On Thursday, July 30, 2002, the awards ceremony for the 1st Edition of the IB Awards for Academic Excellence took place at the IVAM CADA in Alcoy to the 21 award-winning students from Alcoy, Cocentaina and Muro. In a most endearing and emotional event, journalist Marina C. Aresté acted as master of ceremonies alongside Iñaki Berenguer. The awards ceremony also included the participation of the mayors of Alcoy, Toni Francés and Cocentaina, Mireia Estepa, and the councilor of Muro, Juan Manuel Sanchis. Full of pride and emotion, the winners were accompanied by their families, teachers and directors of the educational centers. These awards publicly recognize excellence, effort and the spirit of improvement among high school students. They celebrate academic achievements and motivate students to continue striving and growing for years to come. As Iñaki rightly indicates, seeking excellence is an attitude. It is not enough to have talent and be intelligent. It also…