The Addison Independent is proud to publish the Students of the Week from area High Schools each week. The students are chosen by teachers and administration from each school who would like to recognize their exceptional engagement in the high schools they attend.
MUHS STUDENT OF THE WEEK
Middlebury Union High School is pleased to recognize Lejla Mahmuljin as its student of the week. Lejla — Lej to her family and friends — lives in Middlebury with her parents, Dzavid and Emina Mahmuljin. They and her brother, Zuki, came to America from Bosnia in 1993. Zuki is a civil engineering student at Northeastern University.
Lejla has achieved Honor Roll status for every semester of high school. She received a Twenty-first Century Discovery Award in English last year. Lejla took A.P. Calculus as a junior and is currently taking A.P. Statistics.
During her freshman year, Lejla attended the Vermont Youth Athletic Leadership Conference, and the following year found her at the Hugh O’Brian Conference for Youth Leadership. While attending Vermont Girls’ State in her junior year, Lejla was recognized “for outstanding embodiment of … citizenship training program ideals.” Applying her leadership qualities at MUHS, Lejla is both a Peer Leader and a two-year representative on the Student Senate.
During the last three fall athletic seasons, Lejla has shadowed and assisted the school’s athletic trainer. She plans to follow this up in college, with the hope of eventually becoming either a physical therapist or a physician’s assistant. In winter and spring, Lejla is a member of the varsity basketball and lacrosse teams.
Besides the many hours Lejla puts in as a trainer assistant, she also volunteers as a Learning Lab tutor at school. She is scheduled to volunteer next semester at Project Independence. Having already totaled over 200 hours of community service, it is no surprise that Lejla has received well deserved recognition for her work.
This past summer was Lejla’s third spent lifeguarding at the Middlebury town pool. A certified Water Safety Instructor, Lejla teaches both public and private swim lessons.
Lejla says she loves to travel. She has visited several states in this country, and has been to Bosnia and Croatia. Wherever her future travels may lead her, Lejla is sure to find those who will benefit from her commitment to healing and helping.
Lejla suggests that time management is the key to success. If that is so, Lejla herself is to be congratulated for how masterfully she has balanced personal achievement with all she does for others.
We at MUHS wish Lejla the very best in the training and travels that lie ahead.
 
VUHS STUDENT OF THE WEEK
Vergennes Union High School is pleased to recognize Kathleen Claudia “KC” Ambrose as its Student of the Week. KC lives in Vergennes with her mom and dad, Nancy and Dana Ambrose. KC is a triplet, and both her sister, April, and brother, Dana, are seniors at VUHS.
KC has been on honor roll throughout her high school career and was inducted into the National Honor Society during her junior year. KC has challenged herself to try a variety of different courses at VUHS, such as welding and electric, pre-calculus, and German 4, to name a few. KC has attended multiple leadership conferences and the Law Cadet program at the Vermont State Police Academy.
KC has played on multiple sports teams, including soccer, basketball and softball. She is also an active member of the music program. She is part of the Commodore Jazz band, pep band, and part of the regular band and chorus. She has taken on a leadership role by being band and chorus president this year and pep band captain her junior year. KC is also an integral part VUHS student council. She has been class president for four years. She is also the National Honor society vice president. KC is also a member of the GSA. Outside of school KC is a member of St. Peter’s youth ministry. She also is a member of a Vermont summer league softball team that travels throughout New England.
The advice KC would give to other students at VUHS is, “No matter how hard it is, be yourself and it will always pay off in the end. There is no such thing as being perfect but individuality is crucial to staying true to who you are.”
Bill VanderWeert, the agriculture teacher at VUHS, said, “KC is a leader, and I love the way she leads by example. I think everyone around KC responds to her genuineness. One minute she can capture the attention of the whole student body in an assembly. A few minutes later she is quietly, diligently, conscientiously working away in class, helping her peers whenever she sees the opportunity. We will certainly miss her leadership next year!”
Following graduation from VUHS, KC plans to go to college and study criminal justice. The faculty, staff and students of VUHS wish KC the very best in the future.
 
Otter Valley Students of the week receive a gift certificate from the Book & Leaf Bookstore. Mt. Abe Students of the Week receive a free pizza from Cubbers. Vergennes Students of the Week receive a free sandwich and drink from 3 Squares Cafe. Middlebury Students of the Week receive a free pizza from Green Peppers. Students of the Week from all area high schools will receive a gift certificate from Vermont Book Shop.
With support from:
Barash Mediation
Business Telephone Systems
Champlain Valley Plumbing and Heating
Jackman Fuels
JW DE Ryan
Martin’s Hardware
Noonie Deli
Tae Kwon Do KICKS
United Way of Addison County
Vermont Book Shop