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 Angelo McCullough as its Student of the Week. Angelo lives in Pittsford with his parents, Emily and Chris McCullough, and his brothers, Dominic and Marcus. Dominic, his twin, is a senior at Otter Valley and Marcus is a sophomore.
Angelo got accepted into the National Honor Society as a junior and has been near the top of his class. He has made honor roll every year since ninth grade. He strives to push himself and is taking four AP courses as a senior, including AP Biology, AP Literature, AP European History and AP Calculus. He took AP Chemistry as a junior and has taken the toughest courses at Otter Valley, including pre-calculus. As a junior Angelo was awarded two scholarships, the Elmira Key Award and the Bausch & Lomb Honorary Science Award, and has also received the Otter Valley Teachers Association Award.
Angelo participated in baseball in grades 10-12. He has also performed in the Otter Valley Jazz band, pep band and concert band throughout high school, playing the alto saxophone. Angelo is president of his class and vice president of Student Council.
Angelo participates in every school event and puts his time in attending Otter Paws meetings and events when he can.
Over the summer of 2015, Angelo worked at his dentist’s office, Dr. D’Auria at Center For Dental Health in Rutland, observing what he does. He said it was an experience of a lifetime!
Outside of school, Angelo loves to ski at Pico and hang out with his friends.
Angelo’s advice to other students is to always strive to do your best and push yourself to do even better. Also, don’t get discouraged with little things because it’s not about the grades, it’s about learning and getting the knowledge to succeed with whatever you want to do in your future.
After high school, Angelo plans to attend a college or university to earn a bachelor’s degree in biology or in the medical sciences. Then he hopes to go to dental school and become either an orthodontist or an oral surgeon. It is his dream!
“As co-president of the junior class Angelo was responsible for the fundraising and all aspects of a very successful junior prom,” Teacher Mr. Cioffredi said. “He is now the senior class president.”
“Angelo is a highly intelligent, perceptive young man,” Teacher Mr. Gerrior said. “Angelo has grown in learning, in character and in depth of understanding. Because of his positive disposition, his reflective way of operating, and all of the character traits that make him so special, Angelo’s questions never go unanswered, and his searches always bring him to exciting new discoveries. Always, in his work, Angelo is consistent, dedicated and enthusiastic, cheerful, and a pleasure to work with. He has incredible creative energies and a refreshing idealism tempered only enough to accomplish what needs to be done.”
 
MAUHS STUDENT OF THE WEEK
Mount Abraham Union High School is happy to announce Celia Heath as its Student of the Week. Celia lives in Bristol with her parents, Kate and Darrin Heath. Celia has three younger sisters, Olivia (15), Katie Ray (13) and Sarah Lu (10).
Celia has been on either the honor roll or high honor roll for all semesters of her high school years. She also took AP U.S. History her junior year and is currently taking AP Biology. She is in her fourth year of Spanish, and is taking a college level course called Medical Terminology online through CCV. This past summer she was chosen to represent Mount Abraham at The American Legion Auxiliary Green Mountain Girls State Program that took place at Vermont Tech in Randolph. She said it was a wonderful experience, and a great way to learn about both her local and state governments.
Celia has been involved in field hockey for grades 9-12, lacrosse for grades 9-10 and 4-H from grade 7-10.
Beginning last fall until this past spring Celia worked at the Expanded Learning Program at Robinson Elementary School. While working there, she spent a lot of time with the kids teaching them in their different workshops or helping them with their homework. She also taught her own theater workshop for six weeks.
Celia is a certified Red Cross Lifeguard, and she teaches swimming lessons at the Mount Abraham pool throughout the summer. She taught swimming lessons for two summers in a row, and has been a lifeguard for the past three years. Celia loves teaching swimming because swimming is such a valuable life skill to have.
Celia has volunteered at the Mount Abraham Field Hockey Camp every summer since ninth grade. Celia likes coaching field hockey because it is a sport that she is really passionate about.
Outside of school, Celia enjoys off-season field hockey leagues (winter and spring); riding her horses; being outside; swimming; and hanging out with her sisters and friends.
One thing that Celia has learned throughout her years at Mount Abraham is that high school is ultimately what you make of it. If you choose to hate school, and not do any of your work, you will not be successful and will end up hating school. If you get your work done, and are nice to the people around you, you will succeed. You just have to believe in your abilities and can never be afraid to ask for help.
Celia plans on attending college next fall, somewhere in the New England area. She hope to study physicians assistance.
“She personifies the term ‘still waters run deep,’” Teacher Lisa Grzyb said of Celia. “She’s insightful, responsible and empathetic.”
Teacher Colleen Kiley said, “Celia Heath is the most caring and generous student I’ve ever had in advisory.”
 
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