The ninth edition of the school literature competition, titled Letter to the Spanish Soldier, celebrated its winners, with Claudia Gimeno Iniesta earning top honors as the first Baccalaureate student to receive the state prize. The ceremony took place at the Defense Sub-Delegation, where Marine Corps Colonel Juan Bosco Montero Prado presided over the proceedings and announced the recipients. The event honored explorers and military strategists who expanded Spain’s reach across both hemispheres, highlighting the lasting influence of their expeditions on science and national heritage.
The competition invites participation from year 4 of ESO, as well as the first and second year of the Baccalaureate, along with FP students. It also includes intermediate students from regional study centers and Spanish centers abroad. In its ninth edition, nine schools from the province joined, and the theme asked participants to reflect on the voyages undertaken by soldiers whose resolve and bravery helped shape Spain into a nation with a durable legacy of knowledge still relevant today and contributing to science, as stated by the Defense Sub-Delegation.
A view from the awards ceremony at the Defense Sub-Delegation, captured during the event.
Claudia Gimeno Iniesta claimed the top prize for her letter titled Achieving social justice in the 16th century. The first finalist was Alejandro Di Lorenzo Berrozpe from Colegio CEU Jesús y María in Alicante, a second-year Baccalaureate student. The second finalists included Mirian Garcia Nephew from the Alicante area, a first-year Baccalaureate student at the María Auxiliadora School, and Mauro Fresneda Gontan, a fourth-year ESO student from the Salesian School Juan XXIII in Alcoy. These finalists represented a range of educational stages and demonstrated the depth of engagement with the competition’s theme.
Attending the ceremony were the award-winning students, their families, and school representatives. Jury members, distinguished figures from the province’s educational and cultural sectors, were also present. After the awards and diplomas were distributed, the winning student read the letter aloud to all participants, sharing insights into social justice across historical periods.
The Deputy Defense Delegate offered congratulations to the winners and expressed gratitude to participants, schools, and jury members for their collaboration. He emphasized the values of effort, sacrifice, perseverance, will, and enthusiasm, highlighting reading as a fundamental tool for achieving life goals and personal growth.