School news
WUHS Seniors Aidan Keough-Vella and Levi Halley Receive Congressional Nominations
Two of our WUHSMS students Aidan Keough-Vella and Levi Halley have received Congressional nominations to the US Service Academies from Vermont's US Congressional Delegation, Senators Bernie Sanders and Peter Welch, and US Representative Becca Balint. Aidan Keough-Vella of Bridgewater Corners has applied to the U.S. Air Force Academy and Levi Halley of Woodstock has applied to the U.S. Military Academy.
Both of these students attended a reception at the Vermont State House on December 29 and were included in Senator Sanders' newsletter, the "Bernie Buzz" on December 29.
According to the newsletter, "Each year, the Vermont Congressional Delegation comes together at the end of December to nominate outstanding young Vermonters to be members of the United States Service Academies. We hold this annual reception at the Vermont State House and invite families and current students of the academies to join us.
"As part of this annual event, we hold a roundtable discussion so that the students can get to know one another and share why each of them has chosen to serve their country. And let me tell you, after hearing what these young Vermonters have to say it would be hard not to conclude that they are a very special group of youngsters. As Vermonters, we should be very proud of all of them.
"At just 17 or 18 years old, they have made a decision to serve our country. They have chosen service to community, above self. These young people may go on to have 20-year careers in the military. They may also receive important education and training through the academies and military service that will lead them to become the doctors, nurses, engineers, pilots, teachers, and first responders who live and work every day in our communities."
Here's the link to the complete newsletter - https://www.sanders.senate.gov/bernie-buzz/these-young-vermonters-give-me-hope/
CRAFT at the Youth Climate Leaders Academy
Three CRAFT students participated in and one CRAFT student helped facilitate the Youth Climate Leadership Academy (YCLA) at the Hulbert Outdoor Center last weekend. They were supported by WUHS staff Katrina Jimerson, Janis Boulbol, and Mike Loots and mentored by staff from the Vermont and New Hampshire Energy Education Programs (VEEP/NHEEP) to develop a school-based environmental action project. They attended a variety of leadership development and systems-thinking workshops and were able to interact with 100 students from all over VT and NH working on similar projects. One student shared these reflections about the experience:
“What motivated me to attend YCLA was when I first found out that it was about climate change and how to change something that needs to be fixed in our school. So I thought it seemed really cool to join and talk about what we could do to fix it… The most valuable skill I learned is how to speak nicely to the people that are working in the kitchen that I am going to speak with about the paper plates and how some people get metal forks but they throw them away not thinking that is something that we need and something that we can reuse and something that we do not want to get rid of…The best workshop for me was the one where we were learning about how to do an interview and that was very helpful for me so I would be able to do a better job at doing an interview if we have to do one for my school's project…For next year’s participants, I would say: Be prepared to do a lot of work! When I went there I thought oh yeah it's going to be fun and there is not going to be as much work as there is in a school day but I was wrong; there is a lot more! I’m not saying it is not fun because I really had fun and did not even want to leave the place.”
"Bringing Gather to Life: A Day of Inspiration, Connection, and Community for Ninth Graders"
Last Friday, our 9th grade students participated in a series of meaningful activities pertaining to the book Gather by Ken Cadow. To kick off the afternoon, the author Ken Cadow visited and spoke to our students, sharing insights into his writing process and the inspiration behind Gather through a student-led panel discussion. After the discussion, students participated in two activities of their choice that centered around the themes of nature, connection, and giving back to the community that showed up in the book.
Activities included crafting and donating pet items, baking dog treats for shelter fundraising, organizing a pet food drive, volunteering in the school greenhouse, and enjoying nature hikes and basketball games to balance responsibilities with personal joy. Students also designed laser-printed ornaments and connected with a therapy dog, emphasizing themes of care and meaningful connection.
Students display blanket they made to donate to the Lucy Mackenzie Humane Society
Students made blankets and cushions to donate to the Lucy Mackenzie Humane Society
Two Students making dog treats to bake for shelter fundraising.
LIBRARY NEWS - Ken Cadow, Author of Gather, visits WUHSMS
On Friday, December 6, Ken Cadow, author of Gather, visited WUHSMS thanks to Vermont Humanities! In addition to being a National Book Award Finalist last year, Gather is the Vermont Reads books for 2024 and hundreds of our students have read it. Ken Cadow's author talk was for most the culminating activity of their study of Ian's life in Vermont with his dog named Gather. The themes in this coming of age story really resonated with our students and they had the opportunity to ask their questions of the author. Nine student panelists sat on stage with the author and they asked questions students in grades 9-12 wrote in their English classes.
To read more about the event and see photos, please click here for the From the Library newsletter.
Nine student panelists sat on stage with the author and they asked questions students in grades 9-12 wrote in their English classes.
Two students meet Baxter the therapy dog
The week before Thanksgiving break was an eventful one in the Music Department!
The High School Concert Choir was invited to perform at the conference for the Chief Justices and their Supreme Courts and the State Court Administrators of New England. WUHSMS Alumnus the Honorable Harold Eaton Jr. (Class of 1973) who serves on the Vermont Supreme Court invited the Concert Choir to open up the conference with the Star Spangled Banner.
Twelve students from WUHSMS were selected to participate in the Connecticut Valley District Music Festival which brings together the very best musicians from southeastern Vermont for a two day festival. Participants worked with some of New England’s finest conductors, rehearsing over 10 hours and then sharing a wonderful performance. This is the first time musicians from WUHSMS have attended the festival in over 13 years. Henry Butler, Grace Falk Davidson, Izzy Gieder, Jacquelyn Melendy, Bree Sarandrea, & Sierra Townsend participated in the Middle School Chorus. Bowie Appelfeller, Ava Byrne, Mari Maxham, Astrid McFarland, & Sadie Rowlee participated in the Middle School Jazz Band. Lia Gugliotta participated in the High School Concert Band. Bravo tutti!