The past two semesters at Tufts University were filled with new experiences, interesting classes, and great opportunities. During the spring semester I studied abroad in Madrid, Spain. I lived with a host family and took all my classes in Spanish, allowing my Spanish skills to flourish through the immersion. I learned so much about Spanish culture and traveled to other countries, including Morocco, France, and Portugal. Two of my favorite aspects of studying abroad were making new friendships and expanding my artistic skills through a mixed-media arts class and a creative writing class. Furthermore, I interned at the Fulbright Commision España, helping to organize information about applicants and current English teaching assistants in Spain. I enjoyed gaining insight into how the Fulbright Commission operates and functions. I hope to have the opportunity to visit Spain again after I graduate, as I enjoyed my four months there immensely. Following my semester in Spain, I interned at Goldman Sachs over the summer, working as a Summer Analyst in Operations. It was an incredible learning opportunity and I enjoyed all of the projects and tasks I worked on with my fellow interns and coworkers. After a great spring semester and busy summer, I returned to Tufts, excited to begin classes and reconnect with my friends. I spent much of this semester attending classes, studying, spending time with friends, and working at a local coffee shop. My favorite class this semester was Environmental Justice and World Literature. As a cohort, we were tasked with creating a class action social project. We successfully designed a website detailing information about sacrifice zones and how one can individually make a difference. It’s bittersweet to be graduating from Tufts next semester, but I am so thankful for MVYouth and their continuous support.
Nicolas Andre - College of Holy Cross
This past year has been an incredible journey of growth and adventure. I have had the opportunity to continue my work as a medical scribe, a role that continues to provide me with invaluable hands-on experience in the medical field. This experience not only sharpened my clinical knowledge but also solidified my passion for pursuing a career in medicine. As the year progresses, I am now focused on preparing for medical school. I will be entering the application cycle this upcoming summer and look forward to the challenges that will pose.
I was blessed to have the opportunity to embark on another coast-to-coast road trip this past year as well. As always, this adventure allowed me to connect with people from all walks of life, broaden my perspective, and appreciate the beauty and diversity of our country. Despite an incredibly divisive and polarizing election year, I always find that we are much closer than we may think.
Another significant aspect of this year has been adjusting to life in Los Angeles. Moving to a bustling city like LA was initially overwhelming, but it has proven to be an invaluable experience. Before I knew it, this once foreign environment transformed into my home. I’ve been keen to navigate the dynamic urban environment, meet new people, and embrace all of LA’s rich cultural offerings. I would also be remiss not to mention the tragic wildfires that are still raging on and express my gratitude to LAFD and the inmates who are putting their lives in danger to protect our city.
Overall, this year has been a chapter filled with personal and professional growth. I am excited to continue this journey and eagerly look forward to the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead. As always, my sincerest gratitude to MVYouth for providing the support to allow for any of this to happen.
Chloe Combra - Trinity College, Dublin
As a third year student at Trinity College Dublin I got the opportunity to study abroad this year. My abroad placement was the University of Otago in New Zealand. My first semester there was absolutely amazing - I met so many great friends and had the opportunity to travel and visit much of the country. I spent many of my weekends driving up to the mountains with friends to go skiing in August / September and also did a 3 week road trip around the South Island with my sister in November. I am so excited to go back for my next semester where I’ll be living in a house by the beach and one of my best friends from Trinity in Dublin will be joining me on a semester abroad. In between semesters on my summer break I am currently spending 3 months living and working at a ski resort in the French alps before going back to New Zealand in March. This past summer in 2024 before my year abroad I did an internship for a geography fellow at Trinity College Dublin and developed a prototype to teach climate mitigation and adaptation strategies to children in Irish primary schools. It was a great experience and I hope to continue my work when I return for fall 2025. Overall - an absolutely amazing first half of the year with great opportunities I can’t wait to see what happens next semester!
JP Alves - University of San Diego
This past year has been a time of significant growth, both personally and professionally. My undergraduate degree from the University of San Diego opened the door to countless opportunities in the field of International Business. Among the many facets of international business, the dynamic and rapidly evolving world of technology proved to have been the most captivating industry for me to pursue a career in. Working at Housecall Pro in the tech industry has immersed me in a fast-paced and ever-changing business ecosystem that I find perfectly demanding. Innovations like AI keep me constantly learning and adapting, which serves as great opportunities to delve into. At Housecall Pro I work in Strategic Partnerships, building relationships with key suppliers and distributors to enhance the company’s partnerships and expand their impact. This role has given me invaluable experience in collaboration and negotiation, helping me understand how to align diverse business interests to drive mutual success. In addition to my role at Housecall Pro, I am on the cusp of graduating from my Master’s of Science in Supply Chain Management, also at the University of San Diego. I have learned how supply chain is a vital and impactful field that touches every industry, and merging my career in tech with this discipline has allowed me to explore a unique and exciting intersection of business. Looking ahead, I aim to merge my expertise in technology and supply chain management to make an impact on a global scale. With supply chains increasingly reliant on technological advancements, I aspire to help businesses around the world optimize their operations, enhance efficiency, and drive innovation in an international context. None of this progress would have been possible without the incredible support of MV Youth. The generosity of MVYouth and its donors has propelled me forward in ways I am endlessly grateful for. I am proud to represent such an exceptional organization and will always credit them for jump starting the success I achieve as I continue to grow in my career. MVYouth’s belief in my potential has been a constant source of motivation and inspiration, and I am deeply thankful for the opportunities they have made possible.
Madeline Chronister - University of Massachusetts, Stockbridge
So maybe I’ve had a bit of a non-traditional perspective on what college is supposed to mean. But is it a crime to say that I didn’t set aside four years of my life to sit in poorly-ventilated lecture halls and write papers? I’m restless, albeit a little shy and independent (maybe a downfall of those who choose my field of study), and I’d much rather spend the day digging for grubs in a turf field. I’ve been up and about this semester, both in class and out, throwing ropes in trees and hiking in the pouring rain looking for mushrooms, diving into cold rivers and dragging my friends to concerts and markets and one time that hotpot place in Springfield. I saw several square miles of the world below me from the candle-stick of a bucket truck, vertigo and awe swimming in my stomach. I can safely say that overcoming a fear of heights was my biggest challenge in that particular class. In my plant pathology lab, I saw tiny clouds of bacteria bleed from infected plant tissue under a microscope, watched zoospores and nematodes swim around in all their pathogenic fervor. That’s what college should be, for me, and what it largely has been. I see a little more of this beautiful and precarious world every day. It’s my last year at UMass Amherst, and I’m going to make the most of it. Next semester, I will be a lab assistant for the professor who took us out grub-hunting, a TA for my plant pathology professor, and I am enrolled in a class to learn chainsaw techniques. After I graduate, I wish to continue to see the world, to learn with my hands, and most importantly, to have fun. Peace and love, and as always, thank you MVYouth.
Kathleen Dos Santos - Toni&Guy Hairdressing Academy
This year has been a significant journey of growth and accomplishment for me. At the start of the year, I was working part-time as both a hairstylist and an assistant. I lacked confidence and often felt shy and nervous, unsure of my place in the salon world. However, as time passed, I began to feel more comfortable in my role, and with each passing day, my clientele grew. Seeing the joy in my clients’ faces when they left made me realize I was truly making a difference. This pushed me to become more confident in my skills, and I started offering additional services, such as color, highlights, styling, and even chemical treatments. When summer arrived, it was just Maggie and me running the show. I transitioned to full-time stylist, taking on more clients and helping out in the front whenever I could. Initially, I struggled to manage the time, but as the summer progressed, I found my rhythm. I quickly learned to juggle multiple appointments and keep up with the growing demand. This summer was the busiest I’ve ever been, but I wouldn’t change a thing. Looking back, I realize that the years of training and mentorship under Maggie had truly prepared me for this fast-paced season. Reaching this point, where I can manage a full schedule and feel accomplished at such a young age, has been an incredibly fulfilling experience. It’s rewarding to know that I am achieving one of my goals, and I’m grateful for the opportunity to make it happen. I am also deeply thankful to MVYouth for providing the support and resources that opened the door for me to pursue my dream. Their assistance has been invaluable, and I look forward to continuing my journey in this field.
Michaela Benefit - University of Connecticut
Over the course of this past year, I have accomplished more than I could imagine, this wouldn’t be possible without the generous help from MVYouth. In 2024 I graduated from the University of Connecticut with an associate's degree in Animal Science, where I learned some of my true passions in life. During this time I joined my college's western team for horseback riding, an outing club that involved me in off-campus trips such as hiking up Mount Washington and skiing up at Smugglers Notch. During my college experience, I made some unforgettable connections and memories that I will get to share for a lifetime. After graduating college, I went on to work in the veterinary field and apply what I learned with my degree and made great relations with clients and fellow coworkers. My love for animals goes quite farther than what’s seen from the outside. I grew up with this love ever since I was a little girl, and I’m beyond thankful for the opportunities that MVYouth has given me. Post-graduation I have not only stuck a job of my dreams but have traveled quite a bit since, which is another true passion of mine. Since graduating, I have traveled to Grenada, Catskills, New York, visited family up in Vermont, and got to travel up to New Hampshire with some of my great friends I made through college. Although this is a brief insight into my life now, I can’t wait to keep sharing my experiences through what this scholarship has offered to me. I can’t thank all of you enough for how much you all have changed my life for the better.
Crystal Zheng - University of Massachusetts, Boston
This fall semester, I continued pursuing my nursing degree at UMass Boston, and I’ve been loving the experience! Being in the city has been such a refreshing change, offering new opportunities! One of the highlights of the semester was starting my first clinical at Spaulding Rehabilitation Hospital, part of the Mass General Brigham system, in the spinal cord unit. It was an exciting experience and I love it a lot! I truly enjoy every moment of it. I was placed in a small group with just two other students, which I appreciated because it allowed our instructor to give us more individualized attention. In our Health Assessment Lab, we practiced head-to-toe assessments with real patients from Hope House, a program that supports individuals recovering from substance use and alcoholism. These patients volunteer to help us develop our skills by acting as our patients. Performing a head-to-toe assessment was challenging because it involves evaluating the patient’s overall health and body systems to identify any abnormalities. However, I loved the hands-on practice with real patients rather than mannequins. I think that give me an opportunity to ask questions, hear their stories, and learn about their journeys toward recovery. Their resilience and openness was truly inspiring, and it made the experience even more meaningful. Overall it was such an exciting and rewarding experience, filled with hands-on learning opportunities that I truly enjoyed and loved! It’s amazing to see how far I’ve come, and I’m incredibly grateful to my community and MVYouth for supporting me throughout this journey. I’m so proud of what I’ve accomplished and couldn’t be happier with how things have turned out!
Zach Utz - Middlebury College
This past semester was one of my best yet, with my fall having been spent in Australia as I studied abroad! I attended the School for International Training (SIT) Reef, Rainforest and Cultural Ecology program based out of Cairns, Australia where I spent hundreds of hours out in the Wet Tropics rainforest and the Great Barrier Reef learning about the immense terrestrial and aquatic biodiversity in and around Australia. The highlight of my time in Australia was certainly the 11 days I stayed at the Lizard Island research station with my classmates where we were able to snorkel on the Great Barrier Reef every day, where we saw multiple sharks, thousands of fish, and a huge variety of corals and other sea creatures while learning about coral reef ecology and the human-caused threats towards the immense biodiversity that exists because of them. In addition to the classes I took in and around Cairns, I spent a month in Sydney conducting an independently organized research project at the Sydney Institute of Marine Science with a PhD student from the University of New South Wales. All of the incredible experiences I had over the last four months would never have been possible without the support of MVYouth and I am so incredibly grateful for the continued support I have received during my undergraduate studies. Looking forward, I am excited to spend my Spring semester at Middlebury continuing my academic endeavors in Biology and Environmental Studies while competing on the track team. Although It’s a lot colder and the sun sets a good bit earlier here than it did down under, I found myself excited to return to my home; the Northeast, and to all of my incredible friends and family. Again, I am so grateful for the continued unwavering support MVYouth and Lindsey have given me these past two and a half years!
Graham Stearns - Colgate University
This fall was my most challenging semester at Colgate so far, but was one of my most fun yet. I took pride in being an educator and role model for the new members of Theta Chi’s Iota chapter, as well as continuing as a member of the club hockey and lacrosse teams. I continued to take classes towards completing my Environmental Studies major and Writing and Rhetoric minor, and I am almost finished with the requirements for both. Spending time with the students and professors within the environmental and writing departments has been an extremely rewarding experience for me. It has allowed me to learn from people with a wide breadth of knowledge and experience from applying their skills in different fields. The wealth of perspectives and ideas has fostered an environment that has been especially beneficial to my learning as I hone in on how I will choose to apply my education after college. Although the importance of my major and minor-based classes are ramping up as I approach my final year of college, I am continuing to explore new ideas and activities. This semester I took classes studying the history of classical music and modern art. One of my favorite things about college so far has been the ability to take classes with subjects that are unfamiliar or foreign to me. As I have discovered the benefit of immersing myself in new experiences, I have chosen to study abroad in Australia during the spring semester. I will be attending the University of Sydney to continue my studies and explore their culture. I am excited to take classes surrounding their environment and ecosystem, as well as travel and discover new people and places. I would like to thank MVYouth, the donors, and all of the people who make this program possible. I am incredibly grateful for the opportunities that have been presented to me through their scholarship program which have allowed me to grow as an academic and individual. The generosity of everyone involved has given me unforgettable and irreplaceable experiences that I will forever be grateful for.
Marina Pessoni - Cape Cod Community College
Looking back on my 2024 fall semester, I am proud of how the major shift I made in 2023. Transitioning from Nursing to Business Administration with an Accounting concentration has shaped my academic and professional journey. This year, working at a tax services office proved to be a transformative experience. It allowed me to directly apply concepts from my coursework to real-world scenarios. From preparing financial documents to assisting clients and contributing to the office’s expansion efforts, I gained hands-on experience that reinforced my understanding of accounting principles and business strategies. The unexpected nature of this opportunity challenged me in ways I hadn’t anticipated, but it also spurred immense personal and professional growth. I learned to adapt quickly, solve problems creatively, and balance the demands of work and study effectively. What once felt like an uncertain path has become a rewarding journey, as I see tangible progress in both my education and career. One of the most meaningful aspects of this experience has been the connection to the Island community. Through my role, I’ve been able to contribute to a growing local business while developing a clearer vision of my future. Although Nursing remains close to my heart, my current path has shown me new ways to serve others. I remain deeply grateful to MVYouth for their support. Their investment in my education has been instrumental in making this progress possible, enabling me to embrace opportunities and continue growing. As I move into 2025, I carry forward the lessons of 2024 with confidence and gratitude, eager for what lies ahead.
Jonathan Norton - West Virginia Wesleyan College
2024 was a year of change. If I had to choose one word to describe the entire year, it would be risk. Concluding the spring semester, I made the decision that although I was receiving a strong education at Connecticut College, there was something lacking. I did not know what I was missing, but I knew that I needed to take the risk to pursue change. Also being an athlete, I had to risk finding a coach and team that would be a good fit, but I trusted that change is necessary to build strength. Following research and communications with different schools and coaches, I found my new home to be West Virginia Wesleyan College. While going to school in West Virginia is extremely different than anything I have experienced, it was the best decision I could have made. It is through the more focused education department that I am able to get the foundational knowledge I will need. I was introduced to various viewpoints and ideologies that are new to me, and my passion for educational policy began to grow again. Now, I want to pursue a future in that field, making sure that everyone has the opportunity to receive the education that they are entitled to as people in our society. While there may be a difference in opinion on what that looks like, I want to help bring to light the bridge that connects the ideas of everybody: we want our children educated, cared for, successful in whatever it is they pursue, and, most importantly, happy. I am grateful for the support of MVYouth throughout my college career thus far, and especially through my transition to a new school.
Ruairi Mullin - Brown University
My fourth semester at Brown solidified my academic plans for the final two years of college. I took three applied math courses and one political science course in the spring, followed by two courses in each field in the fall, continuing my goal of earning degrees in both Political Science and Applied Mathematics. This past year, I had the privilege of taking two of my favorite political science courses. In the spring, I explored social movements of the 21st century, examining movements such as the Tea Party, Black Lives Matter, and labor movements in hospitals and education. In the fall, I participated in my first college seminar in Political Science, which focused on democratic theory. We discussed a range of topics, from interpretations of the Constitution to the role of corporations in government. The conversations were rigorous and intellectually stimulating, far more engaging than typical lecture-based classes. The second political science course I took in the fall allowed me to bridge my dual interests in politics and math. In groups, we designed surveys that were distributed after the presidential election, and then analyzed the data using statistical techniques, particularly linear regression, which I had become familiar with in my math courses. The past year has been academically challenging, more so than any other year in my education so far. I’m hoping this hard work will pay off during my senior year, when I can lighten my course load and focus on preparing for life after college. Outside of academics, I joined the Brown Political Union, which was established this year. The club hosts speakers and holds lighthearted debates during its biweekly meetings. I also continued participating in club swimming to stay active. Finally, I’ve had many opportunities to explore Rhode Island more, getting off campus and out of the city—adding a new dimension to my college experience. As always I am so grateful to MVYouth for the financial support I have received. It has been instrumental in supporting my focus on my academic and extracurricular pursuits.
Lila Mikos - Syracuse University
This semester returning to Syracuse was so exciting. Spending the summer taking classes and working in Syracuse was such an amazing experience and I was so excited to come back after spending the last few weeks of my summer at home. This past semester, I was taking classes focused on my Public Health major. Before coming to school I was unsure if Public Health was going to be the best path for me but I can confidently say that it’s the perfect fit for what I’m interested in and want to do post grad! Syracuse University has a big focus on giving back to the Syracuse community when you’re a student. One of the ways they do so is by incorporating community service into the requirements for certain classes. This semester I took another service learning class and was placed with the same organization I worked with last year. Working at an after school program for the kids living in Syracuse was so rewarding and was such a positive way to end my days. I love that the school gives us the opportunity to connect with the city where we live and give back to the community that does so much for us as students. This fall was my first time living off campus and I have had the best time! I live in a house with 3 other girls and it has been such a fun experience. How I missed having a kitchen! Although off campus housing is the best, shoveling the snow from my sidewalk and driveway has been much less fun! I am so excited to be back in Syracuse for this spring semester and cannot wait to update about my adventures next year! I am so grateful for the amazing opportunities that MVYouth has allowed me to have access to and cannot wait for what lies ahead for me at Syracuse!
Lucas Goncalves - Gordon College
My sophomore year was a rocky roller coaster experience. I came in really excited because the soccer team had gotten a new coach and I was antsy to get the season started. I wanted to become one of the key players in the team and with a new coach, this was the perfect opportunity. As the season progressed so did our positive results, I liked our new coach and his system of playing because it made a lot of sense. When you understand something and see results it is easier to “buy in” to the vision. I truly believed in the vision but struggled to get playing time. In sports and just like anything in life, the way you perceive things influences the way you act and I believed that our new coach didn’t like me (he actually liked me a lot). This ultimately affected my performance during practice which reflected game time. During this time I was also struggling with finding my purpose in life which also affected my performance in school. About midway through the season, I had a mental shift and started playing without second-guessing my abilities. I was in the flow state. With this mental shift, I ended up breaking into the starting eleven and becoming a key component for the team in the spring. I broke free from the mental bondage that was holding me back from playing the way I knew I could. I briefly mentioned my struggles with finding my purpose in life and although I was able to perform on the field, outside the field I wasn’t well. I finished sophomore year with the same battles which affected my whole sophomore experience. I concluded that Gordon is not the path for me at the moment. As of now, I am living on Martha's Vineyard working full-time as an apprentice for Merritt Electric. I am doing the licensing night classes at the high school and I admit that those struggles have lessened; being home and giving back to my church and soccer community has helped me greatly. I am forever grateful for MVYouth and all the support that I have received!
Sam Fetters - Amherst College
This was a great year with some pivots! Despite my intense interest in video games and artificial intelligence, I decided to formally declare Political Science and History while also working towards the Five Colleges International Relations certificate. Instead of studying in Spain, I chose to remain at Amherst this fall where I took an introductory economics class, and classes on American foreign policy, the rise of Vladimir Putin, and a unique class on the nineteenth century Ottoman Empire, and what it means to be modern. I am working on a thesis on populism and polarization in the United States, with an eye towards publishing in the spring. In January 2025, I am excited to begin my spring semester in the Social Sciences and Humanities program at the University of Amsterdam, where I registered for several classes covering Dutch politics, the history of political thought, and authoritarian governments. Over the summer, I was awarded a 2024 Sheldon Hackney Education Fellowship at the Martha’s Vineyard Museum, where I helped design their summer programming, designed course materials, and taught students and summer visitors about Island history. I also returned to Amherst for my second year as an Orientation leader for new first years and worked as a peer tutor covering study skills and time management. My hope for next summer is to secure a summer internship in Washington, D.C. with a local politician or think tank. Outside of class, I’ve continued to run and engage in my college community. In April 2024, I ran the Boston Marathon, finishing in the top 900 out of 30,000 runners. I also ran the Berlin Marathon, and thoroughly enjoyed exploring the city. In April 2025, I will be racing in the London Marathon, while plans are in the works to race Chicago and New York in the fall. None of this would have been possible without the support of MVYouth, and I continue to be grateful.
Jessie Dlabaj
This past fall semester at Clemson has been one of the most challenging, but rewarding semesters yet. I have now finished the intro level courses for Mechanical Engineering and begun the more advanced and specialized courses. I very much enjoyed the classes I took this fall. One of the most notable classes was my Introduction into Fluid Mechanics and Thermodynamics course. I really enjoyed this material and I look forward to the next few semesters where I will take a class focused on both of these topics. Outside of academics, I work through Clemson’s Academic Success Center as a calculus tutor. This past semester I began my new role as a tutor mentor. Through this role, I facilitate monthly meetings with the other tutors, conduct session debriefs, and act as a link between the tutors and staff. I have really enjoyed this new role and I look forward to next semester! I was also recently hired as a cycle instructor on campus and next semester I will begin teaching two 45-minute spin classes a week. I have been training with a mentor this semester and I cannot wait to be teaching my own classes next semester! I have also joined a Creative Inquiry called Design Build Fly. In this CI, we construct a plane from scratch that meets all of the requirements. I have been a part of the Structures and Manufacturing teams, where I have worked on the overall design and actual construction of the plane. In April, our team will go to Arizona where the flight competition will take place. It has been a busy, but very fun semester! Overall, I would like to thank MVYouth for the incredible opportunities I have been given. I am forever grateful!
Lucas da Silva - Upper Cape Tech
And how time flies. Three years have passed. But each year has been a year of progress and better than the last, learning new things and living our experiences. Of course, new things are challenging and this year was very different from the others, I would say more productive and my boss (Cole Powers) gave me many opportunities and taught me a lot both on and off the field. But in each job there are new things, new people and this becomes intuitive especially when everyone works as a team you see how much potential people have together. Just like MVYouth giving me this opportunity. I always talk about my job because it is something I love. But changing the story now I will talk about what I did that was fun, starting with riding a lot on my motorcycle with my wife. We went to several nearby cities outside the island and I also rode a lot on the island. I got to know New York and completed one year of marriage. It was a year that I was able to fulfill a wish of traveling a little more. I also had the privilege of having my grandparents visit us, I had not seen them for over seven years. We spent Christmas with the family and I love Christmas because it brings the family together and I also had the company Christmas party which was amazing to be with everyone together having a nice time. I ended the year spending New Year's Eve in New York as I had said I got to know all those tourist places and it was a very good experience. I was also able to meet a person who inspires me a lot as a person. I can only be thankful for a year of challenges and also rewards.
Alison Custer - Connecticut College
This past semester I continued my studies in Denmark with the DIS study abroad program in Copenhagen. I have dreamt of going to Copenhagen for a long time, so being able to live and study there for 4 months was truly a dream. I took 5 courses in Copenhagen, each of them enriching and enlightening, but my two favorites included the Politics and Ethics of Food and Activism: Engagement and Resistance. It was interesting to be able to study these subjects from a different perspective than the U.S. and to learn about them in a Scandinavian context. This especially pertains to my interests in food equity and sustainability, as I plan to pursue my Social Justice and Sustainability Pathway project at Conn focusing on this topic. In many of my classes, we attended field studies across Denmark touring Co-Housing Communities, sustainable farms, activist organizations, and more. These field studies and study tours were one of the things that stood out to me most about the program. I was also able to travel around Europe during weekends and breaks, exploring cities, countrysides, and islands. I was able to meet lifelong friends from all over the country (and world), and create connections with people who I wouldn’t have otherwise met. Copenhagen truly felt like home, and leaving was difficult. However, I know it is not goodbye forever and I am overwhelmed with gratitude that I even got the opportunity to call it home. What a gift. This spring semester, I will be taking many courses for my American Studies major, as well as some for my Dance major back on the Connecticut College campus. I look forward to continuing work in my Social Justice and Sustainability Pathway, choreographing and dancing, and more of the wonderful things that come with returning to campus! As always, I could not have done any of this without the help from MVYouth. The support and encouragement never fails to amaze me and I am forever grateful for it. I cannot thank MVYouth enough.
Isabella Clarke - Brown University
My fifth semester at Brown University has been amazing! The environment is academically demanding yet very supportive. The open curriculum has allowed me to explore topics within my psychology major and pursue my interest in law. This semester, I was enrolled in Debate of the Hippocampus, which allowed me to study that brain area extensively. In addition, I’ve continued participating in the Student Clinic for Immigrant Justice. In this program, I work with an attorney on an immigration case. This opportunity has 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. As the President of the Black Pre-Law Association, I had the privilege of attending the National Black Pre-Law Conference with our members. As the Women’s Pre-Law Association secretary, I’ve had the opportunity to meet with Brown alums and learn more about the law school admissions process. I will continue taking courses for my entrepreneurship minor this spring semester. These business courses have been a fun challenge. I will continue to intern for Connect For Health. In this role, I connect those in need to other nonprofits to provide them access to many necessities. I also started working on a research project with a professor from the Center for Health Promotion and Health Equity. The project aims to express how trauma can manifest in physical health concerns. I’ve expanded my research skills in this role by reading and choosing to include articles that contribute to the study’s argument. I look forward to expanding my interest in psychology and law next semester and creating more memorable experiences. These internships give me more insight into various career paths. Thank you for supporting my education and allowing me access to the various opportunities offered at Brown!