Participant in the regional “Young Person of the Year – 2026” competition “Creators of Change and Opportunities” category: Olesia Hopanyuk
Her hometown of Mariupol taught Olesia Hopanyuk resilience. She faced the full-scale invasion while nine months pregnant, and after evacuating, she immediately began assisting the military and supporting the educational process.
Today, Olesia teaches English at Mariupol Secondary School No. 10. Her students are scattered across the globe, but thanks to online tools, gamification, and preparation for international academic competitions, she helps them maintain their connection to their homeland and motivates them to learn.
At the same time, Olesya is involved in community and volunteer work. She taught language courses as part of the “University of Active Longevity” project at the “I Am Mariupol” center and participated in developing a concept for the restoration of education in the Donetsk region. As a co-organizer of the charitable initiatives “Speaking of Azov” and “Arta Calls,” she helped raise funds for the Ukrainian Armed Forces, organized the purchase of vehicles for marines returning from captivity, and initiated patriotic meetings between schoolchildren and the defenders of Mariupol.
Olesya Hopanyuk’s work consists of concrete actions: hands-on lessons for children abroad, actual fundraisers for the front lines, and daily support for her community.