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 happy to present Gabriela Poalino as its Student of the Week. Gabby lives in Pittsford with her parents, Toni and Michael Poalino. Throughout high school Gabby has been a Scholar Roll student. Many of her classes have been honors or AP level courses and Dual Enrollment through Castleton University. From grades 9-11, she has earned academic excellence awards. During her junior year she was inducted into the National Honor Society and received the Yale Book Award/Scholarship. She also received a scholarship to the Sage Colleges and the Society of Women Engineers Merit of Honor Award.
Gabby has played soccer, basketball, and softball throughout high school and has been the soccer team captain in grades 11 and 12. By the end of her senior year she will have received 12 varsity letters and numerous athletic awards. She has been class Vice President since grade 10, Student Council President this year, and a member of the first Otter Valley Athletic Leadership Council.
She has worked at Sugar and Spice since June of 2016 as a busser and recently started an internship at Therapydia in Rutland. She volunteers at the Rutland County Humane Society walking and socializing with dogs, and has donated to the Salvation Army, Pittsford Food Shelf, and the Pittsford Recreation Center. Last year, she organized a raffle for the annual Coaches vs. Cancer basketball game and raised close to $500. Gabby also leads a basketball practice at Lothrop Elementary School for girls in grades 5 and 6.
Outside of school she enjoys playing with her travel softball team, the Vermont Cougars, as well as traveling, kayaking, and spending time with friends and family.
Gabby says of high school, “My high school experience has taught me to not dwell on that past or get lost in the future, but to live in the moment … do what makes you happy, reach for your goals and never look back, but don’t be afraid to ask for help along the way.”
After high school Gabby plans to earn a degree in Athletic Training and become an athletic trainer for a professional sports team.
Gabby’s teacher Lori Robear says, “I have been consistently impressed with Gabby’s level of engagement both in her classes and our community. Our school relies on Gabby to assist with a variety of school-related activities requiring positive role models who possess genuine “otter” qualities and a strong work ethic. It is without question that Gabby’s engaging personality and team approach make her a natural when we look to students to serve as ambassadors for our school. I am fully confident that Gabby will continue to ask how she can best assist at the college level because helping others is at her core.”
Everyone at Otter Valley Union High School wishes Gabby well in all her future endeavors.
 
 
MAUHS STUDENT OF THE WEEK
Mount Abraham Union High School is pleased to present Bailey Allard as its Student of the Week. Bailey, or Bails, lives in Bristol with her mother and, stepfather Melissa and Ryan Denecker, during the week and most weekends with her father and stepmother, Patrick and Darcy Allard. Bailey has two older stepsiblings, Casey and Brooke, and two younger half-siblings, Chance and Kennedy.
Bailey has been on the honor roll every semester of her high school career. In her sophomore year she was one of three people in her year to be awarded a certificate in United States History for reading and writing. She was also awarded a certificate in English for reading and writing collaboration. Currently she is enrolled in two Advanced Placement classes: AP Biology and AP Language and Composition. She attended Green Mountain Auxiliary Girls State this summer.
Bailey played soccer, softball and basketball from elementary school through grade nine and continued playing basketball until her junior year of high school. She has danced for Middlebury Spotlight on Dance for nine years. This year she is running cross country for the first time. Since her junior year, Bailey has been yearbook editor, and prior to that served as assistant editor her sophomore year and coverage editor her freshman year.
With her family, she volunteers every year at Three Day Stampede in Bristol, raising money to find a cure for Cystic Fibrosis. She is also part of the Addison County Young Life and gives her Monday nights to lead songs at Young Life club. This past summer volunteered at the Young Life camp in Saranac Lake. In grade nine she worked for InStiches and Pine Tree Gardens, both in Bristol. Currently she works at Fire and Ice Restaurant in Middlebury, and as a desk attendant at Bristol Health and Fitness. She also babysits.
When not in school or working, Bailey enjoys running, hiking, camping, boating, watching Netflix, working, working out, babysitting, family vacations, traveling, photography, laying on the beach, shopping, spending time on the lake or just outside in general with her family, dancing with her sister and hunting.
Bailey believes that getting involved and keeping a positive attitude about everything is very crucial to her school success. She says, “make the best out of your high school experience, even if you hate it, I am sure you can find something that you are passionate about. You only get to live it once, and there are so many opportunities if you look for them.”
After high school Bailey plans to attend a college in New England, and eventually work toward master’s degree in radiology, dentistry or pediatrics.
 
Bailey’s advisor, Mike Williams says, “Bailey is delightful and adds to the vibrance of her advisory with her friendly and ambitious attitude. She is a great ambassador for her grade and the school.”
 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:
Barash Mediation Services
Bourdon Insurance Agency
Business Telephone Systems
Champlain Valley Plumbing & Heating
Cubbers
Green Earth Energy
J.W. & D.E. Ryan
Jackman Fuels Inc.
Middlebury Antique Center
Peak View Eye Care
Tinker and Smithy Game Store
United Way of Addison County
Vermont Book Shop