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
Emily Pottinger of Cornwall is the daughter of Jenn and Paul Pottinger and she is the Middlebury Union High School student of the week. Her older brother Akeem recently graduated from Northern Vermont University, her sister Kamesha lives in Florida where she works as a nanny, and her sister Olivia is in 11th grade at MUHS.
Emily spent time during her sophomore year at the Hannaford Career Center in the Plant and Animal Science program. She enjoyed the experiential learning aspects of the program and being outdoors. After finishing her junior year, Emily enrolled in Vermont Med Ed and, in a five-week summer program, trained to become a Licensed Nursing Assistant. She successfully passed the State of Vermont LNA examination, which she took at the conclusion of the program. Emily notes that she was the only one in the program who did not have a prior background in the medical field and was the only high school student enrolled. She enjoyed the variety of things she did during the program, most especially the involvement with patients. The final exam, which she took on the first day of her senior year at MUHS, included both a written and an interactive portion. She proudly reports that there were eight people in the program and all eight passed.
While at MUHS, Emily has played on the soccer team and participated in both indoor and outdoor track. She has worked at Middlebury College on the custodial staff and at Proctor Dining Hall for four years.
Academically, Emily’s favorite classes have been in the sciences. As a senior, Emily is taking a variety of courses including Chemistry and Advanced Human Biology. She is taking Health and Wellness at Community College of Vermont as part of the Dual Enrollment program. As she looks ahead to college, Emily is considering majors related to the health management field. She is exploring physical therapy and rehabilitation and is planning to stay in Vermont to pursue higher education.
Her warm smile and positive attitude have put Emily on track for a bright future. Everyone at MUHS wishes her well as she contemplates her future.
 
VUHS STUDENT OF THE WEEK
Vergennes Union High School is pleased to recognize Cedar Winslow as its Student of the Week. Cedar lives in Vergennes with her dad and mom, Mike and Kira Winslow.
Cedar achieved high honors every semester in middle school and high school. She was inducted into the National Honor Society and the National Technical Honor Society her junior year. She was recently elected president of the National Honor Society. Over the last four years Cedar received awards for outstanding achievement in the areas of English, French, and Visual Arts. Cedar also received the Clarkson University High School Achievement award last year. During Cedar’s junior year she spent half of it studying Design and Illustration at the Hannaford Career Center, where she was honored as Outstanding Student. Cedar completed college-level coursework in Statistics, as well as Design and Illustration. This year Cedar is taking advanced Placement Biology and Language & Composition. Cedar is continuing her pursuits in the arts by taking Advanced Art, and doing an Independent Study in the area of design.
Cedar is a very active member of the VUHS community. She has been a sprinter for the outdoor and indoor track teams and was awarded with Most Outstanding Runner her junior year. She has performed in the VUHS musicals in grades 7-12. She also plays clarinet in the high school orchestra and has picked up several other instruments along the way. Not limited to instruments, she is a member of the high school chorus and select choir (Commodore Singers). Cedar is an active participant in Student Council, Peace One Day Committee and QSA (Queer Straight Alliance).
Cedar says, “My personal philosophy is learn by doing. You’ll never understand what truly interests you if you don’t step out of your comfort zone and explore.”
Chris Wycoff, an English teacher at VUHS says this about our Student of the Week, “Thinking of Cedar always puts a smile on my face. Her generosity of spirit fills the entire school with positive energy, and her academic prowess enlightens every classroom she is in. Cedar is an exceptional student who has a true passion for knowledge and understanding — not just for the skills and the content, but for the betterment of herself and the world we live in.”
Following graduation from VUHS Cedar plans to pursue a college education in the area of Business and Marketing, focusing on graphic design and communications. The faculty, staff and students of VUHS wish Cedar Winslow 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