Rose Engler - Brown University

This spring, I will be graduating from Brown with a degree in Public Health. I plan on taking one year off to pursue my venture before matriculating into Brown's medical school to continue the PLME. This past year has been one of evolving passions, narrowing interests, and exploring opportunities.

This past summer, I interned for Khushi Baby, a startup developing India's first comprehensive electronic health record system. As the Innovation Intern, I attended meetings with India's public health experts and used their input to lead a team of software engineers in the development of an app that was ultimately integrated into Khushi Baby’s larger digital health platform. Working directly under the CEO and CFO, I fell in love with the startup culture and learned how to lead a digital health company. I took this newfound knowledge and decided to develop my own venture.

COAD, which stands for Community Adherence, is a venture that incorporates a patient's support network into the medication reminder process to ultimately improve medication adherence—the percentage of time a patient takes their medication as prescribed/on time. Over the fall semester, I translated my idea into action and made significant progress in the venture-building process. Specifically, I performed 300 customer interviews, completed comprehensive bottom-up research, assembled a team, and built a prototype. This spring, our team will continue developing iterations of the MVP and start looking for funding. We are all extraordinarily excited!

I am incredibly humbled and grateful for the continued support and generosity of MVYouth. Thanks to their kindness, Brown University has become my incredible beginning. I am excited to see what comes next!

Marissa D'Antonio - Boston College

This past semester at Boston College, I was lucky enough to have all in-person classes without masks. Though quite a radical shift from the previous school year, it allowed for a sense of normalcy that I had been yearning for since the beginning of the pandemic. With this, I was able to truly focus on my classes, extracurriculars, and campus life. Most of my course work this semester was focused on completing my majors of Finance and Management Information Systems. While most of my classes were purely academic, I was able to take my first true elective, Ceramics I. This class allowed me to continue building on the wheel throwing skills I had learned at MVRHS and provided me with a much-needed creative outlet for the rigorous semester. Aside from academics, I have continued to play ultimate frisbee and have taken on the role of booking all our scrimmages and tournaments. I have also continued to volunteer in Boston tutoring at the Allston Brighton Community Development Center. In addition to my regular four hours of service every week, I was appointed to the position of organizing the service placement logistics and coordinating volunteers. As my academic studies come to a close, I am happy to announce that I have accepted a job opportunity in Denver, CO following graduation. In the summer of 2022, I will begin working at Protiviti as a Technology Consultant in their Internal Audit and Financial Advisory department. Though at the beginning of college I thought I would never do tech, the Management Information Systems major sparked my passion for software, technology, and problem-solving. As I finish up my education at Boston College, I can truly understand what the gift from MVYouth has done for me. In five months, I will graduate debt-free, have a good job I am passionate about, and be free to explore all life has in store for me. Thank you!

Samuel Bresnick - Boston College

After finishing up the first semester of senior year, I can’t believe how fast it has gone by. I have been fortunate enough to have all my classes be in-person as well as living on campus again. One of my favorite classes from this past semester was Rhetorical Traditions. In this class we learned about and discussed theories of rhetoric spanning from ancient civilizations to the present day. We went in depth on the role that rhetoric plays in society, as well as the important part that ethics has in the analysis of rhetoric. I found the class material to be relevant to our society today and I enjoyed engaging in our class discussions. I also took Corporate Finance and Investments which furthered my understanding of these topics for my minor in Finance. Going into my final semester I am taking both International Finance and International Trade to complete the requirements for my major in Economics as well as my minor in Finance. I have also continued to be a part of both BC Bigs as well as working in the Scouting & Personnel Department for BC Football. For BC Bigs I was able to meet with my “Little” Adrian for the first time in-person since the outbreak of the pandemic. I appreciate getting to spend time with him and I hope to continue to be in touch even after I graduate. This past season for football was an exciting one. Since people were allowed back into Alumni Stadium for games, I was able to work on the sidelines and have gameday responsibilities. In this past recruiting cycle, one of the commits was a player that I found. Doing this work is a passion of mine and I am thankful to have the chance to do so. These experiences are incredibly valuable to me and I would like to thank MVYouth for the work that they do to help give Island students the opportunity to pursue their passions.

JP Alves - University of San Diego

This past year has been unlike any other. Coming off of an entirely virtual academic semester and restarting classes in-person has beckoned a new wave of adaptability, which was completely unforeseen. I was eager to return to classrooms and live life a bit more the way we were all used to before the pandemic, and fortunately, the entire San Diego community feels the same! There are more opportunities than ever, and I have definitely made the most of them. My most recent endeavor has been joining the professional business fraternity on campus, Delta Sigma Pi, which has enhanced my knowledge of the commercial world and introduced me to the vast field of business. DSP has exposed me to the extensive career paths one can take when searching for a profession that fits best.

Throughout classes, internships, and seminars, I have been settling into the idea of pursuing an international career path within business law. I am grateful for the numerous opportunities for internships here in San Diego because so many career paths can be explored, and I am counting on staying here throughout next summer to keep working towards my professional goals. Thankfully, the University of San Diego offers an incredible study abroad opportunity for semester programs, which I intend to take advantage of next fall. The international aspect of my future career is vital and studying abroad will further my comprehension of the global business environment. There is no doubt in my mind that MVYouth is to thank for all my dreams coming true. I am incredibly grateful for the support I receive from this magnificent organization and will continue to work hard to one day give back to this philanthropy that has so generously helped me.

Stephany Ribeiro - Southern New Hampshire University

My fall semester went well. This year I made the decision to transfer to an online school, Southern New Hampshire University (SNHU). After spending last year’s fall semester in my dorm room at Western New England worrying about covid exposures and my family’s well being on the island, I realized that I could save money by living on the island and taking on-line courses from Western New England. I successfully navigated the spring semester, but Western New England is not meant to be an on-line experience. After much thought and investigation into my options, I decided to make the switch to Southern New Hampshire University. The process of transferring was surprisingly easy. At SNHU I am able to set my own studying schedule, which allows me to work as well. In addition, all the homework is accessible and very engaging.

As I was mulling over my transfer, I thought it was the perfect opportunity to change my major as well. I still love Criminal Justice and hope to combine that with my new major: Psychology. I had taken Intro to Psychology at Western New England University and found it fascinating. I have always had an interest in knowing more about human behaviors. I took that class and felt that I could overlap my criminal justice path with a psychology degree. Therefore, I will be majoring in psychology with a criminal justice minor.

This semester, three courses really stand out for me. The first is Perspectives in the Humanities, which concentrated on helping students to understand individuals as human beings, rational animals. Human beings create different cultures based upon their beliefs. Perspectives in History focused on the various perspectives (economical, political, social, etc.) that can be used to look at historical events and ideas. In addition, I was required to take Statistics, which I discovered plays an important role in psychology. Psychology relies on statistical research to test hypotheses and present data in ways that are easier to understand. I am looking forward to continuing my studies and exploring the career possibilities in Psychology & Criminal Justice.

Jackson Pizzano - University of Massachusetts, Stockbridge

This past semester at Umass Amherst, Stockbridge was very similar to last year but also very different. Instead of participating in all online classes, I was able to attend a full schedule of in person classes. This was very exciting as well as daunting, I hadn't been in a real classroom in over a year and wondered if I could make the transition back. I ended up having my best semester at school yet. I was relieved to be able to talk to my professors in person and be able to sit next to like minded kids in my major. Using all the buildings and resources at Umass was a big difference from last year as well, most of them were locked up due to Covid last semester. I also joined back on the hockey team I was playing for last year and it once again was an exciting thing to look forward to throughout the week, and helped me get through some of the tougher weeks at school. My favorite class this semester ended up being my turfgrass management class, it was very informative and made me think differently about large outdoor areas occupied by grass. I think it will end up playing a large role in my future as it's another large part of the green industry. All in all this year was vastly different from last year and made me a lot more excited about my major and school I decided to attend. Though my career at Stockbridge is short, I'm definitely happy I pursued a higher education to help prepare me for my future. I’d like to thank all the donors who made these last two years possible. Without you I wouldn't be where I am today and I'm eternally grateful for that, thank you.

Alex Rego - Dartmouth College

My first year at Dartmouth College brought as much growth as it did adversity. My freshman fall term was on-campus and remote; my freshman winter term was off-campus and remote (inspiring an exciting cross-country trip with new friends); my freshman spring term was on-campus and remote; my sophomore fall was on-campus and in-person(!); and finally, my upcoming sophomore winter term will be on-campus with a hybrid format. My peers and I reconciled with sudden and distressing changes as we not only faced a global health pandemic, but also a localized mental health epidemic that took the lives of several of my classmates. The year undoubtedly brought a lot of hardship. On a positive note, however, it offered me learning far beyond my academics, as I find myself far more compassionate and empathetic than ever before.

As my academic path solidifies, I am on track to graduate with a double major in Government and Geography and a minor in Hispanic Studies. To supplement my learning this fall, I also received a microcredential from the Matariki Global Citizenship Programme, I participated in the Rockefeller Global Leadership Program, and I moved residences to La Casa LLC (a Spanish-speaking housing community celebrating Hispanic cultural heritage). I also became a sister of Sigma Delta sorority, Dartmouth’s oldest local sorority. Between these many activities–and stimulating in-person coursework–I found community at my school. I am more excited than ever to return to Hanover, New Hampshire for the coming winter, where I plan to ski, play hockey, and work in my free time. I also look forward to an exciting spring term, where I plan to study abroad in Buenos Aires before returning to campus for a fun-filled sophomore summer term!

MVYouth’s investment in me, my peers, and my island has continued to offer me inspiration amid all of life’s chaos. My freshman year taught me a great deal about gratitude and selflessness, and my appreciation for MVYouth only deepens with time. Thank you. Enjoy the new year and stay healthy!

Spencer Pogue - Columbia University

So far, my sophomore year at Columbia has been a challenging but rewarding experience, and has enabled me to hone in on my interests and readjust to in-person learning. This was my first semester living on campus, so a lot of the challenges of this school year have been related to switching from the routine of a remote, Zoom-based education, to navigating a new campus environment.

I won’t be able to declare my course of study until the spring semester, but I am planning on majoring in Biological Sciences and potentially doing a concentration in Public Health. I am still taking the required courses to apply for medical school, but I have been trying to explore different career paths in the life sciences industries like biotechnology research and development, public health policy, and healthcare consulting.

My classes this semester have included the intro-level biology, statistics, and physics courses, as well as Contemporary Civilizations, a required philosophy class that includes philosophical works by Descartes, Machiavelli, and Aristotle, and many others. My STEM courses have been difficult, but I have a great group of friends in my major to study with, so it makes the long hours in the library more enjoyable. I am also taking classical piano lessons right now as well, and will be performing Schumann’s Piano Sonata No. 2 in a recital at the end of this week. My next semester will consist of many of the same courses, except I will be adding on Hispanic Cultures, which will allow me to continue practicing my spanish-speaking skills for when I (hopefully) study abroad next school year.

Outside of class, I have continued my involvement as an Associate Editor of Columbia’s Journal of Global Health, and am currently reviewing submissions for our fall semester issue. In addition, I have begun working in the Biomaterials and Interface Tissue Engineering Laboratory in the Biomedical Engineering Department, and have been learning how to culture stem cells, do immunohistochemistry staining, and use MATLAB software for image processing.

I can’t wait to see what’s in store for the rest of the school year, and I would like to thank MVYouth for giving me the opportunity to attend Columbia University, because attending college in New York City has provided me with innumerable academic, professional, and social opportunities that wouldn’t have otherwise been possible.

Danielle Middleton - Howard University

Normally, I’m the type to feel sad when summer ends, but this year was different as the end of summer meant the start of my first year on campus! Accompanied by my mother and far too many suitcases and bags, I felt like a tourist as I marveled at how new and exciting being in DC felt. The move in process was a whirlwind, as many new experiences are, but the joy of arriving in DC, meeting my roommates, and setting up my dorm room made for unforgettable memories. It was wholly liberating to be making my first real steps towards independence and adulthood.

As a sophomore, my classes this year have been moving away from introductory courses and into the core content for my major, which has been exciting as topics get more specific and in-depth. The hours of preparation I put into meticulously planning out my schedule for the fall semester were truly worth it, because I was able to challenge, but never overwhelm myself. It was also fun to split my time between things like creating a group podcast for a media psychology class, performing theater monologues, studying experimental design, and literally bending over backwards in pilates. And after finishing my semester, I was offered the opportunity to be an undergraduate research assistant for one of my professors, which I plan to accept.

From having completed my freshman year fully online and off-campus, it’s been a refreshing change of pace to be on campus, where everything feels much more real. And though college gave me a new found sense of independence, I never felt alone because I knew I had my family, friends, and this community cheering me on from back home.

Jack Holmes - Brown University

This fall, my school fully reopened, which brought forth a torrent of new opportunities,challenges, and experiences. Seeing my campus at full capacity, with people bustling to and from, made it finally feel like I was at college! This feeling was added to by the sports games, class events, and extracurricular activities that are also now available. I got involved with the organization of such events by becoming a member of my Class Coordinating Board. I was elected as Community Outreach Officer, whose job was to help organize events with the rest of the board, as well as do work collaborating with groups on and off-campus. Through this position, I learned more about Brown and the broader Providence community.

I also became more familiar with Providence thanks to my bike. I found myself biking all over Providence this fall. This became a great vehicle by which I could explore the neighborhoods and towns around me. The East Bay Bike path is now one of my favorite spots in Rhode Island. It provides a beautiful ride down the East coast of the Narragansett Bay and a fun day trip with friends. Overall, Providence feels much more like a second home to me now.

A great benefit of in-person classes was the chance to work in laboratories. I have pivoted from engineering, my original major, and am now majoring in cognitive neuroscience. This led to me working in a perceptual learning lab, where I was able to design and test an experiment related to the Dual Visual Stream Hypothesis. My experiment entailed working with virtual reality and laser technology to track people’s finger position in 3-D space. It was an awesome opportunity for hands-on experience with lab equipment, and next semester I will be working in a lab studying sleep’s role in visual perceptual learning. I can’t wait to design more experiments in the future as I work towards publishing my own research. This is one of the many goals of mine that I am thankful to have the support of MVYouth in pursuing.

Imani Hall- Duke University

My freshman year at Duke University was good, but my sophomore year so far has exceeded my expectations! Last year I was just grateful to be on campus and meet new people, even though all my classes were online and social activities were at a minimum. This year all of my classes - including dance - are in person. I have the best roommate, and I have been able to explore parts of campus that were closed last year due to Covid. Sports games are open to students and the public again as well, and I even danced in a sold out Cameron Stadium to open for the basketball team.

The courses and workload are definitely very rigorous, but there is not a subject I don’t love! What I love the most about Duke is that I am surrounded by smart, witty people who challenge, encourage and inspire me daily. With the abundance of opportunities and the little bit of spare time left, the hardest part is to narrow down where to focus my time and energy. I continue to work with the Center for Autism and Brain Development. I was also selected to be part of a team that works to decode neurofeedback and use that to mitigate racism. I expanded my role in clubs such as Best Buddies, Rotaract, and Duke Synapse. Dancing is my outlet. This year I get to dance at the Rubenstein Art Center, which is unlike any dance studio I have ever seen. With my dance group, Defining Movement, we are also back to performing in person again, which has brought us closer together and has made the experience all the more exciting.

So far, this year has proven to be more challenging, rewarding, exciting, and fulfilling than the year before. I still pinch myself that I am a student at such a renowned institution and I am humbled by the support of MVYouth to help pursue my dreams of one day working in the field of child development and behavior!

Peter Burke - Middlebury College

This fall semester has been quite a different experience from last year as we return to some sense of normalcy after a year in pandemic. The transition to all in person classes has been a welcome change, and I no longer take for granted the opportunities it provides for a collaborative work environment and building relationships with professors. In the past semester, I declared both math and computer science majors, while taking courses in both subjects that presented a new level of interesting challenge. Taking these classes, I enjoyed the intersection of their content, as you could see on a daily basis how the theory of one class could be applied to another. Following this fall, I look forward to continuing this academic track in the spring semester.

This fall also gave me the opportunity to compete on the cross country team for the first time here at Middlebury. While we were able to practice last year during the pandemic, there was still a change in intensity and excitement being in a real season, and I look forward to competing on the track this winter and spring. In addition to competing for the first time, this fall I was given the opportunity to work as a research assistant with one of my academic advisors on a data science project which uses R (a data science coding language) to perform text sentiment analysis. I look forward to working more on this project next semester and further exploring what Middlebury has to offer without the obstacles presented by Covid. I am forever grateful for the generosity of MVYouth and the opportunity it has provided to continue my studies.

Julia Gomes - New England Hair Academy

Overall, 2021 was a remarkable year for me. I was able to graduate from New England Hair Academy with my barbering license at the beginning of the year and I moved back to the island. I spent this past summer (& third season) working at Panache Salon and built my clientele tremendously with my additional license. It feels really great to be able to help all sorts of people and to greatly increase my client pool. I have been able to refine my barbering and coloring techniques by taking several classes throughout the year in Connecticut, New York, New Jersey, and Boston. Taking these intensive workshops has only deepened my passion for my industry. I plan to use my remaining funds to take a class in textured hair, as well as business oriented workshops that’ll help prepare me to open up my own island salon within the next few years.

Other than my educational advances, I have also been able to volunteer a good portion of my time doing house calls and private appointments for immunocompromised clients and elderly folks who are in need of hair help. It has been a very rewarding experience and a silver lining of this pandemic. I hope to incorporate more of these activities into my schedule in the new year. I would like to sincerely and genuinely thank MVYouth, all the donors, and board members who have made opportunities like these available to me by means of the Workforce Development Scholarship. I can’t wait to give back more of my services, skills, knowledge, and trade to our beloved island. All in all, everything I've been able to accomplish since graduating has molded me into an incredibly driven and passionate professional who is optimistically looking forward to my future as an individual member and asset to the island community.

Kelly Cleary - Cape Cod Community College

Despite all the obstacles I’ve had to face with the pandemic happening, I can say that I made it through one major obstacle. I graduated from the aviation maintenance technician program at Cape Cod Community College in August. Instead of it being a 17-month program it ended up being almost two years. With the help of the MVYouth Workforce Development scholarship, classmates and instructors, I was able to make it through despite all the challenges.

While we were in the hangars we were still required to wear a mask which made it difficult during the summertime because of how hot it was, especially running up planes. They were definitely better days than others but we did it as a team which made it all worthwhile. Currently, I am still working towards getting my airframe and power plant license and my Associate's degree in applied science. I just finished taking physics, algebra, computer applications class and English 101.

I will be taking to behavioral science classes next semester and one more English class. Thank you for everything you all do for me to be successful.

Garrett Broadley - New England Institute of Technology

I've been done with school for a full year now and have been working full-time for around a year and a half, while finishing up the last few general education classes I needed to take. Working full time is the best. I'm glad I can use the knowledge that I learned at school in the real world. I'm doing everything I dreamed of, the amount of fun I'm having fixing things that are broken and making them work again is honestly everything I signed up for. I love to see how much I have grown from being a freshman in Ken Ward's automotive class in high school to now, a 20 year old with my Associate's degree in advanced automotive technology. But the big thing is that I'm still just breaking the surface into this career. My co-worker and boss at work are all mentors to me, they are still teaching me the tricks of the trade and ways to help with my efficiency to help me make sure I am producing my best work in a timely manner. I am insanely grateful for the help this scholarship got me. I'm happy I finished school when I did because covid would have made school such a bad environment, meaning I wouldn't be able to learn the way that best suits me. I have friends in school saying that it's practically back to virtual learning. But being at work where I can continue my education while making money is so much better, but I wouldn't be able to be at the same position if I didn't have any of my schooling. Again, I appreciate what the Workforce Development Scholarship has done for me.

Willa Welch - Northeastern University

Northeastern University went head first into the semester. With a vaccination requirement for all students and faculty, we were fully in person for classes and most other events. By the time the end of August came around I was eager to get into the city and start exploring. Boston, while so close to home, feels a world away. I was lucky to have multiple visits with family throughout the semester, but I also had to adapt to a completely new environment and set of people. I frequently encountered questions about life on Martha’s Vineyard and how it differed from my new city life. I think something that differs the most is how strong the sense of community is on Martha’s Vineyard compared to such a big place like Boston and Northeastern itself. In Boston, I have found that I feel the most at home when actively seeking smaller communities within the vast community that is Northeastern. I joined a sorority and a Women in Technology club which furthered my sense of community and made me feel much more at home. Coming into the semester, I had no idea what I wanted to do as my major. I took classes in lots of different fields, including computer science, international business, anthropology, and art history. Throughout high school, my favorite classes were math and history. To my surprise, my favorite class this semester was my Fundamentals of Computer Science class. It was extremely challenging, yet definitely the most rewarding. I also still love learning about art history. I wonder if I can find a way to connect these two interests, but right now I am mostly considering majoring in computer science. I am so grateful for MVYouth for their support. I had an incredible first semester and I am so excited for what’s to come!

Ellie Thomas - Wheaton College

My first semester at Wheaton College, in Massachusetts was nerve racking but I adjusted. I wasn’t put with a roommate and I was worried I wouldn't have a “built in best friend”. But as the days went on, it truly was one of best thing that could have happened to me as an incoming freshman. I felt like an outcast at first, but it forced me to put myself out there - to make connections, and join groups that I never thought I would be a part of. After the first week of school, I auditioned for Wheaton’s hip-hop and multicultural dance group called TRYBE. Everyone in TRYBE is so different and diverse and learning each other’s culture has been such a fun learning experience for me. I was so excited to be on a dance team, doing something that I love. With all my classes offered in person and wearing masks, it has easily helped me connect with other students and especially get to know my professors. My college experience has almost been normal and I am grateful I had the opportunity to meet great people and have the options to explore as many things as I would like. For my first semester I walked in undecided. Only because Wheaton does not have a communications major, and that was what I wanted to go into. So I just took classes that sparked my interest like, African American History, Social Justice and the Arts, West African Mande History, and French. All those classes were thought provoking and I learned a lot about myself and how I view our country. For my spring semester, I will be majoring in business finance, a complete 180! I am excited for what next semester has in store. I just want to say a huge thank you to MVYouth for allowing me to have this scholarship. It has given me so much room to explore and enjoy my time in my academic career, and is one of the best things that has ever been given to me.

Kaya Seiman - Simmons University

This fall was a new beginning. New friends, new city, new school and teachers, new coaches and a new team. I started my college experience at Simmons University in pre-season for soccer with lots of ups and downs. I was playing with a great group of women, but we were a small group, so as injuries increased our numbers on the field decreased. We fought till the end of the season though! The Sharks team taught me what it feels like to play as one, on the field and off. We had dinners together, participated in exciting team bonding activities and trained hard. This is where I met most of my friends. I was also excited to begin my 6 year doctoral program for Physical Therapy. I will graduate with a Bachelor of Science in Exercise Science in three years and a Doctor of Physical Therapy three years later. I just completed a semester filled with Chemistry, Spanish, Psychology, Sustainability in Boston and a Simmons Exploratory Course. With small class sizes I had the opportunity to know my professors well but the pandemic still affected my college experience in and out of the classroom. It was hard to create strong connections with people, when all they see of you are eyes and up, but this is a reality in our current lives. I was very lucky to attend in person classes and play a full Division III soccer season against other universities. I am very grateful for my first semester of college at Simmons. I am ready to jump into this spring semester and see where it takes me. I have made so many new memories and new friends and I can’t wait to make more.

Eric Reubens - Tufts University

As my first semester away at college at Tufts University has come to an end, it is nice to look back at how life has been these past couple months. I explored different subjects that I normally would not have delved into, such as social psychology, which expanded my interests in the brain and neuroscience as I learned about interesting cognitive biases humans have and interesting responses we have to everyday and abnormal stimuli. I also joined clubs such as the pre-medical society, a club that aims to mentor and provide opportunities for pre-med students at Tufts. I was able to meet like-minded people through this club and learn about a wide range of volunteering opportunities that would fit my interests. I also learned a new sport, squash, and even joined the boys squash club which allowed me and my fellow teammates to play matches against other schools like Harvard and Amherst. My friends and I, all clumsy amateurs at the sport, spent many weekends reveling in the endless fun squash offers. Of course, I continued to play tennis with other students who I met in various classes, and tried out for the extremely competitive boys tennis team.

Being close to Boston, I indulged in all the city has to offer, from late night karaoke to public skating, all of which were fantastic experiences with the amazing people I have befriended this semester. Next semester, I plan on pursuing some of the available volunteering opportunities, such as document translation for immigrants from English to Spanish or helping individuals struggling with suicide and depression through a 24 hour texting hotline. Exploring all of these academic and non-academic ventures throughout my first semester at Tufts University has left me excited for what the school has to offer, and I very much look forward to expanding my horizons more in the spring semester.

Ruby Reimann - Bates College

My first semester at Bates has been an academically and athletically demanding but socially rewarding experience. Playing varsity soccer has allowed me to develop a special bond with my teammates, and has pushed me to become a better goalkeeper and organized student. The NESCAC league is extremely competitive, and although we didn’t achieve enough wins for playoffs, the capacity for development and success is ever-present. The requirements for both vaccination and testing at Bates has allowed all of the students to have a more normal college experience, and for that we are extremely grateful. Attending a liberal arts college has been rewarding in the sense that I have taken classes outside of my math and science comfort zone, and took classes in history, sociology, and religious studies. I am considering a general education concentration in public health, but I’m looking forward to exploring a variety of classes before I declare my major. Though Bates doesn’t offer varsity ice hockey, there is a club team that has been playing at the local arena. Our campus rink has been used as a Covid testing center since the beginning of the pandemic, but a successful campus-wide petition convinced the administration to reestablish the ice. I am looking forward to lacing up my skates again with the club team. I’m extremely grateful for the support and opportunity MVYouth has provided me, and I look forward my next semester at Bates.