Happy holidays, everyone. Although the holiday season may feel different this year due to all that we are experiencing, I hope we all are able to find time to reflect on what brings us joy and what we are excited for in the future. As 2020 slips away, here’s to hoping that 2021 brings us good news and constructive changes from our present reality.

This issue focuses on the fresh starts that feel promised to us by a new year. Accordingly, I asked some of our classmates: What are you looking forward to in the next year? While answers ranged from starting new careers to growing existing ventures to exploring hobbies, all centered on hope, community, and self-discovery.

Many looked forward to new beginnings as they transitioned into their careers.

Erika Ogino said that she is excited to finally move to New York City, live with her friends, and start her job.

Catherine Cable shared, “It is incredibly exciting to have a relatively blank canvas before me and get to make the initial brushstrokes to the painting in my first job in a new city, meeting new people, and experiencing new things.” She is looking forward to her new job, where she will contribute to a problem-solving team that helps people and companies every day.

Hayley Soriano is looking forward to starting off the next chapter in New York City after working from home in her parents’ basement for several months. She is also excited to get back up to Hanover in the summer for our long-awaited graduation!

Says Shae Wolfe: “I am looking forward to discovering who I am and who I can be in a new city outside of Dartmouth. So many of the identities I held the last four years were shaped around what I learned about myself at Dartmouth, and I’m excited to welcome new identities and truths outside of that space.”

Mary Versa Clemens-Sewell will be moving to Baltimore in December, having worked remotely since August. In the meantime she is looking forward to Maryland farm produce and someday actually working at the office!

Others were excited about growing their own ventures.

Sanat Mohapatra is the founder of Unmasked, an anonymous, mental health social media app for college students, by college students. Currently Unmasked is live on five college campuses, and Sanat is eager to expand to 50 more during the next year. Sanat has been awarded the Dickey Center’s Lombard Public Service Fellowship to continue working on Unmasked this year.

Jesse Scanlon is looking forward to growing his business, Hampton Essentials LLC, which has already served hundreds of clients on the east end of Long Island, as well as spending time with his friends and family in Antigua, many of whom he hasn’t seen in more than eight years.

Finally, some of our classmates anticipated free time to learn new skills.

Andrew Sosanya said that he is looking forward to improving at guitar and learning how to play the same songs he grew up listening to.

Many thanks to everyone who responded! If you have any such updates to share, please send them to dartmouth20classnotes@gmail.com. One last logistical note: Please keep the alumni records office up to date with your addresses so that you’ll receive the magazine regularly. You can reach the office directly at alumni.records@dartmouth.edu.

I hope this holiday season brings you and your loved ones closer together, even though you may be physically far apart. Sending socially distant air hugs to all. To the end of 2020 and the start of a new year!

—Katie Goldstein, 263 W Santa Inez, Hillsborough, CA 94010; katie.e.goldstein.20@dartmouth.edu