Meet Diana Alonzo: Volunteer in NYC
Diana was born and raised in Queens, NY and has three sisters. She is a rising junior at Skidmore College in Saratoga Springs, NY, currently working towards a BS in Exercise Science. After college, Diana plans to pursue a degree in physical therapy. In her free time, she likes to explore new foods and read novels. In addition to assisting CMMB with Spanish to English translation, Diana is supporting CMMB’s program team this summer. Find out
If you were asked to sum yourself up in two words, which two would you choose? Influential woman.
Why did you choose to work with CMMB? I chose to volunteer with CMMB because I believe that if everyone found time to volunteer, with either donations or helping people first hand, there would be fewer people worldwide struggling to survive. My parents are from Ecuador, which has areas where people have very limited resources. Many cannot afford medical assistance and/or schooling. I once volunteered abroad with another organization, and saw how desperately people, especially women and children, need assistance.
What are you most proud of? I am most proud of my mother, she has done so much with so little.
Imagine you are stuck in an elevator. Who would you most like to be stuck with? And why? If I was stuck in an elevator with someone, I’d want to be with Blair from the show “Gossip Girl.” She always has a quick solution for everything and I would want her advice on how to handle my life in general.
Imagine if you were an animal, which would you be and why? If I were an animal I would be a cheetah, because not only are they the fastest animal, but they’re also very protective of their cubs. Also, they have amazing eye sight and can spot their prey up to five km away!
What is your hope for your experience volunteering with CMMB? I hope to gain a better understanding of what women and children go through, especially in Latin america, where my roots lay.
Favorite quote: “People will stare. Make it worth their while.” —Harry Winston
What book should everyone read? Why? Everyone should read A Child Called It. I recently came across it and loved it. Everyone talks about child abuse, but the detail given in the book will shock you and give you better insight into what an abused child really goes through.
Who would you like to play you in the movie of your life? Blair Waldorf from Gossip Girl (Leighton Meester).
What is your hope for the future? My hope for the future is world peace. There are so many unnecessary wars that go on around the world, killing so many innocent people – and no one should live in fear in their own home.
Favorite speech or Tedtalk:
If you could solve one world problem, what would it be? If I could solve one world problem it would be robbery. People work so hard for their things and no one should be able to just come and take it.
What are the three things you are most grateful for? I am most grateful for my mom, siblings, and technology.
Who is your biggest inspiration? Why? My biggest inspiration is Salma Hayek. She is an actress who came to the U.S. with no idea of what she was doing. She barely spoke English and had dyslexia, and even though she came with no working contract like many actors and actresses do, she still made it to Hollywood.