Noemi Ponce, '26

Hometown: Chicago, Illinois

High School: Francis W. Parker School

Affiliations: Daniel Murphy Scholarship Fund

Major: International and Global Studies with a focus on Latin American Studies, and Studio Art

Main Extracurricular Activities: Women’s Water Polo, Darkroom Club, Alianza, Creating Art Together, Student Ambassador, Tour Guide

Why did you choose to attend Middlebury? When I was applying to college, I wanted a school that had a strong language program as well as study abroad programs. Middlebury has strong programs in both of these areas and I knew they would help me go to a Latin American country without having to worry about financial barriers.

Favorite thing to do during J-Term? One of my favorite things to do during my first J-Terms was going sledding and skiing for the first time with Fostering Inclusive Recreation Experiences (FIRE), a club on campus that makes outdoor activities more accessible and inclusive space for students of color.

Any tips for incoming students to help them make the most out of their Middlebury experience? Given that Middlebury is located in rural Vermont it was definitely challenging adjusting to the new environment as someone who’s from an urban area. One of the things that really helped me get out of my dorm and into other parts of Vermont was joining/attending different clubs that host activities such as game nights, movies, ice skating, laser cutting, skiing, etc.