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 recognize Harper Smith as its student of the week. Harper lives in Middlebury with her parents, Jennifer and Joseph Smith. Her brother, Spencer, is in ninth grade at MUHS.
Harper says she really enjoys graphic design, photography, drawing and film editing. In 2012, she participated in both the New England Young Writers’ Conference and the Governor’s Institute on the Arts. Last year, Harper attended the New York Leadership Forum for Digital Media, Film and Journalism in NYC.
Combining what she learned with her talent and interests, Harper plays a lead role in two major MUHS publications. She is the production/art director of Calliope, the school’s student literary magazine, and after working on the Quatrain staff since ninth grade. Harper has been the editor of the yearbook for the last two years. Staff adviser Matt Ottinger was quick to praise Harper for her stellar work and widely recognized reliability.
Harper has been on Honor Roll throughout her four years at MUHS. She took AP Statistics in the fall and is currently taking AP English. Elsewhere at school, Harper has been a Peer Leader this year. She has also been an important four-year contributor to the girls’ ice hockey team, taking particular pride in last year’s state Championship.
Harper is an active member of the Middlebury Congregational Church Senior Youth Group and has done considerable community service with it locally and around the U.S. She also does childcare at the church. In the summer, Harper lifeguards at the Middlebury Town Pool, where she has competed on a club team since she was seven.
Harper plans to attend a four-year college, and she would like to double-major in graphic design and communications. We get the picture, and based on all Harper has done at MUHS, we certainly won’t be surprised to see her name in print before too long.
Congratulations, Harper, and good byline! We wish you the very best.
 
VUHS STUDENT OF THE WEEK
Vergennes Union High School is pleased to recognize April Ambrose as its Student of the Week. April lives in Vergennes with her mom and dad, Nancy and Dana Ambrose. April is a triplet; her sister, KC, and brother, Dana, are seniors at VUHS.
April was awarded Excellence in English her sophomore year and Most Outstanding in choir her freshman and junior years, and she has been on either honors or high honors her entire high school career. She attended the New England Young Writers’ Conference her sophomore and junior years, and earned second place in film for a Vermont History Day competition her freshman year. She earned the Sage College Student Scholar Scholarship her junior year.
April is a member of the Student Council, the Literary Society, and the National Honor Society. She helped coordinate the Peace One Day assembly. April is an active member of the chorus. She is a Commodore Singer, has attended the Green Mountain District Music Festival for four years. This past fall April played Ariel in “The Little Mermaid.” April has also played soccer, basketball and golf, and has run on the cross-country team.
She is the secretary for the National Honor Society, and president of the Literary Society and the Concert Choir. She has attended Vermont Strong and Shale Hill Athletic Leadership conferences. Her community service includes helping with St. Peter’s Meals on Wheels, the Class of 2015 Walk-a-thon, the annual Soccer Clinic at the Elementary school, and tutoring in math and English.
April says this about her experience at VUHS: “Throughout high school, I have learned that hard work truly pays off.” Michael Thomas, an English teacher at VUHS, said, “April truly embraces the craft of writing, working to shape nuance and tone in the manner of a budding professional with profound appreciation for the subtle powers of language.”
Following graduation from VUHS, April is going to travel around Europe for three weeks. In the fall she plans to attend Emerson College, majoring in writing, literature and publishing. The faculty, staff and students of VUHS wish April 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