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
Isabel Rosenberg, daughter of Ben and Nancy Rosenberg of Cornwall, is a senior at Middlebury Union High School and its latest Student of the Week. Her sister Lily will graduate from Middlebury College in May and her sister Julia attends Tufts University.
When asked what she likes about school, Isabel smiles and says, “Everything!” She serves as a Peer Leader to Ms. Stebe’s 9th grade advisory and enjoys interacting with freshmen as they transition to high school. Her advice to younger students is to get involved with clubs and activities to fully experience all that the school has to offer.
Isabel’s favorite classes have been U.S. History and Calculus and she enjoys being a member of the Neuroscience Club. She and her peers participate annually in the statewide Brain Bee, a competition for high school students who are interested in neuroscience; Isabel won first place in the 9th Annual Vermont Brain Bee. She is a member of the school’s National Honor Society and volunteers at Mary Hogan School’s fourth-grade class helping students with mathematics.
A three-sport varsity athlete, Isabel competes for the Tiger soccer, Nordic ski, and lacrosse teams. She serves as striker on the soccer field and can be found at center mid in lacrosse. A highlight of her junior year was being on two state championship teams (Nordic and lacrosse); in her senior year she was again on the state champion Nordic squad. Last year she served as an assistant coach for a 5th & 6th grade girls’ lacrosse team. This year, she will be working with a 7th and 8th grade girls’ lacrosse club team. She says the experience reminds her of when she was the same age and high school girls came to coach her and she values the opportunity to give back to others in the community.
Isabel actively participates in the Middlebury Congregational Church’s Youth Group. She has gone on service trips to South Dakota and Boston and, as often as time allows, she assists in the weekly community dinners in Middlebury. She attended Girls State, where she and other students from across Vermont dived into political issues and met with members of the Vermont Supreme Court.
Isabel is looking forward to graduation and to next year when she will enroll at Williams College. She was admitted early decision and is excited to attend. We wish her well and anticipate seeing her play lacrosse when the Ephs travel to Middlebury to take on the Panthers.
 
VUHS STUDENT OF THE WEEK
Vergennes Union High School is pleased to recognize Bailey Smith as its Student of the Week. Bailey’s parents are Melissa Ashley and Randy Smith. Bailey resides in Ferrisburgh.
Bailey achieved high honors and honors his whole high school career. He is a member of the National Honor Society. Bailey was awarded most outstanding student in PE sophomore year, most outstanding in band freshman year and earned the 5 Guidelines Award freshman year. Bailey challenged himself by taking AP Calculus, an online CCV class, and statistics.
Outside of the classroom Bailey has been a member of the band his entire high school career. He is also a player on the basketball team, and his a captain this year. This past fall Bailey also played soccer. Bailey works on his step-dad’s dairy farm, which he has been doing  for the past three years. Also Bailey has tutored and mentored kids in the middle school and has helped out in many basketball jamborees throughout high school.
Bailey’s advice to other students is: “Throughout high school, I have learned that nothing comes easy and that you have to work for everything you want. Whether it’s good grades or being good at a sport. You have to put in 110% into everything you do. My own philosophy is, if you want to be better than others, you need to work harder than others. My advice to other students is to try your hardest and enjoy high school because as soon as it starts coming to an end, you’re going to miss it.”
Bailey’s PE teacher Sarah Cook says this about him: “Bailey has had an outstanding career at VUHS. His quiet, thoughtful ways have helped him in many aspects of his academic classes, and his competitive spirit and hard work have served him well on the basketball court and beyond. I will miss getting the highlights of the basketball games the next day from you, Bailey. And from all of the teachers, best of luck next year!”
Following graduation from VUHS, Bailey is planning on attending UVM to obtain his bachelor’s degree in business. The faculty, staff and students of VUHS wish Bailey 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:
Bourdon Insurance Agency
Business Telephone Systems
Champlain Valley Plumbing & Heating
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