Graduation 2014

Graduation 2014

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Where Are They Now? A Special Publication of The Addison Independent t June 19, 2014

COURTNEY BEIHAUSER, VUHS 2005

VUHS CLASS OF 2014

OVUHS CLASS OF 2014

MT. ABE CLASS OF 2014

MUHS CLASS OF 2014

CAM URBAN, MT. ABE 2007

A salute to our graduates!

ANGELA EVANCIE, MUHS 2005

ERIC FRESON, OVUHS 2005

During the high school graduation season we tell the graduates to look forward to the future with hope and optimism, while those of us who have seen a few seasons come and go often look back to our own years in high school and just beyond.

The newly minted graduates look forward to the next stages of their lives: moving away from home,

have progressed over the years.

We join in the reminiscing and asked graduates from these three local high schools to tell us a little about where life has taken them in the years since gradua-

time full of promise with a fair measure of apprehension thrown in. Look for those familiar faces in the photos inside from the Middlebury, Mount Abraham, Otter Valley and Vergennes union high school graduation ceremonies this month.

At the same time, parents and alumni see the fresh,

able to see something of their own generation in the

own lives and those of their friends and acquaintances

natives in their late 20s — people you may have known when you were in high school. We chose a selection of people who graduated between six and 10 years ago in

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.

PAGE 2C — Addison Independent, Thursday, June 19, 2014

Vergennes Union High School Congratulations Class of 2014!

VUHS Class of 2014 VERGENNES — Vergennes Union High School held its 2014 commencement ceremonies on Friday, June 6. The valedictorian was Thomas Lee Hodsen III. Ruby Dombek was salutatorian. Rowan Kamman held third honors.

The following are the 2014 graduates of VUHS: Juliana Kathryn Adams, Kenneth Alexopoulos, Logan P. Ambrose, Stephanie Marie Anderson, Tucker Hayes Babcock, Joshua M. Benning, Jared Carl Birchmore, Keegan S. Bosworth, Daniel Henry Briggs, Kristopher K. Brooks, Danielle Jean Brown, Rachel Brianne Clark, Allissa Barbara Connor, Amanda J. Cousino, Alysia Marie Cousino, Trevor L. Currier, Hannah Nesky DeMatties, Patrick K. Denton, Brittany M. Dion, Mark Wendell Dion-Johnson, Ruby Rose Dombek, Kieran Q. Dougherty, Silas Duke, Kimberly Iris Eno, Jordan D. Fleming, Mary Louise Flood, Ethan C. Gevry, Sean C. Goodell, Isabella Gould, Joseph A. Gould, Kyle Grant, Brie Heath, Thomas Lee Hodsden III and Jade Louise Houston.

Also, Brendon Orville Huestis, Rowan A. Kamman, Alix Mary Kauffman, Jamie Marie Kayhart, Justin Lance

Kelly, Brook Mariah Kilburn, Jarret LaFleche, Breanna Lee Lapan, Shane E. Lawrence, Megan Ann Leach, Tasha Bonita Renée Leone, Kailyann Faye Loven, Ross Alan Lumbra, Kyle Mailloux, Rachel Sophia Mailloux, Megan Elizabeth Maloy, Sheana Marie Miller, Vernon E. Miller, Ryan Cecil James Moriglioni, Ashley Mulliss, Shirley A. Muzzy, James T. O’Brien, Grady O’Connor, Marissa Lynn Ouellette, Matteo J. Palmer, Haley Elizabeth Paquette, Taylor Elizabeth Paquette, Devin Parker, Emily Nicole Patterson, Phoebe E. Plank and Sierra Pomainville.

Also, Brady O’Shea Poquette, Haley Beth Poynter, Hailey M. Rheaume-Fox, Brandon Hunter Richards, Aaron Nicholas Rowell, Samara Rose Sausville, Kayla Daytona Sawyer, Keyanah Denise Smith, Silas Smith, Gabriel Douwe Smits, Justin A. Soter, Nathaniel Scott Edward St. Cyr, Jordan T. Stearns, Monica Brooke Swan, Joanna Jean Tatlock, Benjamin Paul Thompson, Benjamin Ranger Thompson, Taylor Ann Towle, Emilee Auburne Trudo, Nathan Henry Unger, Levi Matthew Waterman, Mariah T. West, Anna B. Willenbaker, Ariana Tina Marie Woodard.

Photos courtesy of Keith Darwin

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Addison Independent, Thursday, June 19, 2014 — PAGE 3C

Recent VUHS Graduates

Where Are They Now? Will Glassberg, VUHS 2006 Hometown, current residence, age: I’m 26 years old. I grew up in Waltham, Vt., and currently reside in Oakland, Calif.

Family: My Parents are Amanda Bodell and Jeff Glassberg and my siblings are Madelaine, Charlie and Tim. What I am up to: I work as a senior project engineer for a general contractor that specializes in commercial construction. I work directly with subcontractor foremen to schedule work, put together safety plans, and address issues that arise during the course of construction.

Currently, we are building the new student center and bookstore on the University of California, Berkeley, campus.

How I got to where I am now: After graduating from VUHS, I attended college at the University of California, Santa Cruz. I received a BA in Community Studies from UCSC in 2010. I was concurrently enrolled at the University of California, Berkeley, from which I graduated in 2011 with a BS in Civil Engineering. The path to my current occupation, however, began during high school when I spent the summers working as a construction laborer for Naylor & Breen Builders. I enjoyed the camaraderie, fast-paced problem solving, and the sense of accomplishment at seeing the physical results of my labor. While in college I continued to pursue construction related opportunities, while also honing leadership skills through working as a backpacking, mountaineering and sea kayaking guide.

Adults to whom I can attribute my current success: I count myself extremely lucky to have been surrounded by an amazing group of adults, both inside and outside of school, who all provided guidance and support that helped, or pushed,

me to where I am today. My parents, Amanda and Jeff, have always set an example for how to act and live, and they have continued to be a font of sage advice after high school and college, for which I am extremely grateful.

How my Vermont roots have inGrowing up in Vermont, I developed a strong work ethic, a critical nature that continually searches for improvement, and a keen sense of community. I ter mornings, but eventually found strategies for making it easier; I also with friends and family. These attributes have served me very well in California, and in the construction industry, where the ability to push through hardship, challenge the accepted wisdom, and create a network of trust has been invaluable.

My memories of high school: I thoroughly enjoyed my time in high school. The opportunity to go to a smaller high school and participate in myriad activities like athletics, theater, tutoring and social clubs like the Society of Bearded Fellows, was extremely important. There were challenges and struggles, but the ability to bounce around between so many activities guaranteed that something fun was always just around the corner.

My advice for this year’s crop of graduating seniors: The only things in the middle of the road are yellow lines and dead armadillos.

Make the bold choices that will propel you further into adventures. Do not let cynicism or doubt constrain your potential. You have all grown up in one of the most beautiful places in the country, inhabited by folks that are both self-reliant and caring.

Embrace that background and take it with you on your future endeavors.

Courtney Beinhaur and her boyfriend, Mike Duggan, on the South Island of New Zealand last year.

Courtney Beinhaur, VUHS 2005 Hometown, current residence, age: My hometown is Addison, and I currently live in Gloucester, Mass. I am 26.

Family: My parents and sister live in Vermont.

What I am up to: I am the Director of Account Management at a marketing agency that focuses on helping brands reach college students. It’s called The Campus Agency Inc., or “Campus” for short.

How I got to where I am now: I graduated from Bentley University in Waltham, Mass., in 2009 and majored in marketing.

Adults to whom I can attribute my current

success: My parents and siblings have always been supportive. My current boss, Paul Tedeschi, has been in the youth marketing space for over 25 years and I have a lot from him over the past three and a half years. who I am today: Even though my license plates say Massachusetts, I will always think of myself as a Vermonter. It took me leaving to really understand what it all meant to me growing up.

It’s a culture and a lifestyle that is unique. Being life, and I miss it every day.

My memories of high school: My low points

were no different from any teenagers, looking back on them, they weren’t really all that bad.

I think the high points include the whole second half of senior year when I was able to spend time with an amazing group of friends. I also loved my experiences in the high school band, and winning the Division-II basketball championship with some amazing young women.

My advice for this year’s crop of graduating seniors: My biggest advice would be, never forget where you came from, and always appreciate the moment you live in, because you’ll be 26 before you know it!

Will Benton, VUHS 2005 Hometown, current residence, age: I grew up in Waltham; my current town of residence is Ferrisburgh. I am 26.

Family: My parents are Bill and Kristin Benton. My father is current mayor of Vergennes and is president of WD Benton Appraisers. Mother is co-owner of Hollyhocks Flowers and Designs in Vergennes.

What I am up to: I am Director of Golf at the Basin Harbor Club in Ferrisburgh.

How I got to where I am now: I attended the University of Vermont, graduated in May of 2009 with a degree in Business Administration. I have worked seasonally in Jupiter, Fla., and most recently spent two years at a club in Connecticut. I was lucky enough to have a great professional mentor in Doug Slusser when I was going

through high school and college. He was the director of golf at Basin Harbor then and convinced that I could thrive in the golf business.

Adults to whom I can attribute my current success: Doug Slusser and my father, Bill Benton. enced who I am today: I have always felt very grounded. Family and friends are important to me and I feel that you should never forget where you’re from.

My memories of high school: Competing in high school athletics was a great experience for me.

My advice for this year’s crop of graduating seniors: Be humble and work hard!

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PAGE 4C — Addison Independent, Thursday, June 19, 2014

Middlebury Union High School Congratulations Class of 2014!

MUHS Class of 2014 MIDDLEBURY — Middlebury Union High School held its commencement exercises on Saturday, June 14, at the Memorial Sports Center in Middlebury. Sonia Howlett and Max Moulton were valedictorians. Nik Shashok was salutatorian.

The following are the members of the class of 2014: Sophia Abdul Sater, Abbye Allen, Amelia Ashley-Selleck, Marshall Atkins, Nick Audet, Gunther Barber, Zaidie Barnard-Mayers, Keenan Bartlett, Nicholas Bassett, Hollis Bellucci, Nathaniel Cole Bennett, Josiah Benoit, Jordan Bisson, Yvette Blair, Sara Boe, Jeremy Bougor, Jessica Brisson, Samuel Broughton, Carsyn Buxton, Olivia Cacciatore, Anna Caliandro, Jyauna CaplesTreadway, Olivia Carpenter, Anna Cavazos, John Chamberlain, Mikala Chapman, Samantha Cherrier and Jasper Christensen.

Also, Julia Cluss, Lillian Crane, Thomas Crowne, Kate DaPolito, MaKayla Davis, Cody Douglas, Devin Dwire, Jesse Euber, Christopher Ewell, Nicholas Felkl, Samuel Ferguson, Zachary Flint, Samantha Fox, Alex Fredette, Kevin Galenkamp, Avic Garcelon, Murphy Giard, Keith Gilmore, Merritt Gleason, Austin Grimm, Nathan Herrmann, Hannah Hobbs, Tyler Hogan, Naina Horning, Rachel Howlett, Sonia Howlett, Eric Huestis, Gabrielle Ingenthron, Nathalie Ingersoll, Michael Ingwersen, Justina Jackson, Thomas Luke Jackson, and Anneke Jewett.

Also, Nathan Kerr, Leila Kiernan, Kiera Kirkaldy, Katherine Knowles, Kyle Korda, Yared Lacey, Corrin Laraway, Jade Larocque, Nathan-

iel Laughlin, Kasara Lear, Jonah Lefkoe, Brandon Lewis, Tony Lin, Zachary Lisenby, Samantha Little, Max Livingstone-Peters, Stephen Lowry, Kristen Manley, Peter Manning, Anneliese Masi, James Mason, Gabrio McCarty, Sophie McKeeverParkes, Samuel Messenger, Maxon Moulton, Wright Myrick, Carly Newton, Kimberly Palmer, Sharon

Palmer, Joshua Paquette, ZoĂŤ Parsons, Piper Patterson, Nathan Peck, Mark C. Pettit, Julia Piper, Matias Pyle and Hunter Quesnel.

Also, Bryce Renaud, Emily Robinson, Isaac Rooney, Anna Roy, Christopher Ryan, Sophia Ryan, Matthew Schildkamp, Elizabeth Scott, Heather Selleck, Eric Shambo, Nikolas Shashok, Aaron Smith,

Samuel Smith, Zachary Stagg, Joshua Stearns, Emily Stone, Arlyn Sunderland Jr., Jonah Supernovich, Denis Teague Jr., Jakob Trautwein, Samuel Usilton, Matias Van Order Gonzalez, Paige Viens, Miles Waldron, Alyse Wanke, Lauren Weekes, Lindsay Wells, Anthony Woods, Seth Wright, Forrest Wright-Lapin, Sierra Wulfson, Holden Yildirim.

Warmest Congratulations to The Class of 2014 Congrats to the Smith, Bougor, Pechie & Boule families.

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Addison Independent, Thursday, June 19, 2014 — PAGE 5C

Recent MUHS Graduates

Where Are They Now? Angela Evancie, MUHS 2005 Hometown, current residence, age: I grew up in Vergennes and Weybridge, and I currently live up in Burlington.

I’m 26.

Family: Is this where I’m supposed to thank my family for being so supportive? Because they truly are.

My parents are John and Clare; my sister, Lauren, was a VUHS grad, and my brothers, Collin and Leo, were MUHS grads. My parents and Collin all still live in the Middlebury area.

What I am up to: I’m a digital producer at Vermont Public Radio. My primary responsibility is to build, curate and share web content across VPR’s many online platforms; but I also photograph, write for our blog, “The Frequency,” report for broadcast, and occasionally contribute stories to NPR. How I got to where I am now: I got here on a pretty circuitous path — one that involved a few stops in the newsroom of in as photographer when Trent Campbell went on vacation. After graduating from Middlebury College, where I was a joint major in English and geography, I was awarded funding for a year of independent work of my own design (kind of like the Independent Learning Project we did at Weybridge Elementary, but with a bigger budget). I spent 12 months teaching myself how to make radio while reporting on environmental issues in the Champlain Valley. I worked closely with North Country Public Radio, and also connected with VPR. It would be several years before I joined VPR’s staff, during which time I freelanced for a number of stations/shows/ publications, worked as a paralegal at an environmental law motional materials for a basket company, read many books, joined the ranks of Middlebury’s Fellowships in Environmental Journalism, moved to Oregon, drank quite a bit of coffee,

moved to D.C., and interned for NPR. No one experience was my golden ticket; they all compounded on and informed each other in ways that helped me do original, creative work (and they still do).

Adults to whom I can attribute my current success: I’ve had really, really incredible teachers. Judith Vaill: If you’re out there, thank you for assigning us Dostoevsky and DeLillo and Nabokov. Susan Arenson, thank you for making me rewrite so many papers, so many times.

And over at Middlebury College, thank you to Chris Shaw and Stephen Donadio for being such passionate, available professors, and to John Elder, who gave me perhaps the best piece of advice I’ve received: “Make your own job.”

And thank you to Trent Campbell, who took a sixth-grader curious about photography out to shoot the Addison County goings-on.

How my Vermont roots have More than being a wonderful place to grow up, I’ve realized that Vermont is a wonderful place to leave — and to return to. My high school and college years here grounded me in an incredibly profound way, at the same time that they compelled me to travel as much as possible. I still have both those urges — to stay and to leave — and it makes my experience of each day more interesting.

My memories of high school: Highs: Morning lacrosse practices, followed by cinnamon raisin bagels with cinnamon cream cheese from Rubright’s; performing Dante’s Divine Comedy with the school band. Lows: A particular season with the girls’ varsity soccer team when we did not win a single game; the movie selection at the Marquis.

My advice for this year’s crop of graduating seniors: Say yes, even when you’re scared. Go places you’ve never been.

And talk to strangers.

Alessandra LaFiandra, MUHS 2004 Hometown, current residence, age: From: Middlebury, Vt. Now: Living in White River Junction, Vt., and working in Lebanon, N.H. Age 27.

Family: Parents Ann and the late Bob LaFiandra, older brothers Matthew (’99) and Andrew (’02).

What I am up to: I’m a speech-language pathologist working with adults in shortstay rehabilitation and long-term care settings (e.g., stroke and dementia patients). Outside of work, I’m active in a local young professionals group, with which I enjoy networking and volunteering, and continue to play lots of recreational ice hockey in addition to exploring the Upper Valley’s many great outdoor and cultural offerings!

How I got to where I am now: Williams College, B.A. in Psychology, 2008; University of Vermont, M.S. in Communication Sciences and Disorders, 2012. My career choice was (See LaFiandra, Page 6C)

Ben Schiffer, MUHS 2005 Hometown, current residence, age: I grew up in Middlebury, Vt.; I am currently residing in Buenos Aires, Argentina. I’m 27 years old.

Family: My parents, Ira and Linda Schiffer, still live in Middlebury. My sister, Rachel Schiffer, is spending most of her years in France training and performing circus arts.

What I am up to: I am currently working for Cirque du Soleil’s touring big top show Corteo as an aerial acrobatic rigger.

How I got to where I am now: The summer after high school graduation I went on tour with Vermont youth circus, Circus Smirkus. After that tour I traveled to Israel for nine months where my time was split; I volunteered for three months at a naval high school in the north of the country, spent three vid Adom ambulance company outside of Tel Aviv, and lastly, I spent three months in Jerusalem doing Jewish and Israel studies.

When I returned from Israel I went back on tour with Smirkus for the summer. After my “gap year” I still had a “Feb-semester,” starting with Middlebury College’s February class in 2007. During my “Feb-semester” I got ing with MVAA (now Middlebury Regional EMS). At Middlebury College I studied theatrical design with a focus on sound design.

I spent a lot of time in the theatre designing soundscapes and soundtracks for both student and faculty productions. Outside of class I led a crew of students who worked as stagehands and technicians for on-campus concerts and events. In addition to all of my technical work during college, I found time (somehow) to deejay events both on and off campus, and dance with the RIDDIM World Dance Group.

Every summer I returned to Circus Smirkus to work on their Big Top Tour.

Since graduation from Middlebury College in 2010 I have been doing circus rigging

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and professional audio, both freelance and permanent contracts. I have done aerial acrobatic rigging and/or sound work for Cirque du Soleil, Big Apple Circus, Circus Smirkus and Cirque Dreams. I have also had the chance to design sound and video for the award winning, one-man show “Wing-Man”; rig for AERA Aerial Dance Company in Finland; and design, rig and perform a two-person show with my sister, Rachel, at the Clifford Symposium at Middlebury College.

Every show, every company, every tour has taught me something new and given me the skills to achieve a goal of touring with Cirque du Soleil; and here I am.

Adults to whom I can attribute my current success: There have been adults throughout my life who I can thank for helping me get to where I am today. My Bubby (grandmother) introduced my sister and me to the circus world. My mom and dad have always en(See Schiffer, Page 6C)

PAGE 6C — Addison Independent, Thursday, June 19, 2014

Schiffer (Continued from Page 5C) couraged me to go get it if I want it, and have supported both of their kids when they wanted to run away from home to the circus. In high school, Steve Small and Candace Burkle were amazing mentors, and opened my eyes to the possibilities in theatrical magic; Judith Vaill taught subtext.

How my Vermont roots have inYou’ll be without my Middlebury hoodie, a Midd Quidditch shirt, and a bottle of real Vermont maple syrup.

Now you’ll have time to read books that you love!

It’s OK to say no, and don’t plan your life now. You are going to want to do everything, but there is plenty of time to do it.

You can always do things later. Have some adventures, let life happen, and touring around South America for the next year and a half.

LaFiandra (Continued from Page 5C) job after college: a teaching internship at the American School in London. That experience illuminated several important things for me: 1) What a professional work environment looks/feels like; 2) That teachspeech-language pathology existed!

By the end of that experience, I realized I wanted to be in a more could apply some of the knowledge and skills I’d acquired from teach-

ing. Speech-language just felt right.

pathology

My parents, teachers, coaches and many additional mentors I’ve been lucky enough to have. Over time, I increasingly recognize the impact of their support and guidance in helping shape who I am and what I value.

How my Vermont roots have inI have a life-long aversion to billboards.

That, and I’ve learned to value peo-

ple and relationships over material things, get engaged in my immediate community, help thy neighbor, love the outdoors, and appreciate simple pleasures.

Co

ons to Jonah an a l u t a d th ng r e

High school low point: Losing four state championships, across three sports. High school high point: Being in the senior play; it was fun to get to know my classmates better and try something new! being a good person.

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Addison Independent, Thursday, June 19, 2014 — PAGE 7C

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PAGE 8C — Addison Independent, Thursday, June 19, 2014

Mt. Abe Union High School Congratulations Class of 2014!

Mt. Abe Class of 2014 BRISTOL — Mount Abraham Union High School held its graduation ceremonies Saturday, June 7.

The valedictorian was Addy Campbell. The salutatorian was Natalie May. Class representatives were Travis Bachand and Silas Pohlman.

The following students are the members of the class of 2014: Brittany Elise Atkins, Ian James Bachand, Travis Scott Bachand, Dakotah Traver Barsalou, Katelyn Marie Bartlett, Aaron Joseph Benway, Chelsea B. Bingham, Richard J. Bodington, Hannah Elizabeth Bonar, Turner Mendel Brett, Casey M. Briggs, Zoe Frances Bunch, Lucas O’Brien Calzini,

Addison Ramsey Campbell, Karen Eve Chandler, Mary Kate Charnley, Kassandra Lyn Chaloux, Tristin Thomas Coe, Jaden M. Collier, Caroline Johanna Cote, Joshua Michael Cousineau, Matthew Paul Cousino, Samantha Paige Cousino, Sara Lynn Cousino, Joshua Donald Cyr, Caitlin Marie Davis, Quinn Fagan Davis, Ryan Oscar Davis, Kyle Matthew Delphia, Samantha Jewell Driscoll, Hunter Marie Duval, Haleigh Dakota Dyer, Ismail Eddegdag, Daniel Burt Emmons, Adrian Rickard Ennis, Ashlie Irene Fay, Nichole Rose Fernandez, Ira Louis Fisher, Samantha Jo Forand, Trinity Avalon Ford, Luke Byers

Freidin and Michael Lorenzo Gagnon.

Also, Quinn Kathreen Gervia, Jacob Elijah Giles, Haley Marie Gorton, Isabella Gretchen Gracie, Lillian Irene Gratton, Meghan Jane Hahr, Jason M. Hartman, Damion Jerimiah Haskins, Brian Michael Hayes, Clifford C. Heath, Britney Lyn Hill, Hannah Lane Jackman, Samuel Michael Jarvis, Brian James Jewell, Mark Richard Jipner, Calvin Carlisle Joos, Sawyer Alan Pollender Kamman, John Kensek, Sara Lyn Kimball, Lili Marie Knutson, Henry Paul Koenig, Austin Leon LaFayette, Melinda Carol Lathrop, Emily Kate Lavallee, Jazmine Lee

Lester, Meghan Kathleen Livingston, Barry Michael Longe, Rider Cady MacCrellish, Drew Wayne Mackenzie, Sadie Irene Marcelle, Logan Marsano, Jessica Ellen Martell, Gabriel Keith Mattison, Natalie Thompson May, Heidi Katrina Meyer, Kaylee Virginia Mumford, Joshua Adam Nelson, Spencer Thomas Norland, Nicholas Remington Norton, Bakari Rose Olivetti and Adam Michael Palmer.

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Addison Independent, Thursday, June 19, 2014 — PAGE 9C

Recent Mt. Abe Graduates

Where Are They Now? Gwen Fitz-Gerald, MD Hometown, current residence, age: I’m from Monkton and I currently live in Denver, Colo. I’m 28.

Family: Parents: Ralph and Teri Fitz-Gerald of Monkton. Siblings: Jill and Spencer Fitz-Gerald.

What I am up to: I am currently

Mount Abraham 2004

many people in the community that supported me through high school, college and then medical school, but there are a few who stand out.

My mom and dad for their neverending support and encouragement; Peter Bicknell, my high school swim coach and mentor, was althree) at the University of Colorado ways ready to push me further; Denver Family Medicine Residency multiple college advisors helping Program. me apply and get accepted into How I got to where I am now: For medical school; and, of course, the undergrad I attended the University of wonderful faculty at UVM College Vermont, class of ’08, and majored in of Medicine, especially in the famsociology with a minor in biology. I ily medicine and neurology departalso graduated from the UVM College ment, who helped guide and focus of Medicine in 2013. my interests in medicine.

I feel very fortunate to come from a How my Vermont roots have insmall community where I was supportI once ed by friends, family, teachers, neighheard “Vermont has a way of getbors and our congregation through the ting into your blood and tugging at academic and social trials of teenage you until you come home.” Multiyears. I had known for many years ple opportunities have taken me out of Vermont for employment, travel, and my guidance counselors (Dena medical relief trip, and medical nis Maloney, Allen Kamman, Deb rotations have offered invaluable Van Shaack) helped me navigate calearning experiences about other arreer choices by most importantly seteas and cultures within and beyond ting me up with Area Health Educaour country, yet they also serve to tion Centers. AHEC, which has been make me appreciate my Vermont a positive presence from high school roots; from the idiosyncrasies of through medical school, originally small-town life, the importance of helped foster my love for medicine supporting the local economy to the through summer camps and continued importance of an inclusive model of to support that decision through unhealthcare. Vermont is and always dergrad, and then my decision to enter will be home and I look forward to Photo courtesy UVM College of Medicine primary care in medical school. returning to Vermont in the future.

There I decided that I wanted to beMy memories of high school: come an EMT. Most instructors were very hesitant to take a 17-year- High points in my high school years were good friends, when I started old into class, but Charlene Phelps from Starskboro, who is actively to develop my passion for medicine, participating in the high school involved in the Vermont EMS scene, was willing to let me take the class and opened the door to other medical opportunities in high school ly more good points in high school than not. I hardly think about the and college, including working with Monkton First Response, Bristol lows as they are now outshined by the positive memories. Things that Rescue Squad, working at the farewell Phish concert in Coventry, and seemed big at the time are now small after some distance. the Pre-medical Enhancement Program at UVM. My advice for this year’s crop of graduating seniors: You can’t Adults to whom I can attribute my current success: There are so

Prudence (Meunier) Crawmer, Mount Abraham 2005 Hometown, current residence, age: I grew up in Lincoln and currently reside in Colorado Springs, Colo. I’m 26.

Family: I got married on April 18, 2014, to the most amazing man!

Cheers to a life-long journey. :) Thank you to my family and friends for all their support throughout the years. It’s also fun watching my little brother, Ahmin Meunier, growing up!

What I am up to: I work for myself, I am a Licensed Massage blocks north of downtown Colorado Springs. I recently got married and bought a house, and I will be traveling to New Zealand this November with my incredible husband, John Crawmer.

How I got to where I am now, folks who helped along the way: I got to where I am now because of the inspiring people that have come into my life. Hanan Waite was a friend/ roommate of mine when I was living in Georgia that encouraged me to become a massage therapist. She would come home after her long, hard graveyard shift at NorthSide Hospital working as a nurse and I would massage her. She told me how talented I was. I started at Atlanta School of Massage two weeks

later. Hanan, also known as Nen, has been a huge part of my life. She has taught me that you can truly do anything you want, indeed she has been a guidance in my young adult life.

How my Vermont roots have inGrowing up in Vermont was so incredible, you don’t realize how truly blessed you are until you move away. The community I grew up in was very kind and caring, the amazing views of all four seasons in Vermont, how small the towns were, everything about Vermont is so, so beautiful. Perhaps one day I will live there again. Vermont has made me a worry-free, adventurous, and humble person.

My memories of high school: Everything was great to me. I would say. As with all students, no mat-

Hometown, current residence, age: Monkton; Seattle, Wash.; 24 Family: My parents are Jere Urban and Robin Shalline and my siblings are Anna Urban and Chris Urban.

What I am up to: I am a PM (program manager) at Microsoft working on their cloud platform.

How I got to where I am now: I went to Bates College in Maine and majored in politics. At Bates I co-founded an e-

startup incubator (Y Combinator), and also spent a few years working on other projects and startups. The most recent startup, Nudge, offered tools for developers to easily prototype apps and websites in their browser. My co-founders and I felt Nudge shared a similar vision to what Microsoft was building with their cloud platform, and so we joined Microsoft a few months ago.

Adults to whom I can attribute my current success: Not one single adult.

My family has been supportive of the risks I’ve taken, so that helped. My high school physics teacher, Mr. Tailer, and college professor Gene Clough got me excited about solving real problems and introduced me to thinking about the world in terms of systems — how to take a big problem and break it down, how to reverse engineer something.

Paul Graham (entrepreneur/investor) taught me a lot about how to start a

some time ;).

My advice for this year’s crop of graduating seniors: Take every opportunity, travel, learn from every experience you have, experience different cultures. Time will to the fullest.

Good Luck Class of 2014

Mount Abraham 2007

est in entrepreneurship and also led me to start getting involved in software. After college I continued to work on Jel-

you are is always challenging, or at least for me it was. I don’t know if I would say that was a low point, but

May You Build the Future of Your Dreams!

Cameron Urban

68 West Street, Bristol Mon – Sat 7:30am-5:30pm Sun 9:30am-3pm 802-453-3617

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system that is fundamentally broken and offers no existing alternatives.

My memories of high school: High points: Building things with my friends in physics class and metal shop, playing soccer, going to Ghana.

Low points: Reading from textbooks and taking tests, not feeling inspired by the work. Earlier on a low point was when I didn’t have the freedom to choose my classes.

My advice for this year’s crop of graduating seniors: Before you start

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startup and how to build something valuable. enced who I am today: Vermont has shown me that technology isn’t the only way to solve problems. For example, I look at many apps that modernize the way we consume, such as an app that allows you to buy local food online and I realize that Vermont is already very evolved in its own way of consumption.

And it doesn’t come from using technology to buy something — it comes from a shared appreciation for living simply and building a strong community. It comes from knowing the farmer that grows your food.

So in this sense my Vermont roots balance my career in tech because it helps to be able to gain perspective of where tech really matters most. I don’t want to build another app that provides an on-

!

Congratulations to the Class of 2014!

Congratulations to Austin, we wish you all the love & success in the world! ! ÇÓÊ > Ê-ÌÀiiÌ]Ê `` iLÕÀÞÊUÊÎnn ÈnΣÊUÊ"«i Ê ÛiÀÞÊ >Þ

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PAGE 10C — Addison Independent, Thursday, June 19, 2014

Otter Valley Union High School Congratulations Class of 2014!

OVUHS Class of 2014 BRANDON — Otter Valley Union High School held its commencement ceremonies on Saturday, June 7. Christopher Keyes was valedictorian. Suma Lashof was salutatorian.

The following are the members of the Otter Valley class of 2014: Taylor Aines, Grace Bart, Devin Beayon, Tamisha Belcher, Olivia Bloomer, Sierra Bodell, Brittany Bushey, Leah Champine, William Claessens, Alexia Colburn, Heika Colton, Rafael Comes, Nicholas Coolidge, Peggy Sue Cram, Cait-

lyn Curtis, Joseph Dempsey, Dean Douglas, Ryan Eastman, David Fernandes, Emily Flanders, Kelly Flanders, Erin Flood, Amber Fowler, Jessica Frazier, Douglas Friend, Matthiew Gallant, Amy Gauthier, Ryan Hallett, Peter Harrison, Barron Harvey and Logan Hayes.

Also, Brandi Heath, Brianna Hedding, Lindsey Howard, Julie Jackson, Kelli Jerome, Mallory Johns, David Johnson, Derek Jones, Tyler Jones, Thomas Kane, Wayne Kane, Christopher Keyes, Suma Lashof,

Tyler Laughlin, Evan Lovely, Emily Lowell, Savannah Lynch, Dillon Mahoney, Luke Martin, Michelle Maseroni, Christopher McCullough, Riley McGee, Megan McKeighan, Mariah Merkert, Ryan Miller, Nicholas Mischanko, Corey Mossey, Nathaniel Mylott, Richard Nicklaw, Emily Ohlinger, Joseph Palmer, Tristan Parmelee, Thomas Patten, Nicholas Perry and Cortney Poljacik.

Also, Candice Price, Shane Quenneville, Chandler Reed, Re-

becca Rider, Garrett Robin, Kayla Roorda, Lexi Rosen, Alicia Rossi, Jeremy Rowe, Kaley Sanborn, Kaley Simonds, Claire Smith, Erik Stage, Tommy Stanley, Claire Smith, Cassandra Sourdiff, Tommy Stanley, Natasha Sullivan, Jonathan Thornton, Danarose Weaver, Nicole Webster, Justin Wedin, Gabrielle Welch, Florence Whitney, Michael Winslow, Amber Witherbee, Rachel Woodward, Austin Worn, Forrest Wright, Kyle Wyman and Marley Zollman.

Addison Independent, Thursday, June 19, 2014 — PAGE 11C

Recent OVUHS Graduates

Where Are They Now? Hillary Keating, OVUHS 2006

Jeff Kamuda, OVUHS 2005 unsure how grandma felt about all

Hometown, current residence, age: I’m currently 28 years old, I grew up in Pittsford, Vt., and now live in Brooklyn, N.Y. Family: My parents, Joe and Laurie, still own and operate Kamuda’s Country Market in Pittsford, and my brother, Brian, and his wife, Christine, just welcomed

replica of the entire Olympic village in Lillehammer. As I’ve grown up, my big brother, Brian, has been what every little brother dreams of: a guiding voice of reason who supports and challenges me to improve every day.

How my Vermont roots have I’ve always felt an incredible amount of pride for having grown in up such a remarkable place. Not simply for its nostalgic traditions and natural beauty, but also its small-town camaraderie and down-to-earth honesty. Now that I’ve moved to the city, I am constantly reminded of how lucky we are to call such a place home. It’s no wonder we always seem to be the “last refuge of

Fla., last month.

What I am up to: After college, I moved to New York and began working for SHoP Architects as a ter in Brooklyn. Since joining the company, we have nearly tripled in size and recently relocated into the Woolworth Building in downtown Manhattan. While with SHoP, I’ve been fortunate enough to work on projects ranging from a master plan for the city of North Adams, Mass., reimagining a future Penn Station, developing a new paradigm for social housing in New York, and designing U.S. embassies abroad.

How I got to where I am now: After graduating from Otter Valley, I studied architecture and played soccer at Norwich University for a year and a half before transferring to Syracuse University and architecture program. During my time at Syracuse, I was fortunate Clinton Global Initiative University summit in New Orleans and worked with Brad Pitt’s “Make It Right Foundation” on restoration initiatives in the Lower Ninth Ward. This experience, coupled with my time studying abroad in

Europe and spending summers

seeds of my passion for architectural and social design.

Adults to whom I can attribute my current success: My grandfather had an enormous impact on my development, supporting me in athletics as well as encouraging me to be adventurous and inventive. When I was little, we would build models out of scrap cardboard from the store and construct colossal structures that would take

Hometown, current residence, age: I grew up in Leicester, and moved to Brandon in 7th grade. I currently live in Manhattan. I am 26.

Family: My parents, Jim and Denise Keating, reside in Brandon and can be seen participating in various musical events in the community. My sister, Whitney Noel, resides in Colchester with her husband and black Lab. What I am up to: I am in the process of getting my doctorate in physical therapy at Columbia University and will be spending the summer in Vermont doing a 10-week clinical in an outpatient facility.

How I got to where I am now: I majored in Psychology at Hamilton College, where I was a member of the College Choir and played outside center on the women’s rugby team. I also studied abroad in New Zealand my junior year, where my adventures included skydiving, bungee jumping, and hiking the trails to “Mordor.” My rehab from a rugby injury my senior year got me interested in pursuing physical therapy. Being a psych major,

however, I hadn’t taken many of the prerequisite courses and working part-time in Vermont.

Having grown up and gone to college in rural areas, I decided to try something different and applied to schools in New York City. I started my three-year doctorate program at Columbia in the fall of 2012, and I can hardly believe how much I’ve learned over the past two years.

So far my experience in physical therapy has been extremely rewarding and I’m looking forward to expandcal this summer.

Adults to whom I can attribute my current success: I’ve been fortunate to have had the love and support of my high school sweetheart throughout all the phases and transitions of my life since I was 16. He has helped give my companion on many adventures.

ence on my positive attitude and compassion for others doing things, rather than having things.

My memories of high school: My high point in high school was a single week in my senior year when I got my license, won a competition for an architectural scholarship, and met my girlfriend with whom I’ve now spent nearly 10 years. As for the low points, I’d have to say any time I lost a game with the Otters.

My advice for this year’s crop of graduating seniors: In these days of constant connectivity, information has never been more

today: I didn’t realize how deep my Vermont roots were until I moved away. I’ve missed being part of a small town community, munching on fruits and veggies grown just down the road, and having endless hiking trails to explore. However, growing up in Vermont, where patience and respect for those around you are valued, has helped me adapt to living in the city, where one must learn to co-exist with millions of people.

My memories of high school: My high points in high school include musical festival trips, spaghetti dinner nights with my teammates, scoring goals in soccer, and being accepted to Hamilton.

My low points include things most high schoolers deal with: feeling unsure of myself, feeling pressure from parents/coaches, being afraid of failure, and feeling overwhelmed with school and extracurricular commitments.

My advice for this year’s crop of graduating seniors: No matter what you do in life, have integrity, accountability and compassion. Be a self-motivator and learn to prioritize. Stay focused in the moment, but always keep the long-term in mind.

with podcasts like WNYC’s “Radents to always be eager to better themselves with knowledge and expand their exposure to the world. passion through exploration.

Eric Freson, OVUHS 2005

Hometown, current residence, age: I grew up in Pittsford, now live in Gunnison, Colo. I am 27.

Family: My parents, Monica and Tony Freson, were instrumental in my success by giving me the freedom to move out West to attend school, but at the same time providing support so that even though I was far from Vermont, and from home, I could be

What I am up to: I am currently completing a Master of Science in Student Affairs in Higher Education at Colorado State University, and working as the assistant director of admissions at Western State ancée, Ciera Glenn, in July. I compete in big mountain ski competitions, and race mountain bikes competitively, as time allows. Life is pretty good!

How I got to where I am now: I got to where I am now through hard work, competitiveness and an unwillingness to compromise my quality of life. I was a double major in Business and Outdoor Education during my undergraduate education. My was as the Freeride Ski Team Coach for the university, and a high level of success in both competitive results by athletes, and increasing the program’s size and exposure, opened the door for me to be recruited by, and to begin working as, an admissions counselor in Enrollment Services at Western. Once in Admissions, I found my passion, facilitating and empowering pro-

spective and current students, and I hope to continue doing so in higher education for years to come.

Adults to whom I can attribute my current success: There are three. 1. Mifor helping me to understand what I was capable of as part of his AP courses in high

couraging me to move outside my comfort zone as my rock climbing coach. 3. Gary for instilling in me a passion for student engagement and higher education. enced who I am today: Growing up in Vermont was instrumental in helping to shape who I am today. I was fortunate to develop a passion for the outdoors, a strong moral compass, and a solid ethical foundation through the people, programs and institutions I interacted with growing up in Vermont. I had an excellent education at Otter Valley UHS, and I was well prepared for life after high school as a result. The close connection with the natural world I experienced as a young adult in Vermont was also responsible for the direction of my life so far; and rural life taught me respect for all things, the importance of understanding both the past and the future, and our responsibility to leave what we interact with in a better condition than we found it.

I have been very fortunate to travel throughout most of the United States, and

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have met many amazing people along the way. In my experiences, an above average number of those amazing people who I have met were raised in, or lived in, Vermont for some period of their lives.

My memories of high school: Both a high and a low for me, I had a season-ending injury playing football my junior year, ture direction at a pivotal point. At the time, I had been considering East Coast schools frequently attended by my peers. When part of my identity as a high school athlete was on what I wanted from my future. It was during the recovery process I decided that I needed to move West, pursue my passions as an outdoor thrill seeker, and take ownership of my future direction. Being separated for a time from many of my friends who were year round team sport athletes gave My advice for this year’s crop of graduating seniors: Do a good job of surrounding yourself with talented and successful individuals and you will experience a strong network of support. But at the end of the day, no one is going to care more about your success than you. You need to be your own biggest advocate, and be the one to work the hardest for your victories.

Use success as a steppingstone, and in domay seem out of reach now, will be your next step in no time.

And don’t forget to smile!

PAGE 12C — Addison Independent, Thursday, June 19, 2014

Best Wishes for your future...

...from the team at International Paper’s Ticonderoga Mill

CONGRATULATIONS 2014 GRADUATES

©Andy Ryan, photo courtesy HNTB