78‑year‑old Orazio Rinaldi sits Italy’s high‑school maturity exam in Rome

Orazio Rinaldi, a 78‑year‑old retired army lieutenant colonel originally from Monte Sant’Angelo, became one of the oldest candidates for Italy’s high‑school maturity exam. On 18 June 2026 he sat the written test at the Istituto Superiore Calamandrei in Rome, joining classmates aged 18‑21.

Rinaldi said he feels the same anxiety as his younger peers and urged other seniors to pursue a diploma. He has attended daily classes since September, participated in the class chat, and scored a nine on a practice essay. He will be examined in Administration, Finance and Marketing, as well as economics, French and law, and praised the institute’s teachers for their support.