’t remember how many certificates the family has received thanking them for raising such an Armenian child and for supporting her in her education.
Maria Vardanyan also graduated with honors from Moscow’s Handel Music Academy’s show choir. She has also received many awards as a musician. These awards have given her the opportunity to continue her education at several music academies. The professionals at the music academy had no doubts that Maria has a bright future in this field because they noticed her exceptional abilities. But Maria decided to follow her dreams. As strange as it may seem, she dreams of becoming a lawyer, translator, composer, scientist, auditor, and economist all at once. According to Maria, people, especially women, need to be accomplished and have several professions. She says, “Women should never depend on a man and live on a man’s behalf. I only depend on myself.”
Maria also received the most points on an English exam this year not only out of Moscow, but out of the whole region. Russians are surprised by the fact that the Armenian girl knows Russian better than they do. She also won many competitions for Russian.
It is also noteworthy that Maria, who was born and raised in Russia, wants to apply to the Hayordats Tun in Armenia. According to Armenia, “She came to Armenia several times and said that she has to come to school here and learn Armenian, even if it means she has to walk because the school is too far from home.” Now, Maria reads and writes in Armenian very well, and she is studying religion, culture, and geography. Maria is proud of her Armenian heritage.
