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
The faculty and staff of Otter Valley Union High School are pleased to announce Jillian Flanders as their Student of the Week. Jillian lives in Chittenden with her parents, Tom and Veronica Flanders. She has two older sisters, Meghan and Kelly. An honor roll student throughout Junior high and high school, Jillian was on the Scholar’s roll and was elected to the National Honor Society in her Junior year. She has taken her share of AP classes, including American Studies, Literature, and Advanced Anatomy and Physiology.
An accomplished soccer player, Jillian has been on the varsity girls soccer team since freshman year and was a captain this past season. She was chosen as a Marble Valley League Player all four years. She also played lacrosse in grades 9 and 10.
Jillian works three jobs; at The Fox Creek Inn, Mendon Mini Golf & Snack Bar, and Rutland Regional Medical Center. She says having three jobs teaches her time management and responsibility. She also volunteers with the school community service group Otter Paws, helping organize fundraisers, blood drives, cancer awareness days, food drives, and hospital donations that provided money, supplies and support for organizations and families in our community.
When not in school or working, Jillian enjoys playing for her club soccer team, being outdoors and spending time with my friends and family.
She advises other students that their happiness is before them, not behind. Cherish it.
After high school Jillian plans on attending New England College in Henniker, New Hampshire, where she will be playing for their women’s soccer team.
Her teacher Michele Cioffredi says, “I had the privilege of having Jillian in my Anatomy class this semester. She is a personable and hardworking young woman with a bright future in front of her. I have always been impressed with her energy and the ease with which she interacts with all different types of students. Several words come to mind when I think of Jillian: hard working, dependable, inquisitive, cheerful and positive.” Another teacher, Mr. Gerrior, remarks, “Jillian has proven to be an outgoing and service-oriented member of our community. She . . . joined committees such as fundraising for Breast Cancer or participated with the Green Mountain Conservation camp,. At the same time she maintained a GPA that qualified her for the National Honor Society. All of which has helped her develop into an individual that has learned and had the chance to grow with these opportunities. Jillian is well equipped to grow from challenges that she is presented with. Her maturity, patience, and strong will to succeed prepared her beautifully for her future.”  
MAUHS STUDENT OF THE WEEK
Mount Abraham Union High School is pleased to present Kayla Brennan as its Student of the Week. Kayla, or KB, lives in Bristol with her parents, Michael and Shiela Brennan. Her brother Garrett graduated from Mt. Abe in 2012 and her sister Josie is a freshman there.
Kayla was inducted into the Deerleap National Honors Society Chapter in the spring of 2016 and has attended the annual Honors Banquet yearly from 2013-2016. She is a member Mount Abraham’s a cappella group, which requires an audition, for three years. As a senior, Kayla has participated in the school’s mentoring program.
Outside of school, Kayla works for Style Encore in Williston, Vermont, as a sales associate. For the past three years, she and her mother have volunteered for the annual Burlington City Marathon by running a water station. As part of the MAUHS National Honor Society, Kayla has been involved with generating monthly donations to the local food shelf.
Kayla has developed a passion for ceramics, and in her spare time she designs pottery pieces and plans to pursue ceramics in college as well. She loves watching documentaries and reading articles on Archeology and Ancient Egypt.
Her advice to fellow students: “Make connections with as many people as possible. To me, the connections I made with other students and teachers were the best part of my years here at Mt. Abe. I also cannot stress enough how much our teachers do for us; don’t ever take your teachers for granted. I would also say to any upcoming senior, to pick up scholarship packets as soon as they’re available.”
After graduation Kayla will attend the University of Vermont as a Business Administration major, possibly minoring in Archeology. Someday she hopes to have her own office and an authoritative position her in Vermont.
School Counselor April Wortmann says of Kayla, “When I first met Kayla this year, she impressed me with her organizational skills, motivation, and dedication to her academics and her passions in life. She has an easy-going personality, is articulate, is respectful of others, and thrives on her creativity. She is a caring, trusting, and responsible student and community member with a bright future ahead of her!” Her Ceramics teacher, Bruce Babbitt, says, “Kayla is an enthusiastic hands-on learner. Her work in my ceramics and metals classes is always creative and original. She understands the hard work of art making. She has become a skillful potter on the potter’s wheel and will leave Mt. Abe with boxes of well-made bowls, pitchers, plates…”
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