prepaUP hosted the fourth edition of the Pantera Awards (2025–2026 school year), an event that recognized more than 100 students for their academic, athletic, and leadership excellence.
At this year’s ceremony, more than 100 students were honored for their overall excellence. In addition, the institution awarded the highest honor, the Alumni Summa Cum Laude, to Dr. José Antonio Lozano Diez, president of the Governing Board of the UP-IPADE system, for his outstanding academic and professional career and his contribution to the development of higher education in Mexico.
What are the prepaUP Pantera Awards?
The Pantera Awards are the premier institutional recognition program at the high school of the Universidad Panamericana, created to honor students who excel in their
The ceremony reflects prepaUP's educational model, which aims to prepare young people to excel academically, develop leadership skills, demonstrate social commitment, foster a spirit of sportsmanship, and uphold human values.
More than 300 people participated in this fourth edition, including university officials, faculty members, parents, and students.
Recognition of Holistic Education
During the ceremony, prepaUP presented awards to students who excelled in various areas of development:
- Academic
- Intellectual
- Leadership
- Sports
These accolades reflect the results of teamwork, the dedication of the teaching staff, and, above all, the unconditional support of families in helping young people achieve their goals, both within the school and in regional and national competitions.
Leadership, perseverance, and the value of family
During the ceremony, the speeches focused on the virtues that shape the character of a student at the Preparatory School of the “ Universidad Panamericana.” Francisco Mieres, outgoing president of the Student Council and a future student at the UP School of Law, reminded everyone that great achievements stem from perseverance:
“Awards recognize achievements, but those achievements always begin with habits, sacrifices, and perseverance. Today we celebrate our ability to get back on our feet after facing adversity and to give it our all,” Mieres said.
For his part, Alberto De la Barreda, M.A., director general of the prepaUP boys’ high school, illustrated the value of perseverance with the metaphor of an apprentice who, guided by his master, manages to break a stone after months of silently striking it, allowing his talent to flourish. He also reinforced the institutional foundations of the community:
- The family as the core: “The first team—the most loyal one, and the one that should never be taken for granted—is the family.”
- The transcendent meaning: “Above all our efforts is God, who sustains us, corrects us, and reminds us of what is worth striving for.”
Dr. José Antonio Lozano Díez: “Summa Cum Laude Alumnus”
The most significant moment of the ceremony was the presentation of the “Alumni Summa Cum Laude” award to Dr. José Antonio Lozano Díez, a graduate of the class of 1985–1988 and current president of the Governing Board of the UP-IPADE System.
This award is presented to graduates who, through their personal and professional journeys, embody the mission of the Universidad Panamericana: to be people of integrity who actively contribute to Mexico’s development. Dr. Lozano was recognized for his many accomplishments, including:
- Lawyer, professor, and researcher.
- Opinion leader, writer, and columnist.
- A champion of higher education, a promoter of research, and a founder of new academic schools during his tenure as President.
A Message of Hope in the Face of Adversity
When he took the floor, Dr. Lozano Díez fondly recalled his years of study at prepaUP, noting that it was there that he developed an optimistic outlook on life thanks to the influence of his teachers, classmates, and the school’s humanistic education.
“We’ve gone from utopia to dystopia, from an era filled with hope for the future to an atmosphere marked by pessimism. That’s why I want to send you a message of hope for your lives—one that reminds you that, even though it may seem like there are many obstacles along the way, there are also many tools to help you overcome them.”
