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
We’re delighted to introduce you to Meigan Clark, a senior at Middlebury Union High School. Meigan resides in Middlebury with her parents, Gregor Clark and Gaen Murphree, and younger sister, Chloe, an eighth-grader at MUMS. Meigan has a variety of interests and talents, but says she especially enjoys singing, creative writing and reading. An avid reader, Meigan’s favorite author is Jane Austen, and she has a special fondness for “Pride and Prejudice,” which she says is one of her favorite books.
Meigan is a member of the MUHS choir and takes private voice lessons with Beth Thompson, an instructor at Middlebury College. Meigan has participated in District Music Festival, All State Music Festival and New England Music Festival choirs as a vocalist. At MUHS, she has been in many musical productions and is gearing up for the part of Ursula in “The Little Mermaid,” which will be staged in November. Other roles in MUHS musicals include Cinderella in “Into the Woods,” Vivian in “Legally Blonde,” and Cinderella in “Cinderella.”
Meigan also enjoys working with younger students on writing projects. She helps to co-lead the Creative Writing Club at MUMS, working closely with MUMS English teacher Eileen Sears. She participated her sophomore and junior years in the New England Young Writer’s Conference at Bread Loaf. Meigan is a former member of the Vermont Youth Orchestra where she played flute. For the past several years, she has studied flute with Vermont Symphony flautist Anne Janson.
Passionate about world languages, Meigan has studied French extensively. She is currently enrolled in a French Language and Culture class at Middlebury College and enjoys studying alongside college students while still enrolled in high school. She traveled to France this past summer and hopes to spend the year after high school working as an au pair in Cluny, which is about four hours from Paris. It will allow her to focus on her interest in the French language as well as to immerse herself in the culture.
Meigan is a peer leader at MUHS and is in the National Honor Society. She plans to volunteer at the Humane Society this year.
Meigan is looking ahead to college and she would one day like to be an English professor at a college or university. She is focusing her search on four year liberal arts colleges where she can pursue a broad range of courses, yet still focus on her favorite subjects in the area of English and French. We wish Meigan a wonderful senior year and a bright future!
 
VUHS STUDENT OF THE WEEK
Vergennes Union High School is pleased to recognize Shay Pouliot as its Student of the Week. Shay lives in Addison with her dad and mom, Gene and Joy Pouliot. Shay has a younger brother, Connor, who is an 8th grader at Vergennes Union Middle School.
Shay has been on the high honor roll every quarter during her academic career at VUHS. She was inducted into the National Honor Society as a junior. Last year she took AP Calculus and this year she is taking AP Biology. Shay completed the bronze level of the Duke of Edinburgh Award, which consisted of an adventurous journey of physical activity, community service and public speaking. Shay also attended the 2016 UVM Medquest program, where she was able to explore different healthcare careers.
Shay is very involved in the VUHS community. She has taken part in student council since her sophomore year. Last year she was the class treasurer and this year she was elected senior class president. Shay has also helped plan the prom, is a member of the math team, and has been a tutor for all four years of high school. Shay is also a member of the Commodores’ varsity soccer and basketball teams.
Outside of school Shay worked at the Basin Harbor Club as part of the recreation staff. She has volunteered at the Boys and Girls Club of Greater Vergennes, the VUHS Booster concession stand and has been a coach at soccer clinics for younger children. Shay enjoys hiking, camping and spending time with her grandmother.
Shay gives this advice to other VUHS students: “Determination is key. As long as you dedicate yourself to your studies, meaning making sacrifices, high school will be a breeze.”
Sarah Thompson, a science teacher at VUHS, sings Shay’s praises.
“Shay Pouliot is a remarkable young woman,” Thompson said. “She is able to create balance in her life while challenging herself in every given opportunity. I love working with Shay; she adds sparkle to my day through her kindness and genuine interest in learning.”
Following graduation from VUHS, Shay would like to go to UVM and, ultimately, become a pathologist.
The faculty, staff and students of VUHS wish Shay 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:
Addison Central Teens
Addison County Economic Development Corporation
Business Telephone Systems
Champlain Valley Plumbing and Heating
Jackman Fuels Inc.
JW DE Ryan
Martin’s Hardware
Strategies for College, Inc.
United Way of Addison County
Vermont Book Shop