In Las Tunas, the new academic period got off to a strong start, and these two stories prove that when you dream and strive, limits become merely a starting point.

Las Tunas, Cuba.- At the opening ceremony for the school year at the Luis Urquiza Jorge Vocational Pre-University Institute of Exact Sciences (IPVCE), two names resonated powerfully: Jennifer García González, a young chemistry competitor who carried the Cuban flag to International Olympiads, and Claribel Díez Espinoza, the mother of a student who was competing in Brazil at that very moment.

That morning, there was a recognition segment —for looking back and looking forward. The student who has proudly upheld Cuba's name at two International Chemistry Olympiads stood there. "I am very happy," were her first words. "It was a beautiful experience —getting to know other cultures and youngsters who, like me, compete for their countries. I made many friends, and the time spent in the laboratories was unforgettable." She added emotionally: "Competing against students from all corners of the globe and holding the Cuban flag high was the most rewarding part."

That September 1st, the ceremony also held a special, nostalgic moment —space for another equally moving story. Claribel Díez Espinoza took the stage to accept an award on behalf of her daughter, Anabel Mantilla Díez, who had recently won a bronze medal at the Ibero-American Biology Olympiad in São Paulo, Brazil.

"Satisfaction," Claribel tells me. "It is the result of three years of intense study and great sacrifice —sometimes giving up sleep to dedicate to studying. It is a goal achieved, and I am so happy for my girl."

"It has been proven that it is possible, even amidst the strengthened blockade and the energy crisis. It requires sacrifice —sometimes she had to study in the dark— but it is possible; of course, it is," she remarked.

Two students, one shared pride; the evidence that intelligence and effort always find a way to flourish.