You have a lot of activities, and you achieve high results in all of them. Could you name your main activities? How do you keep up with everything? 

I focus on my studies at TSPMI, the Utena District Council, the Riflemen’s Union and sports. The first two are related: next year – I would like to finish my bachelor’s degree and complete my first term in the municipality. I will remember those four years for a long time. 

I am a member of the Lithuanian track and field, VU track and field and weightlifting teams. And in the Riflemen’s Union, I am the head of the branch. 

I like organising events, volunteering, debating, and participating in children’s summer camps, festivals and celebrations. 

You are the youngest city councillor in Lithuania; how did you decide to run? Do you face any difficulties because of your age? Would you say that young people need to be involved in politics and decision-making?

As part of the project “Schoolchildren – to Government”, I was interested in the activities of the Ministry of Culture, met politicians and specialists, and learnt about their work. I was curious about the activities of the Government and the Seimas, and I looked into what I could contribute myself. These were the first steps. 

The next step was the idea of the Utena politician Edmundas Pupinis, who opened up the chance to run for municipal councils from the age of 18. After the Seimas endorsed the idea, I was invited to join the electoral list and decided to give it a try. I made it to the Utena District Council. One decision changed my destiny. 

I think I am a good example that there are no big obstacles for young people. I try hard, I do the right thing, and I don’t try to please everyone. I have heard reprimands about age, experience, energy or initiative, but for athletes, such things only encourage them to improve and to try harder.  

Of course, I support my peers and encourage them to take an interest in politics and decisions and to seek spacious classrooms. This is not limited to the municipality but also to ministries and the Parliament. 

In the first year, I used to talk about the activities and decisions of the Utena Council on my Instagram, where students read them. But nowadays, I post on my personal page www.zarankaite.lt about my activities, giving my opinion on various issues or commenting on colleagues’ activities. 

Would you like to share what you have done during your term in office? Do you have new ideas for the future?

The most important task of a councillor is not to be stuck at a desk with papers but to interact with his/her compatriots and help them solve their problems. Answering calls, going to meetings. 

Before the elections, I had a few ideas in mind, which I am consistently moving, pushing and caring about. For example, I want to improve the skate park in Utena. It has taken almost three years, but we have already allocated the money, we have approved the project, and we have a timetable. 

My next topic is financial support for students in Utena. The district gives a scholarship to a local student, and then the student gets a guaranteed career opportunity in his or her home country. This is not only a financial contribution but also young professionals for our region. 

Last year, my colleagues and I set up a fair system for rewarding sportsmen from the Utena region. This has been done before, but there was no clear description: what the criteria are, who allocates, and what the prizes are. 

In addition, I have a strong interest in participatory budgeting. I have organised meetings to discuss how to implement this in Utena. This year, I have included the development of regulations in the Council’s plan. I hope that a decision will be taken in the autumn. In this way, the citizens of the region themselves will be able to be more involved in decision-making. 

You are a track and field and weightlifting athlete, and just this weekend, you won several medals at the Lithuanian Student Championships; How did you discover sport? What are you most proud of in this field?

I was born into a family of athletes, and my whole childhood was spent between competitions, festivals and sports festivals. I started with swimming, and medals came along, but then I had to say goodbye to it and got acquainted with discus throwing. 

With the discus and shot put, I have already collected a lot of medals and trophies, but I have not stopped. I go to international competitions with the Lithuanian national team, and for the last 3 years, I have been the winner of the Lithuanian student discus throw. I am happy that I won gold at the SELL competition in Riga.  I hope to fly to China next year to compete in the Universiade. 

I only tried weightlifting last year. But I won silver at the Lithuanian Student Championships and bronze at the Lithuanian Championships representing Vilnius University. I was surprised by these achievements. 

You are also a member of the Lithuanian Riflemen’s Union; what does this organisation mean to you? Why is it important for you to be a citizen?

I joined the Rifles in 2015. Being present at all kinds of festivals, actions, and state events pushed me to be responsible, patriotic and sometimes combative. The life experiences of being part of the Rifle movement have made me a better person. It has encouraged empathy, diligence and personal example. 

The responsibility I have earned (Chapter Leader) has pushed me to grow internally and to pass on good qualities to new members in order to better integrate them into the Union. 

Why did you choose to study at VU TSPMI? Are your studies helping you in your current job?

My studies and my work at the Utena Council complement each other. 

From what I have said before, I am a versatile and curious person. I like science, where I can learn about very different things. 

Moreover, studying has made it clear how theories differ from practices. 

Is there anything you would like to wish the Institute community?

I wish you to remain exceptional, to do what you think is right. Everything comes naturally, you just have to work hard and not get tired of looking for the right path.