Simeon Petkov

I am Simeon Petkov - a student in the High School of Digital Sciences SoftUni BUDITEL. I am proud to study at this amazing school because I have the opportunity to develop my interests in the field of computer science.

I am a developer and learner with a passion for new experience, education and entertainment and I am a positive person who sees opportunity in everything...

I approach projects in which I have the opportunity to create something new with enthusiasm and energy.

As the born one day before me, but 91 years earlier Nobel Laureate Richard Feynman says:

“You keep on learning and learning, and pretty soon you learn something no one has learned.”

- Richard Feynman

ERASMUS+

Throughout the course of the first week of November, I had the great pleasure of partaking in the Erasmus program that led me all the way to Thessaloniki.

The point of the program wasn't to just inform us of the different EU funding programs and format for document submission, but to also let us see the Greek city as a cultural site with hundreds of years of history - all that while also having the time of our lives.

At the host company & Erasmus+ partner, METASEC, we had to pick a topic based on real European funding calls and develop an idea that we would then go on to present in front of the other team. The feedback was quite valuable as it showed us what could be worked on and what would be prioritized in a real proposal.

A big highlight for me was also our visit to the Technical Museum. There, we learned about Greek history trough the lens science, managed to see a car exhibition. The quiz at the planetarium and the movie we saw projected there were also fun. However, the culmination of that day came when we split into groups that were attempting to build DIY robots, capable of "drawing" on canvases. This exercises visualized the point of the host beautifully - that science is all about the tinkering and playing around with ideas.

The museum of illusions was also incredible fun.

We attended two lectures - one about networking (at University of York Europe Campus) and one about computer science (at DEI College). A visit to the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki showed us its robotics lab, filled with robot arms and many ideas for what the future might have in store for us.

The nights in Thessaloniki, for me, were filled with a lot of walking. In this busy week, we even managed to sneak in 2 escape rooms + a pirate ship ride around the harbor of Thessaloniki.

And thus, I returned to Sofia, with a gallery filled with many pleasant memories.

The first stage of high school –
complete after 3 years

“People think of education as something they can finish.”
Isaac Asimov

The two National External Assessment exams reminded us of the fact that the end of 10th grade is the end of the first stage of high school. A lot of things happened, we all grew up together, made friends. Some particularly interesting teachers, some interesting lessons, some questionable ones. Still, what a blast it was!

Yet it’s not over yet, there are now new goals, new subjects, new interests. Excitement for the future, yes, but, before that – vacation! A well deserved break, if I do say so myself.

National Competition "Young Talents" 2025

The National Concourse "Young Talents", organized by the Ministry of Education and Science, was a great opportunity for us students to present our work and be recognized for our achievements.

The Ministry of Education and Science is the organizer of the National Competition "Young Talents". This was a great opportunity for us students to present our work and be recognized for our achievements.

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Yet another medal for my Project “Automatic Differentiation with NLang”

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poster AD with NLang_48x33-2.pdf

Another award for NLang

It was an honor presenting my project at the Eleventh Scientific Session of the The School Institute of the Bulgarian Academy of Sciences (SchI-BAS).

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Java Full-Stack Developer - Mission Accomplished!

After getting a Java Web Developer Diploma, my next goal was acquiring a Full-Stack Developer Diploma as well. And a few weeks after receiving my first degree in an official ceremony at the Software University, I already have it!

These certifications serve as a testament to my comprehensive understanding of both front-end and back-end technologies, as well as my proficiency in integrating them to create seamless, end-to-end solutions.

The Java Full-Stack Developer Diploma not only validates my technical skills but also demonstrates my commitment to professional growth and a readiness to tackle complex projects in a dynamic tech landscape - an important achievement and a big leap forward in my career development.

Photos from graduation🔗

A proud IBMer

In early July 2024, I had the amazing chance to be a part of the IBM Summer School Internship. I managed to learn a lot in a short time span beyond purely technical knowledge. Now I understand why IBM claims its greatest invention is the IBMer.

I’m grateful for the recommendation by one of my teachers and the opportunity that SoftUni BUDITEL gives to its students to immerse themselves in the corporate environment of a technological giant!

Publication on the school’s website🔗

Java Web Developer - Mission Accomplished!

When I started this blog, I had to set certain goals. The most important of these was taking the full set of courses and getting a Java Web Developer diploma while still in high school.

Well, I’m proud to say it’s now done! I am now a proud holder of an excellent Java Web Developer diploma! It’s amazing that I’m able to learn software engineering while still in high school! Thank you, Software University!

In order to acquire the diploma, I had to take a series of courses and exams:

Programming Fundamentals
Java Advanced
Java OOP
Spring Data
Spring Fundamentals
Spring Advanced
JS Front-End
MySQL
Programming Basics
HTML & CSS
SoftUniada – Software Projects
SoftUniada - Competitive programming
TypeScript

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NLang Awards

🥇The node-based programming language I developed received an award and recognition during the Student Section of the Spring Conferences of the Union of Bulgarian Mathematicians, which took place from April 1 to 4, 2024 in Borovets.

🥇NLang was also awarded Best Project in the Computer Science category at FISSION International Science Fair which took place on April 13 at the American College in Sofia.

🥇Сertificate for excellent performance, National Competition "Young Talents", Ministry of Education and Science

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NLang

A node-based functional programming language, developed by me

Registers, instead of variables
Functions as the main units
Custom libraries, written in Java
Modular design
Running on the JVM

GitHub repo

First prize

My first participation in the Student Science Session of the Bulgarian Academy of Sciences brought me first prize!

I won the prize at the 10th scientific session of the High School Students' Institute of BAS with my project A simulation approach for a more complete immersion in the Metaverse.

Recognition in the national competition "Young Talents"

I am honored to be the first student to represent SoftUni Svetlina in the National competition "Young Talents" of the Ministry of Education and Science.

SEPience was awarded from the Chief Financial Officer of Siemens Bulgaria Milena Momerin at a ceremony at the Ministry of Education and Science.

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SEPience won prestigious awards again!

At the 23rd Student Section of the Spring Conference of the Union of Mathematicians in Bulgaria (April 10 – 13, 2023, Borovets), my project won several awards from the High School Student Institute of Mathematics and Informatics:

Certificate for excellent performance and medal with the project SEPience – Virtual Lab
K-TRIO Award for Scientific Software
Participation in the European Night of Scientists 2023 with the project SEPience – Virtual Lab
Invitation to participate in the 23rd Summer Research School with international participation

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