Colegiul Național Mihai Viteazul in Turda celebrated its 2026 graduation ceremony at Nova Arena, marking a significant milestone for its students. During the event, the first 'Olimpia Pop' Memorial Award was presented, honoring exceptional performance in mathematics. This award, named after the late Olimpia Pop, a former mathematics teacher and director who dedicated her career to education, will be granted annually. The recipient of this inaugural award was Irimieș Rareș Sebastian, a 12th-grade student known for his excellence in mathematics and informatics. Sebastian, who also represented the college at the Math Olympiad throughout high school, graduated with a perfect 10 average, alongside three other students: Badu Ioana Maria, Corț Gabriela Viorela, and Rădulescu Beatrice Maria.

Sebastian, serving as the 2026 valedictorian, delivered a heartfelt speech that resonated with both students and faculty. "Se spune că fiecare început are un sfârșit, dar și orice sfârșit are, la rândul său, un început," he said, emphasizing the cyclical nature of beginnings and endings. He acknowledged the support of parents, stating, "Reușita noastră este, în egală măsură, și a voastră," and expressed gratitude for their unwavering belief in the students. To the teachers, he offered thanks not just for academic instruction but for their role in shaping students into well-rounded individuals. "Datorită vouă, promoția 2022-2026 părăsește Colegiul Național 'Mihai Viteazul' cu abilitățile și deprinderile necesare," he remarked.

The ceremony underscored the dedication and hard work of the students, who serve as examples for their peers and a source of pride for their teachers. The presence of Pop Simona, the Romanian Language homeroom teacher for the Math-Informatics class, was also noted, with Sebastian highlighting her influence in teaching students to appreciate the beauty beyond rigid formulas and algorithms. "Dumneavoastră ați fost cea care ne-a arătat că, dincolo de formule exacte și algoritmi rigizi, există poezie, emoție, empatie și frumos," he noted.

Rădulescu Beatrice Maria, also a valedictorian, reflected on the journey through high school, expressing nostalgia for moments once wished to end. "Și, poate paradoxal, tocmai momentele pe care le așteptam să se termine sunt cele pe care le vom regreta cel mai mult," she said, capturing the bittersweet essence of graduation.

The event concluded with well-wishes for the upcoming Bacalaureat exams and the future endeavors of the 2022-2026 graduates, as they embark on new chapters in their lives.