Bridget Gray, '27

Hometown: Belmont, MA
Languages: English, French
Major: Political Science
Minor: French and Francophone Studies
Main extracurricular activities: Captain of Women’s Ice Hockey team, The Local Noodle (satire newspaper), Language in Motion, Student Athlete Sustainability Committee

What’s your favorite study spot on campus? Axinn Library - it’s quiet, relaxing, and feels like you’re in a Harry Potter library!

Favorite food in the dining hall? Atwater Greek night! My teammates and I go up for seconds and sometimes thirds for the homemade tzatziki over chicken and rice. 

Favorite Vermont spot? Favorite Middlebury location? My favorite place in Vermont is Route 7 as a whole! Driving down the road with mountains on both sides of you, listening to music with my friends is one of my favorite feelings. Two Brothers Tavern is my favorite place in Middlebury. My friends and I go there for cozy Sunday night dinners and have the best conversations and laughs.

Did you study abroad? I was unable to study abroad due to hockey commitments, but I am applying for English teaching positions in France for my year after graduation to utilize my French language and culture studies.

What has been the best, most interesting, or most thought-provoking class you’ve taken at Middlebury? I took a J-Term class called Chicago ‘68-Watergate where we played reacting to the past game booklets and acted as historical characters from these moments in US history. It showed me just how difficult these moments and decisions were and why history unfolded the way it did.

Now that you’re a senior, what advice would you give your younger self about college admissions or the transition into college? Don’t get caught up in what other people’s process looks like - stay on your own path and apply to places you truly see yourself being happy. I saw a bright future and friendships for myself at Middlebury and that provided a calm and ease when I arrived my first fall.

Why did you choose to attend Middlebury? I chose Middlebury after I visited a friend in the fall of my senior year and was awestruck by the friendliness and outgoing nature of the people I met - I wanted to be friends with all of them. We went on a sunrise hike to the Snowbowl and that view truly sealed the deal.