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 call Brenna Coombs its Student of the Week. Brenna lives in North Chittenden with her parents, Seth and Nina Coombs, and her sister, Madison, who is a freshman at Otter Valley.
Brenna is a member of the National Honor Society and is consistently on Otter Valley’s achievement rolls. She is earning college credit through Castleton State College in a Collaborative Peer Review class. She will participate in the New England Young Writer’s Conference at Bread Loaf for the second time this year.
Brenna has been involved with Otter Valley’s Walking Stick Theatre since her freshman year, and is secretary of the theater department. Her latest role in WST was Velma Kelly in the fall musical, “Chicago.” This spring, she will be traveling with WST to Edinburgh, Scotland, to attend the FRINGE festival. She is a member of the Senior Chorale, and has been accepted to numerous music festivals, including the All State Music Festival, District Music Festival, and All Eastern Music Festival.
Brenna is a representative at the Vermont Youth Drama Council. She was a varsity member of the OV Nordic ski team in grades 9 and 11. She has been a member of the a cappella group the Treblemakers since her sophomore year.
Brenna was a state page in Montpelier during her eighth grade year. She is currently working at the Maclure Library in Pittsford. Outside of school she enjoys singing, playing the piano, reading, and acting in other theater programs.
Brenna says of high school, “I have learned that a strong and stable work ethic is crucial, as well as getting enough sleep (which is a rare occurrence). … It is important to find an activity that you love, and become an active participant whenever the opportunity arises.”
Theater teacher Mr. Hull says, “Brenna is a talented young woman who has added to the quality of theatrical productions with the Walking Stick Theatre though her dedication, leadership and artistic skills.” And Moosalamoo lead teacher Mrs. Cioffredi calls Brenna “a talented, intelligent, empathetic young woman who is not afraid to take a non-traditional approach to learning.”
The Otter Valley community will miss Brenna when she moves on to college next year!
 
 
MAUHS STUDENT OF THE WEEK
Mount Abraham Union High School proudly names Whit Lower as its Student of the Week. Whit lives in New Haven with his parents, Glenn and Cheryl Lower. His brother, John, is a junior at Middlebury College.
Whit is taking or has taken numerous AP and advanced classes, earning academic excellence awards in several. He has earned highest honors throughout high school.
Whit competes on the varsity soccer, basketball and lacrosse teams, though an ACL injury will keep him off the court this winter. He was captain of the soccer team.
He is or has been a member of the Vermont Athletic Leadership Conference, Environmental Action Group, Scholars’ Bowl, student-run Community Council and the Vermont Teen Leadership Safety Program. He is the Community Council representative on the school board.
Whit coaches at two soccer camps over the summer. He is working on a year-long independent project to design and construct a geodesic dome greenhouse for the school. This project was inspired by an environmental service trip to Costa Rica in 2013 and will be complete by this spring. He spends his remaining free time with friends, skiing, golfing, hiking or just hanging out. He also spends two weeks every summer fly fishing and hiking in Montana.
When asked to share what he has learned in high school, Whit says, “The busiest people are often the most organized as well. I’ve found that learning to juggle my busy schedule into a tight five day week has been my most useful ‘takeaway’ skill from high school.” His advice for other students: “Stay busy, but not just with school work. Be sure to find the time to do something you really love every day.”
After high school, Whit will be attending Tufts University, where he was admitted as an early-decision candidate.
Whit’s school counselor says, “He is charming, engaging, and charismatic. He gets along with all kinds of people. … He is willing to do the hard work that is necessary in order to experience success. Whether this is hours spent in the fitness gym to help his game, or at a desk doing independent research for a project, he always gives his best effort.”
All in the Mt. Abe community wish Whit the best in his future endeavors.
 
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