Williston
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Permit #15 Williston,VT 05495 POSTAL CUSTOMER
JUNE 20, 2024
WILLISTON’S NEWSPAPER SINCE 1985
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Class of ’24 ready for more
Mortar boards fly at the 60th Commencement Exercise of Champlain Valley Union High School on Friday at UVM’s Patrick Gym.
CVU seniors sent off with ceremony at UVM BY INDIRA BUSH Special to the Observer The 530 members of Champlain Valley Union High School’s graduating Class of 2024 walked into University of Vermont’s
Patrick Gym last Friday dressed in bright red caps and gowns, ready to graduate. CVU Principal Adam Bunting described the afternoon as a “representation of your story” and a “final opportunity for us to be together.” He then invited Rahn Fleming for a final “rally rally.” The calls of school spirit across the gym were proof of the supportive community gathered that day.
After a performance of the national anthem by graduating senior Veronica Miskavage, a fellow member of the Class of 2024, Kennedy Desautels, offered a formal welcome. Desautels shared that, “Never in my four years at CVU has there been a moment I cannot find someone willing to help me.” She sent gratitude to CVU staff, faculty, family, friends and fellow graduates, and
advised those around her not to worry about what’s next but instead to “just slow down and look around you.” Following Desautels was classmate Nisha Hickok, who told a story from a few nights prior about realizing just how far she had come. Hickok acknowledged the stress that may lie ahead but encouraged appreciation of the “small moments of joy,” and es-
pecially the “celebration of the little ways we’ve been brought together.” Third to the podium was George (Frankie) Fidler. He spoke about change, a topic he is familiar with due to his move from England at a young age. “I could not have been happier to have come to Vermont,” he said. see CVU page 3
Ezra Ziter receives congratulations from Lead Principal Greg Marino at the Williston Central School graduation exercises on Thursday. OBSERVER PHOTO BY AL FREY
(who will leave the position at the end of the month) and Principal Jacqueline Parks followed the performance with a warm welcome to the audience. Sanchez honored the students’ growth into “thoughtful, curious and compassionate young people” and expressed excitement for their coming journey into CVU. He ended with a thank you to the WCS parents and staff who had made the journey possible. Speaking after Sanchez, Parks remembered the students’ journey through WCS, starting as third
graders “curious and full of life,” then persisting through the Covid pandemic, which sent them home to remote learning at the beginning of their fourth-grade year. Proudly, she told those in attendance that she was “so pleased to see how they’ve persevered” and expressed her best regards for them going to high school. Proof of their perseverance was evident in the long list of awards that students received that evening. The Jordan Jones Mesee WCS page 2
‘Keep smiling’
Eighth graders celebrate culmination of WCS careers BY INDIRA BUSH Special to the Observer
Last Thursday evening, members of Williston Central School’s class of 2024 celebrated the end of their middle school careers and
their upcoming passage into high school. The evening began with a rendition of Pomp and Circumstance performed by music teacher Kim Thompson, the Pledge of Allegiance led by graduating eighth grader Connor Denis, and the entire eighth-grade band performing “The Star Spangled Banner.” Superintendent Rene Sanchez
OBSERVER PHOTO BY AL FREY
A celebration of all things pink, just in time for the Summer season.
Live music • food specials • LOTS of rosé • pink drinks.
Wednesday June 26th 5-9pm
Wear pink and get access to a $5 glass of rosé! $1 per special glass of rosé will be donated to Dragonheart Vermont.