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
Ally Larocque of Salisbury, daughter of Linda and Andre Larocque, is a senior at Middlebury Union High School and is looking forward to graduation in June. She describes her four years at MUHS as “fulfilling and rewarding.” She has thoroughly enjoyed her coursework and involvement in the athletic program. Ally serves as the captain of the basketball and softball teams and was proud when the Tigers went to the state semifinals in softball her junior year.
Outside of school, Ally is an active member of her church, Victory Baptist, and has gone on two mission trips, one to the Dominican Republic and another to Paraguay. She will travel to Romania in July for her third missionary trip. Ally says the trips have been inspiring and have allowed her to do a variety of projects that have brought her tremendous satisfaction. Locally, Ally has volunteered at Homeward Bound and mentored children through the “Little Tigers” basketball program. She spent last summer working with Sportacular, a division of Middlebury’s Recreation Center, as a counselor.
As a student at MUHS, Ally is a member of the National Honor Society and is one of four student Peer Leader Coordinators. She works closely with Brooke Jette in welcoming new students to the high school. She has served on the prom committee and tutors students in the Learning Center in math and science, her two favorite subjects. In addition, Ally has held part-time positions at Olympia Sports and Countryside Carpet and Paint.
Ally interned with the high school’s athletic trainer, which served as a valuable introduction to the medical field. She plans on majoring in nursing in college and has already been admitted to the University of Vermont’s nursing program. Ally is waiting to hear from other colleges before finalizing her decision as to where she will enroll in the fall of 2017. Her hope is to one day participate in the Peace Corps and then go on to serve in a program like Doctors Without Borders. We will miss Ally when she graduates but know she has a bright future ahead of her in the medical field!
 
VUHS STUDENT OF THE WEEK
Vergennes Union High School is pleased to recognize Alexandria Brace as its Student of the Week. Lexi lives in Ferrisburgh with her dad and mom, Scott and Lisa Brace. Lexi has a sister, Kaitlyn, who is a junior at VUHS and a brother, Eli, who is a sixth-grade student at Ferrisburgh Central School.
Lexi has made honor roll multiple times throughout high school and was inducted into the National Honor Society this year. In 11th grade she earned the Outstanding Achievement in Art Award and in ninth grade she earned the ninth-grade Artistic Skill Award. Lexi is currently enrolled in AP Language and Composition and AP Biology.
Lexi has played soccer throughout high school. She was on the junior varsity team her freshman and sophomore years and varsity part of her sophomore year until this year. She played lacrosse her freshman through junior years. Lexi has also been on Student Council since her sophomore year.
Outside of school Lexi has worked at the Ferrisburgh Bake Shop and Deli for almost two years. She is also a part-time nanny this year for two girls in Vergennes every Monday and Thursday. She has helped the soccer team by participating in youth soccer clinics and volunteering at the Vergennes Day 5K/10K run. Lexi has also has been on the Vergennes Area Rescue Squad for two months.
Lexi says this about her high school career, “If I were to give advice to other students I would tell them not to hold back, get involved if you want to make a change, stand up for what you believe because you will never see the change you want unless you try. Make the most out of your high school experience and don’t let anybody hold you back.”
Karl Steen, an English teacher at VUHS, has some positive observations about Lexi.
“Alexandria Brace engages with her education purposefully and meaningfully; she has a clear vision of her future and has taken full responsibility for the challenging course load and extracurricular participation needed to get to there,” he said. “Alexandria Brace is deserving of student of the week as one our most accomplished, motivated and dedicated students.”
Following graduation from VUHS, Lexi plans to attend Franklin Pierce University and double major in biology and secondary education.
The faculty, staff and students of VUHS wish Lexi 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