Stephany Ribeiro - Southern New Hampshire University

This fall semester I learned many things from my courses. I have to say that the courses become harder with each new semester; however, I am still able to complete them. My favorite courses were Cognition, Theories of Personalities, and Theories of Social Psychology. These three courses were very challenging, but I enjoyed every part of the experience. Everything was fascinating to me. I wanted to understand the human mind, all the personality traits we have, and how individuals behave in a group.

This semester the courses that I took provided a sense of what could be my concentration. Next semester I will be adding a mental health concentration to my psychology major and criminal justice minor. Adding the mental health concentration will allow me to learn more about human behaviors and gain knowledge in clinical areas, such as counseling techniques and psychological testing. I feel very confident and satisfied with the online platform that this university has. At SNHU they provide free online tutoring for all their online students, which I think is a very helpful tool for an online platform. I can communicate with my professors, even just through emails, and they promptly respond and help me.

A highlight of my fall semester is that I began to work in the Island Counseling Services at MV Community Services. I am the administrative assistant. Being in this workplace is helping me be more involved with psychology and its various branches. This job is also helping me internalize all the psychological vocabulary; I am able to understand and learn more about this vocabulary, and apply it to my coursework. It has been an interesting, and fulfilling fall semester. I believe that throughout each semester I have been narrowing the direction and walking towards my future career.

Alexandra Rego - Dartmouth College

My academic year has ended on a high. I have spent the past five consecutive terms enrolled as a full-time student –– including an exciting term in Buenos Aires, Argentina as well as an unforgettable sophomore summer term –– and have found a strong sense of community at Dartmouth College. This past fall was particularly grounding: I have settled into part-time employment at the Dartmouth Office of Admissions and Guarini Institute for International Education; I have taken on leadership positions within my sorority, Sigma Delta, which recently welcomed a stellar new rush class; and my coursework has been more exciting than ever.

At the start of the fall term, I declared my majors in Government and Geography with a minor in Hispanic Studies. The nexus of these disciplines excites me, and I hope to find a career which pursues justice through an anti-capitalist, anti-colonial, and political-ecological framework. This past term, I found myself particularly taken with two courses: an unexpectedly engaging Geography course, which introduced me to Geographical Information Systems (GIS) computer software; and an absolutely fascinating Government course, which covered the physical and strategic effects of nuclear weapons in great depth. With the Geography course, I presented a final project which mapped the associated storm surges of Category 3, 4, and 5 hurricanes (in line with erratic weather patterns accompanying changing climate) on Martha’s Vineyard and their consequences for the tourism-dependent Vineyard economy. And with the Government course –– by far the highest quality course I have had the privilege to take at Dartmouth College –– I found myself routinely poring over recently declassified White House correspondence and taking well-informed stances on one of humanity’s greatest threats. I feel immense pride in my growth since freshman year, and I am eager to see what the future has in store. As my understanding of community deepens, I grow increasingly privy to the theme of interdependence; I am deeply grateful to and empowered by MVYouth’s investment in me as I make my impact on our island and on our planet.

Spencer Pogue - Columbia Univeristy

In this past semester at Columbia University, I have begun to settle into a steady routine and make time for my academics, extracurriculars, and social activities. Some highlights included watching tennis matches at the US Open, listening to the Prime Minister of North Macedonia give a talk on Balkan geopolitics, watching a performance of the New York City Ballet, and seeing a Carnegie Hall performance of world-renowned classical pianist, Hélène Grimaud.

As for my academics, I continued taking coursework for the Core Curriculum, my major in Biological Sciences, and my concentration in Public Health. My favorite course was Developmental Biology, where I learned about embryological development, stem cell technologies, and regenerative medicine. Another course that proved to be fairly difficult for me was Hispanic Cultures II, since we were required to analyze, discuss, and write about historical Hispanic texts exclusively in Spanish, and resulted in me writing an academic paper in Spanish for the first time. The course was rewarding though, because I gained confidence in my ability to read, write, speak, and listen to Spanish. I also learned how to code in R and conduct survey-based public health research in my Data Science and Health Equity course.

As for the future, I am still unsure of whether or not a pre-medical path will be right for me, so I will be looking this summer to either gain more clinical experience, intern at a biotech firm, or at a public health organization. However, my plans post-graduation are still up for debate. I want to thank MVYouth for supporting me in my journey at Columbia University, and I hope to represent the organization and the whole Martha’s Vineyard community well in all of my future endeavors.

Jackson Pizzano - UMass, Stockbridge

This semester at UMass was very bitter sweet. I knew graduation was coming the whole time and was excited for it but I wasn't totally ready for my college career to end. As the semester wound down I slowly became more okay with the idea of being a graduate, and now I am very happy and proud of myself for completing school and getting my diploma. During my last semester I tried to use all the things offered to students while I still could. I went to a lot of hockey and basketball games, played disc golf on the campus disc golf course, and went to a couple student run comedy shows. Though it's over now I'm happy I used all the things UMass offers while I still could. Now I can now focus on using my diploma to get a job and explore the world more than I have ever been able to prior to graduation. This winter I hope to work on the island and set myself up so I can do some traveling and exploration once the summer ends. Though my college days are over I hope to keep learning about trees and arboriculture and become a certified arborist. This would be extremely helpful when looking for a job or trying to go out on my own as it shows I have applicable knowledge to help a customer deal with their trees. This certification also helps you learn how to work safer and smarter which is important when using very dangerous tools on a daily basis. I also plan to make a lot of ski trips this winter as it's a good way to get off the island for a few days and I really enjoy skiing. I really would like to ski out west this winter as their snow has been much better than New England's this year. I would like to thank MVYouth and all the donors who made my college career possible and helped me all the way through to my graduation. I am beyond grateful and hope one day I can help the community as much as they do.

Danielle Middleton - Howard University

Becoming a junior is so surreal because I only just now realize how far I’ve come, and the fact that I am almost done is even crazier! This semester I performed choreographed exercise routines, learned about global music genres, studied gender psychology, discussed women’s health, and absolutely crushed statistics if I do say so myself. I’m also making strides in putting together my honors thesis.

Aside from classes, I’ve been participating in clubs. I’m especially looking forward to spring semester, because there are many Model United Nations conferences coming up that I will be participating in. It’s a lot more advanced than high school Model UN, so I am both nervous and excited. Luckily, I’m part of a team that has a habit of winning awards, so I feel I’m in good hands.

Around August of last year, I was a lot more nervous about moving down to DC. Everything was brand new and unfamiliar, and it was my first time away from home. The contrast however with this year is grand. Everything is so much more familiar. I only just now feel like I’m hitting my stride. Whereas last year the city felt brand new, nowadays I’m able to find my way around the city easily. I have my routines and areas I like to frequent, and DC is a lot more comfortable for me. A big part of this is made possible through MVYouth, which is helping me to afford the apartment I live in. I actually surprised myself this year as I caught myself referring to the apartment as “home,” (although Martha’s Vineyard is always #1 in my heart.) But nonetheless, I’m truly grateful to MVYouth for providing me with their support which has allowed me to go so far. Thank you MVYouth!

Jack Holmes - Brown University

How am I a junior in college? Time has been flying by, which I think is a good thing; it means I’m having fun. Along with all this fun there has also been a lot of work. This last semester was especially hectic and definitely the most challenging yet. As I begin to take higher level classes, I find the content to be more challenging but all the more interesting as well. I have enjoyed rising to the challenge and continue to find myself invested in my academics.

As of recently, one of the biggest changes to my studies has been the introduction of computer science. I am still a cognitive neuroscience major, but I have begun focusing on the field of computational methods that surround neuroscience. This has led me to taking a number of computer science courses that are out of my comfort zone. This transition has of course brought its own slate of struggles. Computer science is not known to be an easy subject, and learning to code has forced me to entirely adapt how I approach my work. Despite this, I feel fortunate to have had the opportunity to dive into a whole new area of study in my junior year. The flexibility to change my goals and pivot in new directions is an amazing privilege.

As time goes on, coming home for winter break becomes a stranger and stranger experience. My friends and I are getting older, moving away, finding jobs, and many are beginning to fashion lives outside the bounds of Martha’s Vineyard. My time on the island is also numbered. There will only be so many more winter and summer breaks before I begin to start a new chapter of my life somewhere else. In the face of all this, I am left feeling grateful. I’m grateful to have grown up in such a wonderful place full of wonderful people. MVYouth is a part of this network of support that has allowed me and many others to pursue their hopes and dreams. I hope to always be a part of this network myself, supporting the future of the island’s youth.

Imani Hall - Duke University

Martha’s Vineyard is my home, and Duke University is my home away from home. I had the pleasure this semester of getting to call a third place home: Copenhagen, Denmark. This fall, I continued my studies in neuroscience at DIS Copenhagen, Danish Institute for Study Abroad.

I studied the cognitive neuroscience of consciousness, which was challenging but rewarding. With my lab group, we completed a research project on visual perceptual thresholds in visual masking, and sought to determine the effects of visual masking and stimuli type impact response time and accuracy on healthy individuals. We presented our poster and our findings for DIS students and faculty, which was very fulfilling after a semester of research and lab work.

Studying in Europe this semester has provided me with a learning far beyond academics. I made new lifelong friends from different universities, and grew to love a new city, despite its bone chilling temperatures in winter. I was also able to travel and see parts of Europe I had not seen before, such as Florence where my class had a week-long trip to continue studying neuroscience. All good things come to an end, but I am eager to return to campus in the new year and reunite with all my friends, continue with my studies of Neuroscience and Child Policy, work at the Center for Autism and Brain Development, and dance in Defining Movement, among other things.

While abroad I have reflected a lot on what the concept of home is. To me, home is where you feel loved, supported, and cared for. Thank you MVYouth for being part of what makes Martha’s Vineyard home to me, and your continuous support. I never take for granted the opportunities you are providing me, it inspires me daily to make the people at home proud!

Peter Burke - Middlebury College

This past year has been a busy one! After spending the past summer doing computer science research in Bozeman, Montana, I returned to campus this fall excited for another semester at Middlebury. I continued both of my math and computer science majors, taking a range of courses I enjoyed covering topics such as probability theory, computational linear algebra, machine learning, and web design. Each of these courses presented its own unique challenges, and together they allowed me to both deepen my understanding of topics I had already been exposed to in addition to presenting new content which expanded my overall abilities in each subject. Further, being at Middlebury has meant that I am constantly surrounded by peers and professors who challenge and inspire me to be my best as well as offering a collaborative work environment which facilitates working at a high level. Ever since I began my time at Middlebury, I have consistently been met with the smartest, most caring, and handworking professors and peers, and this semester has been no exception.

Beyond my academic experience of this past semester, this fall has felt like my first time on campus truly post pandemic. With the end of daily Covid mandates, I have been able to experience Middlebury to its fullest extent. Between finding time to ski and further explore Vermont, competing at the NCAA Cross Country National Championships, and the end of masked classes and office hours over zoom, this semester has been packed with fun opportunities. Being able to ski and hike has been such a special part of going to college in Vermont, and I continue to enjoy these experiences more and more each year. Additionally, competing on the track and cross country teams at Middlebury has been a lot of fun as well as leading to meeting some of my closest friends. I will always be thankful for MVYouth helping to provide me with these opportunities!

Willa Welch - Northeastern University

By spending the past year split between Boston and MV, I think I can confidently say that each place has everything that the other lacks. They balance each other out perfectly, each having their own entirely different meaning. Boston is always new; no matter how many times I go for a run on the streets of Boston, I always find myself taking a new route. On Martha’s Vineyard, my route draws a heart each time, beginning and ending at my home. The same familiar route every time I put on my sneakers. I love the newness and I love the familiarity. I love having new experiences In Boston, and I love coming home to the faces and places that I’ve never not known. Academically, I’ve never faced such a challenging yet rewarding year of school. I remember feeling total imposter syndrome during my first year computer science lab. It was the kindness of one of my classmates that made me feel like I was capable. He asked me if I was okay and gave me his number with permission to ask him any question, even stupid ones. That act of kindness helped me more than he could know. In my second core programming class I dedicated myself to understanding rather than just doing, to asking the stupid questions, and reminding myself that I wasn’t alone. I declared computer science as my major that semester. Since then, I have coded games, an image processor program, and a functional binary search tree. As I enter my fourth semester in Boston, I realize what I want in a career. I want to be able to create and learn new things every day but still feel grounded in the code I’ve learned since I started in my first semester.

Ellie Thomas - Wheaton College

My first semester as a sophomore at Wheaton College was an exciting one. I lucked out on another dingle (room made for a double but with only one person) this year. I love having my own space and I am very grateful it worked out that way. I finally declared my major, business finance, during the first few weeks of school. Over the summer I spent six weeks in Nice, France and when I saw that Wheaton was going to have a French for Business class for the first time I knew I had to take part, because of the path I wanted to go down. I became so relieved that I had declared my major because it ignited the start of my Wheaton career. Taking Business Fundamentals and Marketing has taught me alot about the entertainment industry and the importance of being precise in everything I do. I am still a part of TRYBE which is the multicultural hip hop group on campus. Every year I get more excited to be a member of this amazing group. Having this type of outlet for me has been so much easier for when I’m missing home. I finally joined Wheaton’s Black Student Association which has been wonderful. We met once a week, and discussed many opportunities for how our group can be more involved on campus and bring awareness to the importance of why these groups are special and that there needs to be more action in gaining more students of color. I am looking forward to seeing everyone soon. Every semester has its ups and downs, but for me, I'm just getting started.

Kaya Seiman - Bridgewater State University

This past year I have made a lot of changes that are bettering me as a person. During the Spring of 2022 at Simmons University, I realized it wasn’t the right fit for me. I was really missing music in my life and Simmons University did not offer a well established music program. I also realized that my Physical Therapy major was not fulfilling, so I applied to other universities. Prior to accepting a place at Bridgewater State, I met with the head of the music department, Dr. Donald Running. He invited me to sit in a private lesson with Professor Maryte Bizinkauskas. Professor Biz reminded me so much of Ms. Chandler, one of my favorite teachers from MVRHS. I knew Bridgewater State was the place for me. I am now a sophomore at Bridgewater, majoring in Business Administration with a concentration in Human Resources and minoring in Music. At the start of the Fall 2022 semester, I started taking private lessons with Professor Biz. I am singing notes I didn’t even know I could hit. I didn’t even realize how much I missed singing until I began singing again. I have my first performance on December 12th and I am so excited to get back on the stage where I feel most myself. I am also really enjoying learning about business at Bridgewater and on my own. I have and continue to learn so much about myself. I am also fortunate to have the support of my family during these changes and growing pains. I am confident that I made the right change transferring to Bridgewater State University. I have developed some wonderful friendships, reignited my passion for singing and am learning new content everyday. I am so excited for what the new year has to offer personally and educationally.

Eric Reubens - Tufts University

As my Fall of 2022 semester at Tufts University has come to a close, I have learned a lot and explored the different opportunities presented this semester. I explored my interest in chemistry further by taking an interest in my professor’s research in ocean acidification balance, attending his office hours to learn more about his work and to hopefully become more involved in the future. I was also able to explore some non-STEM interests of mine in an intro to philosophy class where I was able to delve into different perspectives of thought and understand the science of science. As far as making preparations for my future career as a doctor, I prepared my applications and other materials necessary to apply for Tuft University’s early assurance program for Tufts University’s Medical School. I am currently preparing to submit my application and prepare for interviews that will occur in spring of 2023. I remained in the Tufts Pre-medical society, attending speaking events revolving around medical issues today and learning about medical school application and testing processes for medical schools from upper-classmen. I also became involved in the South Asian Political Alliance (SAPA) club that aims to educate and understand/reform the policies in south asian countries that impact people in different areas such as healthcare, economic conditions, etc. For this coming spring semester, I hope to become more involved in research, different clubs, and community service, as well as prepare well for the early assurance program.

Ruby Reimann - Bates College

I played my second season of varsity soccer this fall semester at Bates College. It was a great season for our team and we were able to build strong connections with each other leading to a more robust program. One of the highlights of the season was our 2-0 victory over Tufts University. This was my first NESCAC start in goal, and following this win, my coach chose to start me in the net for the rest of the season. Our team is also planning to take a soccer-oriented trip to Iceland this April which will include both exploring the country and playing soccer. This fall and last spring I volunteered several days a week as a fourth-grade teaching assistant at a local elementary school. This opportunity has sparked a new passion for working with children leading to my future work at the Early Childhood Education Center at MV Community Services. I plan to work there this summer with children ages three to five to develop my skills as a mentor and teacher, and to gain insight into the other services provided through Community Services that will help guide my career path. I recently declared a major in Psychology with a minor in Hispanic Studies and will be applying to a semester abroad program in Granada, Spain during the spring of Junior Year. I am grateful for the opportunity MVYouth has given me in pursuing my athletic and academic interests at Bates.

Maria Clara Lacerda - Northeastern University

This past semester has been incredibly fulfilling. While the courses and workload are very rigorous, even more than last year, I am reminded every day that I made the right decision to attend Northeastern University. I am on track to graduate with a combined major in Psychology and Business Administration, with a Marketing Analytics concentration. As time progresses I realize even more strongly how these two subjects go hand in hand. Similar theories are brought up in all of my classes, and I see the association between the two in my day-to-day life. This semester I have been more involved in the community by joining the Data Club and Northeastern Women in Business club. My short time in the Data Club has already strengthened my desire to pursue a career in marketing analytics, something I hope to be working with very soon. I was also able to give back to the Boston community through community service opportunities offered through Kappa Kappa Gamma, the sorority I joined in the fall of last year.

This semester I will finally be able to benefit from the reason why I chose to attend Northeastern in the first place, which is their co-op program. This program provides students with the opportunity to work for companies around the globe while gaining experience in their field of choice. By the end of this semester, I will have a job set in place for next fall where I will be able to explore and solidify a career in the future. I’m not sure what co-op I will get but I am super excited for the process to begin. The generosity MVYouth has shown me and my fellow scholarship recipients continues to be a source of inspiration while pursuing this amazing opportunity. I am very grateful for my journey so far and I am very excited about what is to come!

Larissa De Oliveria - UMass, Amherst

The last two semesters at UMass have been amazing! Last semester I got to experience my first spring in Amherst which was such a great opportunity to explore the area more. I enjoyed finding quite places outside to study and do work. Moving out of my freshman dorm was bittersweet, it holds so many memories of my first year here and the start of my college journey. Although leaving that dorm room was kind of sad, I was also excited to start my second year and make even more memories. I was also happy to wrap up my courses and return to our island community. Returning in the fall was much different than the previous year. It felt great to know where everything is and to be arriving to familiar faces.

This fall semester has been a great start to my second year at UMass. This semester I focused on finishing up a couple of gen ed requirements, for example I took a biology course titled: Evolution Explained which was taught by a lively professor who related the material to pop culture references and made sure we were always engaged in class. It was a different approach to biology than I have experienced in the past, but I found myself grasping concepts faster than I thought I would. For my fall semester I set a goal to challenge myself and I did just that. I enrolled in a Linguistics course which is the first step in obtaining a certificate to teach English to speakers of other languages. I am very excited to work towards this certificate and be able to have a full circle moment starting as someone who had to be taught English and now hopefully becoming someone who can teach English. Once again, I am very grateful for MVYouth, and all the people involved in providing me with this amazing opportunity. Thank you for all the support!

Brooke Crocker - Tufts University

This past fall semester, I declared my major as International Relations with a concentration in International Economics and a minor in Entrepreneurship! I was able to delve deeper into my studies in these fields by taking classes such as “Human Rights in Cultural Context,” and “Intermediate Microeconomics.” Additionally, I was able to take a Spanish class centered around the Spanish Civil War and the Francisco Franco dictatorship. This was my favorite class this semester, as I was able to combine my love of studying Spanish with my love of History. In this class I was able to create my own presentation, focusing on the similarities and differences between the dictatorship in Spain and the dictatorship of Augusto Pinochet in Chile. I am looking forward to presenting my findings and research to professors and fellow students in a Spanish Symposium in the Spring.

This semester I really wanted to take advantage of Tufts’ location in the greater Boston area and explore the city more. I spent more time this semester exploring areas such as Beacon Hill, the North End, and Seaport with friends. My love for Boston and the surrounding area grew, as I learned more about the city and all it has to offer. Additionally, I am continuing to participate in extracurriculars such as Water Polo and “Women in International Relations.” I am hoping to explore more clubs and activities, such as “Tufts Mountain Club” in the upcoming semester. I also made several plans for the upcoming year, including signing a lease for an apartment with my friends and making plans to study abroad in Spain in Spring 2024. Without MVYouth all of these experiences and plans would not be possible, and I am so grateful. Thank you so much!

Chloe Combra - Trinity College Dublin

This past semester, studying at Trinity College Dublin in Ireland, has been an absolute dream come true for me. Founded in the late 1500s, the school boasts a stunning campus and a long history of extremely acclaimed alumni. This, as well as the top tier professors I’m lucky to have teaching my lectures, have been huge motivators to me in my studies. Going to school in Dublin has allowed me a wide range of opportunities both inside and outside the classroom. For example, my political science major curriculum is more aimed towards studying European Union/World Politics and has allowed me to discover and study topics I never did back home. In my geography major, I have had the opportunity to study environmental political crises affecting all over the Earth and not just those primarily affecting the US as before. Additionally, living in Dublin means not only that I am immersed in one new culture, but many. This is through the diversity of Dublin in itself and the accessibility I now have to the greater European continent. In the past 4 months since moving to Dublin I have visited a plethora of countries including Belgium, Switzerland, France, Spain, and Scotland. One of the things I am most grateful for this past semester is the ability I now have to visit my grandparents, aunts, cousins, and family who live in Ireland more. This means I’ve also had the opportunity to learn more of my Irish heritage and history. Overall, the first semester of my studies in Ireland has been fantastic and I cannot wait for the next few!

Maddie Chronister - UMass, Stockbridge

This summer I had a working class tour of the Island in a Toyota Tacoma with broken AC. I spent a late night on the beach learning the Portuguese words for the moon and stars. In the morning, someone makes an incredibly obvious observation: “The sun is rising. I can see it,”. Words aren’t poetic just because they sound like surface level ancient proverbs. They are poetic because of their meaning- the retrospect of laughter every time I see the sun rise. I watched the blood moon at 5:30 am on November 8th; soon after it came the sun. And so the quote crossed my mind. I can see it. Stories aren’t meaningful just because they tell you something. They make you feel something. In holometabolous larvae, the imaginal disc is a structure that will become part of the adult- a limb, an organ, so forth. On the third floor of Fernald hall (est. 1911) there is a set of rules written in chalk. You would have to see it yourself to understand.

I learned this fall some things that can’t be put into words and plenty of things that can. Of the null hypothesis and of the corpus cardiacum and Keynesian macroeconomics and Haudenosaunee Nationals Lacrosse and this thing called Elysium.
This November I also wrote over twenty-thousand words of a novel in an attempt to do what writers do - make people understand things that are impossible to put into words. All the same, I don’t have enough words to explain just how MVYouth represents the things that are important to me, the things I try to write about. The work, the academics, the friends. Thank you again for the connections and opportunities for which I owe these words. I can’t wait to see what next semester will hold.

Michaela Benefit - University of Connecticut

My first fall semester at University of Connecticut was one to remember, it started off with getting into a hands on program through the school that let me fulfill my education while also working in person with the animals on campus. This past semester I enjoyed all the classes I enrolled in, especially my Anatomy and Physiology of Domestic Animals class. On campus I have joined my Outing Club, which has led me to new opportunities and memories. One trip that really stood out to me was, when I recently hiked up Mount Washington. In the future I will be joining the Outing Club on our annual ski trip to Smugglers Notch up in Vermont. I have also been placed in a learning community in my dorm building which has surrounded me with like minded individuals who enjoy learning about similar subjects as me. My learning community is Eco House, they strive to keep campus green and get involved with community service. Since being involved with Eco House I have made friendships, connected with the campus community, and learned new information through our weekly meetups during class. Some key points to my first semester at college were making life-long friendships, winning my little I competition with my horse, The UC Diplomat, going on spontaneous trips with my new friends, and doing amazing in all my classes. Overall, I have acquired new skills and lessons through not only my classes at University of Connecticut but also through my new relationships with friends and professors, which in the long run will help me achieve my career goals. Lastly, I would like to give a thanks to all the donors that made these experiences happen, I deeply appreciate all that you do for everyone involved with the MVYouth scholarship, you all truly help make life-changing experiences, thank you for all that you do.

Galya Walt - Tufts University

Since the last update, I am excited to have started a Master of Public Health program at Harvard School of Public Health following a restful summer off in between my previous job and school. I just finished up my first semester and loved it so far! My coursework this semester included studying the foundations of epidemiology, public policy and theory of disease distribution. I love spending my days reading, exploring different libraries and getting to know my classmates. In addition to classes, I have been working 10 hours/week at Massachusetts General Hospital supporting a research project providing overnight infant care for parents living in residential treatment programs for substance use disorders. I have already learned so much from both the principal investigator and research participants and am so grateful to have a place to apply my interest in substance use disorders outside of the classroom. After I graduate, I hope to use my degree to work in research around harm reduction for substance use disorders. Outside of school and work, I have been enjoying the community in Cambridge I have been lucky enough to live in for the past few years and going to the mountains as much as I can! I am so grateful for MVYouth for giving me the gift of debt-free undergraduate education which allowed me to pursue a graduate degree. Wishing everyone a healthy and meaningful year!