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 Tiger pride that Middlebury Union High School recognizes Nicholas “Nick” Holmes as its Student of the Week. Nick is the son of Breena and Lewis Holmes of Middlebury. His brother, Sam, attends Bates College; sister Jane is in 10th grade at MUHS.
Inducted into National Honor Society last spring, Nick has taken AP English, Environmental Science, Statistics and Spanish. He has been a teaching assistant in Spanish for the past two years. Nick is also a Peer Leader, and he works on the school newspaper.
It truly would be an understatement simply to say that Nick is involved in athletics at MUHS. He has played soccer, basketball and tennis during each of his four years here. And while there certainly have been awards along the way, what Nick has meant to his teams and mates is best summed up by the word “Captain.” Nick was chosen such for each of the three sports this year.
Outside of school, Nick has been very active with the Middlebury Congregational Church Youth Service Group since 2010. Besides helping with community dinners, and with food and clothing drives, he has made service trips to do Hurricane Sandy cleanup, and to help with projects at a Boston homeless shelter and in the Lakota Nation. In the summer of 2014, Nick did a combined Spanish immersion and volunteer trip to Nicaragua.
A sense of humor is important to Nick, and he views kindness as the greatest of qualities. By joining his brother in college at Bates next year, he will be doing his folks, the family car and the environment a great kindness — at least come Parents’ Weekend and vacation times!
Nick, you’ve been a looming presence in so many positive ways throughout high school. Middlebury’s loss indeed — and deed — no doubt will be Bates’ gain. We salute you, Captain, and wish you the very best.
VUHS STUDENT OF THE WEEK
Vergennes Union High School is pleased to recognize Josh Sickles as its Student of the Week. Josh lives in Addison with his parents, Mark and Christine Sickles. His brother, Steven, is an HVAC service technician.
Josh made honor roll his entire high school career, except for one quarter. He was awarded the social studies Five Guidelines award his sophomore year and the math Five Guidelines award during his junior year.
Josh is a very active member of our school community. He has been one of our student representatives on the VUHS school board since his junior year. He was also selected to participate in the Green Mountain Boys’ State. Josh is also part of our student council. He played on the JV basketball team and is currently part of the varsity baseball team. He has been captain of this team since his junior year. Outside of school Josh has worked at the D.A.R. State Park and at Shaw’s Supermarket. He has also volunteered at the Green Mountain Fish and Wildlife Conservation Camp.
Josh says this about his high school career: “Education starts with yourself. If you don’t want to learn then you won’t. It’s that simple. I learned early on that I wanted to be successful so I put my head down and worked hard. Now I am going to college with hope of becoming something bigger than myself.”
Chris Clark, a science teacher at VUHS, said, “Josh is an intrinsically motivated, conscientious student who brings enthusiasm and humor to the classroom. His kind and patient leadership skills are admirable. He has been focused and driven toward accomplishing his goals and I am confident that he will continue be very successful in the future.”
Following graduation from VUHS, Josh will attend Castleton University. He has received a full four-year National Guard ROTC scholarship. The faculty, staff and students of VUHS wish Josh 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