HOLYTRAFF BACK-TO-SCHOOL QUESTIONNAIRE FOR OUR PARTNERS
As kids, September 1 always felt like the beginning of yet another endless school year. Now, all it takes is one school story to mentally take us back — to familiar voices, brand-new notebooks, school hallways, and the people we used to see every single day.
It’s funny how, with time, these simple moments become some of the warmest memories. And how sometimes you just want to go back for one day — to the place where everything was only beginning.
That’s exactly why, for September 1, we asked our partners to look back on their school years. Some dreamed of becoming surgeons, some wanted to be artists, and some were already aiming for the U.S. presidency. And some of the answers turned out to be far more interesting than the standard “I loved summer break.”
HELGA — FOUNDER OF HOLYTRAFF AND HOLYTRAFF MARKET
What do you remember most about September 1? Tell us the first story that comes to mind when you think about that day.
There were at least ten of them. I loved that day because everything felt new — from school supplies and clothes to new students, new subjects, and new teachers.
I remember my very last September 1 at school. It felt sad and exciting at the same time. As 11th graders, we escorted the first-graders to the school assembly, and honestly, both they and we were equally nervous. Together with one of my classmates and the kids, I rang the first school bell.
It felt especially symbolic because on my own very first September 1, I had also been the little girl sitting on someone’s shoulders and ringing the first bell.
I absolutely loved school!
If your school teacher found out what you do today, what do you think they would say?
I don’t think she would be surprised by the creative side of my work at all. At school, I was always the one with a microphone, coming up with ideas and organizing things.
What did you dream of becoming when you were at school?
An architect, an evening news presenter, and at one point I even thought about politics. There was also a time when I considered becoming an interior designer.
But more broadly, I simply dreamed of being the best at whatever profession I chose.
KAYA — TV HOST AND PRD HOLY TRAFF
What do you remember most about September 1? Tell us the first story that comes to mind when you think about that day.
I really loved school and always looked forward to September 1.
I remember that in first grade I represented all the first-graders and rang the first bell while sitting on an older student’s shoulders. I had these beautiful patent-leather shoes, but they were slightly too big for me. So while I was ringing the bell, I was holding onto them with my feet so they wouldn’t fall off.
That’s why in every photo from that moment, I’m not a smiling little girl — I look extremely serious, as if I’d been entrusted with saving the world.
If your school teacher found out what you do today, what do you think they would say?
My teacher would definitely be proud of me. My homeroom teacher taught Ukrainian language and literature, and she was constantly sending me somewhere — to local and international academic competitions, contests, poetry readings, recitation events, and more.
What did you dream of becoming when you were at school?
I dreamed of becoming a singer and a bank director. I thought bank directors were basically like Scrooge McDuck and took baths in money.
I was also the deputy head of the student council at school, a member of the Chernivtsi City Student Council, and, by default, the person responsible for organizing class celebrations. I think that explains a lot.
I always wanted my work to bring people happiness and be useful.
NIKITA — PROJECT MANAGER AFFHUB
What do you remember most about September 1? Tell us the first story that comes to mind when you think about that day.
My relationship with September 1 basically went through a full cycle of emotional decline and recovery.
In first grade, like probably everyone else, I was really excited to start school. But within the very first week, I realized kindergarten had been better. The turning point was discovering that you weren’t allowed to take a nap after lunch at school. I still consider that a major loss.
Up until 9th grade, September 1 felt like pure torture to me. But in high school, my attitude changed completely. I genuinely started looking forward to it, began appreciating school much more, and felt really sad when I experienced my final September 1 as a student.
As for a specific story, it would probably be my very first school bell in first grade. My parents gave me a Kinder to take to school, which at the time was something really special for our family financially. I thought that meant I’d get one every day.
Then I found out it was a one-time promotion specifically for the first day of school. That, combined with the lack of afternoon naps, made me hate school until about 9th grade.
If your school teacher found out what you do today, what do you think they would say?
If it were my homeroom teacher, probably something like: “Shenderovskyi, I knew nothing good would come of you.”
What did you dream of becoming when you were at school?
At first, I wanted to become a police officer. Then I realized that wasn’t for me and decided I wanted to become a professional criminal.
By middle school, I figured I could combine both and go into politics. So ever since then, I’ve dreamed of becoming President of the United States.
JOHN — AFF MANAGER SMARTSHOP
What do you remember most about September 1? Tell us the first story that comes to mind when you think about that day.
I never liked September 1. To me, it always meant one thing: having to wait another whole year before finally getting three months of happiness instead of this misery.
If your school teacher found out what you do today, what do you think they would say?
My IT teacher would probably just silently jump out of a window.
Throughout school, he kept telling me never to go near computers or technology because it was “just not my thing.” So what I do today would probably be a very unexpected plot twist for him.
What did you dream of becoming when you were at school?
I never dreamed of one particular profession. I just wanted to be rich.
As a kid, I thought a lot about how to make enough money to never have to deny myself anything — to buy as many shoes as I wanted, eat whatever I wanted, and get anything I felt like having.
So there was no dream job. There was just one very simple goal: never be poor.
KOSTYA GOLUBIEV — CREATIVE DIRECTOR WILD WILD GROUP
What do you remember most about September 1? Tell us the first story that comes to mind when you think about that day.
The first time I went to first grade, I was smiling despite missing a front tooth.
White flowers, white knee-high socks, and a freshly starched shirt — everything exactly as it should be. A huge class, probably around 38 students. And the teacher’s obnoxious son, who picked on everyone because he knew he’d get away with it.
Then came the first lesson, where one of my classmates mispronounced a line while reading aloud. After that, our parents met us and took us to a café.
What a day.
If your school teacher found out what you do today, what do you think they would say?
Probably something like: “Oh, I don’t understand any of these modern professions of yours. Do you like it? Do they pay you?”
What did you dream of becoming when you were at school?
Up until 9th grade, I was absolutely convinced I would become a surgeon.
Then, after the Orange Revolution in 2004, which I followed nonstop on TV, I firmly decided to go into journalism.
SASHA — HEAD OF AFFILIATE GENTLE PARTNERS
What do you remember most about September 1? Tell us the first story that comes to mind when you think about that day.
I remember my mom bought me a green dress and a beautiful white blouse. She brought the outfit from Europe.
And I spent the entire school assembly staring at the little flowers on my dress because they were so bright and beautiful.
If your school teacher found out what you do today, what do you think they would say?
“You’re my star. I never doubted you.”
What did you dream of becoming when you were at school?
I dreamed of becoming a superhero and defeating evil in the world.
And helping animals and people in need.
MAX YABLONSKYI — CMO DID GLOBAL
What do you remember most about September 1? Tell us the first story that comes to mind when you think about that day.
I remember coming to school on September 1 with a really nice bouquet that I was supposed to give to my teacher.
But at some point, I decided it would suit my friend better, so I gave it to her instead.
The teacher ended up with no flowers, but my friend was happy.
Apparently, I already knew how to set my priorities back then.
If your school teacher found out what you do today, what do you think they would say?
It really depends on the teacher.
Some would say, “Well done. We expected nothing less from you.”
Others would probably say, “Wow. How did you even make it to 26?”
And the worst part is, both sides knew me well enough to be right.
What did you dream of becoming when you were at school?
An actor. Seriously.
But I never made it into the TV series School, and after graduating, auditioning for it didn’t really make sense anymore.
So I had to build a career another way.
ARTUR — AFFILIATE MANAGER GROWE PARTNERS
What do you remember most about September 1? Tell us the first story that comes to mind when you think about that day.
I remember my sister was finishing 11th grade just as I was starting first grade.
She walked me onto the school assembly, and for me it felt like the beginning of a completely new chapter.
Back then, the teachers had no idea what was coming. But I think they figured it out eventually.
If your school teacher found out what you do today, what do you think they would say?
Probably something like: “Nothing new — you always loved talking.”
But seriously, I don’t think they’d be surprised that I’m still constantly coming up with ideas, trying new things, and keeping up with trends.
That part of me probably stayed exactly the same since school.
What did you dream of becoming when you were at school?
A member of parliament.
I grew up in an environment where it seemed like if you wanted to be successful and financially secure, you had to go into politics.
Today, I feel like I’m exactly where I’m supposed to be. But if I ever had the opportunity to use my experience to help my hometown of Kherson, I’d definitely consider it.
LANA — FOUNDER OF CONVERSION CONF
What do you remember most about September 1? Tell us the first story that comes to mind when you think about that day.
I remember myself with a huge bow in my hair and lots of new friends whom I managed to meet within the first 15 minutes of the school assembly.
If your school teacher found out what you do today, what do you think they would say?
“Well done! Keep it up!”
What did you dream of becoming when you were at school?
An artist.
KRISTINA — HEAD OF AFFILIATES HELL PARTNERS
What do you remember most about September 1? Tell us the first story that comes to mind when you think about that day.
I remember how excited I was for September 1 because I finally got to see my classmates again.
But to be honest, I probably enjoyed the back-to-school shopping even more. Trying on a new school uniform, choosing stationery and notebooks — I loved it.
If your school teacher found out what you do today, what do you think they would say?
My English teacher definitely wouldn’t be surprised that I now work with international partners.
Even back at school, I only considered careers where English would be useful, and I dreamed of having a job that would also let me travel.
What did you dream of becoming when you were at school?
Learning English was one of my hobbies, so I only considered careers where I could actually use it — for example, translator, diplomat, or international economist.
MARIA BOBROVSKAYA — PR EVENT & PRODUCTION TEAMLEAD AT N1 PARTNERS
What do you remember most about September 1? Tell us the first story that comes to mind when you think about that day.
I performed at the school assembly and recited poetry in front of the entire school.
Apparently, my habit of being at the center of things started pretty early.
If your school teacher found out what you do today, what do you think they would say?
They’d probably say that not much has changed.
I still bring people together, come up with ways to make things more interesting, and take on more than was originally expected of me.
What did you dream of becoming when you were at school?
A cardiologist.
I was fascinated by medicine and by how complex the human body is. I was especially interested in how the heart works.
That love for complex systems stayed with me — they’re just made up of people, processes, and deadlines now.
KATERYNA YEROMINA — CEO, LVLX
What do you remember most about September 1? Tell us the first story that comes to mind when you think about that day.
September 1 is standing in the schoolyard with hundreds of other dressed-up kids, holding a bouquet of gladioli almost as big as you are, while your brand-new shoes are painfully tight and a Pocahontas backpack is hanging on your shoulders.
You’re sad because summer break is over and now you have to wake up early and do homework again.
But you’re also happy because you’ve missed your classmates all summer and can finally show off the first mobile phone your parents bought you — a Siemens proudly hanging around your neck on a pink cord.
If your school teacher found out what you do today, what do you think they would say?
“Yeromina, you’re exactly the same as always. At school, you were constantly ignoring rules and pushing your limits — signing up for competitions without preparing or arguing with the principal. And now you’ve chosen a high-risk industry. Well, of course you have. Anything ordinary would have been too boring for you.”
What did you dream of becoming when you were at school?
At first, a veterinarian.
I adored animals and was sure that was my calling for life.
Then the dream somehow changed, and I ended up studying marketing.
Back then, nobody had even heard of iGaming. The word practically didn’t exist, and imagining that it would one day become my profession would have sounded like pure fantasy.
ANASTASIA — HEAD OF PR ARBITRAGE UP
What do you remember most about September 1? Tell us the first story that comes to mind when you think about that day.
I always spent a very long time preparing for September 1.
For me, it was a whole tradition: visiting every stationery shop in the city, choosing every pencil, pencil case, backpack, and new outfit.
It was an incredibly meticulous annual ritual, but I absolutely loved it.
The story I remember most, though, is September 1 in 6th grade — because I simply missed it.
My family and I went to the seaside for a couple of weeks, and it was so nice there that we decided to stay for another two.
Back then, schools didn’t really keep everyone’s mobile numbers, and most people still used landlines, so the school had no idea about our plans.
Meanwhile, my school was holding rehearsals for top-performing students. I was supposed to receive an award on September 1 and take part in the school assembly.
We had no idea.
When we finally came home, we found what felt like a million missed calls from my homeroom teacher. It turned out I was supposed to attend all those rehearsals, which we had very successfully missed.
If your school teacher found out what you do today, what do you think they would say?
It would probably be enough to tell them that I work in marketing and generally live a very active and interesting life.
Some of my former teachers still follow me on social media, so they already see what I do.
I think they’d just be happy for me.
What did you dream of becoming when you were at school?
A translator.
I decided on that back in 6th grade and never seriously considered anything else.
That’s exactly what I went on to study at university.
DEN — AFFILIATE MANAGER, V.PARTNERS
What do you remember most about September 1? Tell us the first story that comes to mind when you think about that day.
I always went to school on September 1 knowing that after the assembly, pizza with my classmates was waiting for me.
It was our little tradition.
After that, I’d go celebrate with my parents.
So for me, September 1 was never really just about school. It was about seeing friends again, pizza, math being back in my life, and that feeling that another whole year of adventures was ahead.
If your school teacher found out what you do today, what do you think they would say?
I don’t think my teacher would be too surprised because even back then, we were already discussing crypto and different ways to make money online.
What did you dream of becoming when you were at school?
A cybersecurity specialist.
I never ended up building a career in cybersecurity, but I did learn how to spot fraudsters.
We may have outgrown our school uniforms a long time ago, but it seems we never really outgrow our school memories.
And today was the perfect excuse to revisit some of the warmest ones.
Want to get a little more nostalgic? Read our partners’ full questionnaire on Instagram via the link.