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 pleased to announce Charlotte Winslow as its Student of the Week. Charlotte lives in Pittsford with her parents, Andrea and Mark Winslow. Charlotte has three older brothers: Jim is a senior at the University of Maine-Orono, Michael is a junior at SUNY Cobleskill, and John is a sophomore at the University of Connecticut.
For the past four years, Charlotte has been a member of the Otter Valley Schools and Society class, helping to make improvements to the school and promoting student engagement in school matters. Charlotte was instrumental in the implementation of the high school advisory/callback program currently in place at Otter Valley. She has also been a student representative on the Otter Valley Unified Union School Board during her junior year and senior year. Charlotte is currently interning at Lothrop Elementary School in the guidance department. The summer before senior year, Charlotte attended the American Legion Auxiliary Green Mountain Girls State, and during that week she was a member of the state Senate. She is currently taking AP Literature and Advanced Behavioral Science. Charlotte has consistently been on the Honor Roll and Principal’s List throughout her high school years and has received two citizenship awards. She was also a student mentor/tutor through Otter Valley’s student tutoring program.
Charlotte played softball her sophomore, junior and senior years, and has been a member of the rock climbing team for her junior and senior years.
Charlotte currently works at Jones Bakery, and as a hostess and a busser at Sugar and Spice Restaurant. She occasionally babysits for several different families and also helps out on her family’s pumpkin and Christmas tree farm.
Outside of school, Charlotte enjoys exploring the outdoors and likes to find hidden pools around Vermont. to go swimming and cliff jumping. She likes to go to Maine with her family, and spend many hours searching for sea glass on the ocean shore, which she uses to make handmade jewelry.
The biggest thing Charlotte has learned in high school is how important it is to stay true to who you are and do what you really like and what you believe in. It’s easy to follow a crowd, or do what everyone else is doing, but it is much more rewarding to follow your heart and carve your own road.
After high school, Charlotte plans to attend Lyndon State College to study psychology and human services.
“Charlotte is not only a proven leader at the local school board level but is a proven leader throughout the school and with her peers,” Principal Jim Avery says. “She has been involved with our student voice group, Youth and Adults Transforming Schools Together (YATST) since her freshman year. Her work was instrumental in the development and implementation of our high school advisories, which has had a significant positive impact on the climate and culture of our school.”
Teachers Charles Hall and Frannie Willard also make positive observations about this student of the week.
“Charlotte is the embodiment of student leadership and student voice,” Hall says. “Her advocacy for building a stronger community here at Otter Valley is inspiring to everyone, myself included. Charlotte has a strong sense for what is right and she works tirelessly to make positive changes in the world.”
“Charlotte is a highly independent young woman who often mentors our younger students,” Willard says. “She is loyal, responsible and generous. She loves and supports the Otter Valley community wholeheartedly.”
 
MAUHS STUDENT OF THE WEEK
Mount Abraham Union High School is pleased to announce George Bailey as its Student of the Week.
George lives in Hinesburg and Monkton with his parents Stacy Putnam and George Bailey. He has two younger sisters, one in the eighth grade and one in kindergarten.
George has made the honor role every year of high school, and tries his best at everything he does, whether in academics or in his extracurricular activities. George is currently enrolled in AP calculus, which he said he gets great pleasure from, because of his love of math.
In seventh and eighth grade, George played football, but realized it wasn’t for him. Now he only plays baseball. He played on Mount Abe’s JV team during his freshman year, on the JV and varsity teams his sophomore year, and on the Eagle varsity squad during his junior year. Last year, George was elected as a captain of the varsity baseball team, and he hopes to continue on the team next spring, helping lead the Eagles to a potential championship!
In addition to his love for playing baseball, George also enjoys scuba diving, hunting, fishing, boating and skiing. Nothing makes George happier than landing a big fish while he is out on the boat.
Outside of school, George has helped out at the Salvation Army soup kitchen, and has also worked construction. He is amazed at the skills he has learned from working in a trade throughout the summer.
Throughout high school, George has learned to just be himself. If he were to give advice to other students it would be to just be yourself and enjoy life.
After graduation from Mount Abe next June, George plans to attend college, but he hasn’t decided what he will major in.
Teacher Justin Bouvier has many positive things to say about Mount Abe’s student of the week.
“George is a great kid who always puts in his best effort, whether on the field or in the classroom,” Bouvier says. “Mount Abraham Union High School wishes him the best of luck 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 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