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!
Ella Buchert - University of Massachusetts, Amherst
A word that surrounds this semester for me has been gratitude. Amherst this fall made me reflect on how lucky I am to have a college experience because of MVYouth. I was able to live with three of my best friends in a house off campus this fall, and I felt very fortunate to have this experience.This semester at UMass I have felt myself growing and maturing intellectually and emotionally. Though I have learned so much academically at UMass, I’ve also learned a lot as a person. This fall I had the opportunity to work for School of Earth and Sustainability (SES) as their admin and operations intern. I was able to work with an intern team to collaborate on events that we hosted to promote sustainability across campus. This experience was refreshing and was nice to work for an organization that aligned with my personal interests. I was able to make so many valuable connections through this experience, and SES made me realize how interconnected the eco-community truly is. I was able to still interact with past coworkers from my internship last spring with the UMass Water Resources Research Center which was exciting. SES made me expand on my interest in the natural sciences, and I officially declared my Geology minor this fall. The semester flew by which was bittersweet. I’m proud of what I achieved this semester, and look forward to the next while also trying to stay in the moment. Next semester I have taken the opportunity to study abroad at the University of Queensland in Brisbane, Australia. I’m ecstatic about studying abroad and feel fortunate. I’m most excited to see the biodiversity in Australia and have already signed up for an exploratory coastal management class! I’m feeling a mixture of excitement, anxiety, and longing. I will miss my friends and the UMass community dearly next semester, but am thrilled to see what Australia will bring. I wouldn’t be able to do this without MVYouth’s help!
Josie Welch - Boston College
This fall has been full of excitement and more and more new. This semester in particular, really started to feel like I was in nursing school. The courses were hard, and my time needed managing. In my Pathophysiology class, I learned the intricacies of more diseases than I ever knew existed. In my Health Assessment Lab, I was able to apply my knowledge in life-like situations. Whether taking a blood pressure on my classmates or a manakin, the practice excited me. I worked through these rigorous courses in order to begin my clinicals. This coming semester I will begin my first clinical, working in adult health. The communities I have formed at Boston College are all due to shared goals. I have fostered a great bond with my nursing community, as well as friends I have made along the way. This semester, I also became a wellness coach in BCs Center for Student Wellness, where I meet one on one with students to help improve their mental health and wellness. I love the environments my many communities bring. It has been amazing living in Chestnut Hill, right outside of Boston. I have enjoyed exploring Downtown Boston, where I go often on weekends with friends and on weekdays, while I babysit a little girl. Exploring a city known to be the best in healthcare has made me eager for my future. A trip to the city is a great way to stay busy, however, I love coming back to a beautiful college campus to live. My past semesters at BC have only strengthened my love for the school, the people, and most of all, my career path as a nurse. I feel extremely grateful for the newness and excitement that every day brings. I am so thankful for MVYouth's generosity and the inspiration they give me to give back to a community I care for.
Julia Sayre - Brown University
After my third semester at Brown, I have really come into my own. I decided on my major at the end of my second semester, landing on a degree in environmental science and studies. This fall, I took Diversity of Life, Humans, Nature, and the Environment: Addressing Environmental Change in the 21st Century, Eating and the Politics of Wellness, and Local Food Systems and Urban Agriculture. I have found a passion for engaged scholarship classes where I can work with the broader Providence community. Two of these classes allowed me to create my own projects with community partners to apply what I have learned in class. I collaborated with a local community garden to create workshops on teaching community members about herbalism and worked with New Shoreham Waste Water Management to reduce the amount of grease ending up in wastewater systems. I am still an active member of the Brown Climbing Club and have found rock climbing to be a source of wonderful community and a way to destress with my strenuous workload.The friends I have met at school have become like family to me, and we spent many weekends of the semester exploring New England with trips to New Hampshire to hike the White Mountains, swimming at Walden Pond and visiting the Vineyard! I continue to be very fond of Brown’s open curriculum, as I do have many requirements to fulfill for my major, however, I can still take class in any discipline where I have room. I have taken courses in urban studies, religious studies and science, technology, and society (STS). Additionally, I am currently in the process of applying to study abroad in Copenhagen to study the production and consumption of sustainable food. I am so thankful and filled with gratitude for MVYouth’s continued support and I’m looking forward to my fourth semester this spring!
Hanna Santos - Cape Cod Community College
This fall semester has been a season of growth and discovery, both academically and personally. I engaged with challenging subjects, gaining valuable knowledge while sharpening my skills in critical thinking, writing, and problem-solving. Balancing academics with extracurricular activities, work, and personal life taught me the importance of time management and prioritization, pushing me to become more organized and intentional with my time. A significant highlight of this semester was excelling in various projects and assignments and earning good grades in my courses. These achievements boosted my confidence and reinforced the value of perseverance and consistent effort. However, the journey wasn’t without its challenges. Managing a heavy workload and multiple assignments required resilience and adaptability, but these difficulties ultimately became opportunities for growth. They taught me the importance of setting realistic goals and staying focused, even during high-pressure situations. On a personal level, I concentrated on improving time management and communication skills. By setting clear goals and seeking support when needed, I was able to navigate complex situations more effectively. These efforts allowed me to maintain a sense of balance while staying motivated to achieve my objectives. Reflecting on this semester, I realize how much I have grown through the lessons I’ve learned and the successes I’ve achieved. I am deeply grateful for the guidance and encouragement of my professors, friends, and mentors, whose support has been invaluable throughout this journey. As I look ahead, I am excited to apply the insights gained this semester to future endeavors. With a stronger sense of purpose and a commitment to continuous self-improvement, I feel better equipped to tackle new challenges and make meaningful progress toward my goals. This semester has truly been a transformative experience, shaping both my academic and personal growth.
Jaheem Richards - Skyborne Airline Academy
My last year at Skyborne has been great. I’ve made a lot of new friends whom I would consider my second family here. Since I’ve been here, I’ve earned my PPL (Private Pilot’s License) and also my instrument rating. I’m currently working on my CPL (Commercial Pilot’s License), which I should receive before the month of January is over. I’m really looking forward to that the most because, at that point, I’ll be able to get paid as a professional pilot and also feel like one. But like anything, it’s not easy. There’s a lot to learn, especially the ins and outs of meteorology, aeronautical decision-making, professionalism, stick-and-rudder skills, and the technical aspects of your aircraft. When it comes to the flying part of flight training, it can be difficult to actually get in the air due to factors like weather, plane availability, and maintenance issues. However, despite all of this, when you pass a checkride — which is the final test for the stage you’re on — it’s a huge achievement. Depending on how it goes, you’ll earn that rating or license you’ve been working toward, and there’s always both an oral and flight portion. I like to think that the preparation and progress you make are more important than the end result. When the checkride finally comes, being able to answer most questions without hesitation and getting feedback like, “You didn’t miss anything” from the examiner shows that you came prepared and put in the effort. Also, after each checkride pass, my second family and I go out to celebrate, whether it’s hanging out or going out to eat. It’s a great feeling. I’m glad I’m pursuing this career, and I’m excited for what’s to come. But as of right now I am on Holiday break so I am going to enjoy it with my family Ciao!
Isabelle Ribeiro - University of Vermont
As I reflect on my second fall semester at the University of Vermont, I am overjoyed by the steady evolution of my academic and personal journey. Each semester builds on the last, and this fall has been no exception—bringing on new challenges and opportunities that continue to shape my path. This semester, I was honored to be appointed Vice President of Recruitment for the Vermont Beta Chapter, a role I will begin in the spring. This leadership opportunity is one I approach with excitement and determination, as it will allow me to hone in on my skills in communication, organization, and relationship-building. I also joined Her Campus, a platform where I have rediscovered my passion for creative writing. Writing again has been a meaningful outlet, reminding me of the power to connect with others in a completely different way. Academically, I decided to pivot to a new major: Public Communications, with a concentration in Community Media and Journalism. This change has reflected my growing interest in understanding how communication shapes communities and drives meaningful conversations. In the spring, I will also begin coursework for my new minor in Business Administration, preparing me with practical skills to complement my communications studies. Beyond academics, the community at UVM and Burlington has been a constant source of inspiration. From the vibrant local culture to the support of my peers and professors, I continue to feel encouraged to engage in ways I hadn’t imagined before. Overall, none of these achievements would have been possible without the support of MVYouth. Your generosity has given me the foundation to take on these opportunities and confidently pursue my goals. Thank you for believing in my potential and allowing me to make the most of this exciting chapter of my life.
Penelope Long - Simmons University
I’ve just completed another semester at Simmons University. I’m a sophomore this year in the exercise science and physical therapy 3+3 program. This semester I’ve started to encounter more major specific courses such as exercise science and resistance training form and function. Those two classes were my favorite of this semester. We learned about different ways of training and worked on case studies throughout the course, programming for clients. I competed in another season of field hockey for Simmons University this fall. I am a captain and play forward. I’ve enjoyed being on the forward line very much and sometimes I’m still getting used to the transition from defense to forward. We are runners up in the GNAC Division 3 Field Hockey Conference for the 2024 season, it was so exciting to go to the championships and compete with such high energy and passion. I’ve found a family within my teammates, we lift each other up and it has been a privilege to play sports in college. It teaches me a lot about community, time management and balance. This past spring I started working as a middle school lacrosse coach for Winsor Prep school. I learn so much from coaching the young athletes and I am now goalie coaching Winsor Varsity Ice Hockey this winter. In the summer I started some shadowing hours at Vineyard Complementary Medicine and I will be continuing shadowing over winter break and I am working towards my certification as a Rehabilitation Assistant. I’m very excited for the next semester, the spring field hockey season and so grateful for where I am.
Ana Kurelja - Wheaton College
I knew that this fall semester was the point where my education turns a corner and becomes real. Walking around the nursing wing of Wheaton College and seeing all the equipment and simulation labs had me so excited and also terrified. Nursing school is not an easy journey. You experience self-doubt, heartache when it comes to exams/grades, and more importantly the constant question of “ can I really do this?” My fall semester was full of bumps along the road, but how could it not be when you are learning how to keep a human being alive. During my semester I spent most of my days in the Nursing wing learning skills from something as small as hand washing and setting up sterile fields to injections and head to toe assessments. I took 6 classes during my semester, all of which contributed to my major of Nursing. Wheaton College has provided me with an amazing community and team of professors that has gotten me through this experience so far. I cannot express the countless times I have experienced going from tears of self-doubt in one of my professor's offices to jumping with joy once I have finally achieved a certain skill the correct way. It truly is an emotional rollercoaster, but at Wheaton college there has never been a time where I have felt I am in it alone. With all that has come of my fall semester, I am so happy to say that in the spring I will be able to bring the 30+ skills that I have learned into a real clinical setting. I will be going to Milford Regional Medical Center, to start my journey of helping others. I am so beyond grateful for the support and opportunities that Wheaton College has given me, and most of all so proud of myself for sticking with the major I have always dreamed of so that I am able to see my education turn the corner and become real.
Cali Giglio - College of Charleston
This fall semester has been an incredible few months of growth and new opportunities. As an Exercise Science student at the College of Charleston, I’ve truly enjoyed diving into my health science classes. These courses have not only challenged me academically but have also deepened my passion for understanding exercise nutrition and how to promote a healthy lifestyle. I’ve particularly enjoyed designing balanced wellness plans. In addition to my academic pursuits, I am honored to have been elected Vice President of Recruitment for my sorority, Zeta Tau Alpha. Leading this spring semester and next fall semester recruitment efforts will be rewarding and educational, teaching me invaluable lessons in leadership, communication, and teamwork. I’m also thrilled to be part of the club tennis team this year. Joining the team has been a great way to stay active and bond with teammates who share my love for the sport. It’s been a fun and rewarding balance to my academic and leadership commitments.