MAUHS STUDENT OF THE WEEK
Congratulations to Ashley Aldrich, Mount Abraham Union High School’s selection for its latest Student of the Week. Ashley is the daughter of Elizabeth and Robert Aldrich of Monkton. Her sister, Emily, is a freshman at Endicott College and her brother, Will, is in the United States Navy Nuclear Power Training School.
Ashley is a dedicated student, making the honor roll every year in high school. She has challenged herself by taking both Advanced Placement Biology and a dual enrollment class through the Community College of Vermont.
At Mt. Abe she has participated in Mt. Abe’s literary magazine every year of high school. She was vice president of Class Council for her sophomore and junior years and serves in the position this year as well. She helped the fall and spring musicals with hair and makeup each year. For three weeks during the summer after her junior year, Ashley did an exchange in France
Her compassion for animals is clear. She currently works at the Bristol Animal Hospital after school and has done so since her junior year and has volunteered throughout high school at Homeward Bound. She has also worked at Bristol Cliffs Cafe.
When not in school or working, Ashley likes to spend her time cooking, kayaking in the summer, snowmobiling in the winter, hanging out with friends, and spending time with her family.
When asked what advice she would give her peers at Mt. Abe, Ashley said, “I would tell them to take advantage of any and every opportunity given to them no matter how small, as it almost always leads to something greater.”
French Teacher Jori Jacobeit says, “Ashley has cultivated a deep understanding of the French language and culture through five years of language study and a summer homestay in France. Both in and out of the classroom, Ashley is determined and focused, curious and thoughtful.” Math Teacher Bob Maurer adds, “Ashley is a hardworking student who always strives to succeed in the classroom each day. She is also very kind and helpful to her peers at school.”
Ashley will attend Ithaca College this fall. The Mt. Abe community wishes her all the best of luck as she take the next step in her education.
OVUHS STUDENT OF THE WEEK
Otter Valley Union High School presents Colby Smith, its latest Student of the Week. Colby is the son of Pete and Patty Smith of Brandon. His sister Genna graduated from Otter Valley in 2011 and attended Hudson and graduated with a bachelor’s degree in Biology.
Colby has worked very hard at Otter Valley, frequently making the honor roll. He has been recognized for his efforts by being named to the principal’s list three times, and being inducted into the National Honor Society last year. Outside of the classroom Colby played lacrosse his freshman year and ran cross-country during his freshman and junior years.
When not in school he works three days a week at Brandon House of Pizza. He also spends a good deal of his spare time helping his sister on her horse farm. Colby is a history buff. He is particularly interested in exploring Brandon’s history and collecting historical artifacts. He is also an avid gardener and enjoys ceramics.
He says of high school, “My experience at OV has been really fun and enjoyable and went by so extremely fast. My personal philosophy is always have mismatching socks and a smile to make the day.”
Before heading on to higher education, Colby will take a year off to see if he wants to pursue a degree in Botany.
Teacher Francis Willard sums Colby up when she says, “When you first meet Colby, his quiet and respectful demeanor becomes immediately apparent. However, as you get to know him, you soon realize he is a deep well overflowing with knowledge in areas of local history and botany. Colby is an innovative thinker who continuously approaches his coursework from a very unique perspective. He is never afraid to struggle with things that are complex, and he does not view failed attempts as stop signs, but rather opportunities. Colby’s kindness and willingness to help others with no expectation of compensation are the qualities that best define his character and a key reason he holds the respect of his high school peers and the Otter Valley faculty.”
His peers, the faculty and staff of OVUHS wish Colby all the best as he moves on to new things.
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 $5 gift certificate to Route 7 Sandwich Co. Students of the Week from all area high schools will receive a gift certificate from Vermont Book Shop.
 
With support from:
Barash Mediation Services
Bourdon Insurance Agency
Business Telephone Systems
Champlain Valley Plumbing & Heating
Countryside Carpet & Paint
Cubbers
Jackman Fuels, Inc.
J.W. & D.E. Ryan
NFP Insurance Benefits & Wealth Management
Peak View Eye Care
Route 7 South Sandwich Company
United Way of Addison County
Vermont Book Shop