Author: Isabela Negreanu

Andrei, an Avenor graduate from the Class of 2022, is currently in his third year at Harvard, pursuing a double major in Art, Film, and Visual Studies and Economics. The well-rounded profile he built during high school, combined with his passion for film and art, helped him secure a place at one of the world’s most prestigious universities in a year when the acceptance rate was below 4%.

Whenever he returns to Romania, he visits the school, where he is warmly welcomed and excited to share updates about his journey and experiences. 

During his latest visit, he presented us with a special gift – an animated video capturing the essence of what it means to be an Avenorian, featuring an original soundtrack composed by Andrei himself, inspired by his personal experience and academic path.

We invite you to discover more about this project, his life as a Harvard student, and his plans for the future—directly from Andrei.

 

“My years at Avenor were defined by curiosity, enthusiasm, and ambition”

Can you tell us more about the creative process behind the animated video you made for Avenor?

The animation was designed to depict the journey of a child who starts nursery at the age of two and continues their education at Avenor for 16 years, culminating in high school graduation.

The core inspiration behind this project was my personal experience and the strong emotions that connect me to Avenor. My years at the school were shaped by curiosity, enthusiasm, and ambition—qualities that have brought me to where I am today. I wanted to reflect these values through the gestures and flight of the stickman character in the video.

When brainstorming ideas, I sought a simple yet meaningful concept that would be easy to animate. This led me to the universally recognised stickman—a figure every student has drawn at some point. In the animation, a student sketches a stickman in their notebook, which then comes to life, flies out of the school bag, and embarks on a unique journey through the school years. The colours in Avenor’s logo visually illustrate this adventure.

At the end of the journey, as the student graduates, the pencils that shaped and enriched their education transform into the 16 colourful sticks from the Avenor logo. This symbolises both the culmination of their academic journey and the essential elements that contribute to becoming a well-rounded individual.

I chose this representation because it mirrors my own experience—and, I believe, that of every Avenorian. Sports, sciences, arts, and all the projects I was involved in played a crucial role in shaping me as both a student and a person. They not only define the Avenor spirit but also capture the key milestones in every student’s pursuit of knowledge and excellence.

After a complex process combining technical skills and creativity, I successfully completed an animation I am truly proud of—one that I dedicate to the school that had such a profound impact on my life.

For those less familiar with animation, can you give us an idea of the time and resources invested in this project?

Typically, an animation like this is created by a team comprising a director, graphic designers, animators, a sound editor, and a composer. Together, they collaborate with the client to develop a product that aligns with the intended vision and communication goals. Such a project usually takes about two weeks to complete and requires a generous production budget.

Unfortunately, I didn’t have access to such a team or resources, so I created the entire animation from scratch. My goal was to capture both my personal experience at Avenor and the essence of the school’s brand.

To achieve this, I designed my own visual elements by combining digital drawings with royalty-free images. The animation process itself involved complex, simultaneous movements, despite the main character’s simple design. The challenge was to animate the stickman in a way that conveys a wide range of emotions. Once the animation was complete, I composed an original soundtrack to complement both the motion and the emotions portrayed in the video.

In the end, after approximately 80 hours of work and overcoming countless technical challenges, I created a one-minute animation that I hope captures the essence of being an Avenorian.

 

STUDENT LIFE – FROM AVENOR TO HARVARD

What are the biggest advantages and challenges of being a Harvard student?

One of the greatest benefits of attending a university of this calibre is its reputation and the extensive alumni network—both crucial when entering the industry after graduation.

Another advantage is the Liberal Arts education system, which allows students to explore courses beyond their primary field of study. This flexibility is encouraged and often helps students not only learn new things but also discover unexpected passions. Many students arrive at Harvard with a specific study plan, only to realise later that they are more passionate about an entirely different field, leading them to change their academic path.

The biggest challenge, ironically, is the constant pressure to excel. While the Harvard community is both supportive and competitive, the drive to push beyond your limits can sometimes feel overwhelming. However, I firmly believe that diamonds are formed under pressure, and true excellence is achieved through dedication and hard work.

What advice do you have for Year 11 and 12 students who are deciding on their educational path or university options?

Being 17 or 18 can feel overwhelming, as expectations are high and the pressure to make major decisions is intense. The most important thing is to explore as many opportunities as possible. Find what truly excites you, define your expectations for the future, and choose a path that, while challenging, also brings you fulfilment.

Even if these decisions seem difficult to grasp right now, Avenor is a school that can open many doors for you. It’s essential to be ambitious and make the most of the opportunities available. With determination and hard work, you can reach the heights you dream of.

 

FUTURE PLANS

What are you currently working on? What projects are you involved in?

First and foremost, I am creating numerous short films, driven by my passion for filmmaking. Thanks to grants from Harvard’s Office of the Arts, I direct and shoot projects alongside my friends, hoping to submit them to film festivals.

Beyond my academic and extracurricular film-related projects, I’m also beginning to explore economic research. I want to understand the business side of the film industry, which is why I chose to study Economics as well. My goal is to gain the necessary knowledge and experience to navigate the financial and strategic aspects of the industry.

As for sports, I am a member of Harvard’s boxing club and play squash with friends whenever I get the chance. Fortunately, Harvard students have free access to the gym, which allows me to stay active and train regularly.

What are your goals for the near future?

In the coming months, I plan to continue creating short films and refining my creative skills through an internship in the film industry. My ultimate dream is to direct feature films in Hollywood, so I am constantly working on developing both my technical expertise and creative vision to excel in this field.

Where can we watch your projects?

You can find my work on my website or my YouTube channel.

At Avenor, our mission is to co-create the best future. While we might think that the subjects studied, the quality of the curriculum, the rigor of exams, or the strictness of teachers are all that matter, the reality is that the entire learning environment fundamentally impacts students’ well-being. It creates a friendly atmosphere where children feel safe, seen, and cared for.

As the school year comes to an end, we want to express our gratitude to everyone who takes care of the campus and all of us daily.

Led by Dr. Roxana Pușcă, the team of Miss Elvira, Miss Bianca, and Miss Ely—the campus nurses—welcomes us each day with a smile. They are some of the students’ closest friends, tending to them not only when they feel physically unwell or have minor accidents but also when they need an imaginary bandage, a plaster for a mosquito bite, or a miraculous pill to help them get through the day.

The staff at the gate are the ones who undoubtedly know all the students and their families. Some of this year’s 12th-grade graduates have known Mr. Marcel and Mr. Aurel since their Preparatory Class days. For this reason, they wanted them on stage during the high school graduation ceremony.

 

The cleaning team, led by Dana Radu, is like a bustling hive every day. Each member knows her role and performs her duties to the best of her ability, whether it’s on the floors, in the classrooms, in the schoolyard, or in the offices, ensuring the campus remains spotless. Moreover, without their assistance, setting up rooms for ceremonies or other events wouldn’t be as swift and efficient.

The administrators – Mr. Marian Păduraru and Mr. Viorel Radu – oversee campus maintenance and are consistently by our side, ensuring everything functions properly, is installed correctly, and operates safely. We appreciate their dependable support, which gives us the confidence to accomplish our goals.

This team is further strengthened by Valentin Răduță and Gabriel Pîrvan, Avenor’s drivers, who not only transport some of our students but are always available to lend a hand and provide timely solutions when needed most.

Under Dan Neacșu’s coordination, the Avenor kitchen stands out as another highlight of the school. Their ongoing focus on serving children and colleagues tasty meals from fresh and varied ingredients makes lunch and snack times eagerly awaited. Chef Dan and his team’s dedication helps even the most selective of us find something enjoyable to eat at school.

At the nursery in Cașin, Dr. Livia Sorohan and Miss Simona Bortoș, the medical assistant, form a team dedicated to ensuring the health of both the young children and the adults around them. Visits to the medical office are always an opportunity for children to alleviate every pain and receive delightful stickers for a speedy recovery.

The cleaning team, consisting of Miss Dițica, Miss Mariana, and Miss Mia, along with Mr. Gil, our gatekeeper, are essential contributors who maintain the nursery’s impeccable appearance. From their meticulous attention to cleanliness to their assistance during meals and active participation in community events, their support is invaluable. Additionally, Mr. Gil’s charismatic nature ensures he knows the details of each child’s trips and their arrival and departure times, helping everyone start the day with a smile.

This team represents the unseen strength behind Avenor, the individuals we depend on every day, without whom things wouldn’t be as they are. We wish to express gratitude to each of them for their energy, enthusiasm, and dedication. It’s important they know they are recognized and valued.

Thank you all!

We invite you to read one of the most interesting articles written by Maria B. (11 Alfa) for Issue 10 of 𝗠𝗔𝗧𝗛-𝗟𝗬-𝗡𝗘𝗪𝗦, the first Avenor mathematics magazine, initiated by Miss Mihaela Ancuța – Mathematics Teacher, and  coordinated by a team of students from middle school and high school.

Have you ever asked yourself why you can always find both McDonald’s and KFC on the same street? Why are there 5 coffee shops around the same corner, but none for the following 5 streets? How is that smart for the businesses? Game theory has the answer.

Game theory is the branch of mathematics concerned with the analysis of strategies for dealing with competitive situations where the outcome of a participant’s choice of action depends critically on the actions of other participants. So put shortly, the way in which people, businesses, governments, and more make decisions when they are interdependent.

Before John Nash developed Game Theory, an economic theory suggested that if everyone did what was best for themselves it would lead to the best possible outcome for society. Game theory refutes this idea and leads to a complete rethink of economics and a Nobel Prize for John Nash. There is actually a fantastic film about this called A Beautiful Mind starring Russel Crowe!

Let’s take the most popular scenario in which this idea comes into play: the Prisoner’s dilemma. Let’s consider two friends, Amy and Trefor, who were suspected of robbing a bank. They were taken for interrogation, into separate rooms and given two choices.

Either they confess and get 2 years in prison, or they deny and only get one year for different offenses in their past. That seems like a no-brainer, obviously both of them will choose to deny.

However, let’s see what happens when their decisions become interdependent. The interrogator adds a new condition: If Amy confesses and snitches on Trefor then she will be given immunity and serve no time in prison, whereas Trefor will serve 3 years if he continues to deny the crime. The same offer is given to Trefor. Considering they do not know what the other will answer, they both confess, avoiding the risk of 3 years in prison.

 

If Amy assumes Trefor is going to deny the crime, it is better for Amy to confess. If Amy assumes Trefor is going to confess then it is also better for her to confess. Therefore her best choice is always to confess. The same is true of Trefor and both people end up confessing even though it would have been better for them both to deny.

See how their plea changes completely when their decisions become interdependent?. Interesting isn’t it? But how does any of this apply to Economics?

Imagine the following scenario. You sell ice cream on a beach which has no other ice cream shops. Where would you place your cart to attract the most customers? At the center. But one day another ice cream cart appears on the beach. Luckily the owners agree to split the beach in half so both shops are set in the middle of the separated sections.

 

However, the next day, the competition decides to move right between the two territories, at the center of the beach as that will not only attract the customers on his half of the beach, but also a quarter of the ones on your territory.

The next day, you both set your ice cream carts back-to-back at the center of the beach and realize there is no other place either one can move to gain more customers. This way, neither of you can improve your position without losing customers-this is known as Nash Equilibrium. Nash equilibrium is the position in which nothing is gained if any of the players change their strategy if all other players maintain theirs. The first position of the ice cream carts, although better for the customers, as they had to walk much less, couldn’t last as it did not create a Nash equilibrium.

The same theory will apply to real life. Although many other aspects come into play, marketing strategies, quality of services, price differences and more, at the heart of their strategies, you will always find the principles of Game Theory.