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.
 
MAUHS STUDENT OF THE WEEK
Mt. Abraham Union High School has named Eden Ginsburg of Bristol as it’s student of the week. Eden is the daughter of Kristen and Adam Ginsburg and sister to Ellie, who is a sophomore at Mt. Abe.
Eden has excelled academically, getting highest honors and academic excellence every year since she arrived at Mt. Abe her sophomore year. She is a member of both the National Technical Honors Society and the National Arts Honors Society. She has studied A.P. United States History, A.P. Studio Art and A.P. English Literature and Composition. Eden spends half of each day at Hannaford Career Center’s Addison Repertory Theatre. Last summer she completed a musical theatre intensive at Ithaca College.
A dedicated thespian, Eden has acted in all the fall and spring musicals produced while she was a student. Not limited to school productions, Eden also does community theatre, acting and working on community shows almost her whole life. She is a Middlebury Community Players board member, a piano and voice student, and dabbled in soccer in grade 9.
Eden works as a lifeguard and taught swimming lessons to children. She was hired to be the nurse at the Summit Soccer Camp for the past three years and has worked as a babysitter. Eden also does volunteer performances for elderly services, playing piano and singing, and has given concerts at elementary schools and nursing homes through the Mount Abe a cappella group Sweet Transition.
When not studying, acting or singing, Eden enjoys cooking, baking with her sister, curling up with a good book, obsessively listening to Harry Potter, being an avid chocolate consumer and creating henna art.
Eden says, “If I could pass on one philosophy it would be to “have courage and be kind” … when I look back on my best moments in high school, or what moments made me the person I am today, I find that what made them special were the other incredible people around me … if you take a second, step out of yourself, and say hello, or even smile at someone in the hall, that could mean the world to them.”
Eden hopes to study Musical Theatre in college and then go out into the world and inspire, educate, and bring joy to people through her art. “How I will do that is somewhat of a mystery,” she says, “but my dream is to tell stories that need to be heard, and bring theatre to those that truly need it.”
Eden’s AP Art Teacher Elise Cleary says, “Eden Ginsburg is a gem! A visual artist as well as an avid singer and actor, Eden pushes herself to improve her skills and refine her style. She is not afraid to take risks or start over if something isn’t working and her determination sets an example for all of us. Eden is a sensitive, kind individual who has a way of intuitively knowing how someone is feeling. Eden is in love with the world and in love with learning and when you are in her presence you can’t help but feel the same. Her enthusiasm is contagious!”
 
OVUHS STUDENT OF THE WEEK
Ethan Sulik-Doty is the most recent Otter Valley Union High School student to be recognized as Student of the Week. Ethan is the son of Christine Sulik and Russell Doty of Whiting. His younger sister is in 6th grade at Christ the King school in Rutland.
Ethan has a few academic achievements that he is very proud of. He has made principal’s list — all A’s — since 7th grade through this point in his senior year. He also joined the National Honor Society last school year, 11th grade. He has received academic excellence awards in History, Social Studies, Chemistry, Biology, and multiple math courses from 9th grade to now. He took AP Chemistry last year, and this year he is enrolled in AP Biology and AP Literature. He hopes to continue earning principal’s list recognition throughout his senior year until he graduates.
Athletically talented, Ethan has played soccer and lacrosse throughout his high school carrier. He just finished his final soccer season in high school with a nod from the Addison Independent as one of the county’s all-star players. Ethan looks forward to his final lacrosse season this spring.
A true sports enthusiast, in his spare time Ethan likes to play sports with friends outside of the team.
Ethan currently works at Olympia Sports in Middlebury, but has had a few other jobs in the past. Over the past summer, he worked for a solar installation company, putting up a solar field in Brandon. He has also worked at Subway in Brandon and for the five years previous to that, at a farm close by his house in Whiting. Ethan also helps out sometimes with other solar projects, and hopes to continue this work next summer as well.
When asked about advice he would give to fellow high school students, Ethan said there is not real secret what to do. “Make sure that you do the work that is assigned and put your best effort into it,” he said. “Hard work does pay off in the end and it will reflect well on your grades and as a person in general.”
Following high school, Ethan plans to go to college and hopefully earn a degree in Engineering, but he is still not sure what kind of Engineering he wants to study.
Chemistry teacher Larry Gerrior has been impressed by what he sees in Ethan. He says, “Ethan is a motivated young man of numerous talents and considerable self-discipline. He is mature, independent, enthusiastic and trustworthy.”
The students, staff and teachers at Otter Valley wish Ethan Sulik-Doty all the best in his pursuits beyond high school.
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