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
Middlebury Union High School is pleased to announce Micah Rubin as its Student of the Week
A resident of Middlebury, Micah is the son of Ron Rubin and Lisa Young and a current senior at MUHS. When asked about his experiences over the last three-and-a-half years, Micah smiles and says, “It’s been truly valuable and rewarding.” He credits his music teacher, Mrs. Severy, as being a mentor and friend. Her inspiration has been a positive force throughout his time at the high school. Micah says he has always felt welcomed and a part of a close community of students and teachers at MUHS.
His favorite academic subjects have been in the areas of the arts and humanities. Reading is one of Micah’s passions, and he enjoyed “The Kite Runner,” “Into the Wild” and “The Life of Pi,” which were required texts in one of his English classes. He also loves going to the movies and favors dramas and independent films. He spends his spare time playing “as much music as I can!”
A talented musician, Micah plays both the drums and the piano and is a member of the MUHS Jazz Ensemble that recently won top honors at the Berklee High School Jazz Festival. Micah reports that experience was a pinnacle of his high school music career and to share it with his classmates and Mrs. Severy was a moment he will always remember. He is looking forward to traveling to New York City with his fellow Tigers to march in the St. Patrick’s Day Parade. Other events on his calendar include the Vergennes and Middlebury Memorial Day parades, where he will perform with his classmates just prior to graduation in June.
Micah thanks his school counselor, Ms. Stebe, for her helpful support and guidance during the past four years. Micah has been accepted to his first choice college, Berklee School of Music in Boston, where he will explore majors in music business, film scoring and electronic production. He plans to enroll in the fall of 2018 after taking a gap year. He will leave Middlebury after graduation in June and move to Connecticut to join friends, where he will focus fully on his music.
We know that a bright future awaits Micah as he moves on from MUHS and prepares for further studies in music at Berklee. His talents are well known here at the high school and his genuine warmth will be greatly missed. We hope to one day see him on the stage at the Grammy Awards! 
 
VUHS STUDENT OF THE WEEK
Vergennes Union High School is pleased to recognize Sophia Parker as its Student of the Week. Sophia lives in Panton. Her mom and dad are Julianna and Mac Parker.
Sophia was homeschooled until she entered VUHS in the ninth grade, and loved both of these experiences. Sophia was inducted into the National Honor Society as a Junior and is currently the president. She has challenged herself academically by taking AP Literature and Composition last year and AP Biology this year.
Sophia has excelled outside the classroom too. She won Miss Vermont’s Outstanding Teen in 2015, and has been the winner of many speech and writing competitions. She was a VUHS Green Mountain Girls State Delegate. Sophia is also part of the chorus and has been the chorus president this year. She has been a member of both the VUHS cross country and track and field teams. Sophia also participated in the Distinguished Young Women of Vermont in 2016.
Sophia’s main hobby is volunteer work, as well as wildlife rehabilitation. She is on the Vergennes Area Rescue Squad and is taking an EMT course. She also works at the Park Squeeze in Vergennes, and is a lifeguard at Button Bay State Park in the summer.
VUHS Art Teacher Carlie Guinane says this about Sophia, “Sophia Parker is an incredibly driven student. She works hard in all of her courses and works well with all of her teachers. She is an unfailingly kind person who goes out of her way to give compliments to others and help anyone who needs it. I am excited to see the adult she becomes, whoever she is will be someone who helps to change the world!”
Following graduation from VUHS, Sophia is headed to college to pursue a career as an emergency medicine physician. She has been accepted at UVM and that is high on her list of possibilities. The faculty, staff and students of VUHS wish Sophia 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
United Way of Addison County
Vermont Book Shop