At a black-tie affair in the Convention Center of Puerto Rico Ballroom on December 21st finalists from Argentina, Chile, Colombia, Panamá, Costa Rica, Peru, Spain, the United States and Puerto Rico arrived to participate in the culminating event of Operation Exito’s annual competition, “La Magna 2012”.

With more than 400 spectators in attendance, the young students ready themselves to participate in this renowned international competition with the singular aim of achieving victory, lifting the trophy that would consecrate them as champion over their head, claiming Operation Exito’s grand prize, a $100,000 college scholarship and trip Australia, and proudly raising the flag of their country on Puerto Rican soil.

After the first round, the judges announced the semifinalists who would move on to the next round, the representatives from Puerto Rico, Argentina, Panama y Peru.

Once the semifinals were completed, Panama’s representative, Fernando Alberto Varela Fábrega, had secured a position in the finals, but his rival would have to be determined by a tie-breaker between the representatives from Argentina, Mariano Bonifacio, and Puerto Rico, Derek M. García Almedina. The victor in the tie-breaker round was the young Puerto Rican.

The atmosphere was filled with the tangible tension and nervousness of all those present as the final round began and continued until the end when the audience erupted in celebration of Derek M. García Almedina’s victory.

Derek García is a 15 years old resident of Aibonito, Puerto Rico and a student at Dr. José N. Gándara Senior High School who was visibly moved for having earned first place for his country in “La Magna 2012” competition and, in doing so, winning a spectacular trip to Australia, and a $100,000 college scholarship.