Meghan Sonia - Anna Maria College

Over the past semester, I have been getting very excited about finishing my senior year and college career. I have just realized how fast time flies when you're having fun. Looking back on my four years, I have seen just how lucky I am to have spent my four years at such a fantastic school. I was so fortunate to be able to have followed my love for science into a degree in nursing while also being able to continue my passion for athletics and playing both field hockey and ice hockey.

This semester I had two amazingly educational classes. I took community health and family health where I learned to care for pediatric patients, pregnant women, and members of the community outside of the hospital setting. These classes helped me expand my knowledge and I have become more eager to pass my boards and get to apply this knowledge to the real world. My best experience this semester was my clinical rotation. My clinical rotation was at UMass Memorial Hospital. During this clinical experience, I shadowed a nurse and cared for patients. While working alongside these nurses, I got to take notes on how they helped their patients and began developing my clinical skills. This clinical helped me gain confidence in the clinical skills that I will be using within the next year. I will forever be thankful to MVYouth for giving me the opportunity to go to such an amazing school. The past four years have given me such great experiences, both in the classroom and out that I will carry with me for the rest of my life.

Emma Searle - Boston College

This fall has been my penultimate semester at Boston College. I look forward to graduating in the spring with a degree in Philosophy (Perspectives Concentration) and Communication. Having been led to BC’s Perspectives Program my freshman year through my core requirements, I’ve so enjoyed the pursuit of a Perspectives Concentration in Philosophy that has spanned almost four years now. Unique to BC, the Perspectives track is an interdisciplinary program of four year-long courses that are connected by foundational philosophical texts and principles. This semester I finished Perspectives III: Horizons of the New Social Sciences, which offers a philosophical frame to subtopics of sociology and economics, among others. In the spring I will wrap up Perspectives IV: New Scientific Visions, which focuses on the history and philosophy of the natural sciences. I spent this past summer in Boston as an intern at FGS Global (formerly Sard Verbinnen & Co.), a strategic communications firm. At FGS I was afforded the opportunity to witness a variety of communication-related situations unfold across a variety of different industries. Over the course of the summer I worked on both group and individual projects that were presented to the firm at the end of the program. I am so fortunate to take with me invaluable lessons from observing and working to support a host of professionals with a breadth of experience and expertise in the field of communications. This year I’ve also enjoyed continuing my involvement with the Undergraduate Government of Boston College and the Boston College Dance Ensemble, both of which have led to some of my most cherished memories at BC. As these four years come to an end all too soon, I am continuously reminded of my immeasurable gratitude for MVYouth and your indispensable support.

Jo Orr - Wagner College

This past fall I had the luck of going back to Wagner College after taking some personal time away from school. As a music studies major, I had the privilege of being in NYC as my peers and alumni friends started to audition and star in shows in the city and on campus. I got to see friends in shows on the Mainstage, Stage 1, and Gatehouse on campus, and shows and concerts in the city at 54 Below, Don’t Tell Mama, and off-Broadway. I auditioned and got a callback for the character Emma in “The Prom”, the Mainstage show for the spring semester. The audition experiences and professional connections I have gained at school are invaluable. Freshman year I was assistant director for Michele Pawk, a professor, director, and actor who is now off to play Madame Morrible in Wicked on Broadway for the next year.

I also juggled 8 classes, including music classes, choirs, psychology, and dance. While I liked the classes and the curriculum, what I really loved was hearing my professors, professional performers, tell us stories about shows they’ve been in and people they’ve met and danced with. There’s nothing better for the motivation of a dream than when you’re surrounded by people who’ve already done it. My private lessons continue to be my favorite class, as we continue to develop my instrument and transpose songs that are traditionally bound by the gender binary. To balance classes, performance opportunities, and rest, this year I prioritized my own mental health. After getting top surgery in the spring, I went into this semester still recovering, and I’m so happy now that I’m fully healed. I can focus on my classes and my goals for the future, and I’m so grateful to MVYouth for continuing to support me.

Louise McDonald - New York University

As my graduation date rapidly approaches, I am taking in all that college has to offer while preparing myself to enter the working world and post-graduate lifestyle. This summer, I was granted the opportunity to be the Institutional Relationship Summer Associate for Cohen & Steers. Through my internship, I developed strong client service and communication skills by preparing and attending external portfolio reviews with Cohen & Steers portfolio managers & clients. To help the Northeast Relationship Management team prepare for client & consultant meetings, I assisted with production, review, and delivery of client investment reports focusing on performance and attribution. While assigned tasks by my manager, I worked with a team of five interns to analyze COVID's impact on the firm's risk management, technology, and communication systems and presented our research to the firm's executive committee. By connecting with colleagues in different departments, I learned how to build, grow, and chase new clients, best navigate existing relationships, and listen to unexplored opportunities in the pipeline.

Through this experience, I gained great knowledge of financial markets and Cohen & Steers products when it came to fostering client relationships and finding opportunities to deepen the relationship in meaningful ways. I am happy to announce that after completing my internship, I received a full time offer to return to the firm as a Relationship Management Associate in their Relationship Management Department. This past semester at New York University was the best one yet! After completing my internship, this semester I was able to truly focus on my classes, extracurriculars, and campus life. As always, none of these experiences would be possible without the generosity and continued support of MVYouth. Thanks to MVYouth, I will graduate, work for a support firm in a role I am passionate about, and continue to build and explore all life has in store in the best city in the world. Thank you!

Andres Garcia - Cornell University

This past semester has been one of the most meaningful ones in my collegiate career. Earlier in the year, I joined Cornell’s Laboratory for Advanced Materials and Manufacturing where I designed and built two prototypes that induce ultrasonic vibrations to the additive manufacturing process. I learned a lot about the engineering design process, from creating 3D models to actually manufacturing each prototype. This fall, I was finally able to begin testing my prototypes in order to characterize their effects. My research experience has shown me how much I like to design and build machines and how important it is to further my education. After speaking with my advisor, I decided to apply to graduate school at Cornell.

Halfway through the semester, I got accepted into Cornell’s Master of Engineering Program as an early admit. I will be studying aerospace engineering with a concentration in design. I begin my master’s classes this coming spring and will be graduating with my advanced degree in the fall of 2023. Around the same time, I was also accepted into the Cornell Engineering Leadership Program. This is a year-long program that focuses on developing professional leadership skills through a hands-on project, multiple retreats, and two classes where I can practice these skills. Both of these programs will help me with my aspirations to one day hold a high-level position at an innovative aerospace company. This semester I chose to focus primarily on my academics. I attended many different networking events to speak with professors and industry advisors about the benefits of graduate school. Although it has been a challenging semester, it has also been a very rewarding one. All of this has been possible because of the support that MVYouth has given me. I am beyond thankful for everything that you have done.

Sam Cranston - University of Vermont

Throughout my four years at UVM, I have never wavered in my decision to study biology and pursue a career dedicated to scientific inquiry. In the past year, my passion for science has deepened, my skills as a scientist have grown significantly and I have developed strong aspirations for the future.

In my senior year, I knew I wanted a challenge that would put my scientific skills to the test. This meant spearheading my own scientific study. When I began formulating ideas for a project in the Spring of 2021, I decided to return to the subject that had originally sparked my passion for science: tick borne disease. Similar to Martha’s Vineyard, Vermont’s deer tick populations have grown rapidly in recent years due to global warming. Equally concerning, deer ticks carry not only Lyme disease, but a host of other debilitating pathogens including Babesiosis, Anaplasmosis and Relapsing Fever. I have been studying the rates at which these pathogens are carried as coinfections, as well as how land use changes in the region are affecting the spread of tick borne disease. From my project proposal, I was selected as one of two recipients of the UVM Biology Department’s KAY Award for Summer Research to fully fund my study. I spent the summer collecting ticks at various sites throughout Vermont. In the fall, I spent countless hours in the lab testing these ticks for disease. I expect to submit the results of my study for review in a scientific journal prior to graduation.

Outside of the lab, I have remained a member of the UVM Club Baseball team. As a starting outfielder this year, I helped my team achieve a 17-0 record and win the New England Club Baseball championship. The past four years at UVM have been the experience of a lifetime. I have been committed to making the most out of having the privilege to attend college. None of this would have been possible without the support of MVYouth. I will always be thankful for your belief in me and I hope to someday give back to future students like myself.

JP Alves - University of San Diego

Without a doubt, this past fall semester has been the best few months of my life. Having decided to spend the first half of my senior year in Spain turned out to be a life changing experience I will cherish forever. Madrid exceeded any expectation that I could have placed on studying abroad, and I am certain it will not be my last time living there.

Studying international business took a whole new form once I was physically living abroad, absorbing the vibrant European culture. Living with an incredible family who took me in as their son only added immensely to my immersion into Spain. Along with my classes in Madrid, I was also fortunate enough to work as an intern for a Spanish investment company called The Venture City. I cannot thank them enough for all they have taught me, both about the work being done by the firm, but also relating to the customs and formalities of European business. Following my rigorous class and work schedule proved to be most rewarding when I could connect with my coworkers and professors in their own language.

As a DACA student, studying abroad is an extremely complex process. There are numerous risks involved when leaving the country with only the safety of a DACA travel document, which can end up being fallible. Assuming this uncertainty, I still considered myself lucky to be fulfilling one of my biggest dreams of going to Europe. Although it was unpredictable at times, I thankfully arrived safe and sound back home. I have nothing but gratitude for the MVYouth community who converted my dream into a reality. With the support of my family and from the MVYouth scholarship, I am now as confident as ever in a seamless transition into my future international business career.

Zephyrine Thompson - George Washington University

The fall semester of my third year at The George Washington University passed in a heartbeat! This semester has been entirely offline, which returned a comforting sense of near-normalcy; aside from in-person classes, extracurricular clubs were able to offer their full range of events, and it felt like new opportunities to explore D.C. that had previously been closed (venues for food, music, art, and more!) appeared every day.

My course highlights for this semester were absolutely my Public Health and French courses. Public Health is fiercely interesting, and I’ll actually be declaring a Global Public Health concentration soon! I plan to minor in French, but Fall 2022’s “Writing Women” was my favorite of the courses so far. It focused on female French writers through the 19th and 20th centuries, including literature such as Colette’s La Vagabonde and Sand’s La Petite Fadette; our discussion focused strongly on the female experience and what it meant to be a female writer, which overall led to an incredibly thought-provoking semester!

Outside of classes, I continue to be a member of the Chi Omega sorority, and recently took two lovely new members as Little Sisters! I also went on fun trips with our outdoor activities club, and played the role of Sandrine in our student theatre company’s production of Almost, Maine. In September, I was trained as a server at a restaurant on campus. While occasionally challenging, it has been an exciting new experience, and ultimately provides a nice balance to my spare time. In addition to finding new friendships in the staff, I’ve had fascinating conversations with professionals of various fields (including a few diplomats) that end up at my tables!

I truly had the most wonderful semester yet, and for that (and so, so much more), I am unfathomably grateful to everyone involved with MVYouth: to the community that organizes it, to the donors who sustain it, and to Lindsey who tells us how proud she is in every email. I am so excited for next semester, and I am so grateful to you all for making it possible!!!

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.