Although the year was full of ups and downs, my first semester of sophomore year was on of the best so far. This semester, I discovered my passion for critical thinking, and declared my major in Ethics, Social, and Political Philosophy in hopes to one day fulfill my dream of becoming an immigration lawyer. I have also declared a minor in Human Rights, and Spanish Language. I have so many exciting and challenging classes to look forward to in the upcoming spring semester, together with an opportunity to job shadow the Assistant District Attorney at Middlesex County District Attorney's Office! All these amazing opportunities are made possible thanks to the MVYouth community, I just want say how grateful I am to be able to finish every semester strong, because school is my only job and priority.
Samantha Hargy - George Washington University
During my third semester at GW, I took advantage of George Washington University’s close proximity to Capitol Hill by interning in the U.S. House of Representatives with Congresswoman Carolyn Maloney (D-NY12). I attended briefings, replied to constituent letters, and frequently got lost in the tunnels under the U.S. Capitol building. On top of my internship, I took classes that both challenged and interested me, including Brazil Rising, which analyzed the history and future of Brazil. I also joined a professional community service fraternity, Alpha Phi Omega, that connects students to community service sites around DC. With APO, I completed 36 hours of community service this semester. The end of the semester was bittersweet, as I will not return to GW until senior year. Instead, I will take part in the Global Bachelor’s Program and study abroad for three consecutive semesters. I will start this journey in February at Fudan University in Shanghai, China. My following two destinations are to be decided. MVYouth provided me with the possibility to do all of these amazing things. A thank you will never be enough to explain how grateful I am to go to GW, and it’s all thanks to your help!
Chris Aring - Olin College
During my most recent semester at Olin, I chose my major, built a piano playing robot, designed my own computer processor, and explored more interests. While I've decided to major in electrical and computer engineering, I plan to take education courses at Wellesley College. Since many of the classes at my school combine ideas from multiple disciplines and count for more than one major, I took two computer science classes this semester. By working in project teams with students and teachers, I had additional opportunities to experience what it means not only to fulfill the objective of a project, but to learn to teach others in my group and the entire class the material I knew. In a sense, the project groups are themselves mini-classrooms where my interest in education has grown. In one class, I worked as part of a team during a three month span to create a piano playing robot. Our grade was not based on how functional the final product was, but rather on our documentation, check-in reports, and final product website. This last semester has been one of growth. I learned how to work on large, lengthy projects with a team, how to communicate and research to set myself up to be the first student from my college to go through Wellesley College’s education program, and finally, how to take the next step. Thanks to the support of MVYouth, I have been able to grow and learn in innovative and curious ways.
Casey McAndrews - Hamilton College
My time at Hamilton College has continued to be an amazing experience, and it is flying by! Over the past year I have spent several Saturdays working with the Hamilton Autism Advocates for NeuroDiversity (HAAND) club on campus. Children with autism from the surrounding community come to the school and engage in all different kinds of activities and arts and crafts to help boost their social kids with others. This has been one to most inspirational things for me on campus, as I have become very passionate about working with children with autism and other special needs. I was also recently elected co-captain for the women’s club soccer team for the upcoming semester. This past year I was able to take some really cool classes. I took a developmental biology course and watched chick embryos develop, and was also able to participate in several different psychology studies for senior thesis projects for my psychology class. I am looking forward to many new experiences and classes in the upcoming semesters. Thank you, MVYouth, for another amazing year!
Olivia Jacobs - Hamilton College
I've had a busy fall semester at Hamilton College. I took an art course, an introductory women's studies course, and two education courses this semester. Women's studies was fascinating because the issues we've learn about are particularly prominent in today's political climate. My two education courses were wonderful - one focused on lesson planning while the other was an ethnography course in which I had to observe a classroom in the community every week and then write about it. The art course "Figure Drawing" was a toss-up, a totally different area of study and one very unfamiliar to me. I took the course because I wanted to challenge myself. I love that Hamilton allows me to explore and expand my interests. I have continued riding on the Equestrian Club team twice a week as well. It brings me a lot of joy to be around the horses. I also continue to intern at the local middle school running girls empowerment groups. My life at Hamilton is so full of the things I love to do. There are so many possibilities in my future thanks to the generous support of MVYouth.
Kaela Vecchia-Zeitz - New York University
The past year at NYU has been one of reckoning and growth. I’ve not only gained knowledge in the classroom, but also an immense amount of intellectual thought and discussion in the bustling environment of New York City. In the early spring of 2017, I began an internship at The Bronx Defenders, a holistic public defense office which provides services to lower-income people living in the South Bronx. This experience has taught me a great deal about the integrity, determination, and patience I will need to have as a social worker moving forward, especially if I choose to work in criminal justice reform. In accordance to working at The Bronx Defenders, I am engrossed in my studies. This fall I’ve been taking a journalism course - investigating the complexities of news, media, and journalism in the past and present. I’ve enjoyed this class so much that I’ve decided to concentrate in journalism, alongside majoring in social work. Next semester, I’m planning to study abroad in Buenos Aires, Argentina where I hope to cultivate fluency in the Spanish language and Argentine culture. This incredible opportunity would not be a reality for me if it wasn’t for the generosity of MVYouth. Thank you.
Lee Faraca - Cal Poly
Junior year at Cal Poly is the most challenging, but also the most enjoyable year at school. For the past 2 years I’ve been learning all of the mathematics and physics behind engineering. This year, I get to take major classes and explore more of the civil engineering field. So far my interests lie in the water resources and geotechnical engineering fields. Engineers Without Borders (EWB) is an organization I’m heavily involved with. Currently our chapter of EWB is working on designing a water distribution system for Cuachillo, a small village in Nicaragua. These next couple quarters I’ll work with the projects team to research and design pipelines for the installation. In August, I hope to travel with some of the EWB team to Nicaragua to build and implement our design. A couple weeks ago, our department had a meeting about senior projects and graduation requirements. College has seemingly flown by. It’s remarkable how much progress we the recipients, and MVYouth as an organization have made. The impact MVYouth makes is huge, with college expenses rising, it’s becoming much harder to get a collegiate education. Thank you so much for your compassion and generosity.
Gavin Leuenberger - Northwestern Michigan College & Michigan State University
Gavin Leuenberger was selected as the first recipient to receive financial support to pursue a joint program in Landscape Management offered through a partnership between Michigan State University (MSU) and Northwestern Michigan College (NMC). The specialized training partnership allows students to earn a certificate from the MSU Institute of Agricultural Technology (IAT) while working toward an Associate’s Degree from NMC. The program provides training for students to select, use, and manage landscape plants and lawns. Students obtain a working knowledge of plant growth, development, and identification which prepares them for careers in the green industry.
Galya Walt - Tufts University
Sophomore year has been full of a wonderful mix of coming back to a group of old friends and communities on campus while also incorporating new faces and activities into my life here. I have had a rigorous and rewarding semester of classes which have shaped my decision to double major in community health and psychology. I am very excited about my future course of studies and look forward to combining these two majors to study my interest in mental health in marginalized communities. Outside of academics I have taken full advantage of Tufts’ outdoors club and enjoyed hiking the beautiful New England fall in the White Mountains during many weekends. I am excited to return to the mountains next semester covered in snow! I also have loved continuing to play on the club ultimate frisbee team and volunteering in a cognitive neuroscience lab on campus. I am so grateful for this opportunity to learn with wonderful and inspiring professors and classmates who exposed me to new ideas and challenge me every day. Thank you MVYouth for your generosity and for making my college experience possible. I can’t wait to see what the next two years have in store!
Madeleine Moore - University of Chicago
My past year at the University of Chicago has been thrilling. Over the summer, I was granted the opportunity to travel to China. I stayed in Chengdu and Beijing for a month and worked as the Director-General of a camp dedicated to teaching middle and high school students about Model UN and the skills involved. Once returning home, I worked as a news intern for the MV Times. Back at school, I have continued to pursue a degree in Economics and a minor in History. This quarter, I was able to take a class called the Economics of Crime, taught by Steven Levitt, author of Freakonomics. It was the most interesting and engaging class I have taken. With the help and encouragement of MVYouth, I have been given so many wonderful travel and learning experiences. I cannot wait to see what the next year has in store!
Charles Parkhurst - UCLA
I’m more than halfway done with college! Never have two years of my life flown by so quickly. Despite my many wonderful experiences making the time feel shockingly short, I’m thrilled to think I’ll have a degree from UCLA in just a year and a half. Being an upperclassman, I am able to choose classes from a diverse array of topics in political science that are directly related to current global issues. Classes examining the international politics surrounding nuclear theory and analyzing the international relations of China kept me thoroughly engaged this year. Even better will be next quarter as I begin studying for the entrepreneurship minor. Taking courses such as Marketing Principles for Entrepreneurs and Technological Commercialization makes me actually look forward to the hours of schoolwork ahead. As far as the road beyond UCLA, I’m genuinely interested in going into politics, I’m prepping for the LSAT, and I also have a passion for trading futures so I may not be fully decided, but it’s certainly not due to a lack of interest or options. I’m excited and grateful for each and every avenue MVYouth has made possible for me to pursue through their amazing efforts and generosity.
Anne Ollen - Barnard College
This fall I was fortunate enough to spend the semester studying at New York University’s campus in Accra, Ghana. There I took classes with some of Ghana’s best professors in the fields of African history, sociology, literature, and psychology. I also had the opportunity to take a traditional drumming class at the University of Ghana where I learned to play music from the Ga and Ewe people of southeastern Ghana. Studying in Accra allowed me to challenge my prior understandings of the legacies of slavery and colonialism in West Africa, and learn more about how Ghana’s identity as a post-colonial nation effects its socio-political climate today. In addition to taking classes, I volunteered at B.A.S.I.C.S. International, which is an after-school program, in a fishing village near Accra, that provides academic assistance and social services to children of the community. There I got to learn more about certain challenges facing the Ghanaian school system, and how NGOs like B.A.S.I.C.S. are working to alleviate these issues. This semester was a once-in-a-lifetime experience that allowed me to live a new country, learn about a different culture, and meet lots of amazing people. I would never have gotten this opportunity if it was not for the support and generosity of MVYouth. I am so grateful!
Marlla Lemos - UMASS, Boston
This past semester at UMass Boston has been full of exciting experiences and opportunities. Attending a University that is so close to the heart of Boston allows for classes to extend beyond the four walls of the classroom and into the city. My English class ventured into the historic city on a hill and explored places such as The Boston Athenaeum, Museum of Fine Arts, and Mapparium. If it weren’t for this English class I would not have gotten to know Boston as well as I do now and been introduced to resources such as The Boston Public Library, where I now spend many afternoons preparing for my classes. Living near Boston has also allowed me to broaden my perspective on life and society beyond the Island which is incredibly valuable, since growing up on the Island led to a relatively sheltered childhood. All of the opportunities I now have within my University are possible thanks to the MVYouth scholarship. This scholarship has allowed me to attend a University that challenges me intellectually, while also presenting opportunities to grow as an individual in a diverse environment where there is much to be learned from my peers and the city nearby.
Samantha Hargy - George Washington University
My first year at The George Washington University has been full of crazy ups and downs. Moving from Martha’s Vineyard to a bustling city was difficult, but I have had some amazing experiences in DC. I was standing outside the White House when the results to one of the most historic presidential elections were announced. I watched comedian Seth Meyers live during his first ever shows in DC, scored tickets to the National Christmas Tree Lighting, and traveled to the Library of Congress to fulfill an assignment. In my classes, we had the opportunity to see some outstanding speakers, such as Senator Bernie Sanders and National Security Council Press Spokesperson Emily Horne. My professors are ambassadors and authors and qualified beyond belief. I would not have had these opportunities if not for the generosity of MVYouth and I will be forever grateful that you all have allowed me to go to my dream school in the heart of our nation. I can't wait to see what the next three years have in store for me.
Chris Aring - Olin College
My first semester at Olin College of Engineering has been one of the more life changing experiences in my life. All of my assignments were based on team projects and team building exercises which helped make me a better team player and more aware of how other people work. I think it is important to work on projects with groups and not individually because the real world is not about isolation and solo work; the real world is about working with others, sharing ideas, and making connections. I have already met and worked with students who have worked for various companies like Google, Microsoft, SpaceX, and many more. Many of these students are only sophomores and got their job offers from the career fair here each semester. At the career fair, companies show up and students get to walk around and meet with actual engineers from each company. I met with a few businesses and ended up being asked by the members at the Boston Scientific booth to apply for a Co-Op or internship. I decided to hold off on the offer because I wanted to get my first year under my belt before taking a semester long break. It was a great experience that I don't think I could have gotten anywhere else. Being given the opportunity as a first year student to talk with head engineers from Microsoft, Google and other companies is something I don't think many kids get at other schools and it motivates me to work even harder.
Casey McAndrews - Hamilton College
Life at Hamilton continues to be new and exciting every day. Because of the open curriculum, I’m taking the courses that really interest and challenge me. Everyone here is kind and hardworking and it feels so rewarding to be able to be part of this community. I joined the club soccer team at the beginning of the semester and that has been one of the highlights of my college experience so far. There’s no better way to end a day of classes and studying than playing soccer with some of my closest friends. I was also excited to be recently accepted into the Hamilton Reads program for next semester, in which I will be a reading tutor for a second or third grader from a local elementary school twice a week. Thank you MVYouth for this scholarship and for allowing me to attend my dream school. I will be forever grateful as I move through these next four years.
Olivia Jacobs - Hamilton College
It is hard to put all of my thoughts and feelings regarding my first semester at Hamilton College into words, but I will do my best! My classes last semester greatly inspired me. I was assigned at least 100 pages of reading every weeknight, but the hours spent pouring over books were well worth it. My eyes have been opened to the vast world around me. I now understand, with clenched fists, America’s system of mass incarceration and the horrifying realities occurring inside American prisons; I have delved into religious studies, exploring Islam, Judaism, Christianity, and Mormonism; I have studied the history of discrimination driven by concepts of race and gender; I have read about the evolution of the American public education system. Aside from academia, I’m interning at a local middle and high school, working in the counseling office and running girls empowerment groups. Working with the kids is the highlight of my week. I am also in the Hamilton Equestrian Club, riding twice a week and loving it. The College has so much to offer, and there is never a day when I feel bored or restless. Hamilton has truly become my home, and I cannot thank MVYouth enough for allowing me to attend such a remarkable school.
Kaela Vecchia-Zeitz - New York University
I always knew I loved visiting New York City as a kid, and living here for the past five months has solidified that love within me. During the week I spend many hours in NYU’s gorgeous Bobst Library where I travel up to the 8th floor study room and look out onto the sprawling city scape - the Washington Square Arch, Chrysler building, and Empire State building all within view. I also volunteer at the Hebrew Union College soup kitchen, just a couple blocks from campus and help with the publishing of the Minetta Review, one of NYU’s literary magazines. NYU’s Silver School of Social Work has been a warm and welcoming community that I’m so honored to be a part of. Along with the amazing resources NYU offers, I’ve also explored the amazing resources of the city - some of my favorites being trips to the MET, a Claudia Rankine reading, and seeing the play Party People at the Public Theatre. I never imagined that NYU would be such a perfect fit for my education. And there is no way I would’ve found that out without the immense generosity of MVYouth. Thank you.
Anne Ollen - Barnard College
I had another wonderful semester this fall! Sophomore year has proven to be challenging as my classes have become increasingly rigorous. Yet, I am continually amazed by the programs, the professors, and my peers at Barnard. The opportunities that the college and city have provided to me are incredible. Studying at Barnard and living in New York City is a dream come true! This spring I am declaring my major to be Political Science with a minor in Africana Studies. I am also planning to study abroad next fall in Accra, Ghana. I’m excited to travel to another country to pursue my degree and immerse myself in another culture. I’ve had an amazing experience in college thus far, and I am eager to see what my future holds at Barnard and abroad. Thank you again for your continued support!
Lee Faraca - Cal Poly
I'm greatly indebted to MVYouth, and I honestly don't know what I would do without it. The engineers at Cal Poly have a saying "Friends, grades, or sleep... choose 2". While it's a joke, there's an element of truth to it. The financial aid I've received makes college a lot less stressful and lot more enjoyable. Instead of needing a part time job, I can explore different clubs and focus on school. I'm working with the club "Engineers Without Borders". We're designing and installing a water sanitation and transportation system for a village in Nicaragua. It's a really fun experience, learning the design process and aspects of building, all of which will benefit those in need. On the weekends, there are plenty of National Parks to explore and soccer games to be played. Academically, this year is dedicated to the math and physics behind engineering. I still have absolutely no idea what an Eigenvector is (or how to cook something besides pasta), but I'm super excited to continue my college experience, made possible by MVYouth.