Who am I?

Hi! I'm Ava!

I grew up in a small town in the middle of Connecticut, going to magnet schools and our public high school. I was a straight A+, top of the class student but had no idea what I wanted to do with my life. I am still extremely gifted in math and science, but it’s just not something I want to dedicate my life and learning to. I fit every single stereotype in high school: band, choir, theater, sports, smart. In my senior year I was dead set on going to UConn for college, but God had different plans in mind and I ended up at the University of Hartford with a low price after scholarships.

I applied with a major in English, changed it to Marketing before I got my first semester schedule, and was enrolled in their 3+1 program, which meant I could graduate in 4 years with my Bachelor and Masters degree. This didn’t last long, as I learned that only half of my AP credits from high school would transfer, and I wouldn’t be able to study abroad in France like I intended. So I dropped out of that program. I decided to think about double majoring, and stuck with Marketing for the fall.

Throughout all of this, I was reached out to by the field hockey coach at UHart, asking if I was interested in playing at my college. I was extremely surprised because yet again, that wasn’t on my plan! I agreed, and started to love the sport again.

Come a month into the season, only four games later, and I was out for the season due to two stress fractures in my shin. I become unfortunately attached to my boot for almost ten weeks, some of the roughest but also fun weeks of my life. I did so much, even with that boot on, and discovered nothing would stop me from having fun!

October 2025, I woke up one morning with this idea in my head of the “Disney college program.” I was actually clueless on what this was, and didn’t even understand how I knew the words. I took that as my sign from God, and applied to the program that same day. Three days later I had my phone interview, and four more days led me to acceptance! My coaches were okay with it, especially since I am still recovering from my fractures (and wouldn’t be able to train normally anyways), and all my advisors approved.

Fast forward to January, I worked my butt off at my local coffee shop while everyone else went back to school, hopped on a plane with so many suitcases, and moved to Florida for six months. My program dates are February 9th to July 30th, and I wish I could stay here forever. I have met the most amazing people and experienced some of the coolest things. However, I know there’s a place for me back home, even as I struggle to connect with anyone at my college.

I’m currently placed at Rise of the Resistance, which is an extremely immersive experience geared towards the enthusiastic theater kids (which is me). I greatly enjoy working there, all my leaders and coordinators are understanding, and my coworkers are genuinely the best. I think someday I’d like to pursue a position in guest relations or as a VIP tour guide for Disney, but I have a feeling that will be far in the future. I know I would like to do another program towards the end of my college experience, and I already can’t wait :)

Other small details:

• I grew up a Christian and dedicated my life to Jesus Christ when I was in 1st grade at a church summer camp. I feel such a deeper connection with Him while living in Florida, especially as more people attend church or talk about their values and beliefs down here compared to the north. I also enjoy fully embracing the life He is giving me, appreciating the gorgeous sunsets and dressing up for church to represent His temple.

• I have a dream of traveling the world someday, and that is going to start with my study aboard for Spring 2027! My goal is either Paris or the south of France, but we’ll see where God takes me. I have visited France and Italy before and can’t wait to go abroad again.

• My other smaller dream is to create a coffee cart small business to set up for events and clients. I am a barista at home, and I absolutely love the creative side of things as well as the marketing (obviously), business aspects, and visual design. While in FL I’ve become the friendly neighborhood barista, and have received dm’s from other college program kids living in Flamingo Crossings Village and hoping to get a latte!

• I started dating a guy in June 2025 who is now my first boyfriend ever, and we’ve been doing lost distance from CT to FL, and will continue until I return home.

• I’ve started posting on social media because why the heck not! I care what people think about me to a degree, but I know it truly doesn’t matter in the end. It brings me joy and serves as my creative outlet in my current job.

• I participated in a town pageant during my senior year of high school and placed second, earning me $1500 towards college. I was sponsored by my physical therapist because I was their “most loyal” patient (four years in total!)

I hope something from this post connected or inspired you through my crazy life! Can't wait to share my adventures with you!