MUHS STUDENT OF THE WEEK
Middlebury Union High School introduces Suzie Klemmer as its Student of the Week. Suzie resides in Middlebury with her parents, Tom Klemmer and Beth Stanway. Her older brother, Jacob, is a student at McGill University in Montreal. Suzie will follow her brother to Canada in the fall when she enrolls at Bishop’s University in Sherbooke, Quebec. She plans to pursue a major in Theater and Secondary Education at Bishop’s.
Suzie has contributed to all aspects of the MUHS community, most specifically as a participant in the school’s theatrical productions. She has been in each of the school’s musicals, “Singin’ in the Rain,” “Hello, Dolly,” “The Little Mermaid,” and “Into the Woods,” during her four years at MUHS. Additionally, Suzie had a lead role in the senior play, “High School Musical,” which was performed in mid-March. Suzie loves acting and as a senior, opted to enroll in ART at the Hannaford Career Center. She says it was a wise decision. She loves working closely with Eric St. John, the program director, and the program allows her to combine her love of theater with directing. She and her fellow students have been writing and directing their own one-act plays, which they performed in March.
As a member of the school’s marching band, Suzie plays the bass clarinet. Suzie says a highlight has been traveling to New York City in her sophomore and senior years to march in the St. Patrick’s Day Parade. She serves as the drum major for the Tigers in parades. One might ask what this entails; Suzie describes it this way, “I am in charge of keeping the band together and directing the band as we march.” Suzie guided her fellow band members down Fifth Avenue in Manhattan during one of the largest parades in the country.
Suzie is also a member of the varsity dance team, an activity she especially enjoys. She has served as a peer leader to entering ninth-graders as they transition from middle school to high school in the fall. Academically, Suzie says that mathematics is a favorite subject and she has especially enjoyed her three Advanced Placement courses in Calculus and Statistics. She has rounded out her curriculum with an array of interesting classes including Choir, American Literature, and Music Theory. Looking back at her time at MUHS, Suzie says she is grateful to her teachers for a memorable four years.
We know a bright future awaits Suzie and wish her well in all her endeavors.
VUHS STUDENT OF THE WEEK
Vergennes Union High School recognizes Marin Howell as its Student of the Week. Marin lives in Addison with her mom, Rev. Dr. Stephanie Allen, and dad, Mr. Mitch Howell. Marin has five younger brothers: Caden (14, Vergennes Union Middle School), Cohen (10, Addison Central), Ranen, (7, Addison Central), Tobin, (6, Addison Central), and Soren (3).
Throughout high school, Marin maintained high honors or honor roll. She has taken four AP classes beginning in sophomore year (U.S. History, European History, Calculus AB, and Language and Composition) as well as Humanities, and two dual enrollment classes. Marin has been a member of the National Honor Society since her junior year. She currently serves as the National Honors Society Treasurer. She received underclass awards for outstanding achievement in Mathematics (9th and 11th grade), Social Studies (10th grade), and Language Arts/English (11th grade).
Marin is an active member of the VUHS community. She is a member of the outdoor and indoor track teams. She runs cross-country and rowed. She is also a member of the Math Team and is currently the Co-Captain. She was class treasurer her junior year and is now the class vice president
Marin this year did an internship at the Addison Independent, where the staff said she did an excellent job as a reporter; in addition to writing she took some photos that were published, as well. Seasonally, Marin volunteers as a coxswain at the Lake Champlain Maritime Museum, taking novice rowers out on the water when the museum needs extra help.
 “In high school, I learned that all you can do is all you can do,” says Marin. “There’s only so much control you have over the test you failed or the race you lost or the relationship that didn’t work out. It’s really important to know your limits and to stop stressing about everything that didn’t go the way you wanted it to.”
Michael Thomas, an English teacher at VUHS says, “Marin is an outstanding student who thinks deeply in a very principled way; a powerful, almost professional writer, she gives voice from the heart and from the center of her beliefs.”
Following graduation from VUHS, Marin plans to study journalism. The faculty, staff and students of VUHS wish Marin Howell 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 gift card from Route 7 South Sandwich Company. 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
Countryside Carpet & Paint
J.W. & D.E. Ryan
Jackman Fuels Inc.
NFP Insurance, Benefits & Wealth Management
Peak View Eye Care
Route 7 South Sandwich Company
United Way of Addison County
Vermont Book Shop