The start of a new school year always brings with it new projects, the excitement of reunions, and a new future. At the Luis Urquiza Jorge Vocational Pre-University Institute of Exact Sciences (IPVCE in Spanish), that atmosphere comes to life when we talk with its students.

Las Tunas, Cuba.- Today, two of them —Pedro Daniel Pérez Santana and Lin Isabela Acosta Marrero— give us a glimpse into their aspirations, their challenges, and how they’re approaching this new academic year.

Pedro Daniel makes no secret of the fact that this year is a decisive step. For him, hard work is an absolute necessity. “This year, I intend to achieve the best possible results so I can aim for a good career in the future and do my very best,” he says.

"We find ourselves in a situation where we have no choice but to give our best, because we can never settle for mediocre results, and certainly not at this moment," he adds.

On the other hand, there’s another perspective: Lin Isabela Acosta Marrero, president of the Federation of Middle School Students (FEEM in Spanish), carries the responsibility of representing her classmates and charting her own academic path.

Currently in 11th grade, she looks to the future with a desire to excel and study hard. “This school year, I hope to get better grades, and I also hope that the competitions will return —let’s hope for that,” she says, reflecting the shared desire to bring back those competitions that so enrich the school’s intellectual life.

“My goals are simply to focus on my studies and get the best possible grades for next year, so I can choose a good major,” she says.

Behind every report card and every exam lies a source of support that often goes unseen: the family. In Lin Isabela’s case, that unconditional support fuels her to overcome the distance.

“My family is happy that I’m continuing at the school, because they support me as always—even though it’s quite difficult given how far away home is—but they still support me a lot,” she confesses gratefully. That strength her family gives her, despite the distance, becomes the anchor that keeps her steadfast in her goals.

Once again, it's clear that IPVCE shapes brilliant minds. As the school year progresses, they’ll continue to set an example, writing the story of a generation that chooses to dream big.