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 Julia Rosenberg as its student of the week. Julia is the daughter of Ben and Nancy Rosenberg of Cornwall. She has two sisters who are freshmen: Lily at Middlebury College and Isabel at MUHS.
Julia plans to study science or engineering, and she has been accepted as an early decision candidate to Tufts University. A review of all her accomplishments and activities makes it easy to see why Julia was tapped for enrollment next September.
Julia has achieved High Honors or Honors throughout her time at MUHS, and was inducted into the National Honor Society at the end of last year. She has taken or is currently enrolled in AP Biology, Calculus, English, Environmental Science, Statistics and U.S. History. Julia was selected for both the American Legion Girls’ State and the Bread Loaf Young Writers’ Conference in 11th grade. She also attended the Middlebury Monterey Language Academy to study Spanish after her freshman year, and was a participant in the college’s Symposium for Social Entrepreneurship grades 9 and 10.
Julia is a Peer Leader and member of the MUHS Brain Science Club this year. She was a member of the Student Senate in grades 9 and 10. Julia is also an all-season athlete. On track to earn 12 varsity letters, she is co-captain of both the soccer and Nordic ski teams, and plans to return to the lacrosse field this spring.
A longstanding member of the Congregational Church Youth Group, Julia has helped with the community garden and has participated in service trips to New Jersey following Superstorm Sandy and to the Cheyenne River Sioux Reservation in South Dakota. Another such trip took her to Nicaragua with Lacrosse the Nations to teach and play with impoverished children. Closer to home, and for each of the last three years, Julia has been a volunteer lacrosse coach for younger girls and, memorably, a strolling pepper mascot at the Vermont Chili Fest for the Food Shelf.
Julia says she likes to enjoy the Vermont outdoors and is an avid Boston sports fan — a perfect combination for studying in Medford and vacationing in Middlebury. We know you’ll succeed, Julia, and wish you the best in the land of the Jumbos!
VUHS STUDENT OF THE WEEK
Vergennes Union High School is pleased to recognize Dana Ambrose Jr. as its Student of the Week. Dana lives in Vergennes with his mom and dad, Nancy and Dana Ambrose. Dana is a triplet, and both his sisters, April and KC, are seniors at VUHS.
Dana has been on honor roll throughout his high school career. He was inducted into the National Honor Society this year. He is currently taking German 4, physics, writer’s workshop and AP U.S. history. He also attended Boys’ State in the summer of 2014.
Dana is involved in many activities and sports at VUHS. This year Dana joined the jazz band. He was also in the pit for this year’s musical production, “The Little Mermaid.” Dana has been an active member in the pep band since his freshman year. He is also the co-president for the VUHS band. Dana has played soccer for all four years of high school. This year he was named one of the captains of the team. He was also named co-player of the year by the Addison Independent. Currently, Dana is co-coaching the eighth-grade boys’ basketball team. 
Outside of school Dana has worked at the Old Lantern in Charlotte as a prep-cook, server, and dishwasher. He volunteers with the St. Peter’s Church youth group and helps deliver meals to people in need once a month and helps with the annual Harvest Supper. 
Dana finds this Friedrich Nietzsche quote to be true and meaningful: “And those who were seen dancing were thought to be insane by those who could not hear the music.”
Janet Kepes, the German teacher at VUHS, said, “Dana is a hard-working, conscientious student, who challenges himself in and outside of school. He is a reliable member of any team or group, always focused, working hard and leading by example. He has an incredible knack for noticing when someone needs a hand and often offers  to help before people have a chance to ask.”
Following graduation from VUHS, Dana plans to go to college, but before that he plans to go to Germany in June to stay with his German host family, whom he met during the VUHS German exchange. The faculty, staff and students of VUHS wish Dana 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