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
We are delighted to introduce Monroe Cromis, daughter of Kelly and Greg Cromis, as Middlebury Union High School’s Student of the Week. Monroe is a current senior at MUHS and she has truly enjoyed the last four years at the school. She says that getting to know the teachers, trying new things, and getting involved in a variety of activities have been the cornerstone of her educational experience at MUHS.
Monroe is the definition of a well-rounded student; she serves as captain of the girls’ ice hockey and tennis teams and plays soccer for the Tigers, too. An active member of the Student Senate, she helps orchestrate activities for members of the school community. Monroe serves as secretary of the National Honor Society and loves volunteering as a peer leader to members of the freshman class. She is also actively involved in the high school’s outdoor club.
Vermont has been, in Monroe’s eyes, an ideal place to grow up. She loves being outside and she spends as much time as possible in the mountains. One of her favorite hikes is going up Camel’s Hump and enjoying the view of the Champlain Valley. Monroe spends her summers canoeing in northern Canada at Temagami. She loves the beauty of the wild and remote location and values the time being completely disconnected from technology. She says she finds solace amid the beautiful lakes of Algonquin Park and enjoys the time spent there with treasured friends.
Monroe is looking forward to the remaining weeks at MUHS and all of the activities surrounding her final days as a member of the Tiger community. “Graduation will be here before we know it!” Monroe is a talented student and has enjoyed all of her classes at MUHS. She has especially enjoyed Chemistry and has not yet determined what she will pursue when she enrolls in college in the fall. She is excited about pursuing higher education and has been admitted to a number of fine institutions.
Monroe will be a valued member of whichever community she joins in the fall and she will be sorely missed by the MUHS students and faculty. We wish her well as she heads off to college!
 
VUHS STUDENT OF THE WEEK
Vergennes Union High School is pleased to recognize Rebecca Unger as its Student of the Week. Rebecca lives in Ferrisburgh with her dad, Michael Unger. Rebecca has an older brother Nathan, who is attending Ivy Tech Community College, and an older sister, Shanna, who is a graduate of North Carolina State and is currently working at Shearer Volkswagen.
Rebecca began her high school career in Indianapolis, Ind., where, in ninth grade she won a first place medal the state Science Olympiad. In that same year, she was both inducted into the student council and invited with a small group of student council members to a leadership retreat. She also joined the Marine Corps JROTC program. As one of five cadets in her class she became a corporal as a freshman. Rebecca moved to Vermont her sophomore year, where she was voted in as class treasurer. She also received the underclassman Math Award for showing leadership traits in the classroom. Rebecca achieved high honors and honors. As a junior, Rebecca became a Walden student and was invited to join the honor choir. Rebecca is also a member of the National Honor Society.
Outside of school, Rebecca attended the John Graham Shelter Sleep-out for the Homeless, the Earth Day rally in Montpelier, and a conference at UVM for Dismantling Rape Culture. This year Rebecca was a host for the New England Young Writer’s Conference. She also attended the Congress of Future Science and Technology Leaders, where she received the Award of Excellence. While there, Rebecca took advantage of the opportunity to go to India for a medical internship at an organization that provides free healthcare for patients and training for high school students planning to go into a medical field.
Rebecca has created a nonprofit organization called WASABI (We Are So Amazingly Beautiful Inside). She sells her own hand-sewn stuffed animals — WASABI Creatures — to raise money for Walden, Panton Community Baptist Church, and the India Medical Internship. Rebecca was also a senior cadet in the Ferrisburgh Volunteer Fire Department.
Rebecca shared some words of wisdom for current and future high schoolers.
“Learn to love yourself and appreciate what you have,” she said. “Be aware of the world around you. Connect with nature especially when you feel you don’t have time for it. Be empathetic and open-minded. The world is so full of opportunities and beauty. Go outside, open your eyes, and take advantage of life.”
Rebecca has impressed Matt Schlein, a teacher in the Walden Program.
“Rebecca is a young woman with a bright and curious mind,” he said. “Whether it is writing original poetry, designing sculptures and other works of art, or challenging herself in college classes, Rebecca always pushes herself to be a full and well grounded person. Witnessing her growth has been a real pleasure.”
 Following graduation from VUHS, Rebecca plans to attend the University of Texas, Austin, where she plans to get a Ph.D. in Chemistry. The faculty, staff and students of VUHS wish Rebecca 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