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 has named Sarah Young of Brandon as its student of the week. She is the daughter of Tina Young and John Young. Sarah has one older sister, Ashley Young, who is a 2008 graduate of Otter Valley.
Sarah has been on honor roll at least once every year. She was inducted into the National Honor Society as a junior. She received the Sage Scholarship award from Sage Colleges in 2014. In her senior year she has been taking AP literature and composition and AP calculus.
Sarah has played varsity tennis for all four years of high school. The last two years she has been the lead player at No. 1 singles. In grades 9 and 10 she was part of the Otter Valley Rock Climbing team. Last fall she joined the JV field hockey team. In grades 9-11 she was part of the Brandon Police Explorers program.
Since February, Sarah has been working at Dave’s Forestdale Grocery and Deli. Through the Brandon Police Explorers program she earned many volunteer hours raking leaves for people, doing dog washes, or just helping Officer Bandy at sporting events. She has also helped the Pittsford Fire Department by working at the Pittsford Haunted House in October of 2013 and 2014.
Sarah says she absolutely loves being outside. She enjoys playing tennis, watching movies, hiking, kayaking, fishing, bike riding, camping and swimming.
When asked for advice for other students, Sarah said, “My philosophy is to always believe in yourself, because you can do anything you set your mind and heart to.”
This fall, Sarah will attend Franklin Pierce University in New Hampshire to become a physical therapist. She hopes eventually to be able to rehabilitate wounded soldiers and to work with the Wounded Warriors Project. She says she would like to move somewhere warm and rural when she is older, perhaps Tennessee, and return to Vermont during the summers.
Officer Bandy says, “Sarah has a great work ethic and dedication to whatever it is she is doing.” Teacher Mr. Frohloff calls her “an excellent student who goes out of her way to make the class productive and is always willing to help out a struggling classmate.”
Sarah has been a vital part of the Otter Valley community and everyone here wishes her the best as she moves on from high school to the next phase of life.
 
MAUHS STUDENT OF THE WEEK
Mount Abraham Union High School proudly names Haley Boise as its student of the week. Haley lives in New Haven with her parents, Jason and Vicki Boise, and her twin sister, Alison.
Haley has been on the honor roll for all four years of high school and has achieved academic excellence in three of those years. In 2013 a sculpture that she made in a ceramics class was recognized at the fine arts festival by the Friends of the Middlebury College Museum of Art. Also, while taking two jewelry design classes that are offered at Mt. Abe, she has had quite a few pieces of jewelry be recognized.
In eighth grade Haley played softball. In grades 10 and 11 she was involved in creating the sets for the fall musicals.
Haley works at the Village Creeme Stand in Bristol. She also helps her grandmother out at the Clifford Farm in Starksboro, where she mostly takes care of the newborn calves. She is also a cadet at the Vergennes Police Department. The cadets have class every other Thursday night where they learn about the nuts and bolts of law enforcement. They also help out with events in Vergennes.
Outside of school Haley enjoys fishing, hunting, being on the farm, gaming and reading.
Haley says high school has taught her to problem solve, which is important because it “helps you get right back up when you have been knocked down and take the next step to getting back on track.” Her advice for other students is: “Make sure you have a good group of friends … you don’t want to get mixed up with the wrong crowd because that could mess up all of your future plans before you even start them.”
After high school Haley intends to study criminal justice at Castleton State College and then go to the Vermont Police Academy to become a Vermont state trooper.
Ann Pollender, the school health educator, calls Haley “very determined” and says, “While she is a direct, no-nonsense person, she is always friendly and willing to help anyone.”
The Mount Abe community wishes Haley the best as she heads off to college and pursues her career in law enforcement.
 
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