School news
Lighting up the Innovation Lab
The High School Innovation Lab students are finishing up their projects for the semester. During quarter one and two, each student designed and built a light. The shapes of the lights are all derived from Hexagons and each student built a digital model prior to fabrication. The patterns on the surface of the lights are derived from photographs that the students took or selected. In remaining classes students are wiring multiple LED lights into their objects. We are having a lot of fun!
Juniors experience lawmaking in class and with State Representative
Juniors in U.S. Government and Politics learned firsthand about the lawmaking process from Representative Charlie Kimbell on December 9. Students asked questions on topics including education, taxes, health care, and phone calls from voters.
Earlier in the year, the same students formed a Senate and House to pass the Balanced Medicare Act of 2025. Senior and former Government student Dominic Palazzo returned as president to sign the bill into law. Other government classes also worked through the legislative process: one class passed a health care law, another bill was vetoed, and a fourth never made it out of Congress.
Art students visit the Clark Art Institute
On Thursday, November 20, the Art Department took a field trip to The Clark Art Institute in Williamstown, MA.
Students in AP Art History, AP Photography, AP Art and Advanced Art took a tour that explored the theme of Disruption and Emergence in works from the permanent collection. While in the galleries students took a close look at four different works of art, wrote poems and letters in response to those pieces and then made collages in the art studio inspired by the paintings and the themes.
About the trip, Ruth Stallard, a tenth grade student in Dr. Gravel’s AP Art History class said, “I loved going to The Clark Art Institute. Their collection was beautiful and fascinating, and the whole class was very focused and asked thoughtful questions about the art. This was one of my favorite field trips I’ve ever been on and I loved going with my class. It was a wonderful experience.”
Addison Blanchard, also in tenth grade studying Art History, commented about a specific painting. She stated, “I really liked the Women of Amphissa by Lawrence Alma-Tadema. I had seen the piece before online and had no idea it was at The Clark. I love how the artist painted the clothing and the hair of the women, and how the light was captured. It’s a big piece and there is a lot to look at and discover.”
Art students with their collages
Addison Blanchard, Nyna Lewallen and Jay Allen in the galleries
Matilda and Priscilla Richardson in the studio with their collages.
After lunch, students had time to explore The Clark’s collection. Nyna Lewallen, a tenth grade Art History student, described the work that caught her eye when she stated, “I was most drawn to Little Dancer of Thirteen Years, by Edgar Degas. As a dancer I’ve heard so much about Degas in general, but specifically about this sculpture. The girl sculpted has a feeling of calmness and relaxation, which is a stark contrast to how intense ballet can be, and it was great to see one of the renditions of this sculpture close up.”
Marlena Farinas, a senior in Ms. Jimerson’s AP Drawing class, summed up her experience by writing, “My reaction to the Clark Art Institute’s collection was wonder. It was so beautiful and had so many different and unique pieces of art. I loved so many of the different kinds of painting and textures that were in many of the artworks.” That sentiment was echoed by Zara Paczkowski, an 11 th grade student in Ms. Piana’s Advanced Studio Art, who wrote, “I felt my experience with walking through the galleries was relaxing and provided me with the opportunity to look at a variety of historical pieces. Throughout this experience, my favorite part was looking at the statues, as I loved seeing the detail and effort they put into making such realistic art works.”
Thank you so much to The Clark Art Institute for their excellent educational programming, the bus reimbursement program and to everyone who helped make this trip possible.
Joshua Byrne with his poem "Summer Squall."
Students in the European Paintings Gallery.
Maya Sluka observing Renoir's The Bay of Naples
Area students participate in regional honors music festival
Eight students from Woodstock Union Middle & High School were accepted and performed with the Connecticut Valley Honors Music Festival this past weekend. Students gained acceptance into the festival through nomination and audition, and represented the very best middle and high school musicians from the southeastern part of the state. The festival took place Friday and Saturday, November 21st and 22nd at Brattleboro Union High School. The festival included eleven hours of intense rehearsals and a culmination performance, all while working with the regions top conductors. Izzy Gieder and Georga Reed sang with the middle school Choir, Mina Gugliotta, Anabelle Park, and Sadie Rowlee played in the middle school Jazz Band, and Lia Gugliotta, Brooke Rowlee, and Liam Wheeler played in the high school Concert Band.
This is WUHSMS' second year participating after a 13 year hiatus, and we are excited to have more participants recognized this year than last.
Congratulations to all for representing themselves and WUHSMS with pride!
Front row - Mina Gugliotta, Anabelle Park, Georga Reed, Izzy Gieder
Middle Row - Sadie Rowleee
Top Row - Liam Wheeler, Lia Guggliotta, Brooke Rowlee
Congratulations Coach Ramsey!
Ramsey Worrell has been named Vermont D3 Football Coach of the Year for the 3rd year in a row. He is a wonderful representation of our school and Statewide Athletic Community.
Congrats to Coach Ramsay and to team who proudly represented WUHS at this year’s DIII championship.