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 Meghan “Meg” Hallett as its Student of the Week. Meghan lives in Brandon with her parents, Tammy and Russ Hallett. Her brother, Ryan, graduated from OVUHS in 2014 and works at Interstate Battery in Rutland.
Meghan has received the following academic awards: Outstanding in Global Studies, Excellence in 21st Century and Outstanding in Physical Education (all in ninth grade); and Improvement in Geometry (10th grade). She is a member of the 2016-2017 National Honor Society (11th grade) and an Honor Roll/Principal’s List academic student. Meghan takes Advanced Placement Literature and is enrolled at Community College of Vermont. She will soon start a dual enrollment class called Anatomy and Physiology I.
Meghan has been a member of the OVUHS Varsity Field Hockey team since ninth grade. In 2015, the team won the State Championship and in 2016 they made it to semifinals. In her freshman and sophomore years, she also participated softball and was a part of the 2015 State Championship Softball team. Meghan also played basketball in grades 9-11.
Meghan has been working at Cafe Provence in Brandon since February 2016 where she buses tables, hosts and helps ensure the enjoyment of the customers. She interned at the Brandon Medical Center last fall, observing medical administration, and is now interning at a dental office in Middlebury. Meghan has also volunteered at church dinners, blood drives and participated in Otter Paws, as well as volunteered at Youth Field Hockey clinics. All of these experiences have helped Meghan become the person she is today. She enjoys working and helping the people in her community.
After school, Meghan also enjoys spending quality time with friends, family and her boyfriend, Sawyer.
Throughout high school, Meghan has learned to not let time pass her by. Her personal philosophy is to live in the moment and to appreciate those who support you. Her advice to other students: Don’t take what you have for granted and enjoy the short time that you have with your friends and teachers at Otter Valley because it will all be over with before you know it.
After high school, Meghan plans to enroll in the Vermont Tech Dental Hygiene Program in Williston.
“I have been impressed with Meghan as a mature student,” teacher Michelle Cioffredi says. “She seems equally comfortable speaking with adults as she is with her peers … Meghan strives to make her learning meaningful and relevant to her life.”
Teacher Larry Gerrior says, “Meghan’s maturity and academic success provide the perfect ingredients of a student representative of Otter Valley. Meghan is an intelligent, capable, and personable young woman. She is always quick on her feet, with sensible reactions in all the circumstances I’ve seen her in.”
 
MAUHS STUDENT OF THE WEEK
Mount Abraham Union High School is pleased to announce Adam Whitcomb as its Student of the Week. Adam lives in Starksboro with his parents, Amie and David Whitcomb. His younger siblings are Nolan Whitcomb (ninth grade), Ryan Whitcomb (eighth grade), Hannah Whitcomb (seventh grade) and Violet Whitcomb (kindergarten). His nickname is “Farmer,” which was given to him by the baseball team in sophomore year.
Adam has received academic excellence every year of high school and has always made the honor roll. He participates in FFA through the Hannaford Career Center and has won multiple awards including the Vermont Land Trust Stewards Awards and first place at the State Convention for Forestry, which sent him to the National Convention in Indianapolis, Indiana last October, where he placed 37 out of 200 and won a gold placement. His team of four including Jake and Nick Lafleche and Ryan Lee placed 24 out of 50 and won a silver placement. He also recently won first place at the Vermont Farm Show on in February for Winter Forestry.
Adam has played baseball from grades 7-12 and pitched the 2016 championship game and won. He has also participated in FFA in grades 11-12.
For the past three summers, Adam has worked for Jason Barnard as a junior survey technician learning about waste water systems and land surveying. In the winter and early spring he spends his time working in his family’s sugarwoods. At the end of July, he volunteers at the Three Day Stampede toward the cure for cystic fibrosis.
Outside of school, Adam enjoys hunting, fishing and maple sugaring.
From his high school experience, Adam has learned how important it is to enjoy your time in high school and to not let life pass by too quickly.
After graduation, Adam plans to attend college at either Montana State University or the University of Maine and get his bachelor of science degree in civil engineering.
Technology education teacher Matt Brown says, “Adam is always very polite, helpful and attentive. He pushes himself to do the best he can and does not settle for good enough. It is a pleasure to have him in class.”
School counselor April Wortmann says, “Adam Whitcomb is a responsible and respectful young man. As being a new school counselor to Mt. Abe, Adam has been extremely welcoming to me. He is a motivated and thoughtful you man who has a bright future ahead of him.”
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