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
Middlebury Union High School is pleased to introduce Satchel McLaughlin of Middlebury as its latest Student of the Week. Satchel is the daughter of Lisa and Devin McLaughlin. Her brother,Sawyer, graduated from Tufts University and her sister, Nora, is attending Princeton. Satchel is a senior and is well respected at Middlebury Union High School for her artistic talents, athletic abilities, and her positive attitude.
An academically talented three-sport athlete, Satchel is a student who serves the MUHS community in a number of capacities. As a senior, she has enjoyed being a Peer Leader to entering 9th-graders. Satchel says it has been fun getting to know the new students and showing them “the ropes.” She encourages all students at MUHS to try new things, be it a sport, a course at the Career Center, or to engage in a club. She believes doing so is an excellent mechanism to reach out and meet others.
Satchel plays defense on the varsity soccer team, and she captains both the varsity hockey and lacrosse teams. A highlight of her high school sports experience, she says, was wining the Division I State Championship in lacrosse her junior year. She’s hopeful that the team will have a repeat this spring!
Academically, Satchel has taken a variety of courses and one that she especially enjoyed was Design and Illustration at the Career Center. She was inducted in to the National Art Honor Society and hopes to study studio art in college. While at the Career Center, she did a capstone project whereby she created a graphic design that was placed on a pair of skis that fellow student Santi Fernandez helped her to construct. It was named the most outstanding capstone project. Satchel has continued her love of art by taking a drawing class at Middlebury College. She has pursued a challenging curriculum at MUHS, including several Advanced Placement classes, and her name has regularly appeared on the honor roll.
Satchel has spent summers working in the kitchen at Songadeewin on Lake Dunmore. She finds it hard to believe that her time in high school will soon be coming to an end. She is ready for all that lies ahead in college and is eager for the next phase in her education. Her hope is to attend a small, four-year liberal arts college where she can pursue studio art and potentially one day go on to graduate school to further study graphic design. Given Satchel’s talents and positive attitude, all of us at MUHS know her goals are attainable and we wish her much success. 
 
VUHS STUDENT OF THE WEEK
Vergennes Union High School is pleased to recognize Anya Sonwaldt as its Student of the Week. Anya lives in North Ferrisburgh with her  dad, John Medenwald, and mom, Ingrid Peterson. She has an older brother, Gunnar, who is a sophomore at Saint Michael’s College.
Anya has been on honor roll every semester of high school. She is a member of the National Honor Society. Anya has challenged herself by taking calculus online through CCV last year, and she is currently taking Personal Finance through Saint Michael’s College. At VUHS she took AP Biology and Humanities. Last year Anya won the Saint Michael’s Book Award. She has participated in Student Council all four years of high school, and played soccer all four years. She has been on the varsity team since her sophomore year.
Anya says this about her high school career:
“While in high school I have learned to balance my academics and social life. Advice that I would give to other students is to make sure you work hard, but remember to have fun as well.”
Asked about Anya, Janet Kepes, the German teacher at VUHS, has this to say:
“Anya is a focused and determined student, who sets high goals for herself and works hard to meet them. She is a role model to students and adults alike with her compassion and kindness. She has the uncommon ability to read a situation and step in when she sees someone needs help. She is the backbone to VUHS Student Council; a dependable person who volunteers over and over to make things happen.”
Following graduation from VUHS, Anya plans to attend Saint Michael’s College and major in biology. The faculty, staff and students of VUHS wish Anya 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