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.
MAUHS STUDENT OF THE WEEK
Mount Abraham Union High School proudly introduces Martha Bruhl as Student of the Week. Martha lives in New Haven with her parents, Susan and Taborri Bruhl. Her brother Harrison is in grade eight at MAUHS and her sister Amelia is a sophomore at UVM.
While at Mt. Abe, Martha has been on the honor roll each year, with highest honors freshman and sophomore years. She has also achieved academic excellence each year. This year she has been named to the National Honor Society. In her junior year she took AP European History, and this year she is enrolled in AP Calculus, AP English Language and Composition, and AP United States History.
Since grade seven Martha has taken part in the Fall musical. She has also played field hockey throughout middle and high school, playing junior varsity her freshman and sophomore years and varsity her junior and senior years. She was also on the dance team sophomore year.
Martha has worked at the Village Green Market in New Haven since May 2017. She enjoys working there because it “gets me out of my school bubble and allows me to meet the other members of the community.” She also co-manages the Mount Abraham School Store, which is a volunteer job, and has been doing so since halfway through her freshman year.
She learned about politics when she spent the summer of 2016 working on her father’s campaign for State Representative as the events coordinator and the geographic data specialist. She spent lots of time planning events, going to events and campaign meetings, and looking at data for sign placement, etc.
Martha loves to cook and bake, particularly the creativity involved in making food and preparing it how she wants. There are also so many challenges that come with trying a new recipe or technique that makes the process exciting. In the summer of 2015 she co-authored a bread recipe book with her great uncle. She also loves taking road trips with her family.
Martha puts school in perspective: “I have learned to take things one day at a time, especially in the fall when I have the play and field hockey on top of all my homework,” she says. After high school Martha plans on going to college to study anthropology and archeology.
Choir Teacher Megan LaRose says, “Martha is the reason our School Store, run by the Music Department, has been a success. For the past three years, Martha has been the keeper of inventory, the inventor of school design ideas, and the dedicated person setting up and running evening and weekend events. Jessica Little, History Teacher says, “Martha Bruhl has her finger on the pulse of MAUHS. She has a kind heart, she is generous with her time, and Martha has true Eagle spirit.” The Mt. Abe community wishes Martha all the best in her future plans.
 
 
OVUHS STUDENT OF THE WEEK
Otter Valley Union High school gladly names Ben Markowski as its Student of the Week. His parents are Jill and John Markowski. Ben lives with his mother in Pittsford. His younger sister is a junior at Mount Saint Joseph Academy in Rutland.
Ben has been an honor roll student throughout high school while taking advanced classes, including Advanced Placement (AP) classes. In his junior year he was inducted into the National Honor Society and received the Saint Anselm College Book Award, which highlights him for his commitment, management and leadership skills.
He has played junior varsity and varsity football at OVUHS.
Ben works at Tractor Supply Company in North Clarendon and at Keith’s Country Store, a local gas station and deli, as the cashier. He has also worked for his family’s business, Markowski Excavating Inc., as a shop hand, where he learned about all of the major excavating heavy equipment. Along with his gainful employment, Ben is a member the Pittsford Fire Department Cadet program and has been since March 2017. Recently he was promoted to Senior Lieutenant of Cadets. In the summer of 2017 he was a cadet in the Vermont State Fire Academy. Ben does not limit his volunteering to the fire department. He also has offered his help at multiple blood drives.
When not at school, working or volunteering, Ben is an avid huntsman and fisherman who enjoys being outside and learning about new things.
“I have learned that while many people might not enjoy (high school), you should definitely use it as a life tool and take advantage of it,” he says. His advice to other students: “I would tell them to push themselves and they will go far, if you don’t know the answer then ask for help, as that shows you care and want to learn. It is fine if they don’t know what they will do in life because in reality no one knows until they are older. So use the high school time to explore many different careers and opportunities while trying to branch out and make new connections.” 
After graduating, Ben plans to pursue a degree in either Fire Science with an EMT license, accounting or business. He would like to become a firefighter and an EMT; in that capacity he would be able to help people as a career.
Ben’s teacher Mrs. Bly had this to say about him: “Ben is a motivated and conscientious young man. He strives to attain his personal best and challenges himself throughout all his courses. I had the pleasure of teaching Ben his freshman year and enjoyed not only his attention to detail and his determination in geophysics, but also his lively and light hearted conversations. Both of these strengths lend themselves to a well-rounded individual who will grow to be an exemplary citizen.”
 
 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