My first semester at Wagner College has been a fantastic whirlwind of new experiences. I finally got to focus on the core classes of musical theatre that I waited so long to take, while also expanding my boundaries by taking World Literature classes, French Culture studies, and more. I was honored to be accepted into three audition-only choirs, with which I've performed on-campus, in NYC, at church gigs, and even with a full orchestra in Summit, New Jersey. I am pleased to announce that I will be touring Italy this spring with the Wagner College Choir, performing in Venice, Florence, and ending in Rome by singing at the Vatican! I have also pushed forward with dance, by taking ballet, jazz, and doing frequent auditions in NYC for Broadway, cabarets, and masterclasses. These experiences have allowed me to create connections with people I never thought would even look my way. Out of school I am taking voice lessons with Marisa Michealson, vocal coach of Dave Malloy's shows, most commonly known for his Tony Award-winning show, Natasha, Pierre, and the Great Comet of 1812. Balancing my schoolwork while also taking time to have new social experiences has been a challenge, but one of the extracurricular groups I'm most passionate about is OutWagner, the LGBTQ+ group on campus. Together, we've helped arrange a bus to the Washington D.C. Transgender March, raised money for the Trevor Project, and fought for more gender-neutral housing on campus (which we got!!). I managed to find friends who are just like me, but I also have friends who are nothing like me. It is nice to be surrounded by people with completely different perspectives, goals, and opinions, while everyone has an open mind and accepts each other with open arms. All my experiences this year would not have been possible without MVYouth. I am forever grateful for you believing in me.