Join on WhatsApp 
Join on Telegram Rabat – A 17-year-old Moroccan student recently reached an impressive milestone, representing both her school and country in a prominent literary contest held in Ceuta.
Nesrine El Guermaz took part in the 11th edition of the “Carta a un militar español” (Letter to a Spanish Soldier) competition, which this year centered on honoring female soldiers.
The competition brought together students from various Spanish schools across Morocco. Nesrine’s heartfelt letter to a Spanish female soldier earned her the provincial award.
The event was presided over by Colonel Federico José Navarro Quílez, the Delegate of Defense in Ceuta, and attended by key civil and military authorities of the city. Among them were the President of the City, Juan Vivas; General Commander Marcos Llago Navarro; and Government Delegate Cristina Pérez.
Also present were representatives from educational institutions in Casablanca, including Luis de Camoens and Juan Ramón Jiménes.
In her letter, El Guermaz honored the contributions of women in the military, while using her family’s personal history as a source of inspiration and pride.
Read also: Morocco’s Mariam Bouaoud, Fatima Kettani Achieve Success at Aqraa Competition
She recounted the story of her great-grandfather, who served as a soldier in the Spanish Army during the Spanish protectorate in Morocco, supported by her great-grandmother–a hidden hero of that time. In her words, “Those who once stood behind soldiers are now at the forefront, triumphing.”
After reading her letter during the ceremony, El Guermaz received a magnificent standing ovation. But what touched her most were the congratulations she received from attendees.
“After finishing the reading of the letter I wrote, the applause I received moved me deeply. However, what filled me with the most pride were the private congratulations at the end of the ceremony, with tears in their eyes thanking me for touching their hearts and bringing back such emotional memories,” El Guermaz told Morocco World News (MWN).
“At that moment, my greatest wish was for my country, Morocco, to give young people the chance to express the pride they feel for their nation and those who ensure its safety,” she added.
El Guermaz’s heartfelt letter stands as a tribute to the shared history between Morocco and Spain, underlining the changing role of women in the military. It also encourages future generations to recognize the sacrifices made by their ancestors in shaping a better future.
