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.
OVUHS STUDENT OF THE WEEK
Otter Valley Union High School is proud to present Dacey Anechiarico as its Student of the Week. Dacey lives in Whiting with her parents, Cindy Crawford and Kurt Anechiarico. Her sister Sydney attends UVM; her sister Afton graduated from the University of Northern Florida and lives in Florida with her husband.
Dacey has been on the honor roll or scholars’ list every year at Otter Valley. She is a member of the National Honor Society. In high school she has received excellence in Spanish, geometry and Algebra 2. Sophomore year she was named most improved in chemistry. Junior year she received the Middlebury College book award and highest honors for The Society of Women’s Math and Engineering. This year she is taking AP literature and AP calculus, and a class through CCV.
Dacey has played lacrosse since her freshman year. She has also been actively involved in Interact/Otter Paws, the community service group, since 10th grade. In 10th grade she was class vice president and in 11th and 12th grades she was class president. She has been on multiple committees, including prom and project grad.
Since June Dacey has worked at Olympia Sports. She has always worked on her family’s dairy farm and cheese business.
Dacey has been actively involved in 4-H since she was 8. Through 4-H she has gone on many trips. She has been part of the dairy quiz bowl team. With 4-H she mentors younger members of the club.
Outside of school she also enjoy skiing, spending time with friends and family and showing her cows.
About her high school experience, Dacey says, “It goes fast, and I’ve learned to enjoy and be involved in as much as I can.” She advises other students to “create memories, be proud of yourself, your peers and your school, and most importantly have fun.”
After high school, Dacey plans to attend college and major in business
Ms. King calls Dacey “a rock star in our community service club.” Math teacher Mr. Havens says, “Dacey is? one of the hardest-working and motivated students I’ve ever met. She is adventurous, a great leader, and kind to all.”
Everyone in the Otter Valley community wishes Dacey the best in her future.
MAUHS STUDENT OF THE WEEK
Mount Abraham Union High School is proud to call Chris Carter of Bristol its Student of the Week. His younger sister, Emma, is a freshman.
Chris has consistently made highest honors. He is a member of the National Honor Society. He is taking, or has taken, AP Calculus BC, AP Biology, AP Calculus AB and Advanced Chemistry. He has received Academic Excellence Awards every year, two coaches’ awards for track and field in grades 10 and 11, and two for cross-country in grades 11 and 12.
Chris has been on the cross-country team since grade 10, captain since grade 11. He has been on track and field since grade 9, captain since grade 11. He has participated in indoor track since grade 11.
During the summer Chris does yard work for a few clients but he also works on his family’s farm year round. This past summer he worked at a Young Life camp in Saranac Lake as a housekeeper. Right now he is being trained as a Young Life Leader, and currently serves as a Wyldlife Leader with middle-schoolers. (Young Life and Wyldlife are international youth ministries.)
He says after school he loves to come home, play his guitar, and sing at the top of his lungs when nobody is there. He also loves to run, write letters, work outside, and learn new things.
When asked for advice for other students, Chris said, “Know your weaknesses so that you can avoid them, and know your strengths so that you can hang onto them. Personally, I find my strength and self-worth in Jesus Christ. Your source of strength might be different than mine, but you must know what it is.
Math teacher Teri Fitz-Gerald says, “Intelligent, polite, and talented, Chris is full of positive energy. He exhibits a charming personality, shares a genuine enthusiasm for learning, reasons logically, thinks critically, and portrays a sense of humor.”
After high school, Chris says he may study chemical engineering at college, possibly with a pre-med or medical degree. Maybe he’ll find a wife and settle down. Maybe he’ll travel a lot. Maybe neither. Who knows?
No matter what the future holds for him, everyone at Mount Abe thinks he’ll go far. Good luck, Chris!
 
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
Cubbers
Champlain Valley Plumbing and Heating
JW DE Ryan
Martin’s Hardware
Paige and Campbell Insurance
United Way of Addison County
Vermont Book Shop