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
It is with pride and pleasure that Middlebury Union High School recognizes Kelsey Smith as its first Student of the Week for the new school year. Kelsey lives in Middlebury with her parents, Leanne and Scott Smith.
Last spring, Kelsey was the female recipient of the Dorey Cup. The cup is awarded in recognition of the student’s moral integrity, leadership, scholarship and athletic ability — Kelsey to the brim. Along with the Dorey Cup, Kelsey garnered the St. Michael’s Book Award. She was also selected for National Honor Society and was cited for her excellent work in social studies.
In 2013, Kelsey was an MUHS representative at the Vermont Athletic Leadership Conference. The following year, she was selected for both the HOBY and New England Student Leadership Conferences. Kelsey is a Peer Leader Coordinator at MUHS. She also has made time to complete over 100 hours of community service this year.
Evidence suggests that Kelsey’s passion is soccer. In 2014, she was the Addison Independent Player of the Year, coaches’ Lake Division Defensive Player of the Year, and Burlington Free Press 2nd Team selectee. Kelsey is the MUHS captain this year, as she was last. She is also coordinator of the “Midd for Kids” tournament to support the Grassroots Soccer organization and international HIV education.
Accomplished though Kelsey is, she does have one glaring mark against her: She is leaving us a semester early. Kelsey plans to take a Spanish immersion and service trip in Latin America with Rustic Pathways. Following that, she hopes to be using her head for both pre-med studies and Division III soccer at some fortunate liberal arts college. Kelsey should certainly have her choice of schools — perhaps it will be one very nearby?
Kelsey, we’ll cherish you this semester while you’re here, miss you next when you’re away, and look forward to seeing you at graduation. You go, girl — but come back. We wish you the very best, and hope you accomplish all your gooooooooooals!
 
VUHS STUDENT OF THE WEEK
Vergennes Union High School is pleased to recognize Kareena Vorsteveld as its Student of the Week. Kareena lives in Panton with her parents, Kirsten DeLaCruz and Rudolf Vorsteveld, and her younger siblings, Klaas, Megan, Derek, Rudolf, Juan and Isabela.
Kareena has earned High Honors or Honors throughout her high school career and is a candidate for the National Honor Society. She has taken and is currently taking numerous AP and advanced classes. As a sophomore Kareena received the Five Guidelines award in English. She was a member of the Vermont Athletic Leadership Conference (2013). She has been a member of the Student Council since grade 9, and president of her class since grade 11. Last year she helped initiate “Sustainable Vergennes,” a movement that promotes healthy eating and living within schools by going green.
Kareena has been a member of the varsity girls’ soccer and lacrosse teams since her freshman year. She made the soccer NVAC Lake Division 1st team in 2013 and 2014, and earned two MVP awards. She is captain of the soccer team.
During the summer Kareena worked at Basin Harbor Club. She is a long-time volunteer, playing her accordion at numerous local events and elderly homes, and volunteering at the school’s blood drive and numerous soccer clinics. During the spring of 2015 a co-peer and Kareena directed the Vergennes Union Elementary School play “Aladdin.” This past February Kareena participated in a community service trip to Nicaragua.
Kareena said this about her high school experience: “Time management is key to success. My advice to other students is that high school flies by a lot faster than you expect it to. Make the most out of it by engaging yourself in as many activities as possible.”
English teacher Michael Thomas said, “Kareena has been an exceptionally effective leader both inside and outside the classroom. As class president, she understands how to motivate and unite people from many different points of view; as a scholar, she thinks carefully about different perspectives and probes deeply before making judgments.”
Following graduation from VUHS, Kareena plans to study biology. The faculty, staff and students of VUHS wish her 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:
Barash Mediation
Business Telephone Systems
Champlain Valley Plumbing and Heating
Jackman Fuels, Inc
JW DE Ryan
Martin’s Hardware
United Way of Addison County
Vermont Book Shop