The May 2022 student of the month at Ignite Christian Academy (ICA) is Nistreanu Valeria, a 5th grade student from Romania. Whether working on her family’s farm or her homework, the first-year ICA student has shown a dedication to giving her best effort.
“Valeria is a hard-working student who truly wants to learn and succeed,” Katie Phillips wrote in nominating Nistreanu for this month’s honor. “She is always willing to seek help when she doesn’t understand. Whenever we meet, she is kind and respectful. I always LOVE working with her. The other thing I appreciate about Valeria is her thoroughness in her responses. Valeria never cuts corners. Every response is in complete sentences and is enriching to read.”
My ICA Story
This is my first year at Ignite Christian Academy. Our family wanted us to homeschool for a long time, and last summer we made the decision that we needed to start. We enrolled at Ignite Christian Academy because we knew this was the right decision our family should make. We saw God’s guidance throughout this adventurous journey of homeschooling.
Why I Love ICA
My favorite part of online learning is that I can meet with my teachers or enter the support room whenever I need help. I also like that the teachers are funny, and they are there to help me.
My Favorite Subject
My favorite subject is math because there is always a single correct answer and also because I like going through the steps for solving a question or problem. I feel very accomplished after understanding a lesson.
My Family
I have two older siblings, my 14-year-old brother Daniel (he is very funny) and my 28-year-old sister Virginia (she’s a dentist, but also knows how to have fun with us). We like laughing together more than anything else. We sometimes play social games such as Activity, Solo, and other fun sit-down games. Sometimes we paint together too. My siblings are a very big blessing, and we are all really close.
We live on a big farm with a Jersey cow which I can milk on my own, two baby bulls, fourteen pigs, many chickens, five turkeys, two dogs, and five cats. They all get along really well together. One of the cats is named Quentin, and he is white with blue eyes. He is my dearest cat because I have grown him since day one after his mom abandoned him. I had to take care of him and feed him with a baby cat bottle multiple times a day. I am glad to have so many animals!
My Life in Romania
We live in Transylvania in a small village where we are surrounded by mountains, rivers, and beautiful nature that could never get tedious. I lived in France for two months in a village called Montcuq, but last summer we got back to our home, in Romania.
Living in France was a midsummer dream! Montcuq is a small village that has almost a thousand years of history. The houses and streets are very old. The numerous streets are tight paths paved with stone. The width of some streets allows only one person to pass. Almost all buildings are made of old stone. The climate was so mild and pleasant. We also climbed the Tower of Montcuq, which was a part of the Castle of Montcuq built in the 12th century! It is like a time machine.
My Hobbies
In my free time, I like to laugh with my siblings and play with my cat named Quentin. I have a little routine of my own: enjoying a cup of my favorite earl gray tea at sunsets. I find it really pleasant. For a few months, I’ve been playing the guitar. Because I like to improve my artistic eye, I try to keep in touch with the latest fashion trends, even though sometimes I really disapprove. I also just like to have fun outdoors.
My Dream Job
I want to be an ophthalmologist because I think eyes are the most interesting part of the body. I also want to be able to offer the best treatment for my family.
My Goals
My goal for junior high and high school is to learn well and understand the concepts. Since I am 12 and in the 5th grade, I really want to challenge myself to finish high school earlier. Something I really want to happen is to go to a physical graduation in the USA with my family. It is not a plan, but a very big wish!
My Words of Wisdom
Tell God all of your problems, needs, blessings, and even your sorrows. Try your best to be a good child of God! Also, don’t be afraid to enter a new lesson you think you might not understand. Be faithful in God, and remember, everything takes practice for understanding!
“Rejoice evermore. Pray without ceasing. In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you” (1 Thessalonians 5:16-18).