Since last writing an update for MVYouth, I’ve had a great second-semester last spring, a very productive summer working back on the island, and then my best semester yet this fall. During the spring, I took an intro math course and two courses for my planned major, political science. This semester I continued with a math-political science split, taking two courses in each. Later this year, I will formally declare a major and have decided on political science and applied math after discovering that I can and enjoy doing both. I’ve been fortunate to have experienced great professors who have encouraged me to continue in both fields. At every step so far, both professors and students have motivated me to be a better learner and student. The community I am now part of is incredibly supportive and driven to succeed - traits I am grateful for. Outside of academics, I have joined Brown’s club swim team to get back into this sport and stay physically active. So far it's been a great experience and I have been able to compete against other college clubs in the region. The team has been welcoming and highly motivated. With practices five days a week, swimming has kept me busy and helped me stay focused academically as it forces me to manage my time more efficiently. On top of all this, being in Providence continues to be enjoyable, I’ve explored more of what it has to offer, and social life on campus is vibrant with plenty of things to do year-round. This fall has set me on a path I am excited about. I am incredibly grateful for the opportunities MVYouth has provided me with and hope to one day give back and have a similar impact as this organization.
Lila Mikos - Syracuse University
Walking on to campus in August, I felt a sense of home and familiarity I had been looking forward to all summer! Returning to school as a sophomore and being able to reunite with my friends and classmates brought me joy and a renewed sense of community. With beautiful upstate New York fall weather, I spent much of my time outdoors in the beginning of the semester on and off campus. I carved out lots of time to take advantage of some State Parks and The New York State Fair. Academically, this semester opened my eyes so much. I began to take classes focused on my major of Public Health. In my favorite class, Community Health Promotions, we spent time working with organizations within the Syracuse community as part of the service learning this class required. I loved learning about the city where I’ve been living and how I can help influence positive changes. Outside of that class, I wanted to find other ways to get involved with the community. My friends and I found a city clean up initiative created by the mayor and spent time on the east side of the city helping to pick up trash and clean up neighborhoods. This was so rewarding as I got to talk to many residents of this area who were grateful for the help and support from S.U. students. It was inspiring to meet the mayor of Syracuse as he came to thank everyone for their efforts! Although I definitely faced academic challenges, I think that this semester helped me grow as a learner and showed me how hard I’m able to work. I’m eternally grateful MVYouth has allowed me to take advantage of these amazing experiences and I’m so excited for what the rest of the year has in store!
Lucas Goncalves - Gordon College
Time has been going by so fast, and I can’t believe I am starting my second semester of my sophomore year. It felt like it was yesterday when I was getting ready to leave for my first year and take on the challenge of Gordon College soccer tryouts. (I ended up making the team, thanks to God). Just like last year, this fall was no different - I had to tackle preseason. I came into the 2023 fall feeling uncertain about the soccer season and school year. The previous coach decided to leave, and it hurt because not only is he a great coach, but he is someone we could all count on outside of soccer. So, the team started the summer off with no coach but with the certainty that we would give our all in the fall. In the end, Gordon found a great head coach and assistant who propelled us to a level that enabled us to play like prime FC Barcelona. Unfortunately, we lost in the quarterfinals to a team we should’ve beaten, but that's the beauty of sports - upsets can happen and anyone can win. In the spring of 2023, I decided to take some business classes to broaden my options, and I’ve always been interested in this field as well as kinesiology. I decided to major in business management because one day I plan on owning or helping people manage the right way. I still enjoy kinesiology, and I haven’t decided on a minor yet, so that is a possibility. In the near future I plan on participating in Gordon’s mission trips. Everyone who has gone has said that it is an unforgettable experience, and I would like to go on one before I graduate. All in all, I am extremely grateful for MVYouth and everyone who participates in making everything possible.
Sam Fetters - Amherst College
As a second-year student at Amherst College I feel I came into my own. Thanks to the open curriculum at Amherst, I am well on my way to triple majoring in Computer Science, History and Political Science with classes in Algorithms, Artificial Intelligence, Petro States and Stalin this fall. Over the summer I was awarded an undergraduate research fellowship with an Amherst professor. We studied virtual memory and compression algorithms, which culminated in a large presentation at a college-wide symposium. Over the fall semester, I was a TA for a Data Structures course in the computer science department. While it was certainly a refresher on the material, I really enjoyed teaching other students, and helping them with the material. Next semester I am registered for 20th Century Japan, Collapse and Revolution: Fall of the Soviet Union, New Cold Wars, and a Spanish class to get ready for a Fall 2024 semester abroad in Spain. I continue to be part of Quiz Bowl, Model UN, and Running Club through which I have met so many great people. I reached my goal of running a marathon, placing 4th in the Martha’s Vineyard Marathon in May 2023, and qualifying for the Boston Marathon in April 2024. Then, I ran the Marine Corps Marathon in October 2023, coming in 31st overall and 4th in my division in a field of over 14,000 runners. Running means the world to me and helps me manage the academic demands of Amherst with a physical outlet that has proven very positive for my mental health and social life. I’m thankful for MVYouth’s support and confidence in me over the past two years, and can’t wait to see what 2024 brings.
Jessie Dlabaj - Clemson University
This past fall semester has been a different experience than that of my freshman year. While it has been challenging, I have continued to grow as a person and a student. This semester I changed my major from Biological Science to Mechanical Engineering. I realized I no longer had the drive for a future in the biology field, but I had a newfound interest in engineering. While this transition has been demanding, I thoroughly enjoyed my introduction into the field of engineering and look forward to my future as an engineer! This semester I also became a math tutor for Clemson’s Academic Success Center. I worked around eight hours a week tutoring Calculus One students. This has been a wonderful opportunity as I have built connections with my fellow peer leaders and with my students. It has also required me to improve upon my time management, leadership, and communication skills which will better prepare me for my future. I did not realize how much I would build a relationship with the students I have tutored. I would have many of the same people return each week and thoroughly enjoyed getting to know them over the semester. I plan on tutoring again in the spring and I am excited to have this opportunity again. Overall, I have had an amazing fall semester and I am so grateful I have found where I am supposed to be at Clemson University. I have come back to campus more established and ready to tackle new obstacles and opportunities. I have been fortunate enough to live off campus with two of my closest friends. This has also been a few sources of responsibility, but I have enjoyed the freedom and ability to make my own food! All of this would not be possible without the MVYouth, so thank you for all that you do!
Lucas da Silva - Upper Cape Tech
Hi. I’m Lucas da Silva. I'm 20 years old. I graduated two years ago. I had the opportunity to receive a scholarship from MVYouth, fulfilling my dream to become an electrician. I've been studying and working in the profession for two years. I'm very grateful for all these moments and learning. Lately it's been much more complex but it's also been more exciting being exposed to new areas. In June this year I got married, and moved to a house . Everything has been new and challenging, but that's me. I love being exposed to new things to always be going to the next level. It is a responsible lifestyle that we must have after we graduate because sometimes it is not easy to make the right choice. That is why I always like to look at challenges “with patience and reason” never emotion. I am really very grateful for what life has taught me and I am very grateful for this program that helped me not leave my dream in vain and saw that I was willing to make a dream come true. Over these two years it has been a lot of dedication, working a lot, having a lot of experiences working in a lot of different places, such as school, industrial and much more. This year 2024 I will be going to my third year of school and third year of work. It's been a very productive year and I'm really looking forward to the new experiences that this year will bring.
Alison Custer - Connecticut College
My second fall at Connecticut College has been busy, but amazing. I came into this year ready to solidify my Majors, and apply for what Conn calls “Integrative Pathways”. Last Spring I declared my Major in Dance and this Fall I decided on my second Major called American Studies, an interdisciplinary major that will allow me to study Government, Psychology, and Environmental Studies. I was also accepted into the Social Justice and Sustainability Pathway where I will explore issues I am passionate about by intentionally combining interdisciplinary coursework with off-campus learning experiences, and work with faculty and advisers to develop an animating question that is meaningful to me. I look forward to beginning my Thematic Inquiry course for the Social Justice and Sustainability Pathway and building deeper relationships with Social Justice Organizations in New London. I worked on developing the Sunrise Movement Chapter (a climate justice organization) on campus and organizing events for that. I was also in two dance concerts, one for Dance Club where I choreographed a piece, as well as performed, and the most recent Department Concert. I had the opportunity to work with David Dorfman and also Guest Artist Ronald K. Brown of Evidence Dance Company. This was such an incredible experience learning from such an icon in the dance world. The piece we learned and performed was originally set on the Alvin Ailey Company, so there was a lot of pressure, but their guidance, wisdom, and support were valuable and I wouldn’t change that experience for the world. I have also begun planning my application for studying abroad next fall, hopefully in Copenhagen or London based on the programs I have found. I have taken many valuable courses, learned and grown boundlessly, found so much joy, and built so many important relationships at Connecticut College so far. I cannot wait to continue. I could not have done this without MVYouth. The support has meant so much to my family and me, and I cannot thank MVYouth enough. I am forever grateful.
Isabella Clarke - Brown University
My third semester at Brown University has been an enriching experience. The environment here is academically demanding yet very supportive as well. The open curriculum has allowed me to explore my psychology major and delve into law, notably in Constitutional Law, where we covered 83 Supreme Court cases. Additionally, I was accepted into the Student Clinic for Immigrant Justice, dedicating two hours weekly to learning immigration law. This spring, I'll engage in community organizing and work on immigration cases with an attorney. This opportunity allowed me to apply the skills I’ve learned in my psychology courses when discussing the painful experiences the asylees had endured in their home country. Given Brown's absence of a law school or pre-law program, I've connected with other pre-law students. Serving as Vice President of the Black Pre-Law Association and secretary for the Women’s Pre-Law Association, I'm planning a trip to visit law schools in Washington DC and gaining insights into law school admissions from Brown alums. Next semester, I'm taking Abnormal Psychology, Statistics, Africana Studies, and Political Science. Though this fall was academically challenging, I anticipate a balanced workload in the upcoming term. I will be juggling coursework, two leadership roles, and four internships. In addition to my two internships via the Student Clinic for Immigrant Justice, I will also intern at Thrive Behavioral Health and the Rhode Island State Government. At Thrive, I will apply my psychology knowledge to interview clients about their mental health. I will also be able to shadow different departments within the mental hospital. For the Rhode Island State government internship, I will work within the Governor’s municipal office drafting legislation. These internships promise to deepen my understanding of psychology and law, offering insights into potential career paths. I am grateful for MVYouth's support, which has provided me access to the myriad opportunities available at Brown, and I look forward to creating more memorable experiences next semester.
Ella Buchert - University of Massachusetts, Amherst
My third semester at UMass has been demanding yet rewarding. This semester, I learned a lot academically and socially. So many moving parts in the college atmosphere are different from our small island community, which overwhelms and amazes me. This fall, I've already begun my plans to move into a house with my best friends for next year, which is exciting. I'm looking forward to gaining more independence. I took rigorous courses such as physics, chemistry, and statistics this fall semester. Balancing these classes has been tough, but they are the foundations for interesting higher-level classes, and these courses have taught me many necessary lab skills. I've also joined the Geo Science club this semester, which has connected me with intelligent and kind upperclassmen who have inspired me. Next semester, I'm taking another geology lab where we will learn hands-on about stream processes, mountain belts, geologic time scales, and more. I'm thrilled to further my geology knowledge and take classes next semester such as environmental economics, environmental career planning, "Ecosystems, Biodiversity, and Global Change," and other courses. Next semester, I'm looking forward to joining lab research as well. Though I'm expanding my knowledge of the sciences, I will be joining "University Chorale," a mixed chorus ensemble next semester. I'm enthusiastic about getting back to singing, which helps clear my mind of any anxiety and stress. The Minnesinger group has had a lasting impact on my love for music. There is something magical about singing in a chorus. I've missed singing so much, and it will positively impact me mentally and academically. I've had a spectacular past fall but wouldn't be here without MVYouth. MVYouth inspires me to push myself to follow my passions and put my best foot forward. I'm so grateful to MVYouth for the opportunities they provide for me and my community.
Liam Weiland - Berklee College of Music
It’s hard to believe a full year has already passed since my last MVYouth update. I’m still working full time at Larrabee Studios in North Hollywood as a General Assistant. As the past year has gone on I’ve been offered increasingly more opportunities to be an Assistant Engineer for sessions at the studio. I’ve now worked and become familiar with many prominent artists that I wouldn’t have believed I’d have the chance to work with this time last year. My experience and skill level as an engineer has increased exponentially. I could not be happier with my current position and day to day work life.
As an Assistant Engineer I am responsible for the technical set-up for any sessions I’m assigned to. I am in contact with the Recording Engineer prior to sessions, discussing with them their ideal set-up and any specific gear they are planning to use. I am setting up the room to the artist's liking and responsible for maintaining the overall workflow so the artist(s) and Recording Engineer can work as quickly and comfortably as they would like. The hours are intensive and unpredictable, but I wouldn’t have it any other way. My ideal lifestyle is busy and unpredictable, and this job has played into that perfectly. I never know what challenges or successes each day will bring, which makes the job incredibly rewarding.
I could not be more grateful for the opportunity of a higher education that MVYouth awarded me, which has ultimately led me to my current job and lifestyle. I can’t imagine doing anything else. As this next year progresses, I hope to take on increasingly more sessions as an Assistant Engineer at the studio and begin to make the transition into working as a Recording Engineer there. I would not have been prepared for my current work if it were not for my education at Berklee.
Julia Gomes - New England Hair Academy
What a year!! Throughout this past summer and fall, I commuted to the Vineyard a few days a week and did hair at Panache Studio for Tracy Briggs, while simultaneously working at a salon on cape. MVYouth has been life changing in regards to my continued education, beyond my barbering license. This year alone, I attended a total of four workshops and classes, two of which that were taught by the Picassos of the industry: Linh Phan & Linson. I have soaked up so much knowledge and so many new & intricate techniques that have lead me to my current specialty, dimensional brunettes. This has completely elevated not only my clientele, but also my passion as I have found my niche in such an expansive industry. I’ve also been working hard to perfect my career skills and expand my business on social media platforms. Hopefully, I will take more classes this coming year to focus on the business aspect of the cosmetology field. This will help me to continue working towards my ultimate goal of owning a hair salon on the Island. Overall, I think that the last few months have really paved the way, professionally-speaking, for me. I’m excited to see what comes next and I'm eternally grateful for MVYouth’s continued support every step of the journey so far. Thank you from the bottom of my heart!
Paulo Pereira Filho - University of Massachusetts, Amherst
This past year has been eventful and incredibly busy since starting in the Securitized Products Group (SPG) at Morgan Stanley slightly over a year ago. As I have gotten more acclimated to my role, I have been able to take on more responsibility, lead, and sign off on a number of projects and deals rolling up to senior management within SPG and Morgan Stanley, more broadly. Outside of work, Morgan Stanley offers many programs for employees to volunteer and give back to surrounding communities and beyond. Fortunately, I had the opportunity to partake in a mentorship program where several colleagues and I volunteered as mentors to the students, many of whom come from minority backgrounds, at the Business of Sports School in midtown Manhattan. The mentorship program is structured as several sessions each semester, focusing on a core theme most relevant to the students. The past fall semester, we focused on helping the junior students with their college essays and applications. I am eager to continue volunteering as a mentor in the program when it kicks off again in the spring. Morgan Stanley also offers countless opportunities to donate to charities and support different causes, which has been an enlightening experience to learn more about and contribute to charities and causes other colleagues also care about. All in all, it has been a year filled with new experiences and tons of learning. I am grateful for every part of it and look forward to the development of my career as the years progress. None of this would have been possible without the help and support of MVYouth and its donors. Thank you again for everything you have done and continue to do for the community on MV!
Lee Faraca - Cal Poly
Wow, time flies. A statement I had heard many times that my younger self often dismissed. However, these past, post graduate years, have flown and every year seems to go by faster. I quite enjoy reading the Annual Report to see all the latest developments on the Island and what interesting stories and experiences my peers have to share. It’s a great indication of all the possibilities MVYouth has provided and the recipients have contrived. Thank you MVYouth!
I’ve been working at Lee + Ro, in Walnut Creek, California for the past two and a half years. I work as a consulting Project Engineer working with various Bay Area as well as LA County public agencies, municipalities, and Cities. My specialty is the treatment and transport of water and sewage, whether that be pumping water to a reservoir and treating it; or rehabilitating and upgrading wastewater treatment processes at a plant. I am slowly learning some instrumentation and controls engineering through a Project Manager, as well as some HVAC design.
Throughout the latter half of COVID I got really into cooking and backpacking. I live for the weekends and love to backpack. There are a couple trips planned for Joshua Tree and Desolation Wilderness this spring. My evenings usually consist of watching Masterchef Australia (or something similar) followed by a meek attempt at cooking gourmet food.
I am still involved in Engineers Without Borders – San Francisco Professional Chapter, especially with the Ethiopian Project team in Weledi. As the Tigray-Ethiopian conflict settles down, we’ll investigate our next project. During the past year we managed to finish post implementation monitoring and quality assurance and close out a latrine and handwashing project built in 2016. My guess is it will likely be a new clinic and some minor flooding mitigation.
Rose Engler - Brown University
Last year, I graduated from Brown with a BA in Public Health and founded a digital healthcare startup, COAD. I’m taking the year to pursue my venture before matriculating into Brown’s medical school this August. I plan to pursue a concentration in Medical Technology, Innovation, and Entrepreneurship, enabling me to earn my MD while launching COAD.
COAD utilizes behavioral decision science to fundamentally change the way patients remember to take their medicine. >151M Americans take medication, but 3/4 don’t take them as directed. Why? 69% simply forget. This forgetfulness costs patients their health, their loved ones their peace of mind, the US healthcare system $300B/year, and our communities over 125,000 lives/year. COAD is a behavior-based digital healthcare platform comprised of a revolutionary smart pillbox integrated with a user-friendly mobile app that work together to significantly boost medication adherence, empower caregiving, and improve health outcomes. We remind patients to take their medicine, notify their loved ones when they forget, and generate verifiable adherence reports to optimize and personalize patient care.
This spring, COAD won the Brown Venture Prize and utilized the capitol to drive product development throughout Brown’s summer accelerator. Today, our team is in the Master of Business Creation program through the University of Utah—a top 10 entrepreneurship program—which acts as a 9-month accelerator designed to launch, commercialize, and scale startups. Today, we are finishing product development, organizing a pilot through Martha’s Vineyard Hospital, and preparing to launch B2B through an Accountable Care Organization. We are raising a pre-seed round of $250K in part to fund small-batch manufacturing for our pilot with Martha’s Vineyard Hospital. I consider MVYouth part of my family and would love your support as we continue this adventure. Above all else, I sincerely thank you for your investment in my educational journey. It provided me with the education, resources, and freedom to follow my passions and develop COAD!
Marissa D'Antonia - Boston College
After a year of transition after transition, I have finally begun to settle into post-grad life. During my last semester of college, I spent time taking classes to help in my career endeavors as well as classes that helped me expand my knowledge in other interest areas. The majority of my time outside of class was spent traveling for club ultimate frisbee, volunteering at an after-school program, and soaking in my last college memories with friends. Following graduation in May 2022, I decided to spend some time working on the Vineyard. After a couple months of saving up and spending time with family, I packed up my car and drove across the country to Denver, Colorado.
Since arriving in Denver, I have gotten settled in my new apartment, explored the incredible nature that Colorado has to offer, and have even gotten a puppy! Though I miss the natural beauty of Martha’s Vineyard, I am starting to feel at home here in Denver. This past August, I started working as an IT Audit Consultant at Protiviti. My new job has taught me so much more than I could have ever anticipated in only the first couple of months. I am building auditing skills, client management skills, as well as technical consulting skills. I mainly work from home but have gone into the office downtown a handful of times to meet with my team members.
With so many transitions happening in my life this past year, I cannot even begin to express my gratitude for MVYouth allowing me to be debt free. Navigating young adulthood is hard enough without having thousands of dollars in debt lurking overhead. Because of this scholarship, I am able to spend this time growing as both a professional and individual on my own terms. Thank you MVYouth!
Garrett Broadley - New England Institute of Technology
Hello, 2022 has been a very up and down roller coaster. The beginning of the year was as smooth and can be. I was working, having fun and doing things a 21 year old should be doing. I was doing things that were making me turn into a independent adult more and more. Until I had to move. The Island was sadly out of my budget. I simply could not afford to live there any more. I had to find something. With my girlfriend who is from Connecticut, we decided to move in together to have our own place and start becoming fully independent - “leaving the nest”, as some say. I still continue to use my education I got from NEIT while I work at another independent shop. The knowledge I got from Will Debettencourt shot me to the top at this new shop, although I have plenty to learn and still am learning every day. I am working six days a week, Monday through Saturday, mostly trying to build a solid foundation for my future. The Island will forever be my home. One day hopefully it becomes affordable for true Islanders like me so I can go back and make my kids the 9th generation of Islanders in my family. Thank you for all that you have done. None of this would be possible if it wasn’t for your support.
Sam Bresnick - Boston College
Upon graduating from Boston College this past May, I started working at Brown Brothers Harriman in Boston. In my role as a Client Account Manager, I service our clients (other banks and investment firms) by managing their respective funds. The funds that I work on are either private debt or private equity funds. My main tasks are to handle the accounting of the funds and to calculate monthly or quarterly NAV estimates for each fund. These tasks,among others, are all done with the end goal of generating and providing quarterly Financial Statements for each fund. Prior to this job I had a basic understanding of how PE funds operated. This job has provided me with an in depth look of how private equity and private debt funds operate. I have also gotten the opportunity to see the process of setting up funds and launching these funds. I found that this is the part of my job that I enjoy the most. Fund structure, the purpose behind that structure and the investment patterns of each fund are some aspects that I am excited to learn about as I continue to grow in this role. Currently my goal is to attend law school in the next two years with a focus on fund formation/fund set up. Thank you to MVYouth and the work you all do to support and provide opportunities for Island students to pursue their passions.
Chris Aring - Olin College
I have spent the last year living in California working remotely for Ginkgo Bioworks. I was promoted to Junior Systems Analyst, and began designing systems to help keep track of internal data within our biosecurity team. I have enjoyed my time at Ginkgo and will continue working for them while I begin my pre-med post-baccalaureate program at San Francisco State University. The program starts at the end of January and I will be done with the required coursework in 1-2 years. My next steps would be to take the MCAT and apply to medical school.
The work I do at Ginkgo is health related, but my focus has been on the more technical side of things. As I progress through the post-baccalaureate program I will have the opportunity to shadow physicians at Stanford University Medical Center and/or nearby hospitals. I may continue to work with Ginkgo part time to help fund my continuing education but would prefer to find payed opportunities in the medical field. I am fortunate to have gained many useful skills during my time at Olin College of Engineering that will help me tremendously in the medical field. I wanted to thank my community, friends, family, and the generosity of MVYouth for the continued support. I continue to use the knowledge I gained at college to push my life and career forward.
Emily Hewson - Bridgewater State University
his past fall semester I decided to change my major from music to psychology. Studying music as a major took the fun out of it for me. I have decided it is better to keep music as my minor to preserve my love for it. Switching my major to psychology will also help with furthering my career path to becoming a musical therapist. I started this semester with my first psychology class, cultural psychology. In this course, I learned what it means to understand the different cultures around the world and how to appreciate diverse ways of thinking. Expanding our views on cultural contexts other than our own is a great way to develop a better understanding of the world we all live in. I knew I was interested in psychology but this class confirmed just how interested I am in psychology. The only class I had outside of music and psychology was writing rhetorically. We discussed the difference between civil rights and human rights. We talked about the evolution of cultural norms along with what it means to create lasting change in society. Our discussions overlapped with the content we were studying in the cultural psychology class. This upcoming semester I have enrolled in more psychology classes to work towards getting enough credits for a BA in psychology. I have also made sure to sign up for music classes such as opera, chorale, and chambers. I’ve taken these classes before and have loved every practice and performance that went into studying musical performance. I would not be able to continue my college career without music. Although I am far along in my college education, I plan on taking intersession courses in the summer and winter. These asynchronous classes will help me graduate closer to my original goal. I am confident in my newfound passion for psychology and am excited to continue on this new path.
Nicolas Andre - College of Holy Cross
As I headed back to campus in August, I was presented with a range of emotions. While showing up to preseason was always exciting, this was my last one, thus an entirely novel experience. I was simultaneously buzzing to be back in the place I’ve called home for the past four years and slightly nervous as well. Ironically this was akin to how I felt showing up my freshman year in 2018. In reflecting on my time since then, I took stock of how grateful I am of my teammates, friends, coaches, professors, and most of all my family for getting me to where I am today. Therefore, I made the conscious effort to cherish every last moment of this wonderful journey throughout the semester, making sure to take it all in. It is these bittersweet moments that have really made life so special, and I can’t wait for countless more in whatever comes next.
However, as we all know the good times always fly by. In the blink of an eye, it was already December, and with the semester wrapped up, I was gifted the opportunity to travel. I spent the holidays in Germany, visiting family I hadn’t seen since before the pandemic, and then headed to Dubai, Singapore, and Thailand to visit friends. This journey afforded me the chance to take in new cultures, social structures and visit some of the most naturally beautiful landscapes the world has to offer. This was truly an experience I will never forget and am eternally grateful to have had the opportunity to embark upon it. I cannot begin to thank MVYouth enough for its generosity and continued support. Without MVYouth, none of this would even be remotely possible and for that I am ever grateful.