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Students of the Week – May 15, 2017

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 is pleased to present Sophie Wood as their student of the week. Sophie lives in Pittsford with her parents, Suzanne and Stephen Wood and her two younger siblings.
A member of the National Honor Society since her junior year, Sophie was the one of the first OV students to participate in the Early College Program at Castleton University. There she made the President’s List and was able to earn 32 college credit hours. She also was accepted into the All State Music Festival for cello all four years of high school, and attended the New England Music Festival this year. Last spring she composed a musical piece for “Extended Learning Opportunity,” where students do a project or research in subjects not covered at OVUHS. Some of her music compositions were selected for recording by professional musicians as part of Music Comp, a Vermont-based music composition program.
Sophie has played tennis for four years and is co-captain of this year’s team. She also participated in Nordic skiing. She has been involved in band for three years, chamber singers for one year, and pit band for four years.
Since grade seven, Sophie has played the cello on her church worship team band. In the summer she volunteered as a counselor at church day camp. She has also helped teach tennis at the Pittsford Rec for the last three years and was a lifeguard there for the past two summers. She also enjoys hiking, running, Nordic skiing, playing the piano, and learning new languages.
Sophie says “The Castleton University Early College Program is an absolutely incredible program, and to all students considering the program, I highly recommend it.” She encourages her fellow students to never let anyone tell them that they’re not smart or that they can’t achieve anything, because they can. “Anything you put your mind to and work hard at can be done,” she says.
Sophie has been accepted into the Gordon College Global Honor’s Program. When she arrives at Gordon she plans on getting a B.A. in Music and a B.S in Biochemistry.
Sophie’s Chemistry teacher says, “Sophie is a perceptive, sharp, quick individual with a high aptitude for math and science. Sophie’s personal strengths are as impressive as her intellectual accomplishments. She’s an active, outgoing presence in class with a great sense of commitment. Her cheerful nature and openness to feedback means she’s always learning and growing as a learner, an impressive strength that will continue to serve her well in college and beyond.”
 
 
MAUHS STUDENT OF THE WEEK
 Mount Abraham Union High School is pleased to recognize Patton Griswold as its student of the week. Patton lives with his parents, Bret and Dawn Griswold, in Monkton. Patton has been an honor roll student throughout Middle and High School and has received an award for Academic Excellence. He says, “I have worked hard at Mt. Abe, so every year I improve. I never give up!”
In grades nine and 10 Patton played JV boys soccer, basketball and baseball and sang in the chorus. For his final two years Patton was the varsity team manager for boys’ soccer, basketball and baseball. He also continued with chorus, worked in the MAUHS cafeteria, and participated in Special Olympics basketball and track. His senior year found him attending Hannaford Career Center Culinary Arts program. Patton is also a long-time Scout with the Monkton Boy Scout Troop 525.
Patton has been an altar server at St. Jude’s Church for many years and does volunteer work with Troop 525. In his free time he enjoys camping and cooking. His says of his high school experience: “Some people might think that high school is a bad thing. It’s not. You have to believe in yourself. Believe that you are a good person and it will be a good four years. Go to class, do your work, help others who need help, say hello, talk to teachers and be a good part of every day.”
After graduation Patton has been offered a place in the Howard’s Center SUCCEED program.
Varsity Basketball Coach Martin Clark says, “Patton’s dedication to the sports teams is unmatched. As manager for the basketball teams he has been his teammate’s biggest supporter. I valued his understanding and observations of the games/players. He also handled filming our away games. Patton brings energy, enthusiasm, and a great sense of humor to the gym every day.”
Hannaford Career Center Chef Woody Danforth commented, “With patient persistence, this young man has managed to master skills that even he felt incapable of. He has communicated a clear vision of where he wants to go and what he wants to become; confident and competent. He is kind, compassionate and curious.”
“Patton Griswold is a cheery and personable young man!” says math teacher, Teri Fitz-Gerald. He “always arrives at advisory ready to participate in whatever activity we have planned for the day. Always willing to share an idea, lend a hand, play a game, offer a sympathetic ear, or offer congratulations to another student, Patton is attuned to the other students and what they enjoy.”
The faculty, staff and students at MAUHS wish Patton the best of success in his future endeavors. 
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  

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