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
It is with pride that Middlebury Union High School recognizes MaKayla Foster as its Student of the Week. MaKayla lives in Middlebury with her parents, Tricia and Jim Foster Jr. Her brother and sister, Caleb and Jocelyn, attend St. Mary’s School.
MaKayla is our Student Senate president. Having been a Senate member since 10th grade, and secretary last year, MaKayla was well prepared for the role. She is also a peer leader and was elected by that group to be one of its coordinators.
MaKayla has earned High Honors or Honors throughout high school, and she was elected to the National Honor Society. She is currently enrolled in AP English, and took AP Statistics and U.S. History in 11th grade.
For her achievement in three sports during ninth grade, MaKayla received an American Legion Award. She has maintained that success with field hockey, a team she tri-captained this fall, and with varsity softball. MaKayla also plays summer and winter softball with the Vermont Cougars.
Out of school, MaKayla has been an active member of the Cornwall Musketeers 4H, and she is the teen representative for the Addison County 4H Foundation.
Busy as she is, MaKayla has something else she does that represents a great source of pride and commitment: Operation Christmas Child. She has been involved with the program for “seven years and counting.” MaKayla coordinated community packing parties the past two years that resulted in 350 donated boxes. She has tracked some of the boxes to Brazil, Ecuador, Ukraine and Zimbabwe, and hopes someday to travel with OCC and meet some of the children who receive the gift boxes.
MaKayla plans to attend college and pursue a degree in elementary education, with possibly a double major in business or a minor in Spanish. MaKayla’s future students are lucky; the ideals of service and of success through hard work that she embodies may be her greatest gift to them.
We wish you the very best, Ms. President. Take your warm, wonderful smile out to the world!
 
VUHS STUDENT OF THE WEEK
Vergennes Union High School is pleased to recognize Hailey Virginia Cray as its Student of the Week. Hailey lives in Ferrisburgh with her parents, William and Dana Cray. Her sister, Ashley, is a freshman at VUHS.
Hailey has taken many Advanced Placement classes in high school. She has achieved honors and high honors since seventh grade. She is a member of National Honor Society and was invited to attend the Congress of Future Physicians and Medical Scientists in 2014 in Washington, D.C. Hailey was also accepted to MedQuest 2015, a week-long summer residential program at the UVM Medical School. Over the years, Hailey has earned numerous awards for academic achievement as well as a fitness award.
Hailey has been a member of the symphonic band since seventh grade, and was a high school assistant in the middle school Jazz Jammers band as a junior. She was in the pit orchestra for “The Little Mermaid” in 2014 and was accepted to the Castleton Honors Band in 2014. Hailey was class president as a sophomore.
Outside of school, Hailey has worked for two years at Green Mountain Pet and Tack Supply. She is also a mother’s assistant. She volunteers as a physics and chemistry tutor, as an organizational mentor to fellow students, and at the Vergennes Residential Nursing Home. Hailey has also worked with the Ferrisburgh Children’s Theater as an assistant stage manager. She enjoys riding and training her horse. She has been doing ballet and modern dance with Patty Smith since she was four.
Hailey says, “From my high school experience, I have learned that the most important thing to do is to ask questions. My advice to other students is to recognize the value in education and to never take it for granted.”
Chris Clark, a science teacher at VUHS, says, “Hailey is a driven, diligent, meticulous student who is always challenging herself.”
After graduation, Hailey plans to attend college, pursuing a major in chemistry and a minor in biology with a pre-medicine track, then attend medical school. The faculty, staff and students of VUHS wish Hailey 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
United Way of Addison County
Vermont Army National Guard
Vermont Book Shop