School news
Magistra Allen attends an NEH Summer Institute
This summer Magistra Sarah Allen attended an incredibly engaging summer institute sponsored by the National Endowment for the Humanities titled "The Ancient Olympics and Daily Life in Ancient Olympia: A Hands-On History" at Monmouth College in Monmouth, Illinois.
During this jam-packed two-week professional development opportunity Magistra Allen was one of about two dozen K-12 educators who learned about and then tried out all of the ancient events in the Olympics, and also learned so much more about the technology of various aspects of daily life. These included weaving and writing technology, the complex science behind ancient pottery firing techniques, ancient and sustainable farming practices and beekeeping, cheese-making, and much more! She made ink out of oak galls, completed some simple weaving projects, made pottery, won the stade race among the female participants, threw a discus and javelin, served as a horse in a "chariot", and got to feel a little like an archaeologist. She also got interested in ancient security practices, and hopes to pursue further research on aspects of ancient locks and locking technology. All participants were instructed in engaging hands-on activities by experts, and Magistra is aiming to bring lots of what she did and learned into her classes this year, so her students can have as much fun as she did.
If you would like to learn more about this wonderful opportunity, you can also check out this news article from the River Cities' Reader by a local journalist, or check out an interview from the Monmouth public radio station that features Magistra, two other participants, and the directors of the program. This is a link to the news podcast episode on Spotify (Magistra Allen talks about her experience at about minute 9:20), and this has a very brief written summary of what was talked about in the interview and includes a fun picture from the radio booth. Big thanks to the National Endowment for the Humanities for making this all possible!
Steve Lazona receives McLaughlin Award from student council
The Student Council awarded Steve Lanoza with the James T. McLaughlin Co-curricular Award. The McLaughlin Award is named after Jim McLaughlin who was a former science teacher, administrator and winning football coach at WUHSMS. Students nominated Steve Lanoza, who works in the cafeteria, for this award for his dedication to supporting and encouraging students during sports events, concerts, theater productions, chaperoning the prom and his genuine interest in students' well being.
Upon receiving the award, Steve Lanoza expressed his gratitude by saying, "I would like to thank everyone involved in choosing me for this award. It was a complete surprise to me that left me humbled. I will miss all of the seniors very much. I wish there was a way to stay in touch so I could hear of all their future endeavors. And, I look forward to seeing everyone else next school year!"
Woodstock Envirothon team places second
Schuyler Hagge, Kody Lantiegne, and Pippa Shaw won second place in the Vermont Envirothon Competition. They rotated through four stations where they worked as a team to complete hands-on tests about Aquatics, Soils, Forestry, and Wildlife. They also presented about Nonpoint Source Pollution in our watershed and potential solutions. The team enjoyed spending the day at Buck Lake Conservation Area, showcasing the knowledge they've gained in their science and agriculture classes, and getting to talk with professionals in the field.
If you are interested in joining the Envirothon Team next year, please reach out to Abbie Castriotta (Room 27 or abbie.castriotta@mtnviews.org).
8th grader Norah Wolfe wins 2026 Lincoln Hildene essay contest
Congratulations to Norah Wolfe, who won first place in the annual Hildene Essay Contest this spring! The contest is open to 8th graders around Vermont, and this year's prompt asked students to apply a value from the Declaration of Independence to a current issue in our nation. Norah's essay was titled Frozen Liberty, and it tackled the controversy around ICE, whose "recent actions regarding illegal immigration, including aggressive enforcement maneuvers and unwarranted searches in the U.S. are uprooting the country's founding value of liberty." Norah was honored at a luncheon at the Lincoln Family Home in Manchester, Vermont, last weekend, where she was awarded with $500. Congratulations, Norah!
Equitable climate action partnership at VINS
Middle school and high school students presented at the third annual ECAP\(Equitable Climate Action Partnership) at the Vermont Institute of Natural Science on May 8. Students got to experience some activities, check out the birds and trails, learn about birds and climate change and present their projects.
Middle school students Reese Fenity, Isa Contarino and Annabelle Park presented about their food system project from wellness. The girls gathered local foods from Annabelle’s garden, cooked over 80 healthy meals and served them to people in need in Rutland.
Middle achool atudents Reese Fenity, Isa Contarino and Annabelle Park presented about their food system project from wellness. The girls gathered local foods from Annabelle’s garden, cooked over 80 healthy meals and served them to people in need in Rutland.
High schoolers Pea Richardson, Bethany Thorburn, Sadie Boulbol, Owen Whalen and Brody Allen shared about their immersive semester work at the King Farm this past fall where they created a permaculture design for future use of the land and made and planted air pruning beads with native trees.