Panamanian Student on the Meaning of Nationality and Merit

For Rosanel Quiroga, carrying the flag of Panama during patriotic parades is not just a matter of nationality but of effort and merit. For Quiroga, this is «a reminder that great deeds have no nationality, and that a single name can be etched into the history of many countries.» And that legacy is still alive here, in Panama, where her name is honored in places like Simón Bolívar Plaza in the Casco Antiguo or Simón Bolívar Avenue, which crosses much of the city,» she expressed. «It's about effort, merit, and having the courage to dare,» Quiroga begins her comment in the Instagram of Panamá América, where this unfortunate incident was first reported. Quiroga recalled that Simón Bolívar was born in Caracas on July 24, 1783, and was a Venezuelan who liberated several American peoples, leaving a legacy that transcended borders. «Honestly, it's not about nationality or country of origin. The reaction of the honor student comes after she was not allowed to head the delegation of the José Remón Cantera College during the recent patriotic parades. That a person, no matter where they come from, can achieve something great, different, and significant anywhere in the world,» Quiroga concluded. «What am I getting at with this?» she asked. «Nothing should make us different if in the end we are all human beings,» the student continued. The college acknowledged that there had been an error.