School news
Eco Art students launch ice books
The Ottauquechee River thawed just in time and lived up to its Abenaki name meaning 'swift mountain stream' for Eco Art students to launch ice books into the current this week.
Inspired by artist Basia Irland, students froze water into book shapes, then used Dremel tools to carve symbols and letters into the ice. Garden manager Abbie Castriotta guided them through the role of native riparian plants in biodiversity and erosion control, and students carefully embedded seeds — harvested by Regenerative Agriculture classmates — into the carvings before sending them downstream.
As Irland describes it, the project emphasizes "communal effort and scientific knowledge" in addressing climate disruption and watershed restoration. As the ice melts and seeds take root, the river does the rest.
It's a project that's equal parts art, ecology, and hope.
VT Supreme Court Justice visits 8th grade class
VT Supreme Court Justice Harold Eaton and his intern, Camille, visited with the 8th grade class as part of our study of the Bill of Rights & the US Constitution. Students are reading the book Just Mercy by Bryan Stevenson as part of their study of the judicial branch of government. Justice Eaton answered student questions about his work and the role of the judiciary in our state and national governments.
Justice Eaton is very much a homegrown Woodstocker. His parents both graduated from WUHS, as he himself did in 1973, and then also his son, Matt. He went on to attend UVM and Vermont Law School and he was appointed to Vermont's highest court in 2014. We were able to dig out his yearbook from our archives!
WUHS Finance and Investing Club welcomes local guest speaker
Last week the WUHS Finance and Investing Club welcomed local financial advisor Derek Pierce to speak about investing fundamentals. Members came away with practical insights on building smart habits early, the kind that pay off over time.
A big thank you to Mr. Pierce, Mr. Wolfe, Dr. Duff, and Mrs. Hudson for making it happen. Join us for Finance Friday Meetings — 2nd ARE time, every Friday in Mr. Wolfe's room!
Many 'Big Stories, Small Sentences: Room 206'
There's a new book in the school library, and it was written by students right here at WUHS.
Brenna Bridwell's class spent six weeks mastering one of the most deceptively simple forms in writing: the six-word story. The format asks writers to say something true and complete in just six words — no more, no less. Every student contributed a story, and together they became Big Stories, Small Sentences: Room 206.
A few that will stay with you:
If Heaven had a phone number...
One man's joy; Another man's sorrow.
The book is available in the school library for anyone in the community to read.
WUHS artists featured in Vermont's 250th anniversary exhibition
Eight WUHS artists are currently showing their work in Unfinished Revolutions, the Vermont 250th Art Exhibition on display at the State House Cafeteria Gallery in Montpelier. We're proud to have so many of our students represented in this statewide celebration of Vermont art.
Our artists: Calvin Lehouiller, Charleigh Parker, Matilda Richardson, Broder White, Agnes Kardashian, Adelle Danilchick, Zara Paczkowski, and Daxton Redmond.
The exhibit is free and open to the public weekdays from 8:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m. through March 27.
Up to three works will be selected by the Vermont State Curator for permanent inclusion in the Vermont State Art Collection — a remarkable honor for any young artist. Selections will be announced at the Closing Reception on March 26, 3:30–5:30 p.m. Come see our students’ work on display at the State House.
My unfinished revolution focuses on the ongoing challenge of retaining people in Vermont, especially young adults who have their entire futures ahead of them. Many young people are leaving Vermont in search of better opportunities elsewhere. This issue matters deeply to my generation because choosing to stay can help strengthen Vermont’s declining workforce and support essential public services such as schools and healthcare both of which are vital to the well-being of our communities. This piece serves as a call to action, encouraging younger generations in Vermont to invest their futures in the state rather than looking elsewhere.
I chose to express my vision through strong visual symbolism. The image of a car driving away past a “Leaving Vermont” sign represents the growing number of residents moving out of the state. The car has a Vermont license plate to emphasize that the driver is a lifelong Vermonter, and a University of Vermont sticker to show that they pursued higher education in-state. In the distance, a city skyline symbolizes their destination and the promise of “better opportunities.”
- Tilly Richardson
“My unfinished revolution is about the ongoing decline of Vermont’s moose population. Shorter winters have allowed winter tick numbers to rise, especially in areas with high moose density. A single moose can carry up to 90,000 ticks, leading to severe illness and often death. This crisis matters because moose are an essential part of Vermont’s ecosystem. If left unchecked, tick populations will continue to grow, and Vermont will continue to lose its moose.”
- Agnes Kardashian
“My unfinished revolution focuses on mental health in Vermont. Teens in particular have been increasingly affected by mental health struggles, leading to rising rates of depression and suicide.
My artwork portrays how overwhelming it can feel to face your own mind. It shows how small and helpless these struggles can make a person feel - as if there is no escape. I used dark tones and a shadowed theme to create a mood that reflects depression and emotional weight. The large, dark figure in the center symbolizes the power of the mind and how massive an obstacle it can become at times.
I hope my audience feels the heavy, ominous atmosphere of the piece. I want viewers to gain a sense of what it is like for those who battle mental health challenges in silence. That idea of struggling unseen is why I chose to title my work Shadows.”
— Calvin Lehouiller