Students of the Week – October 10, 2016
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 is happy to announce Hannah Roberts as its Student of the Week. Hannah lives in Pittsford with her mom, Cindy Roberts, dad Patrick Roberts, and stepmom Kris Roberts.
Hannah has consistently made the scholar roll every year in high school. She has also taken advanced math and science classes since freshman year. Hannah has also received the following awards: Excellence in Global Studies, Excellence in Geometry, Excellence in Spanish 2 and Excellence in Writing Workshop. As a sophomore, Hannah received Excellence in Algebra II, Excellence in Advanced American History, Excellence in CP Chemistry and Excellence in Literature 10. As a junior, Hannah received Excellence in Advanced American Studies, Excellence in AP Chemistry, Honorable Mention in Trigonometry, the Woody Herman Jazz Award, Excellence in Physical Education, Excellence in Spanish 4, a Women in Science Award and a scholarship to Clarkson University. She also received awards for participating in the Green Mountain Music District Festival in 2014, 2015 and 2016, and awards for participating in the Allstate Music Festival in 2015 and 2016. Last year, Hannah was inducted into the National Honor Society. She is currently taking AP Literature, AP European History, AP Biology and AP Calculus.
Hannah has been an active member of the musical community at Otter Valley, participating in band, the Otter Valley Jazz Collective, and the pit orchestra for the annual musical every year since freshman year. She recently joined senior chorale. Hannah is also a member of student council, the community service group Otter Paws, and this year was elected secretary of her class of 2017. In June she coordinated her first blood drive at Otter Valley, collecting 25 pints of blood.
Hannah currently works as a busser at Sugar & Spice and also at Jones’s Bakery in Rutland. In the summer, she maintains people’s gardens as an additional summer job and also volunteers to teach / assistant teach classes at her martial arts school.
Hannah loves to play violin and has been playing for 12 years. She has been involved in Lakes Region Youth Orchestra for nine years. She has made the Green Mountain Music Festival string orchestra for the past six years and has made the Allstate Music Festival Orchestra for the past two years. Hannah also enjoys playing in quartet and chamber groups and loves to play at weddings. Besides music, Hannah has trained at Rising Sun Martial Arts in Pittsford for eight years. She earned her first degree black belt in August of 2015, and it was one of the most rewarding experiences of her life.
If there is one thing Hannah has learned from high school, it is that hard work definitely pays off. She has worked diligently in all of her classes since freshman year, and as a senior she feels like she has lots of options as to what she can do after high school. She feels confident that, with hard work, she can achieve anything she wants to, and nothing is more exciting than a world with no limitations.
After high school Hannah plans on going to a college or university, but has yet to decide which one. She is interested in studying biomedical engineering; however, she is keeping all her options open and using this year to explore different fields of study.
MAUHS STUDENT OF THE WEEK
Mount Abraham Union High School is happy to announce Katherine (Kat) Moody as its Student of the Week. Kat lives in Monkton with her parents, Amy and Jim Moody. Kat has two sisters, Izzy and Margaret. Margaret is her twin who is also a senior at Mount Abraham. Izzy is a sophomore at George Washington University.
Throughout her high school career, Kat has been on the highest honor roll. At the end of freshman year, she was accepted to Coastal Studies for Girls and attended the school in the fall of her 10th grade year, where she was one of 15 other girls who studied leadership and marine biology on the coast of Maine. The following year, Kat received the Bausch & Lomb Honorary Science Award. She is part of the National Honor Society.
Kat has been a member of the Garden Club, and became the manager after 10th grade. Kat was the Class Council secretary for 9th and 10th grade and the vice president for 11th and 12th grade. She is an active member of the Environmental Club and Mount Abe’s Peer Mentoring Program. Kat has also been a member of Poetry Out Loud. Kat has been on the field hockey team for all four years, and competing with the Nordic ski team since 10th grade. She has also played lacrosse for the Vergennes Girls’ Lacrosse Club.
Every summer, Kat works and also caters for her mom’s business. She has also taught piano lessons. Kat has also been a member of a community service group called the Monkton Maples.
Outside of school, Kat enjoys hiking year-round.
Kat’s advice to other students is to take advantage of the support that is given to you by the community of passionate teachers, coaches and community members.
After graduation, Kat and her sister Margaret plan to hike the Long Trail, and then attend college in the fall.
Ms. Moody’s teachers and coaches have offered their insights and observations of Kat.
Melanie Stultz-Backus said, “Kat Moody’s articulate, forthright manner holds in it the promise of her expressive, reflective outlook on the world. She is graceful, quick and capable; athleticism and intellectual intensity are unified in her. Her ability to focus acutely and to analyze exactingly is paired with her adept and sensitive reading of people.”
Samantha Kayhart stated, “Kat is a kind-hearted, poised young woman whose passion is to make the world a better place. She feeds others through her work in our school’s garden, she’s a leader in our school’s Environmental Action Group, and she supports and encourages others in the classroom.”
Coach Mary Stetson said, “Kat is willing to do whatever is needed so our team can be successful. She is a dedicated, hard working gal, who delivers 100% of the time.”
Ann Pollender said, “Kat is open minded, adventurous, smart, eager to try new things, friendly, gets along with everyone, optimistic, determined, fun to be around, happy happy!”
Environmental Club Advisor Caroline Patrie wrote, “Kat Moody is a gal that is well-rounded in every sense of the word. She is an athlete, scholar and involved in diverse co-curriculars. Currently she is one of the senior leaders of the Mount Abe Environmental Action Group, which is a student-led advocacy group that is committed to educating the Mount Abe community about environmental issues. As a 4-year member, her experience is key to helping this group achieve their goals. Her natural friendliness and compassion for the Earth comes through in every group gathering as he helps guide the group through their annual calendar of events. Her skills learned in EAG will carry her far in her future endeavors.”
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:
Addison County Economic Development Corporation
Barash Mediation
Business Telephone Systems
Cubbers
Champlain Valley Plumbing and Heating
Jackman Fuels Inc.
JW DE Ryan
Martin’s Hardware
Paige and Campbell Insurance
Peak View Eye Care
Strategies for College, Inc.
United Way of Addison County
Vermont Book Shop