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 fortunate to have Amalia Herren-Lage as a member of the senior class at Middlebury Union High School; she is this week’s Student of the Week. Her genuine interest in academics and love of learning is sincere and she says she likes all of her academic courses, but tends to favor English. She is the editor of Calliope, the school’s art and literary magazine, and enjoys working closely with Ms. Greene on the content. Ms. Greene has been impressed: “For the past two years, Amalia has been an editor of Calliope. She runs the meetings, designs the magazine, and organizes open-mic events. Her leadership has been instrumental in attracting many new members.”
Amalia is a resident of Shoreham and is the daughter of David Herren and the late Ana Martinez-Lage. She is bilingual and uses her Spanish with regularity — she recently traveled to Spain. She has also studied French. Amalia’s talents are varied and she enjoys her courses. Much to her surprise she especially enjoyed the concrete aspects of the Calculus class she took her junior year. She hopes to enroll in a class at Middlebury College during the spring semester.
Amalia is a member of SCOHR, the Student Coalition on Human Rights, and tutors students in mathematics, chemistry and Spanish.
A student in the AP Environmental Science class at MUHS, Amalia and her classmates recently took to trip to the White Mountains of New Hampshire to do water quality testing. They studied the water at Lonesome Lake at 2,700 feet to that of Profile Lake at a lower altitude. She enjoyed the comparisons and doing the hands-on study out in the field, not to mention staying at the Franconia Ridge in the White Mountain Huts.
As she looks ahead to higher education, Amalia is focusing her search on smaller four-year liberal arts colleges where she can pursue an array of academic subjects. Amalia’s future looks bright and she is happily enjoying her senior year at MUHS and is very excited about attending college next year! 
 
VUHS STUDENT OF THE WEEK
Vergennes Union High School is pleased to recognize Sadie Kass as its Student of the Week. Sadie lives in Panton with her mom, Susan Kass, and dad, Alexander Smith. Sadie has a brother, Silas Smith, who is currently taking classes at CCV.
Sadie has been on high honor roll almost every quarter of high school. Sadie was accepted into the National Honor Society in her junior year. Last year she successfully completed AP Calculus and AP Literature and Composition. Sadie is currently taking AP Biology. She has received various underclassman awards for achievement in literature, mathematics and science throughout her high school career. Sadie received the Williams Book Award as a junior year. This year Sadie received the Green and Gold Merit Scholarship to UVM.
Sadie is also very involved in the school community. Currently, she is the stage manager of the school musical. Sadie started in the prop and set crew during middle school and became assistant stage manager her sophomore year. Sadie plays flute in the concert band and is a part of the pep band. Sadie is also involved in our athletic program. She runs varsity cross country and is part of the varsity indoor and outdoor track teams. This year Sadie is the co-captain of the cross country team. Sadie is also a member of the math team. Outside of VUHS Sadie has been a member of the Vergennes swim team since she was in the 4th grade.
Sadie gives this advice to other VUHS students, “If you want to learn, and try to learn, then you can get a lot out of high school. Try everything and find out what you really enjoy. Be curious and see where it takes you.” Christine Clark, a science teacher at VUHS says this about Sadie, “Sadie is an awesome student to work with. She is passionate about learning science and is always willing to take on a new challenge. She excels at presenting her best efforts in every endeavor. Sadie challenges me to be the best teacher I can be and it is rewarding and fun to be a part of her learning experiences. Congratulations, Sadie!”
Following graduation from VUHS, Sadie wants to attend a four-year university and major in math, science or engineering. The faculty, staff and students of VUHS wish Sadie 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