The application window is now open until August 25, 2025 - all teens are encouraged to apply!
Congratulations Awardees
Individual Award Winners​
(National awards sorted in alphabetical order of the first name)
(National awards sorted in alphabetical order of the first name)
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National Platinum​​​
Alex Stefanescu, MA Alexandra Ghile, NY Ana Guset, IL Andrew Trandafirescu, NY Angelina Mușat, NY Ayden Pana, MN Bianca Zamfirescu, IL Bogdan Felix Jones, IL Daniel Pantchev, NY ​David Andrei Bora, IL​ David Osnaga, CT Diana Alexandra Smarandache, TX Dinu Antonescu, NJ Isabel Kaempfer, WA Julia Varlam, IL Justin Luput, IL​ Marina Diaconu, CT Maya Bacioiu, WA Petru Matei Busu, IL Sara Alexandra Biro, WA |
National Gold ​
Alexandru Dragoi, MD Amy Vasilescu, NC Andreea Iulia Rusu, NH Andrei Balas, CT Andy Zaharia, WA Ariana Pirvu, WA Bianca Cantemir, IL Catarina Pirvu, WA Dalia Moldovan, NJ ​David Beniuc, IL Ella Ciucur, NY Emma Militaru, IL Hera Agirbicean, IL Horia Dobrean-Urzica Pop, IL Irina Guț, IL Isabella Suciu, IL Leo Ciucur, NY Nicholas Andrei Moigradan, IL Paul Neacsu, CA Sebastian Matei, CT Teodora Sara Diaconu, CT |
National SilverÂ
Aidan Suta, CA Anca Matea Jacobs, ME​​ Christian Peterson, CT ​Damian J. Sofronie, IL Daniel Dominic Popescu, CT ​Daria Lovin, MI Dragos Lese, AZ Elise Aldea, WA Elyssa Victoria Power, CT Gianna Pogonat-Walters, MN ​Jasmine Funduianu, IL Jessica David, IL Karla Rajkovic, CA ​Peter Alexander Brown III, NJ Sophie Nemeș, WA Victor Ilie, VA |
​Special and Regional Awards
Hermes Agirbicean, IL - Central Platinum, Academic Achievement and STEM Engagement Leadership Award
Isabella Pop, - Central Platinum, IL Community Service and Cultural Leadership Award
Radu A Anghel, ILÂ -Â Central Platinum, Sportsmanship & Entrepreneurial Leadership Award
Victor Spuza, IL -Â Central Platinum, Heritage Engagement and Civic Leadership Award
Maria Joline Secheli, IL -Â Central Platinum, Heritage Preservation and Community Leadership Youth Award
Alexia Burca, TX -Â Central Platinum, Excellence in Music and Cultural Leadership Award
Stefan Lehene, IL -Â Central Gold, Heritage Pride and Community Volunteerism Leadership Award
Delia Anna Firtulescu, IL -Â Central Gold, Faith, Service, and Academic Mentorship Award
Lucia Dumitrescu, IL -Â Central Gold, Remarkable Commitment to Service, Education, and Cultural Engagement Award
Luca Petre, NV -Â West Platinum, Heritage Empowerment and Youth Advocacy Award
Tristan Andreas Popovici, IL - Central Silver, Bicultural Identity and Community Leadership Award
Luca Tudor Nan, NJ -Â East Platinum, Youth Sports Leadership and Community Service Award
Grace Mfugale-Odongkara, MD -Â East Platinum, Leadership Award for Cultural Awareness and Pride
Vivienne Crisan, CTÂ -Â East Platinum, Heritage and Cultural Ambassador Award
Sabina Ioana Clinciu, WA -Â West Gold, Cultural Leadership and Community Engagement Award
Simone Aldea, WA -Â West Gold, Youth Fundraising and Cultural Advocacy Award
Isabelle Lepadatu, TX - Central Silver, Cultural Ambassador Award – Heritage Pride & Community Engagement
Adriana Craciun, NY -Â East Gold, Service, Legacy, and Cultural Preservation Award
Matthew Vulpescu, NJ -Â East Gold, Bicultural Heritage Ambassador Award
Alexander C. Dobrescu, NJ -Â East Gold, Leadership in Service, Education, and Music Award
Lucas Dinea, IL -Â Central Silver, Intergenerational Service and Cultural Ambassadorship Award
Julia Victoria Ulici, IL -Â Central Silver, Faith & Service Volunteer Award
Romana Raducan, MA -Â East Silver, Community Builder and Educational Advocate Award
Alysa Maria Girnita, CA - West Silver, Romanian Heritage Ambassador Award – Bicultural Bridge Builder
Sofia Elena Iliescu, IL -Â Central Silver, Community Spirit Award
Matthew Alexandru Jiglea, CA - West Silver, Cultural & Community Impact Award – Youth Leadership
Matei Pariza, CT - East Silver, Innovation and Coaching Distinction – Community Builder.
Veronica Mihai, CT - Honorary Mention, Compassionate Care Award
Alessia Ioana Brinzarea Iamandi, CA -Â Honorary Mention, Inspiring Community Impact Award
Vasilica Gavrila, CA -Â Honorary Mention, Service and Stewardship Award
Sophia Negrea, IL -Â Honorary Mention, Leadership in Volunteering
Michael Christopher Chezan, IL - Honorary Mention, Extraordinary achievement in music, sports, community service, and cultural leadership—Honoring the spirit of the Romanian diaspora worldwide
Alexei Ionescu, CA -Â Honorary Mention, Youth Ambassador Award for Community Service, Cultural Preservation & Compassion
Sofie Pop, IL -Â Honorary Mention, Determination and Resilience Award
Sarah Marina, IL -Â Honorary Mention, The Triumph of Sacrifice and Hope Award
Adrianna Gavriloiu, CT -Â Honorary Mention, Academic Excellence Youth Award
Alexandru Crestescu, IL -Â Honorary Mention, The Symphony of Skills Award
Isabella Pop, - Central Platinum, IL Community Service and Cultural Leadership Award
Radu A Anghel, ILÂ -Â Central Platinum, Sportsmanship & Entrepreneurial Leadership Award
Victor Spuza, IL -Â Central Platinum, Heritage Engagement and Civic Leadership Award
Maria Joline Secheli, IL -Â Central Platinum, Heritage Preservation and Community Leadership Youth Award
Alexia Burca, TX -Â Central Platinum, Excellence in Music and Cultural Leadership Award
Stefan Lehene, IL -Â Central Gold, Heritage Pride and Community Volunteerism Leadership Award
Delia Anna Firtulescu, IL -Â Central Gold, Faith, Service, and Academic Mentorship Award
Lucia Dumitrescu, IL -Â Central Gold, Remarkable Commitment to Service, Education, and Cultural Engagement Award
Luca Petre, NV -Â West Platinum, Heritage Empowerment and Youth Advocacy Award
Tristan Andreas Popovici, IL - Central Silver, Bicultural Identity and Community Leadership Award
Luca Tudor Nan, NJ -Â East Platinum, Youth Sports Leadership and Community Service Award
Grace Mfugale-Odongkara, MD -Â East Platinum, Leadership Award for Cultural Awareness and Pride
Vivienne Crisan, CTÂ -Â East Platinum, Heritage and Cultural Ambassador Award
Sabina Ioana Clinciu, WA -Â West Gold, Cultural Leadership and Community Engagement Award
Simone Aldea, WA -Â West Gold, Youth Fundraising and Cultural Advocacy Award
Isabelle Lepadatu, TX - Central Silver, Cultural Ambassador Award – Heritage Pride & Community Engagement
Adriana Craciun, NY -Â East Gold, Service, Legacy, and Cultural Preservation Award
Matthew Vulpescu, NJ -Â East Gold, Bicultural Heritage Ambassador Award
Alexander C. Dobrescu, NJ -Â East Gold, Leadership in Service, Education, and Music Award
Lucas Dinea, IL -Â Central Silver, Intergenerational Service and Cultural Ambassadorship Award
Julia Victoria Ulici, IL -Â Central Silver, Faith & Service Volunteer Award
Romana Raducan, MA -Â East Silver, Community Builder and Educational Advocate Award
Alysa Maria Girnita, CA - West Silver, Romanian Heritage Ambassador Award – Bicultural Bridge Builder
Sofia Elena Iliescu, IL -Â Central Silver, Community Spirit Award
Matthew Alexandru Jiglea, CA - West Silver, Cultural & Community Impact Award – Youth Leadership
Matei Pariza, CT - East Silver, Innovation and Coaching Distinction – Community Builder.
Veronica Mihai, CT - Honorary Mention, Compassionate Care Award
Alessia Ioana Brinzarea Iamandi, CA -Â Honorary Mention, Inspiring Community Impact Award
Vasilica Gavrila, CA -Â Honorary Mention, Service and Stewardship Award
Sophia Negrea, IL -Â Honorary Mention, Leadership in Volunteering
Michael Christopher Chezan, IL - Honorary Mention, Extraordinary achievement in music, sports, community service, and cultural leadership—Honoring the spirit of the Romanian diaspora worldwide
Alexei Ionescu, CA -Â Honorary Mention, Youth Ambassador Award for Community Service, Cultural Preservation & Compassion
Sofie Pop, IL -Â Honorary Mention, Determination and Resilience Award
Sarah Marina, IL -Â Honorary Mention, The Triumph of Sacrifice and Hope Award
Adrianna Gavriloiu, CT -Â Honorary Mention, Academic Excellence Youth Award
Alexandru Crestescu, IL -Â Honorary Mention, The Symphony of Skills Award
Competition organized by the Federation of Romanian American Organizations (FORA) , American Romanian Cultural Society (ARCS), Romanian United Fund (RUF),   Alianta, and RomAmPro​.
Endorsed by and the Embassy of Romania to the United States.
Many thanks to our partners who donated, spread the word, assisted with the logistics, and supported our participants: Romanians of DC, Together to Help, HORA, Romanul, Immigration Research Forum, ROCO Chicago, Romanian Cultural Institute, and the Romanian General Consulate in New York. Â
Your contributions are greatly appreciated!
Awards Ceremony
The 2025 Award Ceremony will be held on September 20th and will offer both live and virtual attendance options.
In person: September 20 - Chicago, IL during the Romanian Community Summit 2025
Deadline: August 25, 2025
Eligibility
- Academic Standing: Minimum unweighted GPA of 3.0 (or equivalent)
- Community & Teamwork Impact: Open to individuals and teams; team participation is encouraged (details in application form)
- Age & Residence: Students must be enrolled in a U.S. educational institution and entering 8th–12th grade as of September of the competition year
- Other Criteria: Applicants must have Romanian heritage or their project/experience must relate to the Romanian diaspora
- Citizenship Requirements: None; Romanian or U.S. citizenship is not required
Fees: There are no participation fees. The competition is entirely free, except for travel, accommodations, and any participation or entry tickets. Donations are welcome to help sustain the awards.
Learn More About the 2024 Edition
What is the Romanian American National Heritage Award?
The Romanian American National Heritage Award is an annual competition for high school students with Romanian heritage or background. Students of non-Romanian descent may also qualify if their work and experience relate to Romania or the Romanian community in the U.S.
The award recognizes exceptional contributions to:
- Strengthening the cohesion of the Romanian community
- Preserving Romanian heritage, language, culture, and traditions
Organized by The Federation of Romanian American Organizations (FORA), American Romanian Cultural Society (ARCS), Romanian United Fund (RUF), RomAmPro, Alianta. Endorsed by the Romanian Embassy in the US.
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