After working on a med surg floor in Boston, I decided to challenge myself to explore a new area of nursing by taking a position in an endoscopy unit here in New Jersey. While learning from incredible endo nurses, doctors, and techs, I have had the opportunity to explore a different side of healthcare in a specialty where I feel more fulfilled as a nurse. On my unit, we perform several different types of endoscopic procedures for patients suffering from a vast number of gastrointestinal and pulmonary issues. As an endo nurse, I get to admit patients, participate in a wide variety of procedures, and also recover the patients afterwards. I love that I am always doing something different than the day before and I am constantly learning more about the human body, meeting new patients that I get to connect with, and participating in such highly specialized procedures. From comforting someone before their first colonoscopy, to emergently stopping a GI bleed, to caring for my patients’ post op complications, I now have the opportunity to help patients in a way so different from before. I truly feel that I have the ability to more directly and more effectively care for my patients due to my unique position as an endo nurse. I am so thankful for how far I have come since first starting nursing school to where I am now as an RN, and none of it would be possible without the generous help from MVYouth. As part of my growth this year, I have even been able to train other new endoscopy nurses, as well as teach new grad nurses skills not taught in nursing school such as how to start an IV. This year has been so rewarding and I look forward to what my nursing future has in store.
Louise McDonald - New York University
During my final semester at NYU, I immersed myself in joy and celebration, savoring the last few weeks of my college journey while diligently preparing for the corporate world. Throughout my tenure at NYU, I leveraged the plethora of job opportunities available in the city, and benefited from NYU's post-graduate career resources, which is dedicated to guiding students through the challenges of securing a job in their desired position and industry. This proactive approach led me to secure an asset management internship at Cohen & Steers within their Institutional Relationship Management department. Following the successful completion of the 12-week internship during the summer of 2022, I was not only granted but also enthusiastically accepted a full-time offer in my senior year, commencing in August 2023. Now, five months into my dream job in Midtown Manhattan, I am profoundly grateful to MVYouth. With MVYouth's invaluable support, I had the privilege to connect with talented and ambitious students and educators in the world's greatest city, enabling me to apply my knowledge to a leading global investment manager specializing in real assets. Today, my focus is on further expanding my expertise in the real assets space while delivering top-tier client service to our institutional clients. I am fueled by excitement and determination to thrive in my professional career, acknowledging that this achievement wouldn't have been possible without the generosity of MVYouth. Thank you & cheers to 2024!
Casey McAndrews - Hamilton College
It’s hard to believe that I am almost halfway through medical school already! As a second-year at UNECOM, I have completely fallen in love with learning the pathophysiology behind various medical conditions and the puzzle of figuring out how to best care for patients. A lot of this year has been learning how to recognize different clinical presentations and mastering exam skills to prepare for the next two years, during which I will spend the majority of my time on the hospital floors learning in real time. Outside of school, I have had a few incredible opportunities that have helped me to further explore my passions. Over the past year, I have continued to volunteer at the elementary schools in the local community, both through mentorship and teaching. Through our school’s Pediatric Club and the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), I have been able to participate in advocacy initiatives to learn how to address adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) and gun violence prevention in pediatric populations. This past summer, I was selected for the 2023 Endocrine Society Research for Medical and Graduate Students (REGMS) Award, which supported my work on a research project examining the effects of calorie restriction on bone morphology in a preclinical model. The REGMS program brings together students from across the country who are conducting research in endocrinology and provides a variety of opportunities for career development during weekly seminars led by experts in the field. As a REGMS recipient, I will have the chance to share my work at the ENDO Conference in Boston this June! Thank you, again, MVYouth for all that you do. I am forever grateful for your support.
Marlla Lemos Lane - University of Massachusetts, Boston
2023 marked my third year building home in Seattle, Washington and my first out of grad school. I continued my work as a therapist and care coordinator in Seattle Public Schools until June but ultimately decided not to return due to an unexpected personal loss and burnout. I’m grateful to have spent the year learning from and supporting such resilient young people while gaining an understanding of the systems that are struggling to meet their needs. During the summer months, I nannied for two energetic toddlers and got back to my animal-loving roots working as a stable hand on a large horse farm. This fall, I began in my new role as the care coordinator for a collective of therapists who specialize in politicized healing and trauma processing for the queer and trans community. I am excited to be a part of this collective and their commitment to connecting political conditions with individual and collective mental health. Amidst a full year, I continue to explore my own gender and feel increasingly embodied as I integrate pieces of my expression that were long buried. Life is short and what an honor to really live it! Thank you MVYouth for your support during undergrad and for being part of the reason I can pursue such a full life, post-grad and beyond.
LJ Jacobs - Hamilton College
2023 marked my third year building home in Seattle, Washington and my first out of grad school. I continued my work as a therapist and care coordinator in Seattle Public Schools until June but ultimately decided not to return due to an unexpected personal loss and burnout. I’m grateful to have spent the year learning from and supporting such resilient young people while gaining an understanding of the systems that are struggling to meet their needs. During the summer months, I nannied for two energetic toddlers and got back to my animal-loving roots working as a stable hand on a large horse farm. This fall, I began in my new role as the care coordinator for a collective of therapists who specialize in politicized healing and trauma processing for the queer and trans community. I am excited to be a part of this collective and their commitment to connecting political conditions with individual and collective mental health. Amidst a full year, I continue to explore my own gender and feel increasingly embodied as I integrate pieces of my expression that were long buried. Life is short and what an honor to really live it! Thank you MVYouth for your support during undergrad and for being part of the reason I can pursue such a full life, post-grad and beyond.
Danielle Hopkins - Barnard College
2023 was a fulfilling and exciting year for me. Last spring I chose to attend Yale Law School after an incredible application cycle where I was accepted into every school I applied to except for one waitlist. I was really torn in my decision between NYU and Yale but ultimately I found that Yale was the right place for me. I also was awarded and named a recipient of a scholarship from the Marshall-Motley Scholar Programs from the Legal Defense Fund. Being a Marshall-Motley Scholar has been an incredible honor and privilege and it has truly made my first semester at Law School all the better. Moving to New Haven in August and beginning my first semester of Law School was incredibly challenging but also very rewarding. I have made some amazing friends and learned so much in my courses. The second half of my year was mostly filled with classes, studying and trying to stay on top of all the material I learned but I also found time to explore some other interests of mine. I became the social media head for the Yale Black Law Students Association (BLSA), and also joined the BLSA mock trial team where we will be competing next February in Buffalo, New York. I also am part of the organizing team for Reb Law (rebellious lawyering), a conference held annually at Yale Law School to bring together “practitioners, law students, and community activists from around the country to discuss innovative, progressive approaches to law and social change.” I am so excited to begin my second semester later this month but am grateful for the time I have now to rest and connect with family and friends. I am so grateful for the support and opportunities MVYouth provided me throughout my four years of undergrad and beyond that have gotten me to this point. Thank you, MVYouth!
Samantha Hargy - George Washington University
The last year has brought many life changes, both personally and professionally. My mom unexpectedly passed away in February 2023, and I took a few weeks off from my graduate studies to travel home and be with family. Even so, in May I graduated on time from Johns Hopkins SAIS with a Master of Arts in International Relations. With no solid plan for after graduation, I moved back to the island while I waited to hear from job applications. For those familiar with Edgartown Seafood, you'll be interested to know that the business was purchased by three of my best friends in March 2023, who contacted me and asked if I would assist them with their bookkeeping. With zero bookkeeping skills but lots of ambition, I took on this project and continue to hold this position. If you're ever in need of great seafood, go say hi to my friends (and now bosses) Andy, Jimmy, and Crockett at Edgartown Seafood! In May I accepted a position at the Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars in Washington, DC, where I work as a Program Coordinator in the Mexico Institute. The Mexico Institute seeks to increase understanding, communication, and cooperation between the United States and Mexico through the active discussion of issues relevant to both countries. Mexico and the United States will both hold presidential elections this year, and the two main candidates in Mexico are women, so there is a lot of interesting and meaningful work to be done. As part of the position, I enjoy frequent trips to Mexico and the opportunity to continue practicing Spanish. I hope everyone had a happy and healthy year!
Lena Hanschka - Colby College
For the last year, I have been based in Burlington, VT, working at Champlain Community Services (CCS), a nonprofit that provides developmental services and health care to Vermonters with intellectual disabilities and autism. I joined the CCS team as a Direct Support Professional last January and worked one-on-one with individuals helping to support them in the community, navigate their daily life, and respond to challenges as they arise. In June, I stepped into a new role as a Service Coordinator and I now manage a caseload of 11 clients. My responsibilities include: helping individuals manage their finances; scheduling medical appointments; coordinating supports both in the community and in the workplace; and overseeing the many other details that help enable people to live as independently as possible. I love being a part of this organization, which helps foster a more inclusive and supportive community here in Vermont. I have learned a great deal from the people I work with and can truly say that I have become a better person because of my time with them. I owe a huge debt of gratitude to my clients, their families, and my colleagues for challenging me to think more deeply about what it means to live in a community where everyone has the opportunity to feel included, nurtured, and sustained. Thank you to MVYouth for helping me get to where I am today.
Julia Gomes - New England Hair Academy
My name is Julia and I graduated from MVRHS in 2020 with an MVYouth workforce scholarship. Since then, I have been working as a dual-licensed cosmetologist and barber in Massachusetts. As of January 2023, I have been working as a booth renter rather than a commission stylist. This means that I am considered self-employed and fully responsible for all aspects of my business. I have learned a lot this past year as I took a large leap into the workforce world and accomplished one of my goals as a business professional. Within the last several months, I’ve had to adapt to new ways to advertise myself in my new rental space. Beyond the traditional annual courses and classes I take to keep up with modern trends and techniques, I took an extension certification program, social media classes, business classes, and even some mental health training. In October of 2023, I married a wonderful man who fully supports and encourages me in my field. As an electrician, he understands the workforce well and has been helpful in my new business endeavors. He always pushes me to take that additional step to always stand out from the crowd. I commuted a few days a week from my rental space to the island and serviced my MV clientele at Panache Salon in West Tisbury owned by Tracy Briggs. Although housing keeps me off the island, I still plan to commute through the summers for as long as possible, as the island’s clientele feels like home. 2023 was a wonderful year of learning. I learned so much about my business, the industry, extensions, and most importantly to be patient with myself and to have fun along the ride. I can’t wait to see what I am able to accomplish professionally in 2024 and I am forever grateful for MVYouth.
Andres Garcia - Cornell University
My final year at Cornell has been a great experience. As an early admit to Cornell’s Master of Engineering program, I was able to begin my Master’s in the spring while simultaneously finishing up my Bachelors. With a passion for entrepreneurship, I chose to get my Master’s in Mechanical Engineering with a concentration in design and robotics. For my one year project, I worked on a robot that uses machine learning to identify and recover plastic waste. I wanted to use the engineering skills that I’ve developed towards a meaningful project that can promote sustainability, and this project was a perfect fit. By the end of the year, I built an initial proof of concept and ran preliminary tests. After graduating with my Bachelors in the spring, I decided to stay at Cornell and continue to work in a research lab. I took this time to get ahead in my classes and to apply to jobs. I’m happy to say that I was able to secure an associate position at The Boston Consulting Group. As I finished up my Master’s in the fall, I knew that I wanted to pursue an MBA in the future. I want to combine my engineering skills with business to create my own start-up. I know that working as a consultant will prepare me for that and I am currently working to apply to Stanford’s MBA program. In these next few months until I begin my career, I plan to take some time to relax and travel. I want to visit the Galapagos Islands and tour Europe. I am beyond thankful for all of the support that MVYouth has given me throughout these past four years. Their support has been monumental to my academic success at Cornell, and I’m excited for life after college.
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
This year, I started medical school at Brown University and it has been nothing short of awe-inspiring. I was incredibly nervous for this transition. I knew that medical school would be challenging, and assumed the challenge would bring along anxiety. But it hasn’t. Instead, this challenge has brought me an overwhelming sense of peace — I feel like I am exactly where I am supposed to be at this exact moment. And it shocks me. I have actually found my passion, and I am grateful every day. Over the past six months, the world of medicine has begun to unfold before me, revealing its complexities and wonders, and I’ve found myself deeply in love with every aspect of this immensely rewarding field. I realized that rather than learning for my own curiosity (which is how I have approached learning in the past), I am learning for my future patients. I feel honored and humbled to be given the opportunity, space, and support to learn how to heal and to be trusted with such a remarkable responsibility. This realization has led me to a deep sense of respect for the material and the doctors, peers, and patients who teach me. Last semester, I helped a plastic surgeon build an entirely new, operational thumb for a woodworker who sawed his thumb off building a chair for his daughter’s birthday. I witnessed the birth of a baby to parents who had gone through four cycles of IVF. I observed an orthopedic surgeon insert a rod into a 12-year-old’s femur, ensuring that a car crash wouldn’t end his passion for dance, and listened as a psychiatrist helped a 10-year-old find her lost memories. It’s like magic. I’m incredibly humbled and grateful for the continued support and generosity of MVYouth. Thanks to their kindness, Brown University has become my incredible beginning, and I get to become a doctor.
Kathleen Dos Santos - Toni&Guy Hairdressing Academy
In April, I graduated from cosmetology school. During those nine months, I made an effort to show up everyday and apply myself as much as possible. I was proudly one of the first people in my class to receive my diploma. Along with that, I was able to pass my state board exam, which was a pivotal moment in the commencement of my career. These past few months have been life-changing. Achieving this at a young age feels incredible. I returned back to the Vineyard and started working full-time at "Maggie's Salon." I had been working there for three years more behind the scenes but now I’m needed more on the floor assisting and mixing colors. The next big thing that happened last year was that towards the middle of summer, I was allowed to start taking clients. To be honest in the beginning, I was not confident, I had practically just finished my training and was now expected to jump into working on hair full-time. I was shy and nervous, but as time went on and my clientele expanded, I began to feel more confident in my skills. I owe a lot to my coworkers, they have been so kind in teaching me new techniques and ways to improve the skills I had already acquired. I have been slowly expanding my services. I have been doing color, style and a few chemical treatments. During this winter, I have been practicing more with mannequins doing foils and haircuts. I’ve been comparing techniques to help choose which I like best, and with that learning to do the services quicker and more efficiently. Maggie has encouraged me to bring in models so I can get more comfortable cutting real hair. My goal is that by this summer, I will be allowed to give haircuts to real clients. The realization of my dreams coming true is so thrilling. I am so grateful for the opportunity that MVYouth has presented me. Thank you for opening this door for me and allowing me to achieve my dream.
Marissa D'Antonio - Boston College
This year has brought many changes! To start the year off I was working as an IT Consultant in Denver. With this job mainly being work-from-home, I decided I needed to find something where I would get out of my house and interact with colleagues! This fall I made the switch, and am now working as the Financial System Coordinator for CU Boulder’s Continuing Education department. Since working in this position, I have learned a lot more about accounting than I ever thought I would. Though this is a much different career than I saw myself doing, I am very much enjoying it. I am so happy I made the switch! I currently go into the office two days a week and work from home the remaining days. This has brought much more cooperation to my role, and I have gotten to know my new colleagues well over the last several months. I also love being on a campus again! With my job switch, I decided to find an apartment closer to Boulder! I found a nice little apartment in Lafayette, Colorado, which is right between Boulder and Denver. My commute is arguably one of the most beautiful, with vast views of the mountains the entire drive into the office. Since most of my friends still live in Denver, I make my way into the city about once a week. My central location has been amazing, giving me a small-town feel with access to two amazing cities. I spend my free time hiking in the mountains and exploring small mountain towns! Though I always thought I was a beach person, I love all the mountains have to offer. In the summertime, I did a bunch of hikes up in Rocky Mountain National Park with my dog Archie, and now that it’s gotten colder I have been exploring small trails nearby. Thank you MVYouth!
Garrett Broadley - New England Institute of Technology
Hello, not much at all has changed from my last update. I really am now seeing what being an adult means - I’ll tell you that. Now that I’m living with my girlfriend in Connecticut because MV just sadly wasn’t in my budget to live there, I’m learning what new responsibilities there are to being an adult, I’m now working mostly around 48 hours roughly a week, and every hour of those 48 I’m learning something new. Cars are only going to get more complex. My brain is in over drive every day, from finding new ways to diagnose vehicles faster so the shop has more cash flow to finding little in shop tips and tricks to use to repair it just that much faster so I can move onto something else and not be behind in jobs. But there is always that one 30 minute job that for some reason wants to fight and turns into a 4 hour job, but how do you charge for that, it’s not the customers fault so that’s why you have to recognize a problem that might be so it’s not a problem you end up running into. The education I got from NEIT definitely have me a boost to the finish line but I’m not kidding when I say that the finish line keeps getting further and further away as new cars are produced I’m never not learning. I have no doubt in my mind if I didn’t get help from the workforce scholarship I would be so far behind in my education I would be insanely overwhelmed with trying to keep up. So I will be forever grateful for the opportunities this scholarship program provided me.
Sam Cranston - University of Vermont
Last spring, I graduated from the University of Vermont with a BA in Biology and a double minor in Chemistry and History. Perhaps equally as significant, I completed an independent research project focused on emerging and expanding tick-borne pathogens in Vermont. This project prepared me for the demanding nature of scientific research. It also showed me how rewarding it can be to complete a long-term study. My research advisor and I are currently finalizing a manuscript that we will submit for publication in some of the top journals in the field of disease ecology. Following graduation, I have continued to follow my passion for scientific research through a position as a lab manager at Boston University's Center for Regenerative Medicine (CReM). At the CReM, I work in the Murphy Laboratory studying healthy aging and resiliency. We approach this by examining the genetic signatures of Centenarians, individuals who live past 100 years old. In this new role, I am learning laboratory techniques that differ significantly from the skills I acquired during my undergraduate research. The combination of these diverse research experiences will undoubtedly make me a stronger scientist in the future. In the fall of 2024, I will apply to PhD programs in biological science at schools around the country. In a PhD program, I hope to spearhead scientific research that can provide novel insights into combating human disease. The yearly MVYouth update provides an opportunity for me to reflect on my initial inspirations for pursuing a career in science. During my junior year of high school, I was involved in a project aimed at combating Lyme disease on Martha’s Vineyard, sparking my passion for research. During my interviews for the MVYouth scholarship, I distinctly remember the interviewers encouraging me to follow this passion. Your belief in me continues to inspire me to this day. Thank you.
Sam Bresnick - Boston College
This past year I began working at Proskauer Rose in the Boston office. I also took the LSAT over the summer and finished my applications to law school. I applied mainly to schools in the New York City and Boston area. Currently, I am awaiting admissions decisions. My time at Proskauer has been eye opening. It has given me exposure to many different fields of law including sports, corporate and real estate. Getting to see these different practice areas at the ground level has helped shape my career goals. I’ve gotten the opportunity to explore my interest in sports law where I’ve been able to learn about some of the pressing issues in the world of sports like AI use in marketing, Name, Image and Likeness (NIL) and TV/Media rights, to name a few. Building off of the work I did with Boston College Football during my undergrad years, I’ve found that I would like to work with and advise league governing bodies and institutions, like the NCAA, in navigating the constantly changing legal landscape of sports. I am looking forward to going back to school this upcoming fall and am excited for all the challenges that lie ahead. I am appreciative of the opportunity to continue learning about my passions and all the relationships I will make along the way. I cannot thank MVYouth enough for the work they do in supporting the Island community. Thank you.
Nicolas Andre - Holy Cross University
I genuinely appreciate every time Lindsey reaches out to us to share an update on the past year. It is a lovely excuse to reflect on another year lived and look forward to what comes next. In taking the time to write this update, I have realized that my 2023 was one continuously marked with significant transitions. In November 2022, I played my last ever competitive soccer match and prepared myself for my first academic semester without an ever-present staple in my life. While bittersweet, it provided me the opportunity to explore the vast array of college life that I didn't have the time to explore before. From garnering new friendships to fostering ones that would soon come to a close, it was an enlightening experience. Before I knew it, the semester was over and it was time to leave Mount St. James for a final time. I was extremely lucky to spend the summer road-tripping across the country towards my final destination, Los Angeles, and even more lucky to catch a few Dead and Co shows on the way. Since I arrived in July, I have started working in a Physician's office while studying for the MCAT which I plan to take in May of this upcoming year. Life has been coming thick and fast, but the new challenges have brought continued excitement and opportunities to learn and grow. I can't wait to see what more 2024 has in store! As always, my gratitude for all of MVYouth's support cannot be overstated. From the bottom of my heart, thank you so much for all of your continued support!
JP Alves - University of San Diego
It is crazy to think how fast time has flown these past four years at the University of San Diego. It seems as if only yesterday I was writing my first update for my semester having moved to California. Life has been everything but predictable this past year and continues to unfold in tremendous ways. Having recently moved to downtown Manhattan, I am finding my footing in the city’s energetic environment and adjusting to this new chapter in my life. I began working for Housecall Pro in early July. As a leading technology company for home service businesses, the company has been serving as a great introduction into the workforce with consistent daily challenges. In conjunction with my full-time job, I am a candidate for a Master’s of Science in Supply Chain Management at the University of San Diego, the same university I received my undergraduate degree in International Business from. My decision to pursue further education has enabled me to continue expanding my knowledge in a very prevalent field with applications across various industries. Merging my newfound knowledge in the technological space with the intricacies of supply chain management is allowing for a greater understanding of the next steps I will be taking in my career. The position I hold today would have only been a dream without the generous aid MVYouth provided. I am thankful for the doors that MVYouth has opened for me, and am eager to contribute to this incredible organization in the future. Thank you for everything!
Jaheem Richards - Skyborne Airline Academy
I would say that my fall semester/life has been unique because I spent most of it working. I spent my time working at the Martha's Vineyard Airport and the Edgartown Fire Department because my flight school situation was me just playing the waiting game. I felt the best decision for me to make was to work and make money until I heard back from my flight school and received a start date. Once I finished working at the airport I figured I’d take a vacation and take a load off because in early July I was working pretty much seven days a week long shifts so, that's what I did I enjoyed it. I went to Fort Lauderdale, Florida and spent three and a half weeks with family and friends and just enjoyed the memories that were creating. That trip lasted from October 12th - to November 10th, so when I came back to the Vineyard I was still working/volunteering at the Edgartown Fire Department, I would work overnight shifts and I'd pick when I wanted to work so I enjoyed that I still had time to myself during the day. I would work out 3-5 times a week in the afternoon and then I’d have enough time to go home make dinner and eat at home then head to work for 6 hours. Being a volunteer firefighter, for the most part, was fun and I was able to learn from different individuals whether it was about work or anything life-related. I’ve been on multiple medical runs, alarm runs, car accidents, and I went to my first structure fire a few days before I left on December 21st. So now I'm in Fort Lauderdale, Florida at my brother's house hanging out because my start date to attend Skyborne Airline Academy is February 5th and I can’t wait to start this next chapter of my life.