My name is Lenka Grobarčíková, (formerly Balková), and I graduated from GYMES in 2012. Among the several class teachers I had, I remember Mrs Lencsesová, Mrs Bolčová and Mr Joščák. In my class I got along well with several classmates, especially Daniela, Dominika and Veronika, with whom I have stayed in touch with the longest. After finishing my studies at GYMES, I studied Interpreting and Translation in English and German at the University of Prešov. During my university years I managed to do quite a lot. I taught at a private language school in Košice, sold language courses and worked as a personal assistant to a native speaker from the United States. I completed an Erasmus stay in the Austrian city of Graz, worked for several months in Germany and also worked several times in the United States, always during the summer. I remain in contact with friends from all over the world to this day. I also took the opportunity to travel along the entire eastern and western coasts of America and to many other places.

After university I worked for one year at home in Košice, but for personal and spiritual reasons I longed to spend some time on mission in Uganda, which I was able to do thanks to a Slovak Catholic Charity.

After this immensely enriching experience I began working in Bratislava for the Pontifical Mission Societies, where I continued serving the Church and was able to develop further in various areas, whether in translation, interpreting, communication with clients, music and similar activities. During this period, I met my other half on a New Year’s pilgrimage in Medjugorje and many things changed. I moved to the beautiful region of Orava, started my own business providing translation and interpreting services and began working from home. About a year after our wedding, our daughter Miriam was born, who is now one and a half years old. Although I am not currently practising my business at all, I devote all my time, effort and love to the most beautiful vocation for me, which is motherhood and the gift of marriage and family.

If you had the choice again, would you choose GYMES?

Yes, without hesitation I would choose GYMES again. Grammar school was the perfect choice for me. It allowed me to continue thinking about the direction I wanted to take in the future and to educate myself in various fields. 

In addition to my studies, I had the opportunity, throughout all eight years at the grammar school, to play the piano at Holy Mass, and I also developed a deep love for the English language there. Already in my first year, my class teacher chose me for English language Olympiads and after school prepared me for these. At the school we had several excellent teachers of English and German. Thanks to them I knew that one day I wanted to devote myself to languages. My final year was a turning point for me. I noticed the effort and patience with which Mrs Talpašová tried to prepare us for successfully passing our foreign language leaving examinations. Because of this, I wanted to dedicate myself to languages even more and enrolled in additional courses in the city. It is also impossible to forget the joyful nature of Mr Joščák, the AIDS conference in Vienna we attended with him, and the dance lessons he gave us. It is no wonder that several of my classmates

were in love with him and with the PE teacher Mr Leško. Can I say that? After all, they already have their own beautiful families. I would also like to mention the kind ladies at the reception desk and in the kitchen whom we met every day at school and who always had smiles on their faces. Without them it would not have been the same. Every day we began and ended our classes with prayer. I believe that only those things, relationships, crosses and joys into which we invite God truly have meaning.

If you had to choose one unforgettable day among all those at GYMES, which would it be and why?

There were many such days, but I would choose one cold winter evening when the then headmistress, Mrs Mária Dečová, invited us students to Eucharistic adoration in the school chapel. That evening, however, the weather became much worse and outside there were snowdrifts and a raging blizzard. No one came to the adoration. I was alone. Nevertheless, the headmistress wanted to remain with me in silence and prayer before our beautiful, light-filled tabernacle. She asked whether I would like to present any petitions, give thanks for something, or say something that I had on my heart. Half an hour passed, then an hour, but I said nothing, only in my heart I prayed that the Lord would bless her. In the end she accompanied me all the way home despite the long journey. I did not understand why someone would devote so much time to me when she could have been at home in the warmth with her family. It left such an impression on me that since then I have desired to give my time, love and encouragement to others as well, simply because it has great value. The family of the headmistress inspired me in many ways, so much so that my husband and I named our daughter after one of her daughters.

How did GYMES prepare you for life beyond the classroom?

Conflicts with friends and teachers, bad as well as good grades, stress, all of it is only temporary and time passes quickly. There is no need to worry too much about anything. We do not have everything fully in our own hands. God has an exceptional plan for each of us and wants to guide us. Already during our time at school we were taught to pray and were invited to come to the chapel and entrust everything to Him. From my perspective, the entire eight-year course of study was interwoven with spirituality. We should be grateful that we can attend a church grammar school.

What advice would you give to current students?

During spiritual retreats it is good to take notes. They are profound and may be useful one day. Before drawing your exam question in the leaving examinations, say: “Holy Spirit, draw it for me!” It really works. Responsibility, respect and honour towards authority pay off. Dedicate yourself deeply already now to the subject that you enjoy. Find out what truly fulfils you. Do not be afraid to travel. Having a good command of foreign languages, but also of your mother tongue, is invaluable. Do not be afraid of new challenges and do things that are not comfortable for you and require great effort. Ask many questions, teachers are here for you.

I wish all students, both teaching and non-teaching staff of the school many successes and much joy in learning and work, as well as long-lasting friendships. May St Edith Stein intercede for you and accompany you for at least the next twenty years.