Students of the Week – October 26, 2015

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 names Isabelle Kingsley of Pittsford as its Student of the Week. She is the daughter of Isabelle M. and Thomas R. Kingsley and older sister to siblings Thomas and Mary.
Isabelle is a member of the National Honor Society and is consistently named to the honor roll or scholars’ roll. By the time she graduates, she will have taken AP biology, AP literature, AP European history and AP calculus. She received academic excellence in Spanish in grade 10 and last year received the Otter Valley’s Teacher Association Citizenship Award and the Elmira College Key Award.
Isabelle is an three-season athlete at Otter Valley. She played on the varsity soccer team in grades 9-12, making captain her senior year; played basketball in grades 9-12; and played lacrosse all four years as well. Outside of school she played AAU basketball and is part of an indoor soccer league.
Isabelle was selected to be part of the Vermont Athletic Leadership Conference in grade 11. She was on the Prom Committee in grade 11, the Student Council in grades 9-12, on the Yearbook Committee in grade 9, and in the Environmental Club in grade 11. She also participated in Youth and Adults Transforming Schools in grade 10 and Shaping Our Future Together in grade 11.
During the summer Isabelle works as a lifeguard for the Pittsford Rec Department. She also teaches private swimming lessons. She is a member of the Otter Paws, a community group, and volunteers for various fundraiser.
Isabelle enjoys spending her summers with her family at their camp on Lake George.
She says what she has learned from high school is that hard work does pay off.
She plans to attend college on the East Coast and hopes to find a career that allows her to travel.
According to Communicating School Redesign teacher Mrs. Cioffredi, “Perseverance is one characteristic that continues to set Isabelle apart from her peers.” And Mr. Dwyer says, “Isabelle enjoys being part of a team and making a positive difference in the lives of others.”
Isabelle no doubt has a brilliant future ahead of her. We at Otter Valley congratulate her on all she has accomplished so far.
 
MAUHS STUDENT OF THE WEEK
Mount Abraham Union High School is proud to name Finnian Brokaw as its student of the week. Finn lives in Lincoln with her parents, Jen Canfield and Tim Brokaw, and her younger brother, Grady.
Finn has been on the honor roll every semester of high school. She has achieved academic excellence in math, biology, chemistry and AP biology. In grade 11 she took AP biology, AP European history and advanced environmental science, and is currently enrolled in AP English and AP art. She was elected co-vice president of the National Honor Society. She received the George Eastman Young Leaders Award from the University of Rochester last spring.
Finn has been in Mount Abraham’s fall and spring musicals since her freshman year, with lead roles in last year’s “High School Musical” and this fall’s “Seussical the Musical.” She has been a member of Mount Abraham’s a cappella groups since her sophomore year, and this year was named pitch of the group “Sweet Transition.” Finn has been playing soccer all throughout high school, and was a part of the varsity team that won the D2 State Championship in her junior year. As a sophomore she joined Mt. Abe’s Scholars Bowl team, which won the Small School State Championship last year.
Finn has been volunteering at Zeno Mountain Farm, a local nonprofit camp for people of diverse abilities, every summer since she was 14 years old.
After graduation she plans on taking a gap year to spend time at other Zeno camps around the country. Afterward she plans on attending a four-year college.
In her free time, Finn likes to be outdoors and go hiking or skiing.
She says of school, “Just like anything else in life, what you gain from high school is based on the effort you put into it.” Her advice for other students is “Don’t forget to eat a good breakfast in the morning.”
Music teacher Megan LaRose says, “Finnian has the ability to meld students and adults in different social circles together. … She also brings to Mount Abraham the compassion she has for humankind, evidenced in her ongoing work with Zeno Mountain Farm.”
Mount Abraham is proud to have Finn in its community, and everyone wishes her the best in her 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
Jackman’s Inc
JW DE Ryan
Martin’s Hardware
Paige and Campbell Insurance
United Way of Addison County
Vermont Army National Guard
Vermont Book Shop  

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