Students of the Week – November 28, 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.
MUHS STUDENT OF THE WEEK
We are pleased to introduce you to Spencer Carpenter, a senior at Middlebury Union High School, this week’s student of the week. Spencer is the son of Brian and Nanette Carpenter of Middlebury. Spencer’s positive attitude has earned him the respect of his fellow students and teachers in the MUHS community.
He is serving as a peer leader this year and his warm smile has been a welcome support to the new ninth- graders. Spencer says it feels like “just yesterday” that he was a ninth-grader and he is glad to now have the opportunity to introduce MUHS to the entering freshmen. He enjoys interacting with other students from across the grades and being involved in athletics.
An active student, Spencer says his interest in the sciences developed primarily because of his mother’s work as a nurse. He considers himself a “hands on” type of student and likes project-based learning such as a recent field trip with his AP Environmental Science class. Mr. Gay took Spencer and his classmates to the Burlington waterfront where they boarded the Melosira, UVM’s research vessel, and took water samples of Lake Champlain. They also traveled to New Hampshire and studied the lakes of the White Mountains at both high and low elevations. Spencer is also enrolled in AP biology, economics and fundamentals of engineering this semester.
Spencer was a valued member of the MUHS varsity football team and served as both linebacker and fullback. He says he has tremendous respect for Coach Dennis Smith and the sense of camaraderie and togetherness the team has created. Spencer’s spring sport is lacrosse and he takes pride in wearing his championship jacket, which he acquired his sophomore year. He knows he will miss being a part of Tiger athletics as he moves on to college in the fall of 2017.
After graduation, Spencer plans to study science at a small, four-year liberal arts institution in the Northeast. He wants to continue doing research and be actively involved in both athletics and extra-curricular activities. We wish Spencer well with the rest of his senior year and know that he will make a positive impression at whatever college he opts to attend. He has been a wonderful part of the MUHS community.
VUHS STUDENT OF THE WEEK
Vergennes Union High School is pleased to recognize Devon Kimball as its Student of the Week. Devon lives in New Haven with his dad, Michael Kimball. Devon’s mom, Jessica Kimball, lives in Vergennes. Devon has three siblings: Casey, a junior at VUHS; Jordan, an eighth-grader at Vergennes Union Middle School; and Tyler, a fifth-grader at Vergennes Union Elementary School.
Devon has earned honors throughout most of high school. Last year he was in the culinary program at the Patricia A. Hannaford Career Center. Devon received recognition for outstanding students of the quarter and earned high honors in this program. Devon was also chosen to represent Vergennes at Boys’ State last summer.
For all four years of high school Devon has been an active member of our athletic programs, playing football, basketball and baseball. This year he was selected to play in the North South All Star Football game.
Outside of school Devon has worked at Basin Harbor Club as a recreation counselor. He describes it as a “dream job” because he gets “to spend his days with kids having fun.” Devon is an avid deer hunter. He also plays on the Addison County American Legion baseball team during the summer. He also enjoys going out on the lake with friends and playing a game of golf every once in awhile.
Devon gives this advice to high school students, “Make the best out of your four years in high school. Honestly, it flies by, and when your senior year comes around and all the ‘lasts’ start you don’t want to be second guessing yourself, because you can’t relive it.”
Art teacher and morning meeting mentor Carlie Guinane has very nice things says about Devon.
“Devon Kimball is a wonderful member of my morning meeting,” Guinane said. “Last year when I was a beginner teacher, he was always helpful and patient toward my lack of knowledge. He accepts academic challenges and pushes through them until he is successful.”
Following graduation from VUHS next June, Devon plans on attending a four-year college somewhere in New England and hopes to major in business or athletic management.
The faculty, staff and students of VUHS wish Devon 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 certi?cate 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