ALISON CUSTER

Connecticut College

Myfirst semester at Connecticut Collegehas beenanincredibleexperience.Thesefirst few monthscamewithmany excitingopportunities andmoments I remember Connecticut College truly startingtofeel likehomeafter takingmy first classintheDanceDepartment and being introducedtostudentsand professors.Welcome Weekendwasbusy andexhausting,but I felt inspiredagainafter takingthisclassandmeeting peopleat thesenior/first year dancemajor brunch Theseweresomeof themomentswhenI felt thingsbeginningtoclick I felt embracedby thecommunity,andit meant somuch.Inour first twoauditions(for DanceClubpiecesandthe Department Concert),I wasnervous,but remindedmyself how grateful I wasto bethere, andtosimply giveit my all Theauditionfor guest artist Jennifer Archibald?spiecewasintense,but I wasluckyenough tobecast inher piecealong withother studentswhoI amsoinspired by Gettingtowork withArchibald (learningand growinginthoserehearsals)wasan unforgettableexperienceI donot takefor granted.I already haveimmenselovefor the danceprogramandthepeopleinit Mycoursesthissemester weretitled?Thrivingin theAnthropocene?(my first year seminar), IntroductiontoUS Government andPolitics, Movement TechniquesII,andElementary Spanish I joinedtheDanceClub,Students DemandActionConnColl,and Amnesty International I?vealsospent timeinSprout (our campusgarden),and volunteeredwithfriendsat alocal foodpantry inNew London

I?vemet so many wonderful people,someof my closest friends,andhavealready learnedsomuch I cannot thank MVYouth enoughfor the opportunitythat they havegivenmetogrow and thrive,and oneday giveback to theisland community I amincredibly grateful