In the end of March the School Student Organisation of Slovenia (DOS) with cooperation of the Ministry of Education, Science and Sport announced the Best Pupil, male and female. The intention was to reward active pupils who, besides being successful in school, occupy themselves with a number of extra-curricular activities. The outstanding teenagers were nominated by secondary schools, and the selection was made by a five-member DOS commission. As the best among male pupils Jernej Štremfelj (Jurij Vega Grammar School, Idrija, 2nd grade) was chosen, and among female pupils Urška Pliberšek(Secondary School for Catering and Tourism Maribor, 3rd grade).

We had a conversation with Jernej Štremfelj.

Do you have any problems with self-praise – do you speak about your achievements with pride, or you prefer to stay reserved and thus avoid being perceived as boastful, especially when among your peers?

I think you have to find the right balance. Too much self-praise is dangerous – you can become self-satisfied, and start thinking you are better, and more important than the others. Consequently you can easily stop working, and start doing things differently than before – besides, people don't like you. Therefore I consider this title also as a danger that something like that could happen to me, and I try to avoid it. On the other hand, excessive modesty is to be avoided as well. You need to be aware of your talents, but stay realistic. Anyway, the achievements speak for themselves. It is especially true of such titles as the Best Pupil. Everybody knows about it, so there is no need to brag. Perhaps I am reserved, but I don't consider it wrong. I like to prove myself, and make my achievements known, otherwise I don't brag.

You have already had outstanding success with piano accordion. You perform often at concerts in your area, you already had two solo concerts, and you often participate in competitions. It seems the accordion remains popular with young people. Will we soon have the opportunity to listen to the Jernej Štremfelj Band – is that one of your goals?

Yes, it is. I think the accordion is lately gaining popularity. But you should know that a lot of people dislike Oberkrainer music, but they like to listen to the accordion when other genres of music are played. I think the diverse music I play attracts more people, also young, than if I chose only one musical genre. The problem is that people don't even know that it is possible. I hope I didn't give the impression I dislike Oberkrainer music. Just the opposite, I like it, especially the music of the Avsenik brothers which is of great quality. Unfortunately, today you can hear a lot of music at the Slovenia's music scene (both Oberkrainer music, and other genres) which is far from being called quality music. I like to play Avseniks’ compositions, and every year I participate at the international competition for this kind of music in Begunje na Gorenjskem. I would like to form a band, sometimes in future, but I don't know when that time will come. At first you have to find musicians, and then dedicate a lot of time to practicing. And almost certainly the name of the band won't be as you suggested (laughter).

You are only 16. What do you fear most when you imagine yourself at the age of 20 (30)? You know, when during chatting with friends the conversation turns to "When I am 20 I there won't be ..."? Or, to rephrase my question, what would you like to avoid in the coming years – e.g. failure in your study, living at home with your parents, losing your zest and the idealism you feel now...?

Let me say at first that in future I would like to make correct decisions regarding my study, and to complete it successfully. Next I would like to get a good job, and to have the work that would please me. I would like to continue occupying myself with music, which is an important part of my life. All in all, I can say I that I am not yet afraid of future. I would hate it if I were to neglect my talents, and my assets. I am aware I have certain abilities not all the people have. Therefore my responsibility to do something real, something good, is even bigger. The award I was given confirms I am going in the right direction, but I am only at the beginning of my path. The last thing that I want is to remain there. After a couple of decades the title of the Best Pupil 2013 won't mean anything.

If Slovenia were a liquid in a glass, would you see it as half full, or half empty?

I like to remain optimistic. Therefore the answer is – half full, of course. Probably also because I have always been sheltered from the dark side of life. Being a grammar school pupil with practically all needs fulfilled, I certainly consider the glass as full. But I am aware that that is not so. The situation in our country isn't exactly rosy. And perhaps we, the young people, are the only ones who can bring the solution to the crisis. We have the energy, and we wish to do good. The Slovenian political sphere needs reform, new people, statesmen, and not politicians who act only in their interest.