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 proud to name Nathan Cobb as its Student of the Week. Nathan lives in Middlebury with his parents, Kimberly and Wade Cobb. He has a sister, Helen, who works in Boston; his brother, James, attends Davidson College.
Nathan’s activities and accomplishments readily reflect his international interests. Following ninth grade, he attended the Governor’s Institute on Asian Culture and then volunteered to escort visiting Chinese students around Middlebury and Vermont. He was also selected for a Rotary Youth Leadership conference that summer. Nathan maintained his Asian connection the next summer with an intensive week of Mandarin language study and an Institute-sponsored trip to China.
Nathan has also studied Spanish through the AP level and has put that to use as a “big brother” to Addison County Hispanic children and as a versatile volunteer interpreter at the Middlebury Open Door Clinic.
At MUHS, Nathan has been a four-year member of the Arabic Club and the Model UN, twice serving as chairperson for UN conferences in Middlebury. Having achieved High Honors or Honors throughout high school, Nathan is a member and treasurer of National Honor Society. He was recognized with American Legion Language Awards in 10th and 11th grades, and also with a Social Studies Award and an election to Boys’ State last year. Besides Spanish, Nathan has completed or is currently enrolled in AP Calculus, English, Statistics and both U.S. and World History. He is also doing an Italian independent study at Middlebury College (and for those counting, that’s language number 5!).
In addition, Nathan is a well-established member of both the MUHS Concert and Jazz Bands, and he qualified for District Band in grades 10 and 11. He takes piano and saxophone lessons outside of school.
Nathan plans to attend a liberal arts college to major in political science or international relations and minor in a language. Whether it’s Japanese, Urdu or some other, what seems certain is that Nathan will not only learn the language, but put it to worthy use.
Congratulations, Nathan, and in the signed language of the Hebrew-derived Vulcan salute, may you “live long and prosper,” and continue to learn and share.
 
VUHS STUDENT OF THE WEEK
Vergennes Union High School is pleased to recognize Allyson Stearns as its Student of the Week. Ally lives in Ferrisburgh with her mom, Tammy Tucker, and dad, Rick Stearns. Ally has an older brother, Jordan, who is attending Cedarville University in Ohio, and two younger brothers, Jeffrey and Tucker.
Ally is consistently on the honor roll. She was inducted into the National Honor Society earlier this year. She is the yearbook editor and the senior class secretary. Ally is currently enrolled in AP U.S. history, statistics, and German 4. She received the German Excellence Award her sophomore year.
Ally has played basketball and soccer, and been part of the track team, since her freshman year. In grade 10, she joined the indoor track team. Ally participated in the German exchange her junior year, hosting a German student in the fall and travelling to Germany with her class in the spring. She is part of the chorus. Ally has been the chorus librarian since her junior year. She is also part of the Commodore Singers. Ally was accepted to Districts both her junior and senior year. Ally has also been involved with planning prom, winter ball, Peace One Day, and project graduation. She was one of the actors in the mock car crash last year.
In the summer, Ally works as a lifeguard and has taught swimming. During the school year, she works at the Ferrisburgh Bake Shop and, on Sundays, at the Memorial Sports Center in Middlebury.
 Ally said high school has taught her that “there will always be something that doesn’t go according to plan, but that’s no reason to give up. … My advice to other students is: Don’t be afraid to express yourself to others; if others can’t accept you for who you are than they aren’t worth your time.”
German teacher Janet Kepes said, “Ally spends much of her day laughing and making others laugh. She is reliable and dependable. She brings passion and commitment to things she does whether it is throwing a shot put or helping on the yearbook.”
Following graduation, Ally plans to go to college and become an occupational therapist. The faculty, staff and students of VUHS wish Ally Stearns 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