Madrid.— The Embassy of the Dominican Republic to the Kingdom of Spain held the ceremony for the presentation of the XI School Merit Award, a distinction that recognizes academic excellence, the spirit of overcoming and the civic values of students of Dominican nationality or origin residing in Spain.
The event, led by Ambassador Tony Raful Tejada, took place at the official residence of the diplomatic mission and brought together authorities, educational representatives, family members, and teachers of the honored young people.
“**Today we celebrate not only the grades of the selected students, but also the civic, human, and solidarity values that they demonstrate every day as exemplary Dominican youth abroad,**” expressed Ambassador Raful during his speech.
As part of the recognition, the award-winning students will enjoy a cultural trip to the Dominican Republic, where they will be received by President Luis Abinader, First Lady Raquel Arbaje, and the Governor of the Central Bank, Héctor Valdez Albizu.
Among those attending the ceremony were the ambassador to UN-Tourism, Anabel Bueno Santana, the consul general José Marte Piantini, representatives of the Institute of Dominicans and Dominicans Abroad (INDEX), members of the jury, as well as figures from the academic field.
During the event, the 2024 first-place winner, Ashlie Ventura Horán, shared a moving testimony about the transformative impact of the award on her life. Meanwhile, Paola Juliana Ramírez Volquez, the first awardee of the 2025 edition, gave a speech in which she paid tribute to the sacrifices of her immigrant parents and highlighted the importance of support networks for young Dominicans abroad.
Also recognized were students Martina Tussent Granero, Gael Then Hallal, Alexander Yersy Pérez Pérez, Yarisa García Pérez, Manuel Figuereo García, Wander Alcántara Ventura, Rafael de Jesús Arroyo Angeles, Nicole Elidania Cataño Batía and Roberto Arco Acosta, along with Daniel Gallego Encarnación and Adrid Joel Santana Medina, who received special mentions for their outstanding academic performance.
The School Merit Award was established in 2008 with the aim of promoting the educational and social integration of the Dominican community in Spain, while strengthening the ties of young people with their country of origin.
Among those attending the ceremony were the ambassador to UN-Tourism, Anabel Bueno Santana, the consul general José Marte Piantini, representatives of the Institute of Dominicans and Dominicans Abroad (INDEX), members of the jury, as well as figures from the academic field.
During the event, the 2024 first-place winner, Ashlie Ventura Horán, shared a moving testimony about the transformative impact of the award on her life. Meanwhile, Paola Juliana Ramírez Volquez, the first awardee of the 2025 edition, gave a speech in which she paid tribute to the sacrifices of her immigrant parents and highlighted the importance of support networks for young Dominicans abroad.
Also recognized were students Martina Tussent Granero, Gael Then Hallal, Alexander Yersy Pérez Pérez, Yarisa García Pérez, Manuel Figuereo García, Wander Alcántara Ventura, Rafael de Jesús Arroyo Angeles, Nicole Elidania Cataño Batía and Roberto Arco Acosta, along with Daniel Gallego Encarnación and Adrid Joel Santana Medina, who received special mentions for their outstanding academic performance.
The School Merit Award was established in 2008 with the aim of promoting the educational and social integration of the Dominican community in Spain, while strengthening the ties of young people with their country of origin.
