The fall semester was a dynamic and rewarding period in my academic and professional journey. As a senior at Wheaton College majoring in Business and Management with a concentration in Finance, I focused on developing a strong foundation in financial principles, investment strategies, and market analysis. One of the highlights of the semester was my investments class, where I explored concepts such as portfolio management, risk assessment, and responsible investing. This class deepened my passion for sustainable and impactful investment strategies, which aligned with my values and career aspirations. In addition to my major, I continued pursuing my double minors in Journalism and Dance, both of which offered valuable perspectives that complemented my business studies. Journalism remained a vital tool in our society, enabling me to sharpen my research, writing, and analytical thinking skills. Through writing assignments and projects, I learned how to communicate complex ideas effectively, skills that were transferable to a financial career. Dance, on the other hand, remained a constant source of creativity and discipline in my life. It provided me with balance and an outlet for expression, helping me stay grounded despite my hectic schedule. Beyond the classroom, I actively prepared for life after graduation. I sought mentorship and guidance from experienced financial professionals, who offered invaluable insights into the industry. Networking events, informational interviews, and career fairs allowed me to grow my professional network while exploring potential career paths. These opportunities reinforced my goal of pursuing a career in finance.
Marissa D'Antonio - Boston College
It’s been a busy and exciting year, and I’m thrilled to share some big updates! On the work front, I’ve continued my role at CU Boulder as the Financial Systems Coordinator for Continuing Education. It’s been a rewarding year so far, and I’m proud of the progress I’ve made in streamlining processes and improving efficiency across various aspects of my role. I’ve learned a lot in this position and continue to be grateful for the opportunity to work for such a great university. On the academic front, I’ve made some exciting strides as well. I’ve enrolled in the Professional MBA program at CU Denver! I have completed two semesters so far, and have decided to pursue a concentration in Accounting. It’s been a bit of a challenge balancing a full-time job, school, and everything else, but I’m excited to be pursuing this next chapter in my education and career. It feels great to be pushing myself to grow and expand my skills. Possibly the most exciting update of them all … I officially bought my first house in Lafayette, CO this July! The process was a bit of a whirlwind, but it feels amazing to finally have a place to call my own. I’m still settling in, tackling some home projects, and getting to know the neighborhood, but so far, I love the peaceful vibe of Lafayette while still being so close to everything in Boulder and Denver. With what little free time I have, I enjoy hiking in the mountains with friends, discovering new trails, and spending time in nature. I have also picked up running this year, and have registered for two half marathons in 2025. I will forever be grateful for MVYouth allowing me to venture into adult life without student loans looming over my head. Thank you!
Sam Cranston - University of Vermont
This past year has been a period of significant growth and transformation in my journey as a scientist. I have continued in my role as a Lab Manager at the Boston University Center for Regenerative Medicine (CReM). At the CReM, I am a member of the Murphy Laboratory, where we study healthy aging by examining the genetic signatures of centenarians – individuals who live past 100 years old and display an exceptional resistance to aging-related diseases. Building on my research experiences from my undergraduate studies at the University of Vermont and my current work at the CReM, I have taken an exciting next step in my career by applying to PhD programs in biomedical science at institutions across the country. I am currently interviewing at three schools and eagerly await the outcomes, which will be finalized by April 1st. A PhD program will provide the opportunity to explore labs across my range of scientific interests, from Alzheimer's disease to infectious pathogens and other topics in between. I will ultimately choose a lab to conduct my thesis, where I will spearhead research aimed at uncovering novel insights into combating human diseases. As a high school student at MVRHS, I had the opportunity to work on a groundbreaking scientific study examining tick-borne pathogens on Martha’s Vineyard. Through this experience, I fell in love with the world of scientific inquiry, from my work at the lab bench to sharing findings with the broader community. This formative experience remains a key source of motivation in my career. The MVYouth scholarship has played a huge role in supporting my development as a scientist. Your belief in my potential continues to inspire me to push boundaries and pursue a career where I can make a meaningful impact. Thank you.
Kaya Seiman - Bridgewater State University
In August I graduated from Bridgewater State University (BSU) with a BS in Business Administration and Management with a Concentration in Human Resources and in September I started a Master of Science in Accountancy program at my alma mater. I made a big shift from where I started my collegiate experience as a Physical Therapy major, but I am so pleased I followed my path and found my passion. I am also grateful to MVYouth for their generosity throughout my undergraduate experience and especially supporting my early graduation. Currently, I am working as a Graduate Assistant at BSU in the Academic Achievement Center (AAC) as an Academic Coach. As an academic coach I work with students to aid their academic success during their college experience. I support students with organizational skills, time management, test strategies and strategies to reduce test anxiety. I am also a student advocate and work closely with student athletes. It has been a rewarding experience and I feel I am giving back to my college community. I’m enjoying my graduate coursework and thrilled to begin an Audit Internship in June with my top pick accounting firm. People joke that accounting is boring (so I won’t bore you with the details), but I find solving the problems very rewarding. On a personal note, I got a puppy in February. He's a corgi named Turbo and he is the best addition to my life. When I’m not walking Turbo and the weather is conducive, you can find me on the golf course. Juggling graduate school, work and a dog is a challenge, but I am focused and working toward my goals. I wouldn’t want my life any other way.
Eric Reubens - Tufts University
This past year has been filled with many interesting extracurricular and academic ventures as I am finishing up my senior year at Tufts and preparing to study and apply to medical schools. I worked at Boston Children's Hospital over the summer in the Anesthesiology department as a research assistant for a drug delivery project. This experience allowed me to explore clinical research fields more thoroughly, and gain experience and insight working with post-doctorates in the field as well as the doctors running the lab. I have also been working to further expand the efforts of my club Tufts Doctors Without Borders, continuing to advocate for humanitarian aid efforts, bring speakers and facilitate educational events that illuminates the work that Doctors Without Borders does around the world, and bringing more volunteering experiences to the Tufts student community by working with different volunteer organizations.
Peter Burke - Middlebury College
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!
Ruby Reimann - Bates College
This past fall, I completed my fourth year of collegiate soccer at Bates, serving as captain of the Bates Women’s Soccer Team. I received awards for leadership and communication skills. I was selected for the 2024-25 Academic All-District® Women's Soccer Team by College Sports Communicators, recognizing top student-athletes for performance on the field and in the classroom. Additionally, I was named to the NESCAC Fall All-Academic Team for maintaining a GPA of 3.50 or higher during the season. The season began on a high note, but we narrowly missed the playoffs after a close loss to our Maine rival, Colby College. While transitioning away from collegiate soccer has been a challenging experience, I am deeply grateful for the opportunity to compete at such an elite college. Much of this has been possible thanks to the support of MVYouth. Off the field, I have been living in an off-campus house supported by MVYouth, sharing the space with three teammates and best friends. This experience has been a wonderful opportunity to develop homeowner skills while creating lasting memories. Academically, this year has been both challenging and rewarding. I took three upper-level Psychology courses: Health Psychology, Counseling Psychology, and Sensation and Perception. As part of my coursework, I worked on a research project exploring how political attitudes affect visual perception. In my elective Ethnographic Methods course, I conducted a project examining gender differences in the sport experiences of Bates student-athletes in the post-Title IX era. This project was fulfilling, offering valuable insights into how different athletes navigate their sports experiences at Bates. With graduation approaching, I am actively applying to jobs in the Boston area, with interest in a career in Public Health. I recently applied for a Job Shadow Opportunity through Bates, which I will complete this spring. Additionally, I am preparing to work on my Senior Thesis during the upcoming semester.
Garrett Broadley - New England Institute of Technology
I’m still using the knowledge that was given to me by NEIT every day to make a future for myself, still working and living in Connecticut but some things has changed in my job that I’m excited about. Seems like all my hard work is paying off, I love turning wrenches it really gives me a sense of accomplishment when you take something that not a lot of other people can fix and you fix it properly. I’m just over 3 years of working at the shop I am currently at I feel like I have proven myself and I hope that I will keep that trust of my boss through my work experiences we have together. Not only do I still turn wrenches I also am in charge of the shop now, pretty much the lead technician, my boss gave me a desk that has my diploma and all my certifications on and even business cards with my own name on sitting up front in the waiting room, but I know that it comes with more responsibility which I thoroughly enjoy, I now am not only in charge of not only the mechanics but I also now take point of getting in touch with insurance companies to make sure that we get claims and policies fulfilled for proper care of the customer and vehicle repairs. I also have the ability to write repair orders for vehicles coming for service and have more contact with the customers coming in to answer questions or ease their concerns about their vehicle which is super fun, I’ve always wanted somewhat of a service advisor role and hopefully I can work my way deeper into the business to help my boss create something great. I will be forever grateful for what this scholarship has done for me in my education because I truly believe I wouldn’t be where I am today without your support.
Maria Clara Lacerda - Northeastern University
This past semester has been an incredible journey as I studied abroad at Bond University in the Gold Coast, Australia. Having never traveled to this side of the globe, I was nervous yet excited to embrace the opportunities and adventures ahead. Bond University, though small, offered an intimate and supportive community where I formed lifelong friendships, adapted to new challenges, and gained valuable personal and academic insights that I will carry with me for a long time. The courses I took were fascinating and aligned really well with my major in Psychology and Business Administration, along with my minor in data science. I particularly enjoyed exploring consumer data and marketing trends through a global lens, which gave me fresh perspectives to bring back home. Outside the classroom, I immersed myself in Australia’s vibrant culture. The Gold Coast’s beautiful beaches, amazing weather, and outdoor lifestyle made it easy to adapt and explore. I learned how to live more independently, embrace new perspectives, and truly appreciate the diversity of experiences the world has to offer. This semester broadened my horizons in ways I couldn’t have imagined, and I feel more confident, inspired, and prepared for the future. As I return home, I’m eager to continue building on what I’ve learned. I’ll soon be applying for my second co-op and look forward to integrating the knowledge and global insights I’ve gained into my academic and professional life. Thank you to MVYouth for making this transformative experience possible. Your support has allowed me to not only pursue my education but also grow in ways that will have a lasting impact on my future. I am deeply grateful for the opportunities this scholarship has afforded me and will continue to make the most of them.
Sam Bresnick - Boston College
This past fall I enrolled at Wake Forest University School of Law in Winston-Salem, North Carolina. The first semester was intense and challenging, but I loved the process of it. I really enjoyed the class discussions, the professors, and the community at Wake. The first semester I had Torts, Contracts, and Criminal law, and this upcoming semester I am finishing up the rest of my doctrinal and taking Civil Procedure, Property, and Constitutional Law. This experience has been eye-opening, and with that my career aspirations have changed. There are many different career paths that I am open to and a wide range of practice areas that I am interested in. I am going to use my time here to explore those different options. Currently, I'm looking to either intern with government agencies in Washington D.C. or in Boston, or clerking for a judge over the summer months. Whatever I end up doing I have no doubt the experience will be rewarding, and am excited to see what opportunities are ahead. With that, I am grateful for the help that MVYouth has given me, and appreciative of the work that MVYouth continues to do in helping the Island community. I cannot thank you enough!
Larissa De Oliveira - University of Massachusetts, Amherst
My spring 2024 semester provided me with the opportunity to expand my skills and experiences in ways that will be invaluable in my future career. One highlight was Literature and Education, a course taught by Professor Jenny Adams, which allowed me to develop practical teaching skills such as lesson planning, activity building, and assignment drafting. I particularly enjoyed implementing my lesson plans while teaching a class, as it gave me hands-on experience. The course also emphasized the importance of community building, enabling my classmates and me to collaborate and exchange ideas on how to enhance the classroom experience in future teaching roles. Another standout class was Personality Psychology, taught by Professor John Bickford. His engaging and enriching teaching style made the course both enjoyable and intellectually stimulating. Overall, this semester gave me the chance to build a strong foundation for my senior year while also appreciating the beauty of Amherst in the spring. Returning to UMass in the fall for my final year was bittersweet. During this semester, I focused on completing the requirements for my major and minor, as well as finishing the courses needed for my TESOL (Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages) certificate. Alongside academics, I made it a priority to create lasting memories at UMass. I regularly attended sports games, participated in campus events, and engaged in club activities, making the most of my remaining time on campus. As I look ahead to my final semester, I feel both excitement and nostalgia. While I’m eager to wrap up my experience at UMass, I’m also anticipating the bittersweet emotions that graduation will bring. I am deeply grateful for the support I’ve received from the donors and the MVYouth organization, which has played an essential role in making this journey possible.
Brooke Crocker - Tufts University
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!