Three Addison County students were among 615 nationwide to receive a 2018 Horatio Alger State Scholarship, valued at up to $10,000 each. This annual scholarship recognizes outstanding students who, “in the face of great adversity, have exhibited an admirable commitment to continuing their education and serving their communities,” according to the non-profit Horatio Alger Association. The three local winners of the scholarship were Nicole Palmer and Olivia Beauchamp, both of Middlebury Union High School, and Kameryn Norse of Bristol, a Mount Abraham Union High School student.
 
Starksboro resident Kate La Riviére has established herself as a frequent cast member with the Shelburne Players. She will soon hit the stage with the theater company’s production of “The Dixie Swim Club,” which will appear on the Shelburne Town Center stage on April 13-15 and 19-21. For more information go to shelburneplayers.com or call 343-2602.
 
Congratulations to Chloe Lyons of Mount Abraham Union High School for being among 10 students who competed on Monday in the 2018 Vermont Poetry Out Loud State Semi-final competition finals. Though she didn’t take the title, Lyons represented her school and her county admirably.
 
The Department of Environmental Conservation is now accepting applications for the Vermont Governor’s Award for Environmental Excellence. For 25 years, the annual award has recognized leaders from across the state, celebrating the actions they have taken to advance environmental sustainability. So if you have a neighbor, colleague or know of a local organization that should be considered for the award, visit dec.vermont.gov/environmental-assistance/governors-awards an enter their names.
 
If you’re interested in Camel’s Hump you may wish to weigh in on the Vermont Agency of Natural Resources’ new draft plan for managing Vermont’s most iconic mountain. The agency is accepting comments on the plan, which calls for focused expansion of hiking, mountain biking and cross-country ski trail networks, as well as the potential management of localized backcountry ski glades. At the same time, the plan proposes to restrict rock climbing in a small portion of the natural area to protect a unique community of cliff-dwelling plants. Read the plan online at goo.gl/PchBei. Written comments will be accepted through Friday, April 13, and can be submitted electronically to [email protected] or through the mail to the Vermont Department of Forests, Parks & Recreation, 111 West St., Essex Junction, VT 05452-4695.