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 recognize Courtney Bushey as its Student of the Week. Courtney’s mother, Wanda Bushey, lives in Pittsford and her father, Thomas Bushey Jr., lives in Sudbury. Her sister, Brittany, is currently a junior at Endicott College.
Over the past four years of high school, Courtney has been on the Scholars Roll, being in the top 10 of her class. As a junior, she was inducted into the National Honor Society. Currently, she is enrolled in some of the most challenging classes Otter Valley has to offer, AP Literature and Calculus.
Courtney has been involved in field hockey, basketball and softball through all four years of high school.
Courtney participates in many volunteering activities to help her community, such as blood drives and food drives. In the summer, she will be working per diem at the Brandon Medical Center as a circulator and a front desk receptionist.
Outside of school, Courtney enjoys being active and hanging out with family and friends.
Her advice to other students is to continue to work hard and persevere even when things get tough. Things that challenge you make you stronger and smarter, she says.
After high school, Courtney will be attending Endicott College to major in Nursing.
Her teacher Ms. Cioffredi has been impressed with Courtney.
“As a member of both my Advanced Anatomy class and Sports Medicine class, Courtney stood out as one of the most capable, inquisitive and responsible students,” Ms. Cioffredi says. “Courtney strives to make her learning meaningful and relevant to her life, which is one of the reasons she developed an internship at a local clinic. She has made such a positive impression at the clinic that she has been offered a job there for the summer. I am particularly pleased to see that she wants to pursue a career in the medical field and am convinced that Courtney will excel as she continues her studies.
“She is an active, outgoing presence in class with a subtle sense of humor,” her teacher continued. “She is the perfect person to get a group project rolling, but she also knows how to sit back and let others take the lead. She is the type of driven, engaging and curious student that helped make our class a lively environment and a safe place to take intellectual risks.”
 
MAUHS STUDENT OF THE WEEK
Mount Abraham Union High School is pleased to announce Samuel Kuhns as its Student of the Week. Samuel lives in Monkton with his brother and parents, Buzz Kuhns and Carroll Maxwell. His older brother, Robin, is currently attending Clarkson University.
Samuel has made Honor Roll every semester of high school except second semester of tenth grade. Last year, he was inducted into NTHS (National Technical Honor Society) for his work in ART (Addison Repertory Theater). ART is a theater program at the Patricia A. Hannaford Career Center out of MUHS. He has spent half of every day at ART for the last year and a half, and has learned invaluable skills for the working world.
Samuel has been on the varsity track team since freshman year, where he focuses on pole vault. He has also played soccer since ninth grade, and just this year he was named bench captain of the Mount Abe varsity soccer team. He was honored by this gesture from his fellow team members and coach. A cappella singing with the group Sweet Transition has been one of Samuel’s favorite activities to participate in, and this year he was honored to be assigned the role of leading the group as their pitch. The spring and fall musicals are where Samuel has probably spent the most time as far as extracurricular activities go. He has been in every production that Mt. Abe has put on except for “Shrek,” the fall play of his sophomore year.
Over the past summer, Samuel worked full-time at The Last Resort, an organic berry, produce and hay farm in Monkton. He learned a lot and enjoyed the opportunity to make some money working outside. He also works at Hillsboro Sugarworks in Starksboro over February and April breaks, and has done so for the past four years.
Outside of school, Samuel is usually either hiking or playing his guitar. In the summer, he plays pickup ultimate frisbee and jams out with his friends when they are back from college.
Samuel says, “If you’re lucky you only have to be in high school for four years. This also means you only get four years to be in high school, and if that seems like forever just wait until you’re at the end of it looking back.” His advice is to have fun and don’t waste opportunities because you’re worried about what people will think or say. Chances are they have bigger fish they should be frying, so if they are judging you, they’re the ones wasting their time.
Samuel has been accepted into a university for theater, so it would appear as if he’s looking forward to some college!
Spring musical director Justin Bouvier states, “Sam has a God-given ability to bring others’ truths to life on stage. I hope I have taught Sam as much as he has taught me more in his five years of being in the spring musical. I wish him the best of luck in his future endeavors!”
 
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
United Way of Addison County
Vermont Book Shop