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 Molly McGee as its Student of the Week. Molly lives in Florence with her parents, Mark and Kim McGee.
Molly has been an honor roll student throughout her junior high and high school career. She was inducted into the National Honor Society last year in 11th grade. Taking honors classes whenever possible, Molly has consistently achieved A’s and B’s. This year she is taking three AP-level classes: Literature, European History and Calculus. Throughout her high school tenure, Molly has received excellence awards in several areas.
Molly participated in basketball, soccer and softball all the way from first grade through her senior year. She played JV basketball in grades 9-11th, and varsity for her senior year. She also played JV soccer in grade 9 and varsity in grades 10 & 11. Her softball career began with JV softball in grades 9 & 10, and varsity in grades 11 & 12. She also participated in her class’s planning committee for prom and Project Graduation.
In her spare time, Molly volunteers at her church, where she helps as a nursery worker for two to three Sundays a month, and continues to be involved with several community outreach programs a year. She also does outreach programs with her church youth group. On her days off, she helps out in both her mother’s classroom and other teachers at her mother’s school.
Outside of school Molly enjoys playing basketball, softball and soccer throughout the year. She also enjoys riding her two horses, a draft cross named Scout and a Quarter horse named Sam. She also enjoys helping out her grandfather and father by working on their projects.
Her advice to other students? Know your worth without relying on others’ opinions of you, and be a good friend to everyone. Work as hard as you can at everything you try. Pursue your goals and dreams, and treat everyone with respect.
After high school, Molly plans to attend college and major in mathematics and secondary education, with a minor in Spanish. She is hoping to play basketball or soccer in college, and would at some point like to start coaching at the elementary or middle school level.
“The first words that come to mind in describing Molly are ‘diligent,’ ‘conscientious’ and ‘consistent. A three season athlete, she exemplifies a mature, balanced and values-driven student.” her teacher Michael Dwyer says, “Always prepared, she will one day make a wonderful Spanish or math teacher, a choice that she has yet to sort out, or perhaps she will do both.”
The faculty, staff and students of OVUHS wish Molly the very best.
MAUHS STUDENT OF THE WEEK
Mount Abraham Union High School is pleased to announce Genysis Berube as its Student of the Week. Genysis said she lives in Bristol with her mother, Amanda Hutchinson and her father that she lives with, Mark Hutchinson. Her little sister, Madyson, is in third grade and loves to read and draw. She also has an older brother, Shayne, who is currently serving in the United States Marine Corps.
Recently named class salutatorian, Genysis has made either high or highest honors both semesters for all four years. Currently she is taking Advanced Placement Calculus. She enjoys math because every problem has a set answer. She has played soccer and softball at Mt. Abe every year since grade 7. This year she was the varsity girls’ soccer goalkeeper. She is looking forward to this year’s softball season.
She works part-time at Rite Aid drugstore. She often finds it difficult balancing a job, school, homework, athletics, karate and her personal workout programs, but she enjoys every minute. She has also participated in a few volunteer jobs during the summer, such as the Three Day Stampede and the Pocock Rocks festival.
Along with spending time with her horse, Flirt, Genysis enjoys running, hiking and camping with her family as well as completing her own workout programs. She particularly enjoys karate and trains with Mountain Kenpo, where she is close to testing for her black belt. Recently she placed first and third in the Governor’s Cup Championship, competing in the men’s colored belt division rather than the women’s because of the greater challenge.
Genysis has learned to focus on herself and not let other people’s decisions influence her own, doing her best in classes and in athletics. Her advice to other students: Focus on your academics and do things that are going to make you be a better person. Your time in high school is meant to be spent learning and building a solid foundation for the future, so take the time to do that; it’s only four years.
After high school Genysis will join the Navy, where she feels she can do something for the well-being of others and live a challenging active, lifestyle. She has been accepted into the Navy’s Nuclear Field program and is excited to begin her time in the service!
“Genysis is a multi-talented individual who excels in a variety of environments,” AP Art Teacher Elise Cleary says. “She has a strong sense of self and is as comfortable working on a math or physics problem as she is catching a ball on the softball field or playing her clarinet at a concert. She keeps a busy schedule between school, athletics, work, karate practice and meeting with her Navy recruiter. Genysis has a vision for her future and knows the value of working hard to make it happen. Her ambition, competitive spirit and self-discipline find balance in her sense of humor and fun!”
 
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