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 Will Ross as its Student of the Week. Will lives in Brandon with his parents, Doug and Liz Ross. His sister Ellie is a freshman at Otter Valley.
Will has been on the honor roll every semester in high school while taking advanced courses. He is currently enrolled in two AP classes, Literature and European History, and is scheduled to take AP Calculus next semester. Last spring, he was awarded the Saint Anselm book award for civic engagement.
 Will played football all throughout high school and was selected as three-time All State Offensive Team. This year he was awarded the team MVP for defense. He also played basketball his freshman and sophomore years, and lacrosse through his junior year. This spring, he plans to play golf. He also participated in the school band throughout freshman and sophomore years, and the Jazz band his freshman, sophomore and junior years.
Currently, Will works part-time as a snowboard instructor at Killington ski resort. Last summer, he worked in the kitchen of Camp Keewaydin, cooking delicious food for the campers. The summer before that Will worked at Aubuchon Hardware stocking shelves and working the register. And in the summer of 2014, he worked in the kitchen at Middlebury College washing dishes.
Outside of school, Will enjoys playing the guitar, snowboarding, watching movies and just hanging out with classmates.
Will has learned that to succeed in life effort is key. His personal philosophy is that life goes on. His advice to other students is to keep in mind that life moves pretty fast. If you don’t stop and look around once in awhile, you could miss it.
After high school Will plans to attend college. He’s been accepted to UVM and the University of New England, and is waiting to hear from a number of other schools. He loves the outdoors, and is interested in having a career in the field of outdoor adventure leadership.
Teacher Mrs. Cioffredi said, “Although Will does not bring attention to himself, he does not go unnoticed. He has a very relaxed manner but stands out as someone who truly is comfortable with who he is. I have immense respect for his intellectual abilities. He is inquisitive, observant and persistent in his approach to learning. I see Will as Renaissance man. He is multi-talented and eclectic.”
 
 
MAUHS STUDENT OF THE WEEK
Mount Abraham Union High School is pleased to announce Keion Correll as its Student of the Week. Keion lives in Bristol with his parents, Kathy and Charlie Correll. Keion’s younger brother, Kai, is a freshman at Mount Abe.
Keion has been on the honor roll every semester throughout high school including a few appearances on the “high” and “highest” honors lists. This past summer he attended Green Mountain Boys State, a mock-government, weeklong camp at Lyndon State College. He stayed in a dorm on campus and spent the week learning about the way government works and about elected political positions from town to state level. He participated as a member of the House of Representatives for the government they had developed for the state of Vermont. Overall, Keion said it was a great experience and he learned a lot about the structure and flow of government.
Keion has played baseball at Mount Abraham since seventh grade, and it’s his favorite sport. Every year he works his hardest to keep getting better. Last year the team made a “Cinderella Run” through the playoffs and worked their way to an 11-1 win in the Division II championship game against Lyndon. He also played soccer in eighth grade, and from grades 10-12. This spring he will be participating in the spring musical “Rent.”
Currently, Keion works at Maplefields in Bristol, and he also participated in the “Day of Caring” sponsored by the United Way. As a student at the Patricia Hannaford Career Center, his engineering/architecture class volunteered their time to paint a bathroom and construct a greenhouse for the Leicester Central School.
Keion values spending time with his friends, playing video games, going for hikes and, most of all, listening to music.
From his high school experience Keion has learned what he wants to do after he graduates. After graduation next June, Keion plans to attend college to study architecture or engineering. After that he hopes to live in Vermont and have a job related to his major.
He knew very early what he wanted to do and has stayed on that path. His advice to other students would be — don’t rush through it. High school goes by way too fast, so cherish the small things. Have fun in school while you can. Keion says he’s going to miss it a lot.
Art teacher Elise Cleary said, “Keion is an individual who shows a mature thoughtfulness in his approach to life; he is observant and curious and genuinely interested in learning. He exhibits a sensitivity and an empathy for others and makes people feel comfortable and at ease in his presence.”
School counselor April Wortmann said, “Keion is a charismatic young man. He has been super welcoming to me as a new member of Mt. Abe. In my short time I have witnessed him to be someone peers and adults enjoy to be around. He is dedicated to his work, his activities, and his community.”
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