Maria Alejandra Quinonez

Hi I'm Maria, Welcome to my Zeeme! I am 17 years old and I love doing sports, spending time with my friends and family and investigating about current events. I'm an adventurous and curious person trying to leave my mark in the world.

I play soccer as a mildfielder since 8th grade and I love it! I wear the number 20 in my jersey as I was inspired to play soccer by Gonzalo Higuain, an Argentinian professional player. I have play numerous games against schools all over Nicaragua and an international Soccer tournament in Honduras

Ever since I can remember I have had an interest in world issues, foreign affairs and politics. That interest gradually became my passion, and in HS I joined the debate club at my school. I enjoy debating controversial topics and current events such as human traficking and economic instability.

I am currently involve in two women empowerment programs. I love working in this programs in order to empower young girls to become leaders and future entrepreneurs. Both programs aim to help young girls around the world to exploit their potential in order to become well-rounded professionals.

By volunteering in E4C I was able to visit a local Hospital that provides free medical care for underpriviledge kids that suffer from cancer. As a member I participated in numerous visits to the hospital, organized parties for the kids and to teach the kids how to do handcrafts.

I enjoy traveling all around the world to learn and experience different cultures, traditions and customs. Being exposed to multicultural environments have allowed me to develop better critical thinking skills as I analyze things from different perspectives. Also, I was able to eat a scorpion!!

The powe of a Smile! I am currently the Vice-President of my school's OP club, which means that I'm responsible to create fundraising activities and to help with the logistics of the medical missions in Nicaragua. Being part of the OP family has forever change my perspective in helping those in need

I was recently selected as a volunteer for the anual TEDx Managua conference. The topic of this conference was Empowerment and as a volunteer I was able to assist in the planning of the conference.

As a board member of the OP youth school's program I was in charge to organize a fundraising activity, alongside other High School students. in order to pay for the upcoming medical missions for the year of 2015. For the 2016 5k Color Run I was named the head of the Sponsorship department.

I am the current President of the Science Honor Society of my school, a member of the National Honor Society of High School Scholars and a newly inducted member of the National Honor Society in my school. Being part of the Honor Societies allows me to work with several humanitarian projects.