Maria received an International Baccalaureate Degree from De Paul College Prep graduating Honors with Distinction. She was a member of the National Honors Society, Spanish Honors Society an Rho Kappa Social Studies Honor Society. She as a Crew team member of the Chicago Rowing Foundation rowing team for two years. She was also a Junior Staff writer for The Avenue, the Depaul Prep student newspaper. Maria attends the University of Illinois Champaign/Urbana where she is studying Brain and Cognitive Sciences. She is also a Primary Volunteer Trainer aiding the socialization of service dogs at 4 Paws For Ability,Inc as well as their current Fundraising Co-Chair.