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 Alyssa Crogan as its Student of the Week. Alyssa is the daughter of Brian and Mary Crogan, and her brother, Duncan, is a sophomore at MUHS. The family lives in Weybridge.
Alyssa has earned High Honor status for every semester of high school, and she received a Presidential Award for her work in 2014. Last spring brought Alyssa a bouquet of recognition: selection for the New England Young Writers’ Conference, election to the National Honor Society and receipt of the Wellesley Book Award.
Alyssa took AP Calculus and French in 11th grade, and she is currently enrolled in AP English, Statistics and World History. Active with a number of clubs throughout high school, Alyssa has chosen to focus on Calliope, our literary magazine, and on the Student Coalition on Human Rights (SCOHR) for her senior year. Alyssa is also a Peer Leader and serves as an assistant in the Alternative Ed Program.
Alyssa is active out of school with Girl Scouts, and in summer she volunteers as a counselor at their Green Mountain Day Camp. She also participated in the SCOHR service trip to Nicaragua last year. When time allows, Alyssa enjoys writing, babysitting, watching Netflix and spending time with friends.
On weekends, Alyssa can be found working at Green Peppers Restaurant. She claims to “live and breathe pizza.” We’re not certain what that actually entails, but it sounds like something Alyssa really “kneads” to do. And since each MUHS Student of the Week gets a complimentary Green Peppers pizza, Alyssa can custom make her own!
Alyssa hopes to earn a master’s degree and become a licensed occupational therapist. She would like to work with elementary age children. Lucky they’ll be, and fortunate we are for having you with us, Alyssa. We wish you the very best!
 
VUHS STUDENT OF THE WEEK
Vergennes Union High School is pleased to recognize Aaron Gaines as its Student of the Week. Aaron lives in Vergennes with his dad and mom, Scott and Macky Gaines. His older sister, Alex, is pursuing a graduate degree at NYU.
Aaron has made honor roll every semester of high school. Junior year he took AP U.S. History, Statistics and Humanities. He is currently enrolled in anatomy and physiology, and personal finance. Aaron has been vice president of his class for all four years. He has represented our school at Boys’ State and has earned the Rotary Youth Leadership Award.
Aaron has played soccer throughout high school, making varsity as a sophomore. He was named captain his senior year. Aaron has also been a member of the basketball team. This year he will be a manager or side coach for the team, due to needing time to recover from knee surgery. Outside of school he has worked at Mister Ups in Middlebury during the summer as a busser and dishwasher. Also, Aaron is active with his church’s youth group.
About his high school experience, Aaron says, “(Personal Finance is) a very time consuming and stressful class but it really has shown me what will happen in my life as I transition from being a student to an adult. Calculating my taxes, creating a budget, and knowing that my college debt will be with me has really made me think hard about where I want to go to school.”
Mark Powers, a science teacher at VUHS, said, “Aaron Gaines is a student who exemplifies the word perseverance. … On top of that, he is one of the most pleasant and mature students a teacher could hope to have.”
Following graduation, Aaron plans to go to UVM and possibly pursue a career in dentistry. The faculty, staff and students of VUHS wish Aaron 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