GRAHAM STEARNS

Colgate University

My first semester at ColgateUniversityhas beenchallengingbut academically andsocially rewarding.I havemadefriendsandmemories that will last alifetime,and it iseasy tosay that thepast four monthshavebeensomeof the best of my life At first,adjustingtothe workloadandnew environment wasdifficult, but after thefirst few weeks,it waseasy to balanceasuccessful academicandsocial life. Thecommunityat Colgatecreatesa contagious,hardworkingenvironment anda uniquebondbetweenthestudent body

I havetakentheopportunity toexpand my ideasandactivitiesthroughclubsandevents hostedby Colgate Clubhockey at Colgatehas beenagreat athleticand social experience.It hasintroducedmetonew peopleandallowed metocontinueplayinghockey at acompetitive level Guest speakersandalumni networkshave alsoguidedsomeof my current focus, connectingmewithgroupsand organizations that includemeinprojectssuchasprotecting theendangeredRight Whalethroughpolicy andpolitical efforts

Sofar,I havefoundtheliberal artsexperience rewardingwithexposuretodiverseclasses It hasallowedmeto takecoursesthat would typically beoutsidemy comfort zoneof natural sciences.ColgateUniversity hasalso introducedmetonew ideasthroughsubject studiessuchasmodernity,politics,philosophy, andother sciences I plantodeclareasan environmental studiesmajor but will continue toexplorenew coursesanddisciplinesbefore makingmy final decision.I amsograteful for theopportunitythat MVYouth hasgivenme, for supportingmethroughmy college experience,andfor thepeoplethat makethis programpossible

Zach Utz

Middlebury College

Asmy first semester at Middlebury comesto a close,I now reflect back onit asanamazingone full of connectionand discovery.I chose Middleburybecauseitsbroadrangeof liberal arts studies,abenefit that I certainly took advantageof inmy first threeand ahalf months I was introducedtotheworldof comparativeliterature throughthestudyof folk andfairy talesinmy first-year seminar,learnedabout theOttoman EmpireandthemodernMiddleEast inmy history class,analyzed anddiscussed theoriesof good in my philosophy class,and continuedmy studiesin French Eachclasschallengedmy understandingof theworld andbroadenedmy knowledgeacross their topicsall whileacclimatingmeto the increasedworkloadof collegecourses

Inadditiontomy studies,I amonthecrosscountry andtrack teamshereat Midd I arrived at school early thissemester to practicewiththeteam beforeour first meet and spent timewiththem outsideof practiceexploringtheareasaround campus.It wastruly special showinguptocampus andimmediately havingforty friends,all extremely drivenandpassionateindividuals They?veall had suchanimpact onmealready and I cannot wait to spendthenext four yearswiththem

Another benefit of beinginVermont isits captivatingnaturewithlushmountains,waterfalls, swimmingholes,and trails.Oneof my favoritetrips waswhenwehiked uptoseethesunset at oneof thewaterfalls,equipped withabeautiful vistaof theAdirondacks Althoughall thefoliageisgone andthere?ssnow onthegroundnow,I?mlooking forwardtoski seasonduringthesecondsemester!

Theopportunitiesthat attendingcollegehas already grantedmeareboundless I amincredibly grateful for thesupport MVYouthhasgivenme thispast semester!