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 will certainly miss Riley Fenster when she graduates in June. Riley is the daughter of Katree and David Fenster of Middlebury and is our student of the week. Riley is headed to the University of Virginia at Wise in the fall, where she will play lacrosse.
Riley is a three-sport athlete for the Tigers. She can be found in goal on the girls’ soccer team in the fall, on the basketball court in the winter, and on the lacrosse field in the spring. Her talents on the lacrosse field captured the attention of the coach of the University of Virginia at Wise. The university actively recruited Riley. She signed with them early last fall. She looks forward to playing for the Cavaliers.
Riley’s plan is to pursue a major in Special Education. She hopes to work one day with young children with a focus on special needs and social skills. This interest was sparked by her summer employment at Camp Silver Towers in Ripton, where she has worked for the past five years. Riley has held a variety of positions at Silver Towers, from working in the kitchen to leading activities in crafts, music, taking groups on outdoor adventures and playing soccer. She loves working with the campers at Silver Towers, who range in age from 6-75, and each of whom have some type of physical or mental disability. In addition to her work at Silver Towers, Riley spends her summers playing in a lacrosse league.
As a student Riley has pursued a challenging curriculum at MUHS and reports that her favorite subjects are those where she can participate in hands-on activities. She has loved her science classes, especially Biology and Advanced Human Biology. Riley is a peer leader at the high school and enjoys interacting with the 9th graders. She plays baritone saxophone in the school band and loved the recent trip to New York City, where the band participated in the St. Patrick’s Day Parade, marching up Fifth Avenue. She also volunteers in the school’s Diversified Occupations classes and assists students with typing and visual aids.
Riley is a well-rounded student and one who brightens up every room she enters. We know that she has a great future ahead of her and look forward to following her career path! 
VUHS STUDENT OF THE WEEK
Vergennes Union High School is pleased to recognize Alyson Gebo as its Student of the Week. Aly lives in Vergennes with her dad and mom, Chris and Cindy Gebo. Aly has a brother, Zachary, who is a sophomore at Castleton State University.
Aly has been on the honor roll all four years at VUHS. She has received the morning meeting 5 Guideline Award twice — her freshman and sophomore years. Aly was also a recipient of the Excellence in English Award her sophomore year. She has challenged herself by taking AP Literature and Composition in her junior year, and she is currently taking AP Language and Compositions, Humanities, and Statistics.
Aly has played both basketball and softball throughout high school. Aly has also played AAU basketball. She was class treasurer her freshman year. She was part of the student council from freshman year through junior year. Aly has helped plan many events for her class and the school, such as Peace One Day, Prom, Winterball and Project Graduation. She also participated in the German Exchange last year. Currently, Aly is the head of the Senior Walk-a-thon Committee.
Aly says this about her high school career: “I have learned that it is much more important to be who you are and not who people want you to be. I want to advise future seniors that the year goes by incredibly fast and remember to work hard in your classes but have as much fun as you can.”
Karl Steen, an English teacher at VUHS, says Aly has impressed him:
“Alyson Gebo harbors the characteristics of success: She is persistent, optimistic, talented, and smart. Never daunted by challenge, Alyson lives up to our high expectations, and she is clearly deserving of Student of the Week. Thanks for representing, Alyson, and for the role you play as a student leader here at VUHS. Congratulations.”
Following graduation from VUHS, Aly plans to attend the University of Vermont and study sociology with a double minor in psychology and statistics.
The faculty, staff and students of VUHS wish Aly 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