New Role Models

1

MOTIVATIONAL SPEAKER, ENTREPRENEUR

AUSTRALIA

1982

Blanka Vlašić

Domain: athlete, high jump

Country of origin: Split, Hrvatska

Date of birth: 8th November 1983

Significant facts about her life:

started training athletics at the age of 7

in 2000 in Chile won the World Junior Chmpionship with a jump of 191cm

in 2005 had a thyroid surgery, came back on the track and jumped over 2m

in 2014 returns after over a year of break due to Achilles tendon surgery

in 98 competitions, 156 times jumped over 2 m

Achievements:

won second place at the World Indoor Championship in Moscow

winner of numerous awards for the best athlete of Europe and world

in August 2009 in Berlin defended the title of world champion

personal record: 208m – second-best result in the world

several times tried to break the world record (210cm)

World Athlete of the Year 2010

Reason for making this choice:

Blanka Vlašić was chosen for her persistence and talent. She is hard-working and

tenacious in achieving results. Regardless of her many injuries, she has kept a

positive attitude and never gives up the things she is dedicated to.

New Role Models

Ivan Đikić

Domain: medical doctor, scientist

Country of origin: Croatia

Year of birth: 1966

Important facts about his life:

- spent his cildhood in Hrvatsko zagorje, in a town called Marija Bistrica

- studied in Zagreb, was a straight-A student and graduated in only 4 and a half years

- finished scientific training at a university in New Yourk after which he moved to Frankfurt and worked as the youngest professor at a faculty of medicine

- got a job and became the manager of the laboratory for the molecular biology of tumors at Ludwig Institute for Cancer Research in Sweden

- gave away his awards to those in need and invested into new research

Accomplishments : - discovered the mechanism by which human cells defend temselves from cancer development

- December 6, 2013 awarded with the most prestigious scientific award Gottfried Wilhelm Leibniz

- invented the protein which has an important role in tumor development and nervous system diseases

- April 4, Washington, received an Amercan Association for Cancer Research award

Reasons why he was chosen :

Ivan Đikić is talented, original and professional, completely dedicated to his work and the desire to help the whole mankind. He has been investing into the development of his knowledge wanting to perfect himself in his profession. He unselfishly invests his knowledge and money in order to help people.

New Role Models

Ivica Kostelić

Domain: skiing

Country of origin: Croatia

Date of birth: 23rd November 1979

Significant facts about his life:

Started his career in 1992

had 13 operations on one knee

one of the rare skiers who ski in all

disciplines

Achievements:

three-time best athlete of Croatia

won 4 Olympic medals

won the Great Crystal Globe (2010-2011)

seven-time best skier of the city of Zagreb

Reason for making this choice:

Ivica Kostelić is extremely talented and has a remarkable long career in skiing.

Despite numerous injuries to his knee and back, he resumed his career and

accomplished significant results. He has never had excesses in his private life. He

has been motivating young people. Ivica is one of the most positive athletes in

Croatia.

Ivona Fotivec I Stjepan Matekalo

New Role Models

Dejan Roginić

Domain: car-mechanic, singer, actor, dancer

Country of origin: Donja Stubica, Croatia

Date of birth: 9th April 1990

Significant facts about his life:

Finished VAT secondary school Oroslavje, car-mechanic

Since age of five attended School of music –studied pianno

Learned to play string instruments at School of music, played drums and percussion

instruments

At age of 14, founded his first group “BITTER SWEET”, the group split up after four

years

Has chosen to study solo singing, being thought by the most proficient opera singer

Vlatka Burić Dujmović

Has been actor at “Komedija” professional theatre

Has been jazz/funk dancer at “JAZZELE” dancing club

Participate at video shooting at CINEMATIX film studio

Achievements:

Participated at art festivals Oro nota and The first voice of Zagorje, and Amateur

singers festival Krijesnica

Has been acting in musical play “Legenda Ružice grada”- Legend of Ružica castle” at

Komedija theatre in Zagreb; chosen among 300 candidates, 12 candidates choosen

(four men)

Invited to take part in the first musical play “Zeleno blago” – “Green treasure”

Wins many awards at Croatian car road-races

Reason for making this choice:

We have chosen Dejan as a role model because he is persistent, has a strong

personality, and above all he is very talented. He has proved that no achievement is

impossible for somebody who has a strong will, who is willing to work hard, who is

highly motivated, and who has a positive attitude.

New Role Models

Dijana Lončarek

Domain: nun of the Holy Cross

Country of origin: Gornja Pačetina, Croatia

Date of birth: 1st June 1988

Significant facts about her life:

dedicated to God since childhood

after finishing physiotherapy at secondary VAT went to the monestry

although her life was difficult believes in God and joys life

now studying at two faculties, physiotherapy and theology

very talented and beautiful singer

cheerful person full of optimism and hope

Achievements:

role model for many young generations

became popular because of her special attitude toward people and faith

loved by colleagues, children and youth

Reason for making this choice:

Dijana Lončarek was chosen for her humanity, good personality, commitment

and she is very strong-willed. She is also very talented and has

extraordinary social skills. Although her life was difficult, she still believes in

God and worshipes life. Very persevering in her studies and achiewing her

objectives.

New Role Models