Madison Germuska

Nurse, Connecticut

She moved to New York to pursue her career in nursing on a full water polo scholarship, juggling the demands of being a professional athlete, as well as studying in an intensive nursing program, something that traditional schools don’t even allow. When her school cancelled the water polo team, she was left scrambling to find a way to continue her education. Her exemplary performance allowed her to receive grants even larger than her original scholarship.

Madison graduated this spring, but like most graduates, had to forgo the big ceremony only to be thrust into working the front lines of a pandemic. She had been working days on end tired, without having the ability to see her family for months who live on the other side of the country. She was selected to be her class speaker, but will have to wait until spring 2021 to deliver her speech.