Graduation 2017 a special section of the Addison Independent, Thursday, June 15, 2017 — PAGE 1C
Graduation Where are they now? & This is the time
MUHS Class of 2017 MATTHEW SNIDER Middlebury 2005
OVUHS Class of 2017
of year for looking forward and looking back. Young adults who are just graduating from college are looking forward to the next stage of their lives, and looking back at the chapter that has just ended. Those who are younger are looking back to sum up what they have achieved so far so they can figure out what they still need to accomplish to get that diploma and what lies beyond. And for those whose high school years are a few years behind us (or many years!) this is a time to look at the newly minted graduates and see a bit of ourselves in them. Turn the pages and take a look at the expectant, confident and happy young faces from the Middlebury, Mount Abraham, Otter Valley and Vergennes union high school graduation ceremonies this past weekend — you might catch a reflection of your own face. You’ll also see mini-profiles of the local graduates of not so many years ago updating us on what has become of their lives, and giving today’s graduates some insight on the endless possibilities in front of them. We chose a selection of people from the four local high schools who graduated between six and 12 years ago in the hopes that this year’s high school graduates will be able to see something of their own generation in the stories. You’ll find a variety of vocations and avocations represented in the profiles, but they barely scratch the surface of the diversity that can be found among the young people produced in Addison County. Enjoy the stories and the photos and wish a graduate well.
VUHS Class of 2017 GENEVIEVE COHN Vergennes 2010
MAUHS Class of 2017 NICOLE (BAKER) SCHMITZ Mount Abraham 2008
BEN WILLIAMS Otter Valley 2009
A Special Publication of The Addison Independent • June 15, 2017
PAGE 2C — Graduation 2017 a special section of the Addison Independent, Thursday, June 15, 2017
Middlebury Union High School Congratulations Class of 2017!
MUHS Class of 2017
MIDDLEBURY — The following seniors received their diplomas from Middlebury Union High School on Saturday, June 10. Owain Nickolai Alexander, Asaiah David Anderson, Alura Lee Bacon, Brittany Anne Baker, Charles D. Barber, Joanna Mae Barrett, Nicholas David Beattie, Pierson Clarke Beatty, Joshua Theodore Bechhoefer, Abigail E. Benz, Leigh Patricia Boglioli, Tobias Boudewijn Francesco Broucke, Patricia G. Burkins, Raymond Rider Bushey and Payton Elizabeth Buxton. Also Alan J. Campbell, Calista Quinn Carl, Spencer Liam Carpenter, Samuel James Chamberlain, Allison Nicole Cherrier, Meigan Quetzal Clark, Trevor Osbourn Clark, Ryan M. Cook, Monroe Rita Cromis, Ross Douglas Crowne, Tamika Marie Davis, Douglas Anthony DeLorenzo, Wes H. Doner, Dace Joseph Eaton and Hadley Elizabeth Evans Nash. Also Riley Elizabeth Fenster, Hannah Ruth Forbes, Skylar David Franklin, Ryan Adam Fredette, Marissa M. Freegard-Rougier, Austin Monroe Friend, Henry Till Ganey, Anne Marie Carmela Garner, Erin Beth Gebo, Channler Nichole Gendreau, Jeremy Jin Gile, Joshua Harrison Girard, Andrew Buckley Gleason, Andrew Joseph Gosselin and Brock Spencer Gross. Elijah Avery Hamilton, Owen R. Hammel, Briana Katherine Hanley, Hayden Eric Heffernan, Rowan Ella Hendy, Amalia Maria Herren-Lage, Tasha Suniza Hescock, Anna Carter Hickley, Ronan Peter Howlett, Megi Hoxha, Aaliyah Yvonne Hutchinson, Amelia Blicke Ingersoll, Phillip Charles Jerome, Faith Alexandria Joyal, Karl Paul Kaufmann, Trey Frank Kaufmann, Charlotte Maeve Keathley, Sara Irene Kelley, MaKayla
Lynn Kimball, Bryce K. Kowalczyk and Jakub S. Kraus. Also Bree M. Laframboise, Josef Robert Langevin, Ally Marie Larocque, Katelyn Rose Larocque, Sylvia J. Lash, Chanyiah Lynn Lawrence, Hattie K. Lindert, Kelsey Michael Many, Alexander David Marohnic, Thomas Adirondack Maron, Lauren Ann Martin, Hunter J. McCray, Dawson J. McGrath, George McKeeverParkes, Patrick Charles Messenger, Eli Andrew Miller, Shelby Lynn Monica, Damien Montell Lee Morris and Katherine Merritt Moulton. Spencer W. Newton, Martin Fredrick Niemo, Fiona Katherine O’Neil, Bethany Mae Orvis, Katherine Noel Oster, Maverick Dillion Payne, Sierra Emily Phillips, Kiana Jayde-Amira Plouffe, Alec Daniel Poppenga, McKenna Jane Poppenga, Robert Richmond Poppenga, Harlow E. Punderson, Evgeni A. Pyfrom and Lucas Benjamin Pyle. Also Leah Mei Raymond, Jessica Elizabeth Rich, Mikayla Marie Robinson, Amanda Rogers-Wilson, *Hannah N. Roque, Micah B. Rubin, Brooke Avery Rubright, Douglas Jackson Sandler, Samuel Dawson Scott, Cooper T. Smith, Lilia Kathleen Smith, Shayla Ann Smith, Darcy Ruth Staats, Erin M. Stocker, Sullivan C. Swearingen and Michaela Lena Sylvain. And Molly Elizabeth Taylor, Wade Lee Terrier, Zoey Beth Woody Thebodo, Malcolm J. Thompson, ~Andrew Wyatt Patrick Trombley, Elijah George Tucker, Lauren Mae Turner, Brett Larson Viens, Ursula Erin Volz, Nathan Michael Warren, Maria Ann Welch, Molly E. Wetmore, Maria Kathryn Wiles, ¹Hannah Marie Williams, Colleen Joanne Wilson, Taylor Rose Wisnowski, Indigo Hannon Woods and Claire Joanna Wulfman.
Photos by Trent Campbell
Congratulations Class of 2017!
May your future be
&
BRIGHT COLORFUL!
o G o t y Wa Tigers! 802-388-6054 M-F 7:30-5:30, Sat. 8-3 16 Creek Road, Middlebury, VT countrysidecarpetandpaint.com
Graduation 2017 a special section of the Addison Independent, Thursday, June 15, 2017 — PAGE 3C
Where are they now? Recent Middlebury Union High School Graduates LARAMIE JENSEN Middlebury Union High School, 2011 Hometown, current residence, age: I am originally from Weybridge, where I spent the majority of my childhood. Currently, I am 23 and I live in College Station, Texas. Family: Although my parents moved away from Vermont a few years ago, my mom, Alison Byerly, worked at Middlebury College for 27 years as a professor of English and provost of the college for a number of years. My dad, Steve Jensen, was also an active member of the local community and my brother, Ryan Jensen, attended Weybridge Elementary, MUMS and one year of MUHS before they relocated to Easton, Penn. What I am up to: I currently attend Texas A&M University as a graduate student and will hopefully get my PhD in Oceanography by 2020. As a graduate student in STEM I am paid for this position (although it’s not much!) and I am very fortunate to have well-funded research involving biogeochemical cycling in the Arctic Ocean and the Western Antarctic Peninsula. In fact, last year I was able to go to Antarctica as part of a long-term ecological research (LTER) team. I spent a little over 40 days on a boat sailing around the peninsula taking water samples and enjoying the scenery. How I got to where I am now: I definitely got to where I am because of where I went to school and what I majored in. I went to undergrad at Carleton College in Northfield, Minn., and majored in chemistry. Typically, you would want to have some research experience before continuing
on to grad school in chemistry and I opted to take a position as a National Science Foundation-funded marine summer science intern at the University of Delaware the summer of 2014 before my senior year at Carleton. I was able to apply my chemistry knowledge and lab skills to the complex cycles in the ocean that fuel life on Earth. This interdisciplinary application of chemistry sealed the deal for me, and after that I knew I only wanted to do chemical (See Jensen, Page 11C)
MATTHEW SNIDER Middlebury Union High School, 2005 Hometown, current residence, age: I am 30 years old. I grew up in East Middlebury but now reside in Raleigh, North Carolina. Family: I would like to thank my parents, Steve and Suzanne Snider, as well as my sister, Sarah (also an MUHS alum), for supporting me in all of my endeavors, educational and otherwise, from the beginning.
HARRIET NAPIER Middlebury Union High School, 2008
Hometown, current residence, age: I grew up in Cornwall; I’m living in Seattle for the summer for a fellowship with the Gates Foundation; I’m 27 years old. Family: My mother is a professor of English at Middlebury College and my older brother is a filmmaker and editor based out of Park City, Utah. Every summer we try to complete one long-distance hike together — so far, we’ve walked across England from the west to the east coast, summited Peru’s Salkantay peak at 14,000 feet, and completed the Alta Via I trek in Italy’s Dolomites.
What I am up to: I just completed my first year of public health graduate school at Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health in Baltimore. This summer I will be completing a 12-week fellowship for public health and business school students at the Gates Foundation in Seattle. How I got to where I am now: I have been passionate about issues of social justice and health equity since an early age. In 2004, I took my first trip to Gaesti, Romania, (See Napier, Page 10C)
What I am up to: I have just begun graduate school in a M.Sc. to Ph.D. program here at North Carolina State University and am a wildlife researcher by trade who focuses on large mammals in Africa. How I got to where I am now: After graduating MUHS, I attended the University of Maryland where I (See Snider, Page 11C)
CHRISTIE (COMES) SNELL Middlebury Union High School, 2005
Hometown, current residence, age: I grew up in Middlebury. I now reside in Brewer, Maine. I’m 29. Family: I’m married to my husband Travis, in August we will celebrate our eight-year wedding anniversary. I have two children. My daughter Sarah is five and my son Cameron is 2. What I am up to: I work full-time as a neonatal
intensive care nurse at Eastern Maine Medical Center. I have worked as a NICU nurse since I graduated college and passed my nursing boards in 2009. I am also a member of the neonatal transport team, which transports critically ill and premature infants from outlying hospitals in the state to the NICU by ambulance, airplane or helicopter. (See Snell, Page11C)
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PAGE 4C — Graduation 2017 a special section of the Addison Independent, Thursday, June 15, 2017
Mt. Abraham Union High School Congratulations Class of 2017!
MAUHS Class of 2017 BRISTOL — The following students graduated from Mount Abraham Union High School on Saturday, June 10, 2017: Joshua J. Adams, Robert William Aldrich, George Austin Bailey IV, Dakota Edward Ballou, Angela Lee Barrows, Jacob Adrian Barrows, Katelyn Florence Bell, Genysis Erin Berube, Noah Arthur Bessette, Jack Bodington, Caleb Bonvouloir, Christian Michael Boutin, Ethan Wendell Brace, Kayla Samantha Brennan, Aiden Biagio Brunola and Julian Bryan Bunch. Also Kameron Cortland, Matthew Calcagni, Baxter Motts Clements, Finn Purple Clements, Anthony Martin Clodgo, Keion Robert Correll, Andrew Jeffrey Cousino, Courtnee Patricia Cox, Samantha Paige Cox, Shyanna Lee Cram, Adeline Buell Crosthwait, Kevin J. Daniels, Sean Michael Danyow and Patrick Gilbert Davison. Savannah Cassidy Earley, Aaron R. Fanning, Peter Joseph Foley, Lane Anthony Fox, Peter Andrew Gebo, Wyatt James Gendreau, Bradley Micheal Gero, Lauren Ashley Gibson, Madison Pandiani Gilley, Wyatt Eli Gracie, Thomas Anthony Gravelle, Patton Scott Griswold, Brandon Chase Hanley, Joshua James Hardy, Celia Michelle Heath, Zachary Dalton Hines, Victor Adam Hinojosa, Ann Marie Hoag and Siena Autumn Hoaglund. In addition, Francesco Iavarone, Anna Quinn Iliff,
Keeley Rose Kane, Peyton Michael Keith, Isaiah Eagle Kile, Addison John King, Macie-Jo Faith Kittredge, Spencer Koeller , Seth Tyler Knight, Samuel Maxwell Kuhns, Owein Schoonmaker Labarr, Kylie Elizabeth Lafreniere, Donovan Dylan Lamore, Lindsey Marie Larocque, Jordan Claire Lathrop, Tristan James Lathrop, Delaynah Grace Leavitt, Ryan Dayton Lee, Dylan Harold Little and Kobe Bryan Edwin Loftus. Rachael Amy McCormick, Ernesta M. McIntosh, Megan Jo McIntyre, Katherine Faith Moody, Margaret Helen Moody, Taylor Suzanne Morrow, Tanner Joseph Myers, Paige Alexis Myrick, Kathryn Marie Nolan, Connor Wesley Norland, Marah Dorey Orvis, Gregory Paul Ouellette, Satinder Kaur Pabla, Mitcheal Alexzander Palmer, Kyle T. Pearsall and Spencer Will Prescott. Finally, Andrew Vincent Raymond, Mavis Faye Reardon, Jacqueline Elizabeth Reiss, Cody Walker Robert, Joshua Thomas Roscoe, Shelby Lynn Rougier, Coleman Michael Russell, Calista Rose Sargent, Brittany Elizabeth Sheeran, Ryan Christopher Thompson, Emily Jean Tillotson, Alec William Towsley, Elizabeth Ann Trombly, Yana Wilder Tudek, Ashley Morgan Turner, Hannah Rose Wahl, Aaron O. Welt, Justice M. Westbrook, Adam Warren Whitcomb, William Ewin White Pifer, Jack Paul Willis, Sofia Mae Wolak and Christopher Franklin Wood.
Photos courtesty of BuzzKuhnsPhotography.SmugMug.com
Wherever you may go,
we hope you engage give advocate volunteer in your community
All the best to this year’s grads!
Congratulations Adam! Way to Go Mt. Abe Class of 2017!
We Wish you all the best of luck in the future! Love, Dad, Mom, Nolan, Ryan, Hannah, Violet, Uncle Bill, Aunt Julie, Brian, Sarah, Uncle Jim, Aunt Christine, Derek, Dustin, & the CVPH Family
United Way of Addison County PO Box 555 48 Court Street, Middlebury, VT 802-388-7189 www.UnitedWayAddisonCounty.org
Plumbing & Heating 125 Monkton Rd., Bristol, VT 453-2325 cvplumbing.com
Fuel /Oil Delivery 185 Exchange St., Middlebury, VT 388-4975 champlainvalleyfuel.com
Graduation 2017 a special section of the Addison Independent, Thursday, June 15, 2017 — PAGE 5C
Where are they now? Recent Mt. Abraham Union High School Graduates KELLY BESSETTE Mount Abraham, 2008
NICOLE (BAKER) SCHMITZ Mount Abraham, 2008 Hometown, current residence, age: Bristol is my hometown, and I now live in Curitiba, State of Parana, Brazil. I am 27. Family: Luiz Schmitz, spouse, Brazilian, Control & Automation Engineer; Maple, our Brazilian-American (definitely a Vermonter) puppy. My parents are William and Janice Baker of Bristol. What I am up to: I currently live in Southern Brazil with my husband, Luiz, and our troublemaker Maple. Over the course of the past year, I packed my life into two suitcases, flew to Brazil, became a permanent resident, began learning Portuguese and have continued to advance my career working with international students. I even became an international student again (4th time is
the charm)! From Brazil, I continue to be connected to our small town and work for the Wells Mountain Foundation, a non-profit organization that supports programming in education, literacy and communities. I work specifically with the Empowerment Through Education program that currently supports over 100 students in developing nations to earn their first bachelor’s degree in their countries and our graduates — over 100 individuals as well. We believe that education coupled with community service and leadership development changes lives. We are always eager to share our story and we seek volunteers to review applications annually, check out www.wellsmountainfoundation. (See Schmitz, Page 10C)
MOLLY PARREN Mount Abe, 2008 Hometown, current residence, age: My hometown is Monkton, Vt. I currently live in Newberry Springs, Calif. (the Mojave Desert) but will soon be moving to Arcata, Calif., for graduate school. I’m 26 years old. Family: My parents, Lauren and Steve Parren, and my sister, Nora Parren. What I am up to: I am currently working as a wildlife technician for California Fish and Wildlife studying the effects of prolonged drought on terrestrial species in the Mojave Desert. I am heading to graduate school at Humboldt State University in August and will be using the data we are collecting for my master’s thesis. How I got to where I am now: I went to St. Lawrence University in Canton, N.Y., and majored in Conservation Biology. I was lucky to have been born into the wildlife field — my dad is a wildlife biologist for Vermont Fish and Wildlife — and what jump started my career were the years I spent volunteering for his department. To get into this field you need some kind of experience so volunteering is imperative and it is best to start young. Adults to whom I can attribute my current success: My dad was immensely helpful in getting me to where I am today. As someone who works in the field he has been able to guide me through the somewhat difficult and stressful process of getting into and staying in the wildlife field. Having a mother who supports everything I do has also been immeasurably helpful when having to make the tough choices like moving across the country for work. How my Vermont roots have influenced who I am today: I hold onto my Vermont roots dearly. Growing up in a rural area allowed me to grow up interacting with and understanding nature, which has guided me through my adult life. Small town life taught me about building and nurturing community which is important to thriving anywhere. Especially if you move a lot for work, like me. My memories of high school: I am lucky to have had
the same group of friends all of my life from age 5 to now, so high school went pretty smoothly thanks to that support system. I think walking to the same part of the hall to see my friends every day was the high point that carried me through my high school years. I don’t have any definitive low points, but it can be a difficult age as you try to navigate growing up and trying to figure out what you want to do with your future. The college application process was really tough for me because I didn’t know what I wanted and had to face real rejection for the first time My advice for this year’s crop of graduating seniors: I would encourage them to embrace the potentially difficult moments they may experience as they leave home and start adult life. It can be a really hard process but how you deal with those moments can give you the inner strength and skills necessary to take risks in life to get where you want to go.
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Hometown, current residence, age: I grew up in Bristol. I am 28 years old. My current town of residence is Parker, Colorado. Family: I wouldn’t be where I am today if it was not for my mother Elizabeth Fortune, step-father Hubert Dumas, brother Jacob Forkas, my husband Logan Bessette and, of course, all my in-laws and huge extended family. What I am up to: I live in Parker, Colorado (south east of Denver). I am a social worker for Suncrest Hospice, where I provide comfort and support to patients and families with end of life. It has always been my passion to help others find peace through human connection during difficult times in their lives. How I got to where I am now: After graduating high school in 2008, I was accepted into Castleton State College, where I majored in Social Work during my freshman year. Then in 2009-2012 I transferred to Champlain College to continue working towards my Bachelor of Social work. From there, my now husband (boyfriend at the time) Logan Bessette (who graduated in the class 2008) moved to West Virginia for one year, where he received his Master’s Degree in Engineering. After that, we decided to go out west to Colorful Colorado, where we lived in various places in Denver. We got married on May 24, 2014, in the chapel at Norwich University and have been together for a total of nine years. I also graduated from Walden University (online social work program in Minnesota) in 2015, where I received my Master of Social Work degree. I am currently in process of obtaining my social work license in the state of Colorado. I officially take the exam on July 8. My husband works for Hayward Baker Engineering and has for the past four years. He has officially obtained is engineering license in the state of Colorado. We bought our first home in May 2016, where we happily live with our Bernese mountain dog Albert. Adults to whom I can attribute my current success: Anne Clark and Fred Koch, both professors at Champlain College. They both inspired me to work hard for what I want in life and as a social worker. I learned a lot of life lessons from both of them. They taught me to never let others influence my own decisions, I am the one that gets to decide my future. My mother Elizabeth “Betsy” Fortune, has always been my inspiration since the first day she took me into Porter nursing home, where she worked at the time. She shared with me at an early age, the passion and love she has for helping others. Her simple presence, big smile, and caring words. Since then I too carry that passion and love for helping others. My mother, along with several other family members have supported me in following my passion of social work. I work with the elderly population, just as my mother had, and I am so grateful for her gift that she gave me! How my Vermont roots have influenced who I am today: My Vermont roots have influenced who I am today by showing me how important life is. I take each day as it comes and celebrate with those whom
I love and care about. I remember when I was young, my family always told me that “life is too short, enjoy it while it lasts.” I always remember laughing at that. Now, being away from my second home, I have come to realize that life is too short, and it goes much faster than when we were all kids. I appreciate my life and I am grateful every day for my family who have supported me the entire way. My memories of high school: High points: Graduation day and meeting my high school sweetheart and now husband, Logan Bessette. Low points: anything that involved math or science, which is still accurate today. My advice for this year’s crop of graduating seniors: Don’t be afraid of taking risks because the world has so much to offer. I remember how comfortable I was just living at home and not having responsibilities. I have come to learn over a short amount of time that there is so much more to life than being “comfortable.” I encourage the graduating seniors to take risks, to stand tall and take charge of what you believe in, to achieve something that is greater than you, and to live a life that makes you happy.
PAGE 6C — Graduation 2017 a special section of the Addison Independent, Thursday, June 15, 2017
Otter Valley Union High School Congratulations Class of 2017!
OVUHS Class of 2017
BRANDON — Otter Valley Union High School held its 2017 commencement ceremonies on Saturday, June 10, at 11 a.m. in the High School Gym in Brandon. This year’s graduates are: Derek Aines, Kaitlyn Anderson, Keenan Ariante, Nathan Audette, Rylie Barrows, Jove Bautista, Alyx Beaulieu, Brittney Beaulieu, Bianca Bergevin, Sophia Bloomer, Alexander Bozzuto, Shania Burch, Courtney Bushey, Caleb Cararra, Mikayla Clark, Nikolaus Comes, Samantha Cram, Tyson Cram, Jacob Delfenthal, Kaleigh De Rosa, Blake Diefendorf, Francis Dolney, Olivia Drew, Chad Eddy, Brigid Enright, Grace Euber, Alyssa Falco, Molly Fisher, Alexander Flanders, Jillian Flanders, David Forrest, Jeremy Fraiser, Meghan Hallett, Matthew Harding, Wesley Harpe, Makayla Hatch, Alicia Jensen, Tyler Johnson, Elijah Keane, James Kennedy and Thomas Kingsley. Also Cameron LaCoille, Orion Ladd, Christian
Photos by Lee J. Kahrs
Lamica, Eric Laughlin, Karly Lekberg, Allison Lowell, Conor Mackie, Dustin Manning, Sean Martin, Syvanna Martindale, Thomas Martindale, Angelo McCullough, Dominic McCullough, Myliah McDonough, Molly McGee, Colby McKay, Mackenzie McLaren, Nicholas Moriglioni, Alexa Moyer, Ethan Nerney, Colby Newton, Brent Nickerson, Ryan Nicklaw, Orianna Odell, Renee Oudman-Blackwood, Mariah Parie, Collin Parker, Tyler Peterson, Abigail Pinkowski, Raymond Pinney, Kiana Porter, Trevor Quigley and Courtney Randall. Also Hannah Roberts, Ghislaine Robin, Michaela Ross, William Ross, Taylor Roucoulet, Lexi Sadakierski, Kaitlyn Sanderson, Lucas Sgorbati, Dylan Shackett, Erik Sherman, Stacy Shields, Kira Simonds, Noah Smith, Chloe Speyers, Aron Therrien, Richard Waite, Nicholas Welch, Gregory Whitney, Charlotte Winslow, Shane Wood, Sophie Wood, Nicole Wright, Neiko Young and Troy Young.
Graduation 2017 a special section of the Addison Independent, Thursday, June 15, 2017 — PAGE 7C
Where are they now?
Recent Otter Valley Union High School Graduates AMANDA SANDERSON Otter Valley, 2010 Hometown, current residence, age: I grew up in Goshen, Vermont; I currently live in Birmingham, Alabama. I turned 25 years old at the end of May. Family: Raymond and Candy Counter are responsible for any and all success I have, and my siblings — Heather Bruce, Joshua Bruce, Katie Counter and Ashley Sanderson — all helped develop my character. What I am up to: I am finishing my third year working for the nonprofit Impact Alabama part of a national organization called Impact America. I am currently the program coordinator for the SpeakFirst high school debate team, and next year I will be the program manager of SpeakFirst. My primary role is with the high school debate team, we have 20 students on the team who join when they are rising freshmen and complete the program when they graduate from high school. We are the only rigorous debate program available to students in Birmingham City Schools. As the program coordinator, I make all the travel arrangements for debate tournaments; manage parent communication, tutors and community volunteers; and handle debate camp logistics. I am also one of the four coaches for the team; my coaching responsibilities include researching each topic, editing student work, and lesson planning for our practices. Becoming a debate coach was an unexpected, but welcome surprise. I am grateful for the experiences I’ve had with Impact Alabama and the SpeakFirst program. How I got to where I am now: I graduated with honors from Saint Michael’s College in 2014. I initially entered college as a psychology major, but after taking a freshman seminar, I chose to create my own major in Peace and Justice Studies. My interest in social justice began during high school (thank you to Mr. Dwyer, Mrs. Roberts, Mrs. Dardeck, and many more) and coalesced in my belief that I should study what I care about. While deciding to change my major, my parents were hugely supportive of my decision. I worked on campus in several capacities throughout my college career. I was lucky enough to be hired as a Residential Assistant for two years, and I worked parttime as a waitress for the final two years of my college career. In the fall of my senior year, I applied for the National Service program AmeriCorps. I was accepted, and chose to move to Alabama in July 2014. I wanted to experience a new part of the country while doing service and this seemed like the perfect fit. Everyone that I met in college had an influence on where I’ve ended up today. Never take for granted the people that you surround yourself with — they will have an effect on you, either positive or negative. Adults to whom I can attribute my current success: The major influences on my life have always been my parents and my teachers. I am very lucky to have had a plethora of teachers that truly love what they do. If
I hadn’t felt their commitment to education, I doubt I would be where I am today. How my Vermont roots have influenced who I am today: I love Vermont and all it offered me. Living so far from Vermont has been a truly interesting experience. I miss the level of community engagement that Vermont offered, as well as the green mountains and the work that each individual puts into making their home a better place. The city I live in has more than 1 million residents; Vermont has less than 600,000 residents. My perspectives, experiences and beliefs are uniquely shaped by being a Vermonter; I would be completely different had I been raised elsewhere. My memories of high school: I had a pretty good high school experience. I would say my worst points were when I gave up on myself. I’ll always wish I had worked harder in my math and science classes. I think I could’ve proven to myself how capable I was. I didn’t learn until later that no one is bad at something forever; they simply have to commit themselves to incremental improvements over a long period of time. My greatest achievements and happiest times were always connected to basketball and softball or my language arts/history classes. I will always appreciate the teammates I had, the classmates I had, and the instruction I received both on and off the field. My advice for this year’s crop of graduating seniors: To the class of 2017: Congratulations! I urge you to be wise with your summer, to hug your parents and appreciate all they have done for you and all they will do for you. Enjoy your time with friends, save some money, and prepare yourself for the adventures ahead. When you get to your next adventure meet everyone you can, try everything available to you, reach and strive for new opportunities. Have internships, volunteer, take the time to give back to the communities that have made you who you are.
BEN WILLIAMS Otter Valley, 2009 Hometown, current residence, age: I grew up in Forestdale and just bought a house in Forestdale. I turned 26 this past Saturday. Family: I am the proud father of an 8-month-old son who’s name is Sawyer John Williams, and I am engaged to his mother, Hannah White. What I am up to: Currently I am the assistant meat manager at the Brandon Hannaford Supermarket. I started working there a year ago after cutting meat at the Middlebury Hannafords for six years. How I got to where I am now: I have my family to thank for helping me get to where I am today and many family friends for helping me along the way. Adults to whom I can attribute my current success: I would not be nearly as successful as I am without the generous support from the people of this small community. I’d like to thank Donny Collett, Nick Greeno, Scott Curtis and Matt Bryant for helping me get started with
my career. How my Vermont roots have influenced who I am today: My Vermont roots help me stay humble and generous to everyone. This town taught me how to work hard for what I want and to treat others the way you want to be treated. My memories of high school: The high points of my high school days were definitely spent on the pitcher’s mound or in the batter’s box; there was nothing better than suiting up and getting out on that field with good friends ready for battle. The lowest point would definitely be when my best friend Tristan Quinn passed away. That hit the whole community hard, especially the class of ’09. I know I can speak for us all when I say we still miss his smile to this day. My advice for this year’s crop of graduating seniors: If I could give any advice to the young men and women graduating it would be to have fun, work hard and reach for your dreams.
JOEY MASSORES Otter Valley, 2010
Hometown, current residence, age: I grew up in Pittsford and live in Rutland (currently). I’m 25. Family: My parents are Holly and Joe Massores. What I am up to: I am currently working at General Electric in Rutland. I have just recently completed the Apprentice Machinist/Toolmaker Program and am taking one more class to get the Associate’s Degree associated with the program. How I got to where I am now: After graduating high school, I attended Bentley University in Waltham, Mass., and earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Accounting with a minor in Mathematical Sciences. Upon college graduation, I was offered an Accounting Specialist job at Heritage Family Credit Union in Rutland, where I had been a teller and an intern throughout college. An opportunity arose where General Electric was offering the apprentice program again, and I chose to apply and was eventually hired. Unfortunately, the line of work I am doing now is not what I went to college for, however it has been a great experience learning skills that I would have never learned elsewhere. The experience at both businesses has been truly insightful and I am thankful for both opportunities. Adults to whom I can attribute my current success: I would not be the man I am today without the guidance and wisdom from my parents. They have supported and guided me throughout my life with whatever I have done. I have a different way of thinking and viewing things from a day-to-day outlook thanks to many people in college — especially my good friend Ken Ukaigwe, and my favorite professor, Tzarina Prater. They have a unique way of making me think deeper into a topic or situation, rather than forming a simple conclusion. How my Vermont roots have influenced who I am today: There truly is no place like no home. It was an easy choice for me to return to Pittsford after graduation from Bentley. The small-town vibe of being able to go into town and have the potential to see a few friends or someone you have not seen since high school, is refreshing after being in a busy town near Boston. Life slows down in a small town and that type of life is that I enjoy. My memories of high school: The high points in high school were when I was playing sports. The memories I have with different people playing on the various football, basketball and baseball teams are things we still reminisce about today. The low point in my high school years was when we lost a classmate and when I lost my uncle. Our classmate was taken from us too soon in an unfortunate four-wheeling accident and it hit the school hard. As a small-town school, everyone was there for each other in this time of need and the community came together for the family. I am close with all my family, but my uncle had been my
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biggest fan growing up and I miss him every day. My advice for this year’s crop of graduating seniors: There is so much advice I could give to the graduating seniors that I wish I was given when I graduated. But, to condense it I would say: Do not settle, work your tail off, regret nothing and experience everything you have wanted to do.
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PAGE 8C — Graduation 2017 a special section of the Addison Independent, Thursday, June 15, 2017
Vergennes Union High School Congratulations Class of 2017!
VUHS Class of 2017
Photos by John S. McCright and Bryan Yager of Beltrami Studios
VERGENNES — Vergennes Union High School announces its Class of 2017. Graduation ceremonies were held Friday, June 9, in Vergennes. Graduates include Lindsay Leighanna Andersen, Madison Louise Ask, Alyse Noel Beauchemin, Xzavia Keating Berry, Ashley Nicole Bourgeois, Abigail Lydia Brace, Alexandria Lorraine Brace, Dylan Bradford, Taylor Marie Bresnick, Camden Carlton Bushey, Orion Chabot, Brandon Douglas Chamberlain, Sarah Luther Clark, MaKaila Audrey Cota, Brandon John Cousino, Schuyler James Coyle and Cailin Anne Curler.g Also Timothy Davis Jr., Breanna De Smit, Samuel Jacob DeMatties, Abigael Lyn Dobson, Jason Thomas Duffy, Emma Lynn Duprey, Brendon Fleming, Monroe Kyann Floyd, Hannah Freedner-Matesi, Shelby Lynne Gage, Alyson Elizabeth Gebo, Adam Gill, Ayla Autumn Gill, Ryan Grady and Ian Phillip Gramling. Charlotte Moulton Haigis, Joshua William Hanlon, Agon Hasani, Korbin Wade Hellmuth, River Taylor Hoffmann, Aliya Mae Hugo, Anna Louisa Huppuch, Anne Myrle Jackson, Caroline Logan Johnston, Eva
Rose Kamman, Sadie Caroline Smith Kass, Devon Kimball, Kyle Kingsley, Nicholas Hunter LaFleche, Jacob Tyler LaFleche, Emily LaFountain, Gabriel Hunter Litch, In addition, Rebecca Maloy, Eleanor Louise Martin, Zachariah Martin, James Augustus McEvilla, Courtney Marie Morin, Melina Myers, Sadie Josephine Newman, Hunter Maxham O’Connor, Eli Paquin, Sophia Louise Parker, Zoey Collette Parker, David Lee Porter, Shay Lynn Pouliot, Troy Alexander Provencher, Cole Edward Putnam, Relief Quinn, Maxwell Joseph Ratti-Bicknell, Bernard Rich, Sophia Juliana Rippner-Donovan, Matthew Rivait and Christopher Robinson. And finally, Megan Dabrowski Rooney, Lillian Grace Russell, Alyssa Kate Saunders, Lauren Dae Scott, Tyler Christopher Shortsleeve, Trevon Marquis Smith, Cassie Ruth Stevens, Emily Jean Stone, Lucas Reid Thompson, Rebecca Anne Unger, Howard Vander Wey, Annika Louise Vorsteveld, Klaas William Vorsteveld, Robert Branden Wagner, McKenzie Ann Warden and Samuel Watson Webb Jr.
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Graduation 2017 a special section of the Addison Independent, Thursday, June 15, 2017 — PAGE 9C
Recent Vergennes Union High School Graduates BEN EDDINGTON Vergennes Union High School, 2007 Hometown, current residence, age: I grew up in Waltham, Vt.; currently living in Sydney, Australia; age 28. Family: Son of Deb and Dave Eddington of Waltham, brother of Kristin Eddington of New York City. What I am up to: I’m currently working for a large energy company in Australia, and am about to graduate with a Master’s of Economics from the University of New South Wales. How I got to where I am now: I studied at UVM and did a semester abroad in Glasgow, Scotland, where I met my current partner, Isobel (an Aussie). After I graduated, I moved to Sydney, where I’ve enjoyed exploring a new landscape, meeting great people and embracing the Australian humor. Adults to whom I can attribute my current success: The most influential teacher I had at VUHS was Meg Kapsch, who was my Humanities teacher and snowboarding instructor. Her classes were really engaging and sparked my interest in social sciences. How my Vermont roots have influenced who I am today: I am absolutely influenced by my Vermont roots. Vermonters appreciate nature, are down to earth, are open minded and aren’t driven by consumerism. It’s also made me more ecologically aware. My memories of high school: I was really lucky to have a great group of friends in high school, so I had a good high school experience.
ELLEN DULSKY WATKINS Vergennes Union High School, 2010
Hometown, current residence, age: I grew up in Ferrisburgh, I’m 24, and I live in Brooklyn. Family: My parents, Lisa Dulsky Watkins and Matt Watkins, live in Ferrisburgh with their new puppy, Willie. I have two brothers, Jamie and Peter Watkins, who both attended VUHS. Jamie is a theater director and lives in Brooklyn. Peter is an architect and lives in Ann Arbor, Michigan. My boyfriend, Marc Khouri, is a software engineer; we live together in Brooklyn. What I am up to: I work in media relations at Fitz & Co., a leading global strategy firm in communications, integrated marketing, social media, audience engagement and events in the art world. How I got to where I am now: I went to Barnard College, the women’s college of Columbia University, where I majored in art history with a focus on history of photography. During my time at Barnard, I interned at Christie’s, an auction house, and with a non-profit Native American arts organization in Santa Fe, New Mexico. I also studied abroad at University College London, where I had the opportunity to work with scholars specializing in visual culture. After college, I worked in marketing and communications at Wave Hill, a nonprofit cultural organization in the Bronx, and in the Office of New York Mayor Bill de Blasio. Adults to whom I can attribute my current success: Beyond my wonderful parents and brothers, I am thankful for the support of Martha Redpath and Gary Lange — both exemplary members of the community and steadfast, loving friends. How my Vermont roots have influenced who I am today: Even though I live in New York City, I’m a cross My advice for this year’s crop of graduating seniors: country skier and hiker at heart. I’ll take any chance I can I’d say that if you go to college, take the opportunity to get to ski, bike or hike! study abroad. You don’t get many chances to live abroad My memories of high school: There were many and meet people from all around the world.
high points from my high school years! Participating in the VUHS musicals, singing in choir and Commodore Singers, and French class with Mr. DeBlois were all highlights. But the best part of high school — middle school, actually — was meeting my best friend, Fiona Spencer. My advice for this year’s crop of graduating seniors: Don’t be afraid to pursue something outside of your comfort zone — your community will always be there to support you.
GENEVIEVE COHN Vergennes Union High School, 2010 Hometown, current residence, age: I grew up in Ferrisburgh and attended Ferrisburgh Central School. I just finished my Master’s in Fine Arts (MFA) program in Bloomington, Indiana, and will be moving to Chicago this next year. I am 24 years old. Family: My mom and dad, Anne and Arthur Cohn, my brother, Nathan Cohn, and my boyfriend, Peter Slothower — I’m so lucky to have them! What I am up to: I just finished my MFA painting graduate program at Indiana University (IU) in Bloomington. I have been teaching drawing with Indiana University’s study abroad program in Florence, Italy, and will follow up this experience by teaching painting at The Putney School summer arts program for six weeks in Vermont. I received a Future Faculty Teaching Fellowship through IU for this coming year, so I will be a visiting professor in painting at Indiana University Northwest. How I got to where I am now: I received my undergraduate degrees in Art and Culture & Communication from Ithaca College in 2014. I decided to attend Ithaca College because of their exploratory program, which allowed me to remain undecided for my first two years while I took a broad range of classes from different disciplines to figure out what I was genuinely interested in. This was an important decision for me, as I explored my way through classes and professors that I found inspiring and that built upon each other to create a strong foundation for my eventual areas of study. The summer after my sophomore year I studied Buddhist Art and Architecture in the Himalayas of Northern India and the spring semester of my junior year I studied abroad in Granada, Spain. The exposure to and immersion in another culture helped me to not only understand this other way of life, but helped me to develop a critical awareness of myself and own cultural biases as an American, a Vermonter…etc. I took art classes throughout my college career but it wasn’t until my senior year while I was taking an independent study in painting with my professor and mentor, Dara Engler, that I realized that I should take myself,
my work and my future in art more seriously. I began painting a body of work that I continued to follow after graduation. I applied to graduate school for painting the following fall. I knew that graduate school would be an incredible challenge but that if I wanted to paint and I wanted to teach at the university level (which I did), I would benefit the most from two years of intensive study. Having just finished my two years of graduate school I was fortunate to both develop my painting skills and to teach undergraduate art courses. Adults to whom I can attribute my current success: Oh, so many! I owe so much of who I am and where I am now to intelligent and compassionate people who shared their knowledge, experience and friendship at different stages of my life. I realized early on that I only know what I know (which isn’t whole lot, in the scheme of things), and so I sought out people who could help me to ask the right questions and lead me to stronger answers. These people helped, not only in regards to specific areas of study, but
with a mindset for growth and navigating the world. Life is a challenge, at every stage, but connecting with people who can reflect upon how those stages fold into the continuum of our lives is so important, and humbling. I think when you realize no one really knows what they are doing and people rarely end up where they thought they would, and the moments when people struggled the most in their lives are often also the moments when they grew the most, you begin to trust in your ability to take risks, lean into the unknown, and know that at some point you’re going to figure something out. How my Vermont roots have influenced who I am today: I feel so fortunate to have grown up where I did, and hopefully one of these days I’ll make it back. Vermont is such a strange and magical place, and after experiencing a lot of places, (no offense, Indiana), I’m fairly convinced Vermont is one of the most special places in the world. I look for mountains and lakes wherever I go, and when I go to a city I smile too much at strangers. I
believe that my Vermont roots have instilled in me a desire to engage deeply and honestly with my surroundings, and set a pace for life that is consistent with dirt roads, familiar faces at the grocery store and the slow change of the seasons. My memories of high school: So many of both high and low points, and they are all interconnected! It’s crazy to reflect now and see how things fit together. Soccer was always a high for me, but I tore my ACL the homecoming game of my junior year. This was devastating because soccer was largely how I defined myself up until that point. Thus, a major low. However, because I couldn’t play soccer for six months, I started spending my new free time in the corner of the art room painting. So maybe that ACL tear was really the catalyst for my entire future. Do you have any advice for this year’s crop of graduating seniors? Absolutely! Let’s see. So many things change after high school. Take your time and lean into the discomfort, try things that scare you. Be open to new and unexpected opportunities. Find mentors. If you are interested in something, even just a little bit, find people who can tell you more. Reach out to people who interest you or inspire you. Pursue whatever spark of a thing gets you excited. If you are able, travel. Even if it’s just over to New Hampshire or to another town, get outside your comfort zone. Go on a road trip. Work someplace new. Volunteer for causes that feel important. Get to know people and places that are different than you and it will enrich your life. You never know where a new path might lead. Be patient and kind — to yourself, and to those around you. Remind yourself that for the most part, everyone is just doing the best they can with what they know. Listen to “This is Water” by David Foster Wallace! And most importantly, enjoy! Congratulations on graduating — the next few years will be a crazy whirlwind and I hope that in a few years you will be able to look at Facebook pictures of yourself from 10th grade and laugh at yourself as much as I have laughed at myself. I also hope you all pulled off bangs better than I did!
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PAGE 10C — Graduation 2017 a special section of the Addison Independent, Thursday, June 15, 2017
Congratulations to Local High School Grads
Graduation Schmitz (Continued from Page 5C) org or stop into the office at 25D Main St. in Bristol. As a remote employee, thanks to my laptop, I have the opportunity to travel the world every day supporting our beneficiaries in more than 30 countries. Throughout the month of April, I was even luckier and traveled with Jordyn Wells (2001 Mt. Abraham UHS graduate) to Kenya, Rwanda, Uganda and Ghana, meeting with our current WMF scholars and alumni. In Brazil, I am also working as a professional advisor to assist Brazilians with interview preparation and business English advancement. My favorite students are those who work for cruise companies. Preparing language lessons about Mickey Mouse, Aruba, Puerto Rico, the Mediterranean, exotic wines, private islands and all-youcan-eat chocolate buffets means that work is never dull. How I got to where I am now: I graduated from Champlain College with a B.S. degree in International Business in 2012. My experiences leading to receiving my diploma were vast and I am ever thankful to my parents for supporting my crazy ideas (but very good ideas!) and for the mentors and employers who believed in my abilities. I attended four institutions in three countries before earning my bachelor’s degree: Arcadia University (Pennsylvania), Stirling University (Scotland), Veritas Universidad (Costa Rica) and Champlain College. My desire for cultural knowledge and exposure to different aspects of international business was supported by employment with the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, Ben & Jerry’s, Green Mountain Coffee Roasters, Rich Frog Industries, Country Walkers, PH International, Vermont International Academy and Champlain College’s Office of International Education & Emergent Media Center. Adults to whom I can attribute my current success: Without the support of my parents, William and Janice Baker, I would have never traveled to eastern Poland as a Rotary Exchange Student during my junior year of high school in 2006-2007. Till this day, I am not sure how I convinced them to allow their only daughter to study abroad for a year at 16. But, for this I am ever thankful. It changed my life. My experience living with my host family, the Nowaczynskis, and traveling throughout Europe taught me that we have so much to learn in life, that people are people regardless of their nationality or their religion, and that we must all do our part in being
Napier supportive of one another. I also am very thankful for the members of the former Bristol Rotary Club, members of the Middlebury Rotary Club and Heather FosterProvencher, Dr. Anne Friedrichs of Mt. Abraham, Dr. Scott Baker and Pat Boera of Champlain College, and Dr. Lynda Reid, all educators who guided me to become the global citizen that I am today. How my Vermont roots have influenced who I am today: I attribute my humbleness, desire to spend all of my time outdoors, my love for exploring and my commitment to community directly to growing up in rural Vermont. Whilst I have lived in Poland, Scotland, Costa Rica, the state of Georgia and now Brazil, my true home is Vermont. Wherever I go, I always teach people about our wonderful state. More often than not, I have to start from the beginning and share that we are a U.S. State. But that is OK; life is about learning. I can’t wait to jump into the New Haven River, search for books at the Three Day Stampede, pick blueberries at the Lower Notch Berry Farm, and ride my bike until I must stop for a creemee with rainbow sprinkles during my visit home this summer. My memories of high school: High school was most enjoyable for me once I discovered what I loved most and when I found teachers who I connected with. Once I found my passion for the world, I tried to make connections with all that I was learning and saw around me. My least favorite memories of high school were my feelings of fear and any math class. During this stage of my development, I began to understand national news broadcasts, the increasing reports of school violence and my deepening understanding of global terrorism. And in regards to math classes, a letter and a number never should be equal or substitute another. Things get complicated when this starts to happen! My advice for this year’s crop of graduating seniors: Always accept people from different backgrounds. Aim to have a wide range of friends — friends from home, friends from outside your major in college or outside your battalion in the armed forces, make friends with the check-out personnel at the grocery store, be friendly with the immigrant who speaks halted English and the bus driver who always drives during the night shift. We can learn so much from others. It takes courage to step beyond our circle of best friends. But if you grant yourself this opportunity to accept others, you will learn so much.
(Continued from Page 3C) to volunteer at a small orphanage that I had discovered in my searches online. I fell in love with the people, the place, and the work, and have returned year after year to visit the children — one of whom is my godson, the first baby I held during my visit in 2004, now almost 13 years old. In 2008, I organized a trip to share Romania and these experiences working with underserved populations with a group of fellow MUHS students. After graduating from MUHS in 2008, I traveled for a semester (returning again to volunteer in Romania, completing an internship with a public health organization in Mexico, and ski instructing at the Snow Bowl) and then started as a “Feb” at Middlebury College. I majored in Anthropology with a minor in Global Health, and graduated with the class of 2012. During my time at Middlebury, I worked with the John Graham Emergency Shelter in Vergennes. That experience was pivotal for me — I met fellow Vermonters to whom I am still indebted, who opened up to me and shared with me so generously their life stories. After graduating from Middlebury College, I moved to Ollantaytambo, Peru, where I worked as a project manager with the small community health organization, Sacred Valley Health (or Ayni Wasi Salud, the organization’s Quechua name). I returned to the U.S. from Peru to join Partners In Health (PIH), a global health organization based in Boston. When the Ebola epidemic hit West Africa, I moved to Liberia to serve as a community health specialist for PIH. I was based primarily in the underserved southeastern region of the country, working closely with the Ministry of Health in its efforts to rebuild health and social protection systems after the outbreak. I spent over a year working with a team of extraordinary Community Health Workers, who invested themselves in rebuilding trust between communities and the health system post-Ebola, and advocated zealously for the recognition of health as a basic human right. I left Liberia to begin a Master of Science in Public Health program at Johns Hopkins. I am studying health systems in low- and middle-income countries and intend to dedicate my career to community-oriented primary health care, particularly to the case for long-term investment in Community Health Workers as the strongest and most capable foundation of an effective primary care
system. Adults to whom I can attribute my current success: Many! I would never be where I am today without the people who have shown me the way (right and wrong), challenged me to take risks and pursue new opportunities, and welcomed me home always with open arms. My mother and brother have consistently supported me in pursuing my passion — even when it required my disappearance into unfamiliar parts of the world! My teachers — starting at Cornwall Elementary School, through MUHS, Middlebury College and Johns Hopkins — have exposed me to new ways of thinking and opened countless doors for me. I am particularly beholden to the Community Health Workers with whom I have worked — at 14,000 feet in Peru; in the foothills of the Himalayas; and in war-torn, Ebola-ravaged yet strong and resilient Liberia — who have taught me that being humble, building trust and walking in solidarity with others are prerequisites to making any kind of lasting impact. How my Vermont roots have influenced who I am today: Calling myself a Vermonter has been one of my greatest privileges in life. I cannot imagine calling any other place home. Though I have lived in many other places, there’s nowhere else where the grass is as green and the air as fresh — or the cheese and maple syrup as good — as it is in Vermont! Serving at my county’s only year-round homeless shelter solidified for me the role I am meant to play in global health. The experience emphasized to me the critical importance of building and fostering resilient and accepting communities, and the need to always pay it back. My memories of high school: High school high points: Our senior play, “Back to the ’80s,” in which I was casted as one of the nerds; our 2008 trip to support a relocation project in Nicaragua that was supporting families in moving out of Managua’s largest dump; English class. High school low points: My inability to find a sport I was good at; taking the SATs. My advice for this year’s crop of graduating seniors: Find what you are passionate about and pursue it. Be humble and kind and have a sense of humor. Try to find solidarity with people you feel you are most different from — you may uncover incredible parts of yourself you did not know exist. Keep learning because learning is the greatest privilege we have.
Graduation 2017 a special section of the Addison Independent, Thursday, June 15, 2017 — PAGE 11C
Jensen
Snider
(Continued from Page 3C)
oceanography. Vermont is somewhat of a novelty. I always feel a great I would say that the encouragement of my advisor, connection when I meet a fellow Vermonter and people Dr. George Luther, at this internship really bolstered my never hesitate to gush about an awesome ski vacation passion for oceanography (a subject not offered in land- or whatever that they went on in Vermont or even New locked Minnesota) and my drive to Hampshire. I also never thought I continue on to graduate school. would end up in Texas, and I credit Adults to whom I can attribute “The best advice I that to growing up in Vermont, which my current success: In terms of other very different from Texas. can give a graduat- is very, adults who inspired or helped me I My memories of high school: would always return to my amazing and ing senior is to not High point of MUHS: Senior year incredibly intelligent parents, who have be afraid to take winning the Math Departmental supported my decision to continue with Award at graduation and all the hard science wholeheartedly. Without them, risks, like ... defiwork it took to get to that point. Low I would not be where I am. I also have nitely to challenge point: I moved to California for one had some amazing high school teachyear during my mom’s sabbatical at ers and college professors. In terms of yourself and say Stanford University. It was sophoa MUHS shout-out, Ms. O’Connor (I yes to promising more year and while it was a great year think she goes by Kirkland now — Lisa it was surprisingly difficult coming Kirkland) who taught calculus when I opportunities.” back my junior year to MUHS and was a junior and senior really encour— Laramie Jensen falling back into a normal groove with aged and inspired me. I didn’t really my friends and classes. That was a like or appreciate math until I took Calc tough fall semester for me. I and II with her and that pushed me to take Calc III and My advice for this year’s crop of graduating seniors: I Linear Algebra at Middlebury College during my senior think the best advice I can give a graduating senior is to not year of high school. She really opened my mind to pursu- be afraid to take risks, like moving far away for school, and ing math, and while I ultimately did not major in math in definitely to challenge yourself and say yes to promising college I took lots of math while I was at Carleton and opportunities. I fell into my current field by keeping a really thought of her fondly throughout. open mind and not being afraid to say, “Sure, I’ll spend six How my Vermont roots have influenced who I am weeks on a boat with strangers in Antarctica.” I would never today: I have always loved telling people I am from have guessed that this is where I would be six years out Vermont. Since I went to college and now graduate school from high school and I think trying new things and seeking well over 1,000 miles from where I grew up, being from unique opportunities is what got me to where I am.
Snell (Continued from Page 3C) How I got to where I am now: I went to the University of Maine in Orono. I graduated in 2009 with my bachelor’s degree in nursing. I worked as a certified nurse’s assistant while in college but the most influential opportunity I had was a senior nursing partnership in the NICU that I work in today. It was during that semester-long partnership that I discovered my love for the NICU and figured out what I was meant to do. I had an incredible preceptor named Peter who I still credit with helping me discover the most challenging and rewarding job in the world. Being a NICU nurse isn’t just what I do, it’s truly part of who I am, I can’t imagine working anywhere else. How my Vermont roots have influenced who I am today: Vermont will always be home for me. I may not live there anymore but it’s still near and dear to my heart. My family remains in Vermont so I try to get back to visit often, but when I’m back it’s never feels like long enough. My memories of high school: The highs of my high school years were all the fun times I shared with close friends. It didn’t particularly matter what we were doing. Whether it was a school dance, a sporting event or just walking down town after school for some ice cream. The
low points were probably just times where, like any teen, I struggled to figure out who I was, how I fit in and what I was going to do with my life once high school was over. Looking back I realized I stressed about things like that way more than I needed to. High school is just the beginning, at the time it felt like this hugely defining part of my life but in reality it was such a small part. I would tell graduates not to stress if they don’t know exactly what they want to do yet, there is plenty of time to figure it out and your entitled to changing your mind along the way. My advice for this year’s crop of graduating seniors: Figure out what you love doing, find your passion, and do it, whatever it is. Some of your greatest achievements will come after your biggest hurdles. If it’s something you love doing it’s worth working for. You will have people tell you that you can’t do things, prove them wrong. There will be times in school and work when you feel insignificant, uncomfortable, and maybe even a bit awkward; push through and keep learning, this is when you will grow. You will know when you have found where you belong because even on your worst day, when it all goes wrong and you question “why” you will keep going because it’s what you love. Because all the good is better than the bad.
(Continued from Page 3C) collaborators where everyone has provided a slightly earned a B.S. in Animal Science. I started at Maryland different but valuable insight. thinking that I wanted to become a veterinarian, but How my Vermont roots have influenced who I after I started volunteering at the National Zoo I came am today: Vermont has set me up phenomenally for to realize that wildlife was something I had far more wildlife research. The public education system I was passion about. After graduation from Maryland I spent fortunate to be a part of here is superior to those I have a year in South Africa volunteering on a project look- interacted with in other areas of the US. The focus on ing at lion/leopard/cheetah movement on a conser- science in the curriculum, in particular, is a foundavancy outside of Kruger National Park. tion I have drawn upon every day. From Mrs. Fraga’s In 2011, I made the next step in my research career field trips at Mary Hogan describing forest ecosyswhen I was hired as the projtems in our backyards, to Mr. ect manager for a parasitology Bauer at MUMS showing that and behavior project studying “After two years managconservation of natural spaces Grant’s gazelles in Laikipia ing that project I moved is in the scientist’s (and wider County, Kenya, established by society’s) best interests, to Mr. a professor at the University down to the Maasai Mara Scaramucci and Mrs. Atkins at of Georgia. After two years to help the Mara Lion MUHS teaching about the buildmanaging that project I moved ing blocks of these systems, my down to the Maasai Mara to Project get off the ground time in Middlebury prepared me help the Mara Lion Project get before returning to northwell for my further education in off the ground before returning and out of the classroom. to northern Kenya to manage a ern Kenya to manage a As a Vermonter, being able to hippo research project being run hippo research project ... recognize the beauty and value by a professor at the University of the natural world around me of California, Santa Barbara. My next assignment helped build my fervor for further My next assignment was an was following in Teddy education surrounding ecology attachment to the Roosevelt and conservation. Having grown Roosevelt’s footsteps Resurvey Project following in up in a state where independent Teddy Roosevelt’s footsteps on on his expedition up Mt. thinking and problem solving his expedition up Mt. Kenya Kenya to resurvey all are cornerstones, the followto resurvey all of the mammal through into adapting to a wide species and see how the ecosys- of the mammal species variety of challenges in the field tem has changed since his team and see how the ecosyswas seamless. Changing a tire trekked up and surveyed the in a deep snowbank in Vermont tem has changed since animal diversity in 1909. is very similar to changing a After five years in Kenya, I his team surveyed the tire in a sandy dry riverbed returned to the U.S. and have in South Africa, and the same now started my graduate school animal diversity in common courtesy paired with a studies here at North Carolina 1909.” strong sense of community that State University as part of Dr. the Vermont small — Matthew Snider underpins Roland Kays’ lab. town experience is universal in In the photo with this piece, I the areas of East and Southern am with a leopard named Tatu Africa where I have spent the whom we have just put a radio collar on to observe his majority of my time. ranging behavior. This is part of the study that I am My memories of high school: I went through a lot using for my grad school work. of growth in high school and sometimes I felt like I Adults to whom I can attribute my current struggled to know what my identity was. Fortunately, success: There is no single person I would say mono- being part of a student community like MUHS, where lithically has contributed to my success but I have everyone knows each other and generally gets along, been fortunate to have a very close cohort of field provides a great place to grow and find yourself. No ecologists whom I have met, worked with, and lived matter what your interests, there was always a place with at various field stations over the years who fill to belong in high school, and friendships formed there that role. Some of them are direct contemporaries in are still some of the strongest I have. other sub-disciplines in the field (soil ecology, veteriMy advice for this year’s crop of graduating nary medicine, plant ecology, movement and behavior seniors: Graduating seniors are about to enter a time of etc.). Along with my direct contemporaries, I have massive transition. Free yourself to change and grown been lucky to have built relationships with a few as new opportunities present themselves, whether it is more senior ecologists and conservationists who are moving into a career or starting another phase of your a stage ahead of me professionally and have provided education. Spend time exploring, it may be years still invaluable guidance in terms of where I would like before you settle on a path that you feel is the best fit to take my career. Within my own field I would attri- for you. And that is OK. What is life without a little bute my success to the broad scope of this network of adventure?
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PAGE 12C — Graduation 2017 a special section of the Addison Independent, Thursday, June 15, 2017
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