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 proudly presents Connor Gallipo as its Student of the Week. Connor lives in Pittsford with his parents, Thomas and Sara Gallipo. His sister Kayla graduated from Castleton State and is a teacher at Sudbury Elementary, and his sister Jenelle graduated from the University of Vermont and is an accountant.
Connor is an honor roll student with an A average. He is a member of the National Honor Society and is taking AP literature. He received excellence in art and physical education in his junior year.
Connor has played varsity soccer for all four years of high school and was a captain this year. He also played varsity basketball for the last three years and was a floater his freshman year. He is currently playing baseball and has been on the varsity team for three years; the team won a state championship his sophomore year. As a junior he ran cross-country along with playing soccer and took first at the Thetford Trail Run as the third seed.
Connor works on his family farm, growing vegetables and making maple syrup in the spring. The family has around 650 taps, all of them buckets. It’s a lot of hard work, Connor says, but he enjoys working outside and working for his family.
In the summer, Connor enjoys golfing, swimming and hiking.
Connor says he has made some great friends in high school and has met some great teachers. When asked if he had any advice for other students, he said, “Have fun and enjoy everything you do in high school because it goes by really fast.”
After high school, Connor plans on working on the family farm.
Teacher Mr. Frohloff says, “Connor is a serious, mature young man who can always be counted on to do his best and to help others in the class better understand the tasks/challenges at hand. He is a true Otter who has brought a stabilizing influence to all of the science classes that he has taken from me.”
Congratulations, Connor, from all of us at Otter Valley!
 
MAUHS STUDENT OF THE WEEK
Mount Abraham Union High School is pleased to name Fiona “Fi” Cole of Bristol its student of the week. Fiona is the daughter of Gretchen and James Cole. Her sister, Olivia Cole, is a freshman at Mount Abe.
Throughout high school, Fiona has been on the honor roll, including highest honors in grades 9-11. She is currently enrolled in both AP Studio Art and AP English.
Fiona has participated in fall musicals in grades 7-12, playing the role of Fiona in “Shrek The Musical” this past fall. She has also participated in spring musicals in grades 10-12, and played Sharpay in “High School Musical” this spring. She has been in Dance Club or on the Dance Team all four years. She is a four-year member of the school’s a cappella group.
For the past three summers, Fiona has had a job at LuLu, a gourmet ice cream shop in Bristol, which she plans to continue with this summer. She also recently did some housekeeping work for the Inn at Baldwin Creek. She taught a dance camp for kids over the summer through the Bristol Rec. Department, and has had a steady babysitting job for the past four years.
Outside of school, Fiona enjoys spending time with her friends, venturing to Burlington, and going on the occasional Netflix binge.
When asked for advice for other students, Fiona said, “Get involved. Take every opportunity you can to meet new people and experience new things.”
After high school, Fiona will attend Pratt Institute in Brooklyn, N.Y., where she will major in fashion design. She hopes to become a fashion stylist and continue to live in the city.
Spring musical director Justin Bouvier says, “Fiona Cole is perhaps the most beautiful soul to have graced Mount Abraham. Whether on stage, behind the sewing machine, eating lunch, studying, or just hanging out with friends, Fiona’s light shines bright for all to see. I cannot wait for the day when we see her name in lights and I can say, ‘I knew her when …’”
Fiona has been a valuable member of the Mount Abraham community and everyone at the school wishes her the best in her very bright 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
Cubbers
Champlain Valley Plumbing and Heating
JW DE Ryan
Martin’s Hardware
Paige and Campbell Insurance
United Way of Addison County
Vermont Book Shop