ast spring, I graduated from Middlebury College having completed my BA in Mathematics and Computer Science. While I had apprehensions about college graduation being a time of turmoil and change, I have been very happy with my transition to life after Middlebury. I enjoyed a summer off from academics to relax and reset a bit and have now resumed my studies in a graduate program in Applied Mathematics at the University of Colorado, Boulder. Going into a PhD program in Applied Mathematics straight out of undergraduate, I was a bit nervous having heard so many stories about how hard graduate school could be. However, over the course of my first semester, I feel as though I have settled into the program. While classes are hard, Middlebury offered me strong preparation. Further, the teaching component of school has been rewarding, and I have enjoyed helping students learn college level math. I have cherished the opportunity to potentially help inspire a student to find joy and intrigue in their studies the same way my undergraduate instructors did for me. Finally, while I am still in the early stages of uncovering the full scope of my research interests, being at a program with such strong research production in a subject I find so interesting has been exciting, and I look forward to diving deeper into this aspect of the program in the coming semesters and years. Settling into a new program and new place, I have reflected on how grateful I am for my last four years at Middlebury, and MVYouth for helping to provide me with these opportunities. While I miss the Vineyard and Vermont, I am very happy to have found a new home here and Boulder, and I have loved making new connections and exploring my new area on foot, bike, and ski. As I begin this new chapter in my life, I am continually grateful for the support of MVYouth to me and so many I know. Thank you!