School news
Nick Cellini competes at the Presidential 1776 Award for Civics
On May 2, the John F. Kennedy Presidential Library and Museum in Boston served as the backdrop for an intense competition and powerful celebration of civic engagement and leadership. At the regional finals for the Presidential 1776 Awards was Woodstock’s own Nick Cellini, standing as one of three representatives for the Green Mountain State, selected in the basis of their scores in the “impossible civics test” earlier in the year. Nick was competing against students from 9 other states and showcasing his commitment to excellence in Civics as part of the nation’s birthday celebration.
The competition involved answering a series of rapid fire open response history and government questions on stage by a panel of judges, spelling bee style. Nick equipped himself admirably, and scored the highest number of points from Vermont.
The Presidential 1776 Award is a 2026 national civics competition for U.S. high school students (grades 9-12) celebrating America's 250th anniversary. Organized by the James Madison Memorial Fellowship Foundation and the U.S. Department of Education, it tests knowledge of the American Revolution, founding documents, and early history to promote civic literacy and award significant scholarships.
Eco artists create baskets with Sue Lenfest
The EcoArt class recently had the opportunity to work with visiting local artist and basketmaker Sue Lenfest in a hands-on basketry workshop. With many years of experience, including learning from Indigenous artists, she guided students through the process of traditional basketmaking.
Sue harvested black ash trees herself, prepared the splints used for weaving, and incorporated natural dyes to add color. Through this experience, students connected directly with the materials, techniques, and traditions of basketry, gaining a deeper understanding of the relationship between land, craft, and culture.
Black ash trees are central to Abenaki culture. Their unique growth rings allow logs to be pounded into usable strips that are strong, flexible, and long-lasting. For the Abenaki, ash trees are deeply connected to identity, place, and origin stories, and each basket reflects the story of its maker.
Students also learned about the emerald ash borer, an invasive beetle that is threatening ash tree populations. Scientists, Indigenous basketmakers, and local communities are working together to monitor and slow its spread, harvest affected trees, treat healthy ones, support Indigenous forest stewardship, and preserve seeds for future forests.
Pippa Shaw presents at New England STEM Symposium
Woodstock Union High School junior Pippa Shaw took her research beyond the classroom last month, presenting her original scientific poster at the 4th Annual New England STEM Symposium in New Hampshire.
Pippa's poster, "The Effects of Handwashing Methods on Bacterial Diversity," explored how different handwashing techniques affect the variety of bacteria present — research with genuine public health relevance. She was among 32 students from 10 schools across New Hampshire and Vermont who gathered on April 25th to share their work and engage with professional scientists.
The symposium, hosted by the New Hampshire Academy of Science, gives secondary school students the opportunity to present original research, attend talks by STEM professionals, and sit down with working scientists over lunch to ask questions about their careers and what different paths in science actually look like. This year's event featured 15 posters spanning engineering, botany, molecular biology, analytical chemistry, and ecology.
Congratulations, Pippa, on representing Woodstock Union so well!
WUHS musicians selected as best in the state
Lia Gugliotta and Satori Rossi have auditioned and been selected to represent WUHS at the Vermont All State Music Festival. Both were selected from over a thousand students who auditioned for the festival. Satori will be playing keyboard & trumpet with the festival's Modern Band, and Lia will be playing alto saxophone in the Concert Band.
The yearly festival brings the very best high school musicians to work with the country's top conductors. It includes rehearsing 8+ hours each day and culminates in a performance.
This year's festival runs Wednesday through Saturday, May 6th through 9th, at Missisquoi Valley Union High School.
Congratulations Lia & Satori!
Spring plant sale in the WUHSMS greenhouse
When?
Thursday, May 7th – Friday, May 29th
Mondays: 9am-2pm
Tuesdays: 9am – 2pm
Wednesdays: closed
Thursdays: 2pm-5pm (except our first day 9am-5pm)
Fridays: 9am-2pm
Saturday/Sunday: closed
Where?
100 Amsden Way, Woodstock. Drive around to the right hand side of the school and park in the spots near the bus barn and football field. The sale is in the big greenhouse.
What?
Students start most of our plants by seed and we source some more difficult-to-start plants from a nursery that is neonicotinoid free! We focus on growing open-pollinated, organic, and heirloom vegetable, herb, and flower varieties. Many of our plants will be available in soil blocks this year (healthier plants and zero plastic waste)!
All proceeds directly benefit the Woodstock Union HS/MS Agriculture Department. Your support helps to ensure that our greenhouse and gardens are thriving spaces where we can continue to teach and learn about agriculture, stewardship, sustainability, and systems thinking through experiential learning. We take cash or checks made out to WUHS with “greenhouse” in the memo line.
Please bring cash or a check, boxes to bring your plants home, and old takeout containers for bringing soil block plants home.
Check out our website to learn more about our program and for our tentative plant list.
This year, we are focusing on selling native, perennial plants — specifically, ones that benefit pollinators — and vegetables/herbs. We will still have many of the fan favorites. See the CRAFT website for the list of plants (subject to change). We will also be selling bird houses, No Mow May signs, and seeds.
