MUHS STUDENT OF THE WEEK
Middlebury Union High School introduces Ben Crawford, its latest Student of the Week. Ben resides in Middlebury with his parents, Nancie and Jim, and younger sister, Elizabeth, an eighth-grader at MUMS. Ben is a valued member of the MUHS community and has been involved in athletics and extracurricular activities. He is an honor roll student.
An academically talented student, Ben especially enjoys mathematics and engineering coursework. He has completed Advanced Placement Calculus 1 and 2, and is currently taking AP Statistics. Ben has valued Mr. Livesay’s teaching style and says his encouragement has been inspiring. Ben enrolled at the Hannaford Career Center in the Architectural and Engineering Design program at the onset of his junior year. He says that his two years there have been very worthwhile, and he credits PHCC teacher Jake Burnham as being a mentor. As part of the class, Ben designed and built his own pair of skis, which he carefully created out of wood and fiberglass. He will be exhibiting his skis at a design competition at Vermont Technical College in late April.
Ben is a member of the Tiger varsity lacrosse and soccer teams. He plays center back in soccer and plays midfield in lacrosse. He values the time with his friends while participating in team sports, something he has done for each of his four years at MUHS. Wintertime finds Ben at the Middlebury College Snow Bowl, where he serves as a ski instructor. He has been skiing since he was five years old. He loves time in the mountains, be it hiking or skiing, and says, “Anything outdoors is fine with me!”
As a member of the high school’s SCHOR club, Ben has volunteered his time working on human rights issues. He enjoyed a recent youth summit, held at Middlebury College, with elementary and high school students from Addison County. He is looking forward to an upcoming service trip to Puerto Rico to help with hurricane relief with fellow MUHS students.
Ben’s college search has focused on institutions where he can continue to zero in on his love of math and engineering and be near mountains. His talents at MUHS have set him up well for a successful path in the future and we know a bright future awaits.
VUHS STUDENT OF THE WEEK
Vergennes Union High School recognizes Cheyenne Jewett as its Student of the Week. Cheyenne lives in Panton with her mother, Lois Myers, and stepfather, Les Fuller. Her father, Charles Jewett, lives in Middlebury. Cheyenne has an older brother, Josh, who is a welder, and a younger sister, Autumn Eriksen, who is in 6th grade at Ferrisburgh Central School. She also has two stepsiblings, Ryan and Chelsea Fuller, who both graduated from VUHS and went to Walden.
Cheyenne achieved honors and high honors throughout her years at VUHS. Twice she attended the Governor’s Institutes of Vermont. This year she is part of the Walden Project because she wanted to enhance her education and learn more about her relationship to nature, society, and herself. Cheyenne will be attending the Young Writer’s Conference at Breadloaf this spring.
Cheyenne is an active member in our VUHS community. She was part of the band and chorus until this year. Cheyenne is a member of the Commodore Singers and Jazz Band. She has played softball throughout high school and is the captain of the varsity softball team. Cheyenne works at both Danforth Pewter and Buy Again Alley in Middlebury.
“The lesson that I have learned is that no matter what, always stay true to yourself,” says Cheyenne. “It’s so easy to get lost and forget who you are, or to turn into something that really isn’t you. I’m not afraid to express who I truly am or to let others take me away from my path. Never settle for something that doesn’t make you happy.” Matt Schlein, a teacher at the Walden Project, says, “Cheyenne is a creative dynamo with great personal integrity. Whether through her art, her writing, or her music, she expresses herself with great élan. As a student, she can be counted on to be compassionate and thoughtful and helps create an incredibly positive classroom culture.”
Following graduation from VUHS Cheyenne plans to attend Castleton University to study fine arts. The faculty, staff and students of VUHS wish Cheyenne Jewett 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