Ikigai is a Japanese concept that refers to something that gives life worth, meaning, purpose, or a reason for being. Graduating in 2018, Charter alumna Kelen Quintana finds her way in the world by bringing communities together and working to bring attention and build awareness to societal and political issues. Quintana finds passion in these matters and plays a huge role in how society has developed and will continue to do so.
Born and raised in Miramar, Florida, Kelen started her high school journey as a “Jag” and had a “great experience at charter” having had great friends, teachers, and college preparation. She graduated with both her high school and AICE diploma, all while upholding a 5.0 grade point average and being in the top 10% of her senior class. She participated in several major clubs with leadership roles in many National Honor Societies, Model United Nations, and the Student Government Association—all of which have greatly influenced her college and career path.
During her time in high school, the Parkland High School shooting took place leaving many high schoolers, teachers, and families devastated. Kelen and her classmates decided to take the initiative and bring awareness to the matter. She held a school-wide walkout, shared representative information to write letters, and formed a student coalition with Congresswoman Wasserman Schultz and other community members to come up with gun and anti-gun policies. Additionally, Quintana had an internship in the office of Marco Rubio and worked as an instructor at Gideon’s Math and Reading Center.
A big inspiration for Kelen’s passion for studying human rights and other countries is her own experience. Thinking about how this interest came about throughout her college lifetime, Quintana realized how it reflected what her family went through. “Making that personal connection was really important, and that’s what propels me to this day,” she says, “and working in international relations and gender studies was influenced through my experience as a Latina in the U.S. and my family’s experience in Cuba.” As a Cuban-American, her background is a big part of who she is. Kelen voices that it has “definitely shaped [her] passion and direction for academic and professional interests.”
She graduated from the University of Florida, moved on to a fellowship in Washington D.C., and is now attending graduate school in New York at Columbia University. Kelen Quintana continues to follow her passion and explore the many aspects of political science. Her ultimate goal is to end up in UN Women and work for gender development and gender rights. “I want to bring all of that experience and somehow help Cuba,” she refers to her background and the reason she works in the field she does.
“It’s so important to enjoy where you’re at,” Kelen advises, “there is so much pressure to be a perfect student and so much of our lives revolve around preparation for the future, and because the next thing comes so fast it’s easy to miss the past.” Charter continues to grow and so do the students. Similar to Kelen, Charter is an experience for many high school students to learn and to find themselves. Kelen’s “reason for being” continues to evolve through the years as she dedicates her time and passion to unite communities and help others understand the world around them. And although one may not know it yet, they have a purpose. Everyone does.
