In early March of 2020, I headed off to Florida for a baseball tournament with the UVM Club Baseball team. My teammates and I laughed as we saw people wearing masks on the flight down, completely unaware of the pandemic that was about to engulf the world. About half way through the trip, we got the news that UVM would be closing indefinitely. Upon returning to Vermont, I packed up my dorm and headed home, leaving behind my new friends and an unforgettable freshman year. COVID-19 turned my world on its heels, squandering everything that had made college life so special. Yet throughout it all, I tried to make the most of the situation I was faced with. I raised my GPA significantly in both “COVID” semesters so far, including returning to campus this past fall, despite 95% of my classes taking place online. In the few in-person classes and labs I did have, I made the most of them by asking questions and staying after to work on chemistry problems with my professor. During the week, I was able to continue practicing with the baseball team, with intra-squad scrimmages taking place on weekends. Despite wearing masks, these scrimmages created a sense of normalcy to life that really helped me get through the semester. I even hit a double to the fence in the last scrimmage of the year, on my birthday no less. The past semester was full of challenges, and life on campus could feel sad at times. With that being said, I’m really happy I chose to go up to Vermont in person. Despite a few COVID scares and a week in the quarantine dorms, I was able to strengthen the friendships I created last year. I’m planning on returning to campus at the end of January, and cannot wait for life after the vaccine! I am forever thankful for the opportunities MVYouth has given me. Your belief in my potential drives me to succeed, even in an upside down world.