Fabrizio Daniel Peralta Fretes, a promising digital technologies student at Colegio Estado de Israel in Asunción, has been named among the 50 finalists for the distinguished Global Student Prize 2025. His nomination stands out not only for his remarkable academic and leadership achievements, but also because he hails from Chacarita, a historically working-class neighbourhood in Asunción known for its ongoing social challenges.
Global Student Prize: 11,000 candidates
Selected from nearly 11,000 candidates representing 148 countries, Fabrizio’s inclusion in this prestigious competition highlights extraordinary commitment. The Global Student Prize, valued at US$100,000 and organised by Chegg in partnership with the Varkey Foundation, honours students who have made a significant impact on education, their peers, and society worldwide.
Chacarita, while often characterised by economic hardship and limited resources, has proven to be a nurturing ground for resilience and ambition, as embodied by Fabrizio. His journey from this community to an internationally recognised finalist exemplifies the potential found in Paraguay’s diverse neighbourhoods. The Global Student Prize will announce the final 10 candidates in August.
Fabrizio’s impressive achievements
Fabrizio has continually excelled academically, maintaining a flawless record and earning the National Flag academic distinction in 2024 as the top student of his year. Beyond school, he is a three-time finalist in the National Mathematics Olympiad (Omapa), co-founded his school’s robotics team and debate club, and achieved top rankings in nationwide competitions, including challenges hosted by Paraguay’s Space Agency.
Demonstrating a linguistic versatility crucial in today’s globalised world, Fabrizio speaks six languages: Spanish, English, Portuguese, Guaraní, Hebrew, and Japanese. His international experience includes a full scholarship to Yale’s Young Global Scholars in 2024, and participation in a neuroscience project with peers from multiple countries.
Supporting his family
Balancing academics with personal responsibility, Fabrizio supports his family financially, working evenings while maintaining leadership roles and academic excellence.
He also founded SPORTESAI, a non-profit dedicated to mental health advocacy in sports. With this project, he reaches over 300 young Paraguayans with resilience-building workshops. Through community volunteering and leadership in his school’s society and various youth organisations, Fabrizio exemplifies commitment to social progress.
His ambition is to study electrical engineering abroad. And after, return to Paraguay to improve infrastructure and expand opportunities for disadvantaged youth.
“Unlocking Paraguay’s talent”
Fabrizio credits his success to the support of his family, community, and school. “Access to education is key to unlocking Paraguay’s abundant. but often overlooked talent,” he emphasises.
The Global Student Prize will announce the final 10 candidates in August 2025. Fabrizio remains hopeful, carrying the aspirations of his community and country onto the global stage.
