Bună să vă fie inima! My name is Teodora Gîrlonța, and I have the honor of serving as the president of ROYA. This organization holds a special place in my heart, as it has profoundly shaped my adolescent years. Through its events in both the United States and Romania, ROYA has been instrumental in helping me reconcile and embrace my Romanian heritage and Christian Orthodox identity while living in the U.S.

Since immigrating to the United States in 2006, I have been a member of the Holy Resurrection Romanian Orthodox Church in Sacramento, CA, where I am actively involved in chanting and leading Sunday school lessons for younger children. I am currently pursuing a Bachelor’s degree in Nursing and expect to graduate in December 2024, after which I look forward to beginning my career.

My journey with ROYA began in 2013, and over the years, I have been blessed to serve in various capacities, including as head of the Events Committee for four years and as Treasurer for the U.S. during the previous board term. As president, I am deeply committed to serving the youth of ROYA, just as I was supported and inspired during my own formative years.

Bună! Mă numesc Valentin, am 22 de ani și sunt vice președinte ROYA pentru Canada! Fac parte de ROYA din anul 2021. M-am născut în România și am crescut în Montréal! Merg la Catedrală Episcopală al Sfântului Mare Mucenic Gheorghe și Sfinții Mucenici Epictet și Astion din Saint Hubert. Am terminat o școală în mecanică de avioane și acuma sunt la facultate în domeniu de inginerie mecanică. Îmi doresc la anul să încep teologia! De asemenea, ador să înot, fie într-o piscină, sau un lac tot bucuros sunt! Așadar, dacă aveți nevoie să reparați un avion sau să înotăm, știți cu cine să vorbiți

Buna tuturor! My name is Laura Ionescu and I’m originally from Northern California, Sacramento. I joined ROYA in 2013 along with Teo Gîrlonța as a reward for our religion Olympiad scores. ROYA helped me form a moral and spiritual compass that I continue to refine with each retreat. I give ROYA credit for also leading me to the path I am on now.  Though I studied chemistry in undergrad in Southern California, I left behind the possibility for a career in science, and instead decided to go to seminary at St Vlad’s. I’m currently in my third year in the Masters of Divinity Program and have loved my experience. I have had the great blessing of learning how to conduct a choir and have been interning as a choir director at a parish in Yonkers, NY. I also enjoy directing the children’s choir for special occasions. If I find spare time, I enjoy taking walks while listening to music or podcasts, playing piano, or learning a new ukulele song. My life is music-heavy now, but I also enjoy cooking and meeting new people!

My name is Elena, and I am the US Treasurer for ROYA! Before this, I was head of the events committee for about two years, and I’ve been participating in ROYA since 2019. I grew up in Syracuse, NY, where I attend the Three Holy Hierarchs Romanian Mission. Currently, I am a student at Syracuse University working on completing a Bachelor of Architecture. In my free time, I like to read, hike, and spend time with friends and family!

Hi! My name is Patrick Cioata and I am the Canadian Treasurer for ROYA. I am incredibly excited to be a part of ROYA’s board having only been involved since October 2023. I am born and raised in Vancouver, British Columbia where I also attend St. Nicholas Romanian Orthodox Church. I am currently a student at UBC working towards a degree in finance. In my spare time I love to play football, exercise and spend time with my family or the incredible friends I’ve built relationships with through church. I look forward to serving and helping as many individuals as possible experience what I have had the chance to experience through ROYA. Doamne ajută!

Hi! My name is Stephania Nutu and I am the Secretary of ROYA. I have been involved in ROYA since 2016. I was born and raised in the suburbs of Chicago. About 2 years ago, I moved to Michigan to live out my dream of homesteading, getting back to the roots of a quiet and simple life.  In my free time I enjoy trying out new recipes, and reading a good book, curled up next to one of my kittens. I’m currently attending the Protection of the Mother of God Monastery and love helping out at the chanter’s stand with my sister. I look forward to serving our ROYA family these next two years and I hope to personally get to know you all!

My name is Diana, and I am the Vice President of ROYA for the USA! I was previously the head of ROYA’s Public Relations committee and have enjoyed my time as an active member of ROYA for several years. I was born and raised in Chicago, Illinois, and I have been attending my home parish of Saints Constantine and Helen Romanian Orthodox Cathedral since its establishment 20 years ago! This past year, I graduated with my Bachelor of Science in Nursing from North Park University and now work as a Nurse in a Neurological Intensive Care Unit at a hospital in Chicago!

Bună! Mă numesc Valentin, am 22 de ani și sunt vice președinte ROYA pentru Canada! Fac parte de ROYA din anul 2021. M-am născut în România și am crescut în Montréal! Merg la Catedrală Episcopală al Sfântului Mare Mucenic Gheorghe și Sfinții Mucenici Epictet și Astion din Saint Hubert. Am terminat o școală în mecanică de avioane și acuma sunt la facultate în domeniu de inginerie mecanică. Îmi doresc la anul să încep teologia! De asemenea, ador să înot, fie într-o piscină, sau un lac tot bucuros sunt! Așadar, dacă aveți nevoie să reparați un avion sau să înotăm, știți cu cine să vorbiți 🙂

Hi! My name is Laura, and I’m the secretary of ROYA. I’ve been a ROYA member since 2013 when I attended my first camp at 13 years old. I’m originally from Sacramento, CA, but I am currently attending St. Vladimir’s Theological Seminary in New York, studying for a Master’s in Sacred Arts. I grew up learning to play piano and have always loved the arts in all forms. If you ever want to share music or art you like, I’m up to chat!

My name is Spiridon Amohnoaie; currently aged 23, and I’m on the path to successfully completing my 4th year as a mechanical engineering student at the University of Ottawa. I’ve been actively involved with ROYA – the Romanian Orthodox Youth of America, for the past two years. During this time, I’ve organized numerous activities in collaboration with our Romanian Orthodox Canadian Youth, which has been both rewarding and insightful. As I take on the journey into another fruitful year, I carry with me a clear vision of what I aim to achieve for ROYA. My primary goal is to foster a more unified ROYA across the North, thus enhancing our communal coherence and amplifying our impact. Furthermore, I’m determined to expand our reach, engaging with more young individuals and integrating them into our community. My ultimate vision is to disseminate love and faith more widely. I firmly believe that through these values, we can transform the lives of many more youths, reinforcing the principles of our faith and community in their hearts.