Jack Holmes - Brown University

This year has brought about unprecedented change in every aspect of our lives. My first semester of college proved no different. Brown switched to a trimester schedule this year in the hopes of diminishing the density of students on campus, and as a Freshman, I was not given the option for a full set of classes in the fall. Instead, I was able to take one class remotely. I took this opportunity to explore my interest in medical studies by taking the course Biotechnology in Medicine. This class showed me the many routes a medical career could take and introduced me to the different fields of medical technology. During this time, I also prepared for my spring semester by meeting with advisors and planning for my first full schedule of classes. Another one of the changes that came with Brown’s move to a trimester was the creation of a summer semester that is to be attended by all freshmen. This posed a problem as anyone who knows the island understands the summer is the season for making money. To make up for this summer I am set to miss, I worked with my father this fall doing property management. The work, while helping me afford college, also introduced to me a wide variety of practical new skills such as painting, shingling, carpentry, power washing, landscaping, and nearly every other type of job that can be done on a house. While I was disappointed not getting the chance to begin my college experience this semester, I knew the adjustments were necessary to keep students and faculty safe, and I enjoyed the precious time I was given with my family. Even with all these new challenges, I will be lucky enough to attend college in the spring and for that I have MVYouth to thank. This scholarship is an invaluable tool that is giving me the flexibility to attend school in a year that is, to say the least, been difficult and tumultuous for us all.