This last year has been educational both inside and outside of the lecture hall. Things started off great, I was enjoying my classes and extracurriculars. Science concepts I had learned began to combine in courses like biochemistry while others like anatomy and nutrition were pleasantly engaging. Then the pandemic arrived in March and the campus closed. As I returned home, the Vineyard’s social isolation was in full effect and the next weeks and months were - as I’m sure all can attest - shocking and strange. The knowledge I acquired these past years about diseases, community health risks and responses, controversial medical issues surrounding vaccines, etc. has been immensely insightful. Also, thanks to the real world experience of the pandemic during these last months, I’ve come to realize how challenging it can be to navigate biological and health-related ideas and issues. I can only now start to appreciate how these crucial fields are interconnected to socioeconomic and political factors and implications. From the disruption of work and schooling to mental weariness and stress caused by social isolation and quarantine, the pandemic’s effects are legion. Since I decided to stay home for the fall I’ve kept myself busy. While on the Vineyard, I’ve been working and volunteering for my local community. Although the summer was safe and productive, the new normal is here to stay, while we all cope with its challenges. On the other hand, I plan and am eager to return back to campus to finish my studies in 2021, hopefully leaving behind the abnormal circumstances that have marked 2020. Lastly, I’d like to thank MVYouth for its support, including all those who contribute to MVYouth’s projects. May it continue its great work for the Vineyard and its residents.
Nayson Peres - UMASS
This past year has been good. I have had some challenging classes but I have also enjoyed many of them. Some of the most interesting courses have been on evolutionary biology, organic chemistry and medical ethics. Although varying greatly in subject matter, these classes all intrigued me by expanding my prior knowledge in a comprehensive way. The particular professors were also quite engaging. I especially liked building and dissecting philosophical arguments related to medical ethics. This class and a public health course I took this past fall both discussed past and contemporary health issues; both provided a contrast to the basics of biology and chemistry that I have studied in the past semesters. I have been able to apply what I have learned to develop opinions with greater understanding of the issues. Back at the Vineyard, I worked during the summer and did some volunteering for my community. This year I got the chance to travel to Florida and Colorado. Both were welcome respites from the cold weather in Massachusetts. In conclusion, I would like to thank MVYouth and it’s donors. MVYouth’s support is greatly appreciated.
Nayson Peres - UMASS
Since my last report I’ve had the pleasure of meeting so many new people and learning so many new things that it’d be impossible to write them all down here. The last two semesters have been a positive experience overall, both in and outside the lecture halls. I have taken quite a few pre-med classes (biology, chemistry, physics, etc.) as well as my first ever Portuguese course this spring. This past semester I was intrigued by a course that evaluated the United States’ health care system and the clash of ideas it entailed. Its title - “Health Care for All”- left no doubt about the course’s motives; its this ingrained bias that drove me to leave my comfort zone of presupposed beliefs and seek different, challenging opinions. It is this exposure that has led me to re-examine my beliefs and opinions; to make them more consistent with and anchored by my values.
Over the past year I have also gotten the chance to volunteer at a local homeless shelter, Craig’s Doors, which is right under the church I go to on Sundays. Both upstairs and downstairs, I was lucky enough to meet people invested in improving the community. From classes to clubs to service organizations, this past year I have grown as a person and am truly grateful for the opportunity to have done so.
On a closing note, I’d like to thank all those who have contributed to MVYouth and supported me. I couldn’t be more proud to represent the Vineyard and MVYouth here at Amherst.
Nayson Peres - UMASS
My first semester at UMass Amherst has been a great experience and in hindsight attending UMass Amherst was the right choice. I have met some fantastic people from all sorts of backgrounds that have really given me a perspective on the opportunity that I have here. Not only are the people great but the resources and opportunities to explore are exceptional as well. I’ve been able to make a lot of new friends and learn a little more about the majors I can declare after attending club meetings and Peer Advisory sessions. My classes have been going well. I have been thoroughly engaged and challenged, especially in our readings of Harriet Jacobs’ Incidents in the Life of a Slave Girl. In such a big campus I have found many places and resources to help me with my classes and with settling in. I have had the pleasure of learning with some really interesting people. I am set on the Pre-Med track and that just leaves the question of what I’ll be doing for my major. I have been able to narrow my search but I still want to take the time and choose the area that speaks the most to who I am. The good news is the Pre-Med track allows for basically any major and that I have time to choose. My time at UMass Amherst has been really enjoyable and I cannot thank MV Youth enough for this amazing opportunity!