For a class celebration, one of Teona’s professors suggested a fun exercise: each classmate should write something nice about their peers, so everyone can see how appreciated they are. The messages Teona received were very similar and can be summarized in three words: “ray of sunshine.”

Teona radiates positivity, in a way that just doesn’t let you be gloomy. Her openness is outward-facing and easy to recognize. Even her two-year-old nephew – her sister’s son – prefers playing with her over anyone else. He calls her Tona. 

Because of her lightheartedness, Teona can fit just about anywhere. The first two years of her high school career she spent in Rade Jovchevski - Korchagin, with a group of people she described as “creative and relaxed.” The following year, she transferred over to Orce Nikolov, where her friends were “disciplined – always with something to organize.” She’s close with both groups and, of course, will invite both of them to her farewell party before she leaves to India. 

As you might expect, Teona doesn’t always manage to be cheerful. She often needs space and time for herself, when she can recharge her “social battery.” In those moments, she might go for a walk by Vardar, with headphones in to disconnect, or she might take some yarn and start to knit – with the intention of using the finished product – typically a bouquet of knitted flowers – as a unique birthday gift for her friends. 

Her optimism doesn’t just help her on a personal level. Participtaing in debates about feminism at the Youth Educational Forum, Teona could easily get discouraged by the fact that, in her words, “we’re far from accomplishing the goal of gender equality.” But it’s because she can see a better option – because she believes that “my generation is the one that can lift Macedonia up to the level of other European countries – Teona can afford a dose of optimism. 

She’s currently reading a book about a person traveling through India. The descriptions of colors, shades, and diversity, evident before she’s even gotten to campus, catch her eye. She can’t wait to continue reading at UWC, and one day maybe studying literature. And before she gets there, I’m sure she’ll have a ton of knitted flowers to give out.

Bobo, July 2022