Graduation 2014

Graduation 2014

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

ANGELA EVANCIE, MUHS 2005

CAM URBAN, MT. ABE 2007

COURTNEY BEIHAUSER, VUHS 2005

OVUHS CLASS OF 2014

A salute to our graduates!

ERIC FRESON, OVUHS 2005

MT. ABE CLASS OF 2014

VUHS CLASS OF 2014

MUHS CLASS OF 2014

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 sea-

sons 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,

SHUKDSV�VHHLQJ�D�ELW�RI�WKH�ZRUOG��JHWWLQJ�WKDW�¿UVW�SRVW�JUDGXDWLRQ�MRE��¿JXULQJ�RXW�ZKDW�LW¶V�DOO�DERXW��,W�LV�D�time full of promise with a fair measure of apprehen-

sion thrown in. Look for those familiar faces in the

photos inside from the Middlebury, Mount Abraham,

Otter Valley and Vergennes union high school gradua-

tion ceremonies this month.

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

\RXQJ�IDFHV�DQG�FDQ¶W�KHOS�EXW�ORRN�EDFN�DW�KRZ�WKHLU�own lives and those of their friends and acquaintances

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-

WLRQ��,QVLGH�\RX¶OO�¿QG�SUR¿OHV�RI�D�KDQGIXO�RI�9HUPRQW�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

WKH�KRSHV�WKDW�WKLV�\HDU¶V�KLJK�VFKRRO�JUDGXDWHV�ZLOO�EH�able to see something of their own generation in the

SUR¿OHV�<RX¶OO� ¿QG� D� YDULHW\� RI� YRFDWLRQV� DQG� DYRFDWLRQV�

UHSUHVHQWHG�LQ�WKH�SUR¿OHV��EXW�WKH\�EDUHO\�VFUDWFK�WKH�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.

C — Addison Independent, Thursday, June 19, 2014

Congratulations Class of 2014!

Vergennes Union High School

VUHS Class of 2014VERGENNES — Ver-

gennes Union High School held its 2014 commence-ment ceremonies on Friday, June 6. The valedictorian was Thomas Lee Hodsen III. Ruby Dombek was salutato-rian. Rowan Kamman held third honors.

The following are the 2014 graduates of VUHS:

Juliana Kathryn Adams, Kenneth Alexopoulos, Lo-gan P. Ambrose, Stephanie Marie Anderson, Tucker Hayes Babcock, Joshua M. Benning, Jared Carl Birch-more, Keegan S. Bosworth, Daniel Henry Briggs, Kris-topher K. Brooks, Danielle Jean Brown, Rachel Brianne Clark, Allissa Barbara Con-nor, Amanda J. Cousino, Alysia Marie Cousino, Trev-or L. Currier, Hannah Nesky DeMatties, Patrick K. Den-ton, 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 Kil-burn, Jarret LaFleche, Brean-na Lee Lapan, Shane E. Law-rence, Megan Ann Leach, Tasha Bonita Renée Leone, Kailyann Faye Loven, Ross Alan Lumbra, Kyle Mail-loux, Rachel Sophia Mail-loux, 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 Po-quette, Haley Beth Poynter, Hailey M. Rheaume-Fox, Brandon Hunter Richards, Aaron Nicholas Rowell, Sa-mara Rose Sausville, Kayla Daytona Sawyer, Keyanah Denise Smith, Silas Smith, Gabriel Douwe Smits, Justin A. Soter, Nathaniel Scott Ed-ward St. Cyr, Jordan T. Stea-rns, Monica Brooke Swan, Joanna Jean Tatlock, Benja-min Paul Thompson, Ben-jamin Ranger Thompson, Taylor Ann Towle, Emilee Auburne Trudo, Nathan Henry Unger, Levi Matthew Waterman, Mariah T. West, Anna B. Willenbaker, Ariana Tina Marie Woodard.

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Photos courtesy of Keith Darwin

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

Recent VUHS Graduates

May your success in life be HQKDQFHG�ZLWK�îWQHVV��ZHOOQHVV�

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Middlebury388-6888

Vergennes877-2030vermontsun.com

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Where Are They Now?

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 Ver-mont.

What I am up to: I am the Director of Ac-count Management at a marketing agency that focuses on helping brands reach college stu-dents. 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 Tedes-chi, 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.+RZ� P\� 9HUPRQW� URRWV� KDYH� LQÀXHQFHG�

who I am today: Even though my license plates say Massachusetts, I will always think of my-self 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 D�9HUPRQWHU�GH¿QHV�DOPRVW�HYHU\�DVSHFW�RI�P\�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 sec-ond 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 champi-onship with some amazing young women.

My advice for this year’s crop of graduat-

ing seniors: My biggest advice would be, never forget where you came from, and always appre-ciate the moment you live in, because you’ll be 26 before you know it!

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 Kris-tin Benton. My father is current mayor of Vergennes and is president of WD Benton Appraisers. Mother is co-owner of Holly-hocks 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 attend-ed 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.+RZ� P\� 9HUPRQW� URRWV� KDYH� LQÀX-

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: Com-peting 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!

Courtney Beinhaur, VUHS 2005

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

Will Benton, VUHS 2005

Will Glassberg, VUHS 2006Hometown, 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 gen-eral 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 at-tended 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 Califor-nia, Berkeley, from which I gradu-ated in 2011 with a BS in Civil En-gineering. The path to my current occupation, however, began during high school when I spent the sum-mers working as a construction la-borer for Naylor & Breen Builders. I enjoyed the camaraderie, fast-paced problem solving, and the sense of accomplishment at seeing the physi-cal results of my labor. While in college I continued to pursue con-struction related opportunities, while also honing leadership skills through working as a backpacking, moun-taineering and sea kayaking guide.

Adults to whom I can attribute

my current success: I count my-self 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 in-

ÀXHQFHG�ZKR�,�DP�WRGD\� Growing up in Vermont, I developed a strong work ethic, a critical nature that con-tinually searches for improvement, and a keen sense of community. I KDXOHG� D� ORW� RI� ¿UHZRRG� RQ� ZLQ-ter mornings, but eventually found strategies for making it easier; I also JRW� WR� HQMR\� VLWWLQJ� E\� D�ZRRG� ¿UH�with friends and family. These at-tributes have served me very well in California, and in the construction industry, where the ability to push through hardship, challenge the ac-cepted 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 be-tween 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 pro-pel you further into adventures. Do not let cynicism or doubt constrain your potential. You have all grown up in one of the most beautiful plac-es 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.

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Middlebury Union High School

MUHS Class of 2014MIDDLEBURY — Middlebury

Union High School held its com-mencement exercises on Saturday, June 14, at the Memorial Sports Center in Middlebury. Sonia Howlett and Max Moulton were valedictori-ans. 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 Bar-ber, Zaidie Barnard-Mayers, Keenan Bartlett, Nicholas Bassett, Hollis Bellucci, Nathaniel Cole Bennett, Josiah Benoit, Jordan Bisson, Yvette Blair, Sara Boe, Jeremy Bougor, Jes-sica Brisson, Samuel Broughton, Carsyn Buxton, Olivia Cacciatore, Anna Caliandro, Jyauna Caples-Treadway, 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, Christo-pher Ewell, Nicholas Felkl, Samuel Ferguson, Zachary Flint, Saman-tha Fox, Alex Fredette, Kevin Ga-lenkamp, Avic Garcelon, Murphy Giard, Keith Gilmore, Merritt Glea-son, Austin Grimm, Nathan Her-rmann, Hannah Hobbs, Tyler Hogan, Naina Horning, Rachel Howlett, So-nia Howlett, Eric Huestis, Gabrielle Ingenthron, Nathalie Ingersoll, Mi-chael 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-

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

Palmer, Joshua Paquette, Zoë Par-sons, Piper Patterson, Nathan Peck, Mark C. Pettit, Julia Piper, Matias Pyle and Hunter Quesnel.

Also, Bryce Renaud, Emily Rob-inson, Isaac Rooney, Anna Roy, Christopher Ryan, Sophia Ryan, Matthew Schildkamp, Elizabeth Scott, Heather Selleck, Eric Sham-bo, 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 Wal-dron, Alyse Wanke, Lauren Weekes, Lindsay Wells, Anthony Woods, Seth Wright, Forrest Wright-Lapin, Sierra Wulfson, Holden Yildirim.

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Congratulations, Class of 2014!

May you always reach for your dreams.

Recent MUHS Graduates

Where Are They Now?

Hometown, current resi-

dence, age: I grew up in Ver-gennes 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 digi-tal producer at Vermont Public Radio. My primary responsibil-ity is to build, curate and share web content across VPR’s many online platforms; but I also pho-tograph, write for our blog, “The Frequency,” report for broad-cast, and occasionally contribute stories to NPR.

How I got to where I am

now: I got here on a pretty circu-itous path — one that involved a few stops in the newsroom of WKLV� YHU\� SDSHU�� ZKHUH� ,� ¿OOHG�in as photographer when Trent Campbell went on vacation. Af-ter graduating from Middlebury College, where I was a joint ma-jor in English and geography, I was awarded funding for a year of independent work of my own design (kind of like the Indepen-dent 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, dur-ing which time I freelanced for a number of stations/shows/publications, worked as a paralegal at an environmental law ¿UP�DQG�D�QHZVSDSHU�UHSRUWHU�LQ�1HZ�+DPSVKLUH��ZURWH�SUR-motional materials for a basket company, read many books, joined the ranks of Middlebury’s Fellowships in Environmen-tal 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 com-pounded on and informed each other in ways that helped me do original, creative work (and they still do).

Adults to whom I can at-

tribute my current success: I’ve had really, really incredible teachers. Judith Vaill: If you’re out there, thank you for assign-ing us Dostoevsky and DeLillo and Nabokov. Susan Arenson, thank you for making me rewrite so many papers, so many times. And over at Middlebury Col-lege, thank you to Chris Shaw and Stephen Donadio for being such passionate, available pro-fessors, 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 Camp-bell, who took a sixth-grader curious about photography out to shoot the Addison County goings-on.

How my Vermont roots have

LQÀXHQFHG� ZKR� ,� DP� WRGD\� 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 possi-ble. 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.

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 sum-mer 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 PRQWKV�DV�D�¿UVW� UHVSRQGHU�ZLWK�0DJHQ�'D-vid Adom ambulance company outside of Tel Aviv, and lastly, I spent three months in Jeru-salem 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,” start-ing with Middlebury College’s February class in 2007. During my “Feb-semester” I got P\� (07� FHUWL¿FDWLRQ� DQG� EHJDQ� YROXQWHHU-ing with MVAA (now Middlebury Regional EMS). At Middlebury College I studied the-atrical 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 Col-lege in 2010 I have been doing circus rigging

Ben Schiffer, MUHS 2005

Angela Evancie, MUHS 2005

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 suc-

cess: 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-

Alessandra LaFiandra, MUHS 2004

(See Schiffer, Page 6C)

Hometown, current resi-

dence, 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 broth-ers Matthew (’99) and Andrew (’02).

What I am up to: I’m a speech-language pathologist working with adults in short-stay 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 volun-teering, 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 Communi-cation Sciences and Disorders, 2012. My career choice was

(See LaFiandra, Page 6C)

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Congratulations to allour 2014 Graduates!


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 the-atrical magic; Judith Vaill taught PH�WR�UHDG�DQDO\WLFDOO\�DQG�¿QG�WKH�subtext.


ÀXHQFHG�ZKR�,�DP�WRGD\� You’ll be KDUG�SUHVVHG�WR�¿QG�PH�RQ�WKH�URDG�without my Middlebury hoodie, a Midd Quidditch shirt, and a bottle of real Vermont maple syrup.0\�DGYLFH�IRU�WKLV�\HDU¶V�FURS�RI�

JUDGXDWLQJ�VHQLRUV��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 WDNH�ULVNV��<RX�PD\�MXVW�¿QG�\RXUVHOI�touring around South America for the next year and a half.

Schiffer (Continued from Page 5C)

VLJQL¿FDQWO\� LQÀXHQFHG�E\�P\�¿UVW�job after college: a teaching intern-ship at the American School in Lon-don. That experience illuminated several important things for me: 1) What a professional work environ-ment looks/feels like; 2) That teach-LQJ�ZDVQ¶W�WKH�ULJKW�¿W��DQG��7KDW�speech-language pathology existed! By the end of that experience, I realized I wanted to be in a more WKHUDSHXWLF�¿HOG��DQG�RQH�LQ�ZKLFK�,�could apply some of the knowledge and skills I’d acquired from teach-

ing. Speech-language pathology just felt right.$GXOWV�WR�ZKRP�,�FDQ�DWWULEXWH�

P\� FXUUHQW� VXFFHVV� My parents, teachers, coaches and many ad-ditional mentors I’ve been lucky enough to have. Over time, I in-creasingly recognize the impact of their support and guidance in helping shape who I am and what I value.


ÀXHQFHG�ZKR� ,� DP� WRGD\� I 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 immedi-ate community, help thy neighbor, love the outdoors, and appreciate simple pleasures.0\� PHPRULHV� RI� KLJK� VFKRRO�

High school low point: Losing four state championships, across three sports. High school high point: Be-ing in the senior play; it was fun to get to know my classmates better and try something new!0\� DGYLFH� IRU� WKLV� \HDU¶V� FURS�

RI�JUDGXDWLQJ�VHQLRUV��Care about being a good person.

LaFiandra (Continued from Page 5C)

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Congratulations Class of 2014

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Congratulations toHannah Jackman

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Good luck on your future endeavors!


Mt. Abe Union High School

BRISTOL — Mount Abraham Union High School held its gradua-tion ceremonies Saturday, June 7.

The valedictorian was Addy Campbell. The salutatorian was Nat-alie 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, Kate-lyn Marie Bartlett, Aaron Joseph Benway, Chelsea B. Bingham, Richard J. Bodington, Hannah Elizabeth Bonar, Turner Mendel Brett, Casey M. Briggs, Zoe Fran-ces Bunch, Lucas O’Brien Calzini,

Addison Ramsey Campbell, Karen Eve Chandler, Mary Kate Charn-ley, Kassandra Lyn Chaloux, Tris-tin 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 Du-val, 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 Ga-gnon.

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 Pollen-der Kamman, John Kensek, Sara Lyn Kimball, Lili Marie Knutson, Henry Paul Koenig, Austin Leon LaFayette, Melinda Carol Lathrop, Emily Kate Lavallee, Jazmine Lee

Mt. Abe Class of 2014Lester, Meghan Kathleen Livings-ton, Barry Michael Longe, Rider Cady MacCrellish, Drew Wayne Mackenzie, Sadie Irene Marcelle, Logan Marsano, Jessica Ellen Mar-tell, Gabriel Keith Mattison, Nata-lie Thompson May, Heidi Katrina Meyer, Kaylee Virginia Mumford, Joshua Adam Nelson, Spencer Thomas Norland, Nicholas Rem-ington Norton, Bakari Rose Olivetti and Adam Michael Palmer.

Also, Courtney Rebecca Panton, Isaac Beach Parker, Sterling Otis Pelsue, Silas Wolf Pohlman, Josh-ua James Poquette, Demitra Kiana Potter, Krystal Anne Ramsey, Eric Matthew Raymond, Samantha Lau-ren Reiss, April Lynn Rheaume, Julia Dillen Rickner, Melanie Beth Rotax, Paul Joseph Sabourin III, Morgan Teresa Salter, Rochelle Paige Sargent, Hailey Renee Say-les, Gabrielle N. Schlein, Keely Tia Mae Shaw, Young Joo Enid 6NLI¿QJWRQ�� -HIIHU\� &UDLJ� 7DQQHU��Kayleigh Lorrena Tatro, Anna Ruth Thompson, Cale Edwin Thygesen, Logan Alexander Tow, Tiffany Mae Tracey, Travon Isaiah Trail, Sarah Beth Trombly, Aylee Winona Tudek, William Thomas Van Bu-ren, Harlie Morgan Vincent, Mi-randa Leigh Warner, Taylor Marie Warner, Brian Christopher Wendel, Megan Jenny Wetter, Aiden Daniel White Pifer, Ethan Michael White, Micheal Jamison White-Coe, Cara M. Whitten, Madison Ann Wood and Sean E. Wood.

HERE’S TO WHEREVER YOUR FUTURE TAKES YOU!

453-660035 West St., Bristol VT

Serving Vermonters for over 90 years.www.paigeandcampbell.com

Bill, Andrea and John are here for your insurance and

financial needs

Photos courtesy of Buzz Kuhns/buzzkuhnsphotography.smugmug.com


!

!

!

!

!!

Congratulations tothe Class of 2014!

Congratulations to Austin, we wish youall the love & success in the world!

Recent Mt. Abe Graduates

Where Are They Now?

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 (pro-

gram 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-

FRPPHUFH�FRPSDQ\�FDOOHG�-HOO\¿VK�$UW�WKDW� VHOOV� OLYH�SHW� MHOO\¿VK� DQG� MHOO\¿VK�WDQNV��-HOO\¿VK�$UW�GHYHORSHG�P\�LQWHU-est in entrepreneurship and also led me

to start getting involved in software. Af-

ter college I continued to work on Jel-

O\¿VK�$UW�� WRRN� WKH�FRPSDQ\� WKURXJK�D�startup incubator (Y Combinator), and

also spent a few years working on other

projects and startups. The most recent

startup, Nudge, offered tools for devel-

opers to easily prototype apps and web-

sites 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.


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

startup and how to build something

valuable.

+RZ�P\�9HUPRQW�URRWV�KDYH� LQÀX-

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 al-

lows 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 technol-

ogy 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 bal-

ance 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-

GHPDQG�ODXQGU\�VHUYLFH��,�ZDQW�WR�¿[�D�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.


graduating seniors: Before you start

FROOHJH�RU� MXPS�LQWR�D�FDUHHU��¿QG�WLPH�WR�WUDYHO��¿QG�WLPH�WR�GR�VRPHWKLQJ�WKDW�will challenge you and help you to de-

velop your interests or discover new

ones.

Cameron UrbanMount Abraham 2007

Gwen Fitz-Gerald, MDMount Abraham 2004

Hometown, current residence,

age: I’m from Monkton and I current-

ly 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

¿QLVKLQJ�P\� LQWHUQ�\HDU� �\HDU� RQH�RI�three) at the University of Colorado

Denver Family Medicine Residency

Program.

How I got to where I am now: For

undergrad I attended the University of

Vermont, class of ’08, and majored in

sociology with a minor in biology. I

also graduated from the UVM College

of Medicine in 2013.

I feel very fortunate to come from a

small community where I was support-

ed by friends, family, teachers, neigh-

bors and our congregation through the

academic and social trials of teenage

years. I had known for many years

WKDW�,�ZDQWHG�WR�EH�LQ�WKH�PHGLFDO�¿HOG�and my guidance counselors (Den-

nis Maloney, Allen Kamman, Deb

Van Shaack) helped me navigate ca-

reer choices by most importantly set-

ting me up with Area Health Educa-

tion Centers. AHEC, which has been

a positive presence from high school

through medical school, originally

helped foster my love for medicine

through summer camps and continued

to support that decision through un-

dergrad, and then my decision to enter

primary care in medical school.

There I decided that I wanted to be-

come an EMT. Most instructors were very hesitant to take a 17-year-

old into class, but Charlene Phelps from Starskboro, who is actively

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

and college, including working with Monkton First Response, Bristol

Rescue Squad, working at the farewell Phish concert in Coventry, and

the Pre-medical Enhancement Program at UVM.

Adults to whom I can attribute my current success: There are so

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 never-

ending support and encouragement;

Peter Bicknell, my high school

swim coach and mentor, was al-

ways ready to push me further;

multiple college advisors helping

me apply and get accepted into

medical school; and, of course, the

wonderful faculty at UVM College

of Medicine, especially in the fam-

ily medicine and neurology depart-

ment, who helped guide and focus

my interests in medicine.


ÀXHQFHG�ZKR� ,� DP� WRGD\� I once

heard “Vermont has a way of get-

ting into your blood and tugging at

you until you come home.” Multi-

ple opportunities have taken me out

of Vermont for employment, travel,

a medical relief trip, and medical

rotations have offered invaluable

learning experiences about other ar-

eas and cultures within and beyond

our country, yet they also serve to

make me appreciate my Vermont

roots; from the idiosyncrasies of

small-town life, the importance of

supporting the local economy to the

importance of an inclusive model of

healthcare. Vermont is and always

will be home and I look forward to

returning to Vermont in the future.

My memories of high school:

High points in my high school years were good friends, when I started

to develop my passion for medicine, participating in the high school

PXVLFDOV��DQG�VZLPPLQJ�ZLWK�WKH�$GGLVRQ�2WWHUV��7KHUH�ZHUH�GH¿QLWH-ly more good points in high school than not. I hardly think about the

lows as they are now outshined by the positive memories. Things that

seemed big at the time are now small after some distance.

My advice for this year’s crop of graduating seniors: You can’t

DOZD\V�GR�ZKDW�\RX�ORYH��EXW�¿QG�D�ZD\�WR�ORYH�ZKDW�\RX�GR�

Photo courtesy UVM College of Medicine


age: I grew up in Lincoln and cur-

rently 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

7KHUDSLVW��0\�RI¿FH�LV�MXVW�D�FRXSOH�blocks north of downtown Colorado

Springs. I recently got married and

bought a house, and I will be travel-

ing 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 liv-

ing 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 At-

lanta 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 any-

thing you want, indeed she has been

a guidance in my young adult life.


ÀXHQFHG�ZKR�,�DP�WRGD\� Growing

up in Vermont was so incredible, you

don’t realize how truly blessed you

are until you move away. The com-

munity 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. Ver-

mont has made me a worry-free, ad-

venturous, and humble person.

My memories of high school:

Everything was great to me. I would

say. As with all students, no mat-

WHU� ZKDW� \RXU� DJH� LV�� ¿QGLQJ� ZKR�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

¿QGLQJ�ZKR� \RX� WUXO\� DUH� FDQ� WDNH�some time ;).


of graduating seniors: Take ev-

ery opportunity, travel, learn from

every experience you have, expe-

rience different cultures. Time will

À\�E\� DIWHU� KLJK� VFKRRO�� HQMR\� OLIH�to the fullest.

Prudence (Meunier) Crawmer, Mount Abraham 2005

Two locations to help serve you better...859 Route 7 South, Middlebury 68 West Street, BristolMon – Fri 8am-6pm Mon – Sat 7:30am-5:30pmSat 8am-5pm Sun 9am-4pm Sun 9:30am-3pm 802-388-9500 802-453-3617

May You Build the Future

of Your Dreams!Good Luck

Class of 2014from all of us at



Otter Valley Union High School

OVUHS Class of 2014BRANDON — Otter Valley Union

High School held its commence-ment ceremonies on Saturday, June 7. Christopher Keyes was valedicto-rian. 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 Fowl-er, Jessica Frazier, Douglas Friend, Matthiew Gallant, Amy Gauthier, Ryan Hallett, Peter Harrison, Barron Harvey and Logan Hayes.

Also, Brandi Heath, Brianna Hed-ding, Lindsey Howard, Julie Jack-son, Kelli Jerome, Mallory Johns, David Johnson, Derek Jones, Tyler Jones, Thomas Kane, Wayne Kane, Christopher Keyes, Suma Lashof,

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

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.


Recent OVUHS Graduates

Where Are They Now?

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 provid-ing support so that even though I was far from Vermont, and from home, I could be FRQ¿GHQW�LQ�P\�FKRLFHV�DQG�GHFLVLRQV��

What I am up to: I am currently com-pleting a Master of Science in Student Af-fairs in Higher Education at Colorado State University, and working as the assistant director of admissions at Western State &RORUDGR�8QLYHUVLW\��,�MXVW�ERXJKW�P\�¿UVW�KRPH�WKLV�VSULQJ��DQG�DP�PDUU\LQJ�P\�¿-ancée, Ciera Glenn, in July. I compete in big mountain ski competitions, and race mountain bikes competitively, as time al-lows. Life is pretty good!

How I got to where I am now: I got to where I am now through hard work, com-petitiveness and an unwillingness to com-promise my quality of life. I was a double major in Business and Outdoor Education during my undergraduate education. My ¿UVW� MRE�DW�:HVWHUQ� �ZKHUH� ,�ZRUN� WRGD\��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 expo-sure, opened the door for me to be recruit-ed by, and to begin working as, an admis-sions 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.


current success: There are three. 1. Mi-FKDHO� 'Z\HU� �298+6� IDFXOW\� PHPEHU��for helping me to understand what I was capable of as part of his AP courses in high VFKRRO�� 0LFKHOH� &LRIIUHGL� �298+6�0RRVDODPRR� SURJUDP� GLUHFWRU�� IRU� HQ-couraging me to move outside my comfort zone as my rock climbing coach. 3. Gary 3LHUVRQ��93�RI�6WXGHQW�$IIDLUV�DW�:HVWHUQ��for instilling in me a passion for student en-gagement and higher education. +RZ� P\� 9HUPRQW� URRWV� KDYH� LQÀX-

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 founda-tion through the people, programs and in-stitutions 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 re-spect for all things, the importance of un-derstanding 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

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, Ver-mont for some period of their lives.

My memories of high school: Both a high and a low for me, I had a season-end-ing injury playing football my junior year, DQG�WKLV�JDYH�PH�WLPH�WR�UHÀHFW�RQ�P\�IX-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 UHPRYHG�IRU�D�WLPH��LW�DOORZHG�PH�WR�UHÀHFW�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 owner-ship of my future direction. Being separat-ed for a time from many of my friends who were year round team sport athletes gave PH�WKH�FRQ¿GHQFH�WR�VWULYH�RXW�LQ�D�GLIIHUHQW�GLUHFWLRQ��ZKLFK�XOWLPDWHO\�EHQH¿WHG�PH��


graduating seniors: Do a good job of sur-rounding yourself with talented and suc-cessful 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 do-LQJ�VR�\RX�ZLOO�¿QG�WKDW�WKRVH�JRDOV�ZKLFK�may seem out of reach now, will be your next step in no time.

And don’t forget to smile!

Eric Freson, OVUHS 2005

(ULF�)UHVRQ�ZLWK�¿DQFpH�&LHUD�*OHQQ

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

Family: My parents, Jim and Denise Keating, reside in Brandon and can be seen participating in various mu-sical 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 Psychol-ogy 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 inter-ested in pursuing physical therapy. Being a psych major,

however, I hadn’t taken many of the prerequisite courses IRU�37�VFKRRO��FKHPLVWU\��SK\VLFV��DQDWRP\�DQG�SK\VLRO-RJ\��7KHUHIRUH��,�VSHQW�WKH�QH[W�WZR�\HDUV�WDNLQJ�FRXUV-HV��IXO¿OOLQJ�37�REVHUYDWLRQ�KRXUV��DSSO\LQJ�WR�VFKRROV��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 pro-gram 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 ex-tremely rewarding and I’m looking forward to expand-LQJ�P\�NQRZOHGJH�DQG�VNLOO�LQ�WKLV�¿HOG�GXULQJ�P\�FOLQL-cal 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 PH�WKH�FRQ¿GHQFH�WR�SXUVXH�P\�DPELWLRQV�DQG�KDV�EHHQ�my companion on many adventures. 0\�<LD�<LD��DND�JUDQGPD��KDV�DOVR�KDG�D�PDMRU�LQÀX-

ence on my positive attitude and compassion for others �DQG� ORYH� IRU�KRPHPDGH�EDNODYD��6KH�KDV� WDXJKW�PH�WKH�LPSRUWDQFH�RI�VSUHDGLQJ�NLQGQHVV�DQG�¿QGLQJ�MR\�LQ�doing things, rather than having things. +RZ�P\�9HUPRQW�URRWV�KDYH�LQÀXHQFHG�ZKR�,�DP�

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 pa-tience 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 over-whelmed with school and extracurricular commitments.

My advice for this year’s crop of graduating se-

niors: No matter what you do in life, have integrity, ac-countability and compassion. Be a self-motivator and learn to prioritize. Stay focused in the moment, but al-ways keep the long-term in mind.

Hillary Keating, OVUHS 2006


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 Ka-muda’s Country Market in Pitts-ford, and my brother, Brian, and his wife, Christine, just welcomed WKHLU�¿UVW�FKLOG��-DPHV��LQ�2UODQGR��Fla., last month.

What I am up to: After college, I moved to New York and began working for SHoP Architects as a GHVLJQ� DVVRFLDWH�� MXVW� DV� WKH� ¿UP�ZDV� ¿QLVKLQJ� WKH� %DUFOD\V� &HQ-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 so-cial housing in New York, and de-signing 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 transfer-ring to Syracuse University and FRPSOHWLQJ�D�¿YH�\HDU�EDFKHORU�RI�architecture program. During my time at Syracuse, I was fortunate HQRXJK� WR� EH� DFFHSWHG� WR� WKH� ¿UVW�Clinton Global Initiative Univer-sity summit in New Orleans and worked with Brad Pitt’s “Make It Right Foundation” on restora-tion initiatives in the Lower Ninth Ward. This experience, coupled with my time studying abroad in

Jeff Kamuda, OVUHS 2005

Europe and spending summers LQWHUQLQJ� DW� DUFKLWHFWXUDO� RI¿FHV��EHJLQQLQJ�ZLWK�0LGGOHEXU\¶V�RZQ�%UHDG�/RDI�$UFKLWHFWV��SODQWHG�WKH�seeds of my passion for architec-tural and social design.

Adults to whom I can attribute

my current success: My grandfa-ther had an enormous impact on my development, supporting me in athletics as well as encouraging me to be adventurous and inven-tive. When I was little, we would build models out of scrap card-board from the store and construct colossal structures that would take RYHU� KLV� OLYLQJ� URRP� �ZH¶UH� VWLOO�

unsure how grandma felt about all RI� WKLV�� RQH� WLPH� HYHQ� EXLOGLQJ� D�replica of the entire Olympic vil-lage 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 sup-ports and challenges me to improve every day.

How my Vermont roots have

LQÀXHQFHG�ZKR� ,� DP� WRGD\� 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 natu-ral 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 al-ways seem to be the “last refuge of KXPDQLW\´�LQ�DSRFDO\SWLF�¿OPV�

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 Ot-ters.


of graduating seniors: In these days of constant connectivity, in-formation has never been more DFFHVVLEOH� �,� P\VHOI� DP� REVHVVHG�with podcasts like WNYC’s “Ra-GLRODE´�� ,� ZRXOG� HQFRXUDJH� VWX-dents to always be eager to better themselves with knowledge and expand their exposure to the world. .HHS� DQ� RSHQ�PLQG� DQG� ¿QG� \RXU�passion through exploration.

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CONGRATULATIONS 2014 GRADUATES

Graduation 2014

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