A Colombian student at a Panama City public school could not carry the Panamanian flag in patriotic parades despite achieving the highest academic rank in her class. Rosanel Quiroga, a twelfth grade student at the Jos\u00e9 Antonio Rem\u00f3n Cantera school, became the center of a national debate after a video about her situation went viral on social media. The case has ignited conversations about merit, national identity, and the regulations governing civic ceremonies in Panama’s educational system.<\/p>\n
The controversy emerged from a video published by Panam\u00e1 Am\u00e9rica newspaper showing Quiroga expressing her disappointment. School officials reportedly prevented her from carrying the national emblem during November’s patriotic parades because she is not a Panamanian citizen, even though she earned the first place honor in her graduating class. This decision has drawn both criticism and support from social media users across the country.<\/p>\n
In the emotional video, Quiroga described her profound connection to the country she has called home since 2016. She explained that the majority of her formative years have been spent immersed in Panamanian culture. The student arrived from Colombia eight years ago and now considers Panama her true home.<\/p>\n
“It makes me a little sad that despite my merits, they are minimized because this is not my country of origin,” Quiroga said. “Carrying the flag is a beautiful feeling. A flag has a very important meaning for a country, and being first in your class is something nobody should take from you.”<\/p><\/blockquote>\n
Visibly moved during her interview, the student emphasized her complete identification with Panamanian culture. She noted that she has even lost her Colombian accent after years of living in Panama. Her emotional testimony resonated with thousands of viewers who shared the video across multiple platforms.<\/p>\n
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