The student international cup is one of the most awaited events amongst schools of APCE, APDE, and ADEC, which are schools aligned with catholic values from all over Central America. Every two years, our schools take turns hosting this unforgettable event for all our student athletes. This April 2026 from 20th to the 25th the student international cup took place at Iribo school in Costa Rica, where schools from countries like Costa Rica, Guatemala, and El Salvador met to compete in different disciplines like Volleyball, Basketball, Track and Field, Soccer, and Chess. The school who earns the most amount of wins through all the different sports and categories gets to take home the international cup. This year our school once again had the opportunity to participate in the tournament with Volleyball teams U12, U14, U16 and U18, Basketball U12 and U14, Track and Field with a big group of Athletes from all ages, and two chess players. With all the anticipation and excitement towards the cup our students had all their hopes held high and received their blessing by Don. Eduardo Marin at our school's oratory.
Athletes blessing by School La Floresta’s Priest Don Eduardo Marín.
From the very beginning of the cup, you could sense every emotion, a competition that seems just like one more tournament transforms into something more once you experience it. It is not just one more tournament, but a celebration for all athletes where our competition, teamwork, school spirit and even sacrifice stand out.
The opening ceremony took place on April 20th. For us, as Juniors 2027, this wasn’t simply one more cup, but it was our very last one, filling us with excitement right from the beginning, a feeling so indescribable to those not there. While waiting to make our entrance you could hear us loud and clear yelling at the top of our lungs all different kinds of cheers. “Es que ser guanaco es un sentimiento que se lleva en el corazón, yo daría mi vida entera por ser campeón” We could all feel the pride of every chant in our bones and created a unique union within our team and others from school.
La Floresta’s Athletes at Iribo’s third international cup Opening ceremony. Picture Taken by: Marina Comayagua. From left to right: Anabella Rodriguez (volleyball, sophomore), Maria Fernanda Olivo (volleyball, sophomore), Raquel Eckman (volleyball, freshman), Ana Belen Cruz (volleyball, junior), Ana Rebeca Rivera (track and field, junior), Paola Rodriguez (volleyball, junior), Rebeca Rivera (volleyball, sophomore).
Throughout the entire tournament, our school gave us countless reasons to feel proud. Every team and athlete contributed to the spirit that defined this whole experience and represented our school with passion and pride. From the courts, to the track, to the chess tables, the dedication and effort of every participant could be seen. Our basketball teams, U12 and U14, were shining in every match. They were undefeated and ended the cup in 1st place, both showing the results of all their hard training, perseverance and abilities.
In the chess competition our students Ana Lucia Guevara and Maria Jose Guevara, siblings with an extraordinary talent, did a remarkable job taking home 2nd and 1st Place. In track and field every girl representing our school did an outstanding job taking home several medals each, in competitions like relays, 4x100, etc. Ana Rebeca Rivera was our junior competing for the las time representing our school, this whole day was filled with emotions from the second they set their foot on the track. Rebeca did a great performance as a farewell to the school’s competitions. As well we saw an outstanding performance by other athletes like Rochelle Decoito and Elisa Diaz.
La Floresta’s Track and Field team. From Left to Right: Ana Rebeca Rivera, Rochelle Decoito, Elisa Diaz, Natalia Perez (Coach), Valeria Rodriguez, Paola Rodriguez, Sofia Salamanca, Vanessa Barrientos, Sofia Mayela,
When it comes to volleyball, competition was strikingly harder. Costa Rica is a country known for their outstanding volleyball and Iribo is specially known for their outstanding level. As part of the U18 volleyball team, this year’s tournament was very special. With it being the last cup with Ana Belen Cruz, our team’s setter, Pao Rodriguez, one of our team’s middles, and myself, Lia Duarte, playing as the team’s Libero. We knew from the very first second that we were about to give every game our all.
Our volleyball journeys this year was nothing but extraordinary; Our younger volleyball teams delivered outstanding performances throughout the Cup, demonstrating talent, discipline, and determination that characterize our school’s athletes. U12 girls won 3rd place, U14 and U16 teams took home 2nd place. As part of the older girls’ team, I can say that we are all extremely proud of how far the younger volleyball girls have come and hope for the best for them in all their tournaments to come.
La Floresta’s Volleyball team. From Left to right: Luciana Quintanilla, Julieta Siguenza, Vanessa Barrientos, Lia Duarte, Ana Belen Cruz, Maria Fernanda Olivo, Anabella Rodriguez.
As for the U18 team, our journey was far from easy. Match after match, we grew stronger, earning our place in the finals against the same team we had lost to in 2024. The final game was filled with nerves, excitement, and emotion. Every point felt intense, and every play carried the weight of everything we had worked for over the past two years. Winning first place was not just about taking home a trophy. It represented growth, perseverance, and the ability to come back stronger after failure. With hard work and an intense match our U18 team took home First Place. It reminded us that some of the most meaningful victories are the ones that take time, resilience, and heart.
One thing that made this international cup exceptionally special was not only the competition itself, but also the friendships created and the unity behind it all. The girls from Iribo school welcomed us with so much kindness. Beyond the matches and the pressure to win they invited us to spend time together outside of the court. There was a genuine sense of friendship and respect between everyone. Their kindness reminded us that sports are not only about competition but also about connections and memories created along the way.
La Floresta’s U18 volleyball team at the award ceremony.
For the juniors who attended, this tournament also marked the closing of an important chapter. Many of us have spent years representing our school, growing not only as athletes but also as people. Knowing this was our final International Cup that made every moment feel more significant. As we returned home with medals, memories, and stories, we will never forget. After this five-day tournament our school was able to obtain fourth place in the overall international cup with outstanding results.
La Floresta’s Athletes at award ceremony, 4th Place trophy. From left to right: Mayerly Nieto, Mayte Silva, Luciana Linares, Lourdes Moreno, Ana Belen Cruz, Sofia, Anabella Rodriguez, Mafer, Miss. Celina de Posada (School principal), Valentina Angulo, Vanessa Barrientos, Ariella del Valle, Rochelle Decoito.
Basketball:
U12 1st Place, U14 1st Place
Volleyball:
U12 3rd Place, U14 2nd Place, U16 2nd Place, U18 1st Place
Chess:
Ana Lucia Guevara 2nd Place
Maria Jose Guevara 1st Place
Track and Field:
Rebe Rivera: 3rd en 200 y 3rd en relevo 4x100 categoría A
Camila Belén Alberto: 2nd en 4x100 categoría D
Elisa Díaz: 2nd en 4x100 categoría C
Fatima Sánchez: 3rd en 4x80 categoría E
Jimena Chicas: 3rd en 4x80 categoría E y 2nd en 4x100 categoría D
Karla Rodríguez: 3rd en 60 m planos categoría F
Karla Medina: 2nd en 4x100 categoría C
María Fernanda Corpeño: 3rd en 4x80 categoría E
Paola Rodríguez: 3rd en 4x100 categoría A
Paulina Rodríguez: 3rd en 4x80 categoría E
Rochelle Decoito: 2nd en 4x100 categoría C y 2nd en 4x100 categoría B
Sofía Salamanca: 3rd en 100 m, 2nd en 4x100 categoría C y 2nd en 4x100 categoría B
Sofía Sánchez: 2nd en 4x100 categoría B y 3rd en 4x100 categoría A
Sofía Nicole Rodríguez: 2nd en relevos 4x100 categoría D
Valería Rodríguez: 2nd en relevo 4x100 categoría C
Vanessa Barrientos: 2nd en relevo 4x100 categoría C, 2nd en relevo categoría 4x100 categoría B
Zoe Rodas: 2nd en 60 m planos
