Rebekka Hermo in Year 12 has been chosen to participate in the final event for this year’s Spanish Embassy competition “la Ruta Quetzal” on Friday 11th December in central London .

This very high profile competition is organised by the Spanish Government’s Foreign Office. Ruta Quetzal started back in 1979 and is sponsored by the Spanish king as a way to consolidate and promote links between Spanish students (15-16yrs) from all over the world and Latin America. Every year Spanish students from around the globe participate in a summer expedition in Latin America recreating one of the main Conquistadores routes. While in Latin America, students are involved in an academic programme (designed by the Universidad Complutense Madrid) focusing in the historic heritage of the route, Spanish language, Geography, survival skills, among other topics. This year the students who are awarded the grant will travel to Mexico following the route of the Mayan White Ways, “Caminos Blancos.” The summer expedition starts in Madrid where all the winners are invited to the Spanish Royal Palace to meet the Spanish Royal Family and make their first expedition - part of the Camino de Santiago, “Saint James’s Way”  - before flying to Mexico.

Every country can only select one candidate, and Rebekka should feel very proud to have been selected as one of the finalists (only 30 in the UK!) for her academic profile, sport and community involvement. In the London finals Rebekka will have to pass a Spanish examination in the morning, and, if she is among the best 10, she will continue to the afternoon finals. There are prizes for the best 10 students in the country (for example, Spanish courses in Spain and London and expedition equipment).
 
 What a fantastic achievement! JAGS is delighted that Rebekka is going to the UK finals, a great opportunity to meet other passionate linguists and a tremendous boost to her confidence in the language.  Buena Suerte Rebekka!