Bye Bye Bye 2010 Part Three

Hello once again fellow CVUers,

I have more final goodbyes from my Journalism classmates! Hope you enjoy

The following passage is written by Kelsey Darby, class of 2010:

As we count down the final days of the school year, we are starting to figure out our summer plans. I talked to a few people about their activities for the summer, and the responses I got varied from each person, depending on what he or she likes to do.
 
Isaiah Cory, a graduating senior, says he is “sticking around Vermont.” He also added that he is looking for a job.
 
Simon Quayle, a junior this year, said, “I’m working at a theatre in New York.” He explained this will be his third summer at the theatre. “I am looking forward to it!”
 
Newton Hausermann, another graduating senior who is attending Clarkson University this fall, told me about the two concerts he is going to this summer. A Phish concert on June 19, and a Further concert on July 5.
 
Julie Ho, a junior, said she is going to the SADD National convention in Orlando, Florida from June 27 until June 30. She is also working at Majestic 10 in Williston. “Anything else,” she said, “is up in the air.”
 
But, no matter what you are doing this summer, whether you are staying here or heading to Florida, remember to have fun, be safe, and to wear sunscreen!

The following passage is written by Eoin Karnes, class of 2011:

Connie Metz, Nichols Guidance Counselor, has seen many senior classes come and go over her years working here at CVU. She feels that what she will miss most about this year’s senior class is “Their spirit, their enthusiasm, and their ability to relate well with adults.”
            “My memories are of how well they’ve grown.” She said, “Each in particular individual who maybe as a freshman might have gotten in some trouble or wasn’t sort of on track to graduate. They all have seemed to come around and done a really good job of making sure they will walk across that stage and get their diploma. It’s always more collective: to see how kids start out mischievous, playful, and to see how much they have grown and what their passions are.”
            Connie Metz believes grad challenge helps to show the seniors passions by what they are learning. She claimed to love attending Grad Challenge presentation day just to see what the students are doing. “One of the things that just blew me away at grad challenge,” Connie Metz’s said, “was all the incredible expertise that the graduating seniors have about what they have chosen.” One student Connie Metz remembers for showing particular passion was senior, Ben Mullin. “I never really knew Ben Mullin very well, and he told the story about his Volkswagen Bus; how he bought it, where he got it, how he traveled across country, how he took it apart. It is amazing, just amazing to me. So here’s a student who I never really knew, and now I feel I know him pretty well.”
            As fond as Connie Metz is of all her memories of this year’s senior class, she claims to be “always excited to see them go,” she continued by saying “I always feel like I can let them go. But I will see them again, whether I see them in Burlington, they email me or they contact me.”

Today is the last official White day, everyone…which means it’s my last Journalism class! :’( But I will send MY final ”so-longs” soon enough, when I have more time to gather my thoughts and not to mention, my sanity. Haha! There will, however, be a part four of this blog, if any more posts from my classmates get sent to me. But anyways, enough with my long rant…

Your’s truly CVU,

Fammy Zammy

End of the Year “Goodbye” cont.

Hello fellow CVUers,

Here are some more posts from my Journalism classmates. Part two of the Final farewells. Enjoy!

The following passage is written by Dillon Palmer, class of 2010:

The Beat goes on my fellow CVUers,

I have been thinking about The Beat–that is, CVU’s school newspaper, for those of you who don’t really pay attention to things like that–and I have come to the conclusion that this year has been fantastic! The all-student staff of The Beat (and our teacher Robin Lauzon, of course) have been doing a fantastic job in continuing to breath new life into CVU’s newspaper, and as some of you may have noticed, we’ve done an amazing job.

This year has seen two terrific groups of students working to make The Beat really mean something, and through a lot of hard work we have done it. The Beat is now more of a newspaper than it has ever been and we are exploring even more ways to make The Beat a bigger part of CVU…so the next time that you see a copy of The Beat, be sure to pick it up and read it, and don’t just toss it aside like some boring school assignment.

Throughout the past four years I have enjoyed all that CVU has to offer and I recommend that all of you who haven’t really taken any risks, do so next year by trying something new….like joining a club or even starting your own. CVU has meant a lot to me and I hope that it can have the same meaning to all of you.

Sincerely yours,

Dillon Palmer
Photo Editor

 

The following passage is written by Kelsey Darby, class of 2010:

 

Advice for Underclassmen
After my four years here at CVU, I am moving on. But the rest of you are staying here for at least another year, so here is some advice for you!
 
1. Take Classes that interest you, but make sure you have enough credits to graduate.
2. Volunteering is always a good thing!
3. Do what you want to do, not what your friends want you to do.
4. Try new things!
5. Make the best of every situation
6. Get involved with something you are interested in- sports, clubs, etc.
7. Teachers are your friends- ask for help when you need it!
8. Juniors- It’s okay to park in the junior lot; you can park in the senior lot next year!
9. AP Classes are not as scary as they seem.
10. Don’t slack off your senior year- colleges like to see a strong student throughout.
11. Be responsible, respecful, but don’t forget to have fun!
12. Friendships last a lifetime!

 

The following passage is written by Dani Terrill, class of 2011:

 

Looking for something to do over the summer?
The final countdown to the end of the school year is in full swing. That means summer vacation is approaching very fast. Although there is always the go-to summer plan of just sitting around at home and relaxing, but I say that we should do something worth-while with our time off. There are many different things that can be done with our 3 (well deserved) months off. Low on cash? Try and find a job for those summer months, not only will you earn spending money for the year, you also grow your resumé and meet people that can be advantageous in the future. Working with bosses and colleagues is also a great way to grow your people skills. Now, you might be asking yourself, where do I find places that are hiring? Start by asking your parents if they know of anybody that owns a business and are looking for summer help, or if they know of anybody that is looking for a baby-sitter, or pet-sitter. Also, a simple drive through your town looking for hiring signs is also a great way to find your summer job. If you’re not interested in working for money, volunteering is also a fantastic way to spend your break. It is important to find a cause that you are really passionate about, also finding an organization whose work you really admire. Once you find an organization that you want to work at, open up the yellow pages and call to arrange an appointment to meet the director of volunteering for your chosen organization. Volunteer work is a very admirable way to spend your summer, not only does it benefit the organization , but it also makes you feel good knowing that you’ve helped someone. Now get out there and make the most of your vacation!

 

The goodbyes are slowly and sadly fading away. But we’re not finished saying farewell! Please continue to check in for new posts.

 

Your’s truly CVU,

Fammy Zammy

End of the Year “Goodbye”

Hello fellow CVUers,

How was your week? Any fun plans for the upcoming weekend?

As we rapidly approach the end of the school year, I will be posting some final farewells from my peers in the Journalism class. :’(

The following passage is written by Caleb Curtis, class of 2010:

My final words that I will speak through this paper are about some metaphors I go by. A trail is there for you to follow but that path is just a sugestion. Take the adventure, stray from the path and create a new trail for you to explore. Take this adventure in to your own hands and don’t let anyone control it. Take this path step-by-step and live in the moment of your life.  Going along with all this, take the change and try something new, get out of the box you are use to being in, take the chance, be in charge of your dreams and pull them closer. Let your voice be heard, share your thoughts with the world: disapointment and accomplishment are stretched along a fine line.  Failure is only another word for “try again”. All it means is that you have the chance to do it again and not make the same mistake, but learn from them instead and yet again, pull your goal closer.  
 
These were my final words I’m not asking you to believe it or hate it, just read it and think about it. Thanks.

This following passage is written by Camille Freycenon, class of 2010:

17…

 17 is the number of days that I have left.

 

In 17 days, at 4:50pm, I will be at the airport, in direction to France.

In 17 days, I will be saying good bye to everyone who made my year so great.

In 17 days, my year as an exchange student will be over.

 

Should I be sad or happy? I don’t know, it’s such a weird feeling.

My past 10 months with you were just awesome. It was one of the best, or the best year of my life. You cannot understand what really means to be an exchange student if you don’t live it. Being an exchange student, is leaving everything to experience a new life, by yourself. When you leave, you don’t know anything about what you’re going to encounter. You just hope the best, imagine the worst and take what is coming to you. Being an exchange student is not easy. You have to adapt yourself to a new culture, to a new family, to a new school. But can you imagine doing that when you aren’t able to express yourself as you want, when you cannot understand what people are saying to you? Yes, because in the beginning, you don’t speak the language of your host country! Hopefully, you improve yourself very quickly. I think that after 2 months I could understand everything but speaking is much harder and even harder when you don’t like your accent at all… You have to be very patient with yourself and don’t be afraid to make fun of yourself, make fun of your mistakes. And finally, while the year goes by, you enjoy your experience because you know that you are going to go back home soon enough. You don’t want to leave with any regret at all! That’s what I did. I tried to stay busy as much as I could because when I wasn’t doing anything, when I felt like if I was missing something, or waisting my time. I also traveled a lot so I had the opportunity to discover different parts of the US. And now, I have lots of great memories that I will never ever forget. I had a blast! So, yes, I will be sad, and I am already sad when I think about my departure. But last weekend, my host brother told me, “Cam, you are leaving, but you shouldn’t be sad. You are going to keep all those great memories in your head, and all those people who made your year so great will always be somewhere in your heart. So, when you’ll be sad, you’ just need to think about all you did this year and you should find your smile again because your friends will be present in every single one of them!” This is true. So finally, I believe that you are not only an exchange student for one year, but for the rest of your life!

 

At the same time, I’m excited to go home. Just the idea to be with my family again, to hang out with my friends and to sleep in my own bed makes me smile. But mostly, I am very excited, as with all of the CVU seniors, to go to college. I feel so ready right now. It’ll be a new experience. I’ll meet new people, I’ll learn something I really like and I’ll be on my own. So I’ll be home to finally leave once again. It’s like starting a third life! To be honest, I would like to go back to high school after the year I spent here at CVU. Being a senior at CVU was so great. And I would like to thank Sean McMannon for allowing me to attend CVU!

 

It’s very hard to believe that after 10 months here, 10 months which went way too fast, I’m already about to go home. 17 days is nothing. It’s like going to vacation somewhere for a little bit more than two weeks! Sad or happy, the fact is the same. I’m leaving and I cannot change it. I’m enjoying my last few days with you as if it was the last days of my life, because they are the last days of my American life. Thank you all of you guys, for making my year unforgettable, for welcoming me so well, for being friendly… for everything you did for me! I will miss you so much. Hopefully, many of you are visiting me next summer. And I truly hope that I will be able to come back, and see you again for a couple of days!

 

Camille Freycenon,

Exchange student from France,

Year 2009/2010

 

More posts are soon to come, from Dani Terrill, Kelsey Darby, Dillon Palmer, and hopefully from the rest of the class! Stay tuned

 

Your’s truly CVU,

Fammy Zammy

Canadians, get your fire out of our land!

Hello fellow CVUers,

So what was up with the smoke that came billowing into the 802 yesterday? My mom woke up and thought people were barbecuing. “Um mom, it’s 8 am. No one is making burgers at this hour.”

Apparently, there was a forest fire in central and northern Québec and according to cbc.ca, “ even reports in the U.S. from the National Weather Service of smoke rippling across New England, with a strong smell in Vermont, New Hampshire, Maine, and as far away as Cape Cod, Mass.”

Well…isn’t  that a doosy!

But anyways, how was your Memorial day? Any grillin’? Beach trips?

As a brief reminder, 8 school days until exams! (8 more days closer to graduation for all of us seniors! wahoo!)

Signing off as always…

Your’s truly CVU,

Fammy Zammy

What a Pretty Weekend!

Greetings fellow CVUers,

What a gorgeous day it is today! Sunny, not a cloud in the sky and apparently, it’s supposed to be about 76 degrees! Golly gee! So what are your plans this weekend?

I think, if you don’t have anything to do tonight, you should go to the 2nd annual Spring SLAMMA! If you’re asking “Fahmina, what the heck is the Spring SLAMMA?” Well easily put, it’s the spring version of Rally in the Valley, except, unfortunately, with no dance afterwards. Hosted by Student Council, we invite all sports teams to create skits, dances, acts and by the way, food is on the house! Burgers and snacks will be provided. If you want to be all official, there’s a facebook event you can RSVP to. And also, please leave feedback! It would be greatly appreciated

So anyways, have a wonderful sunshiney weekend. The week ahead is supposed to be EVEN better! But what could be better than this weather?

Your’s truly CVU,

Fammy Zammy

I’m Sorry CVU!

Hello Fellow CVUers,

I feel as though I haven’t blogged in about a month…my last post was April 21st. Shame on me! Well, I have a lot of news for you!

I went on an amazing trip to NC for Habitat for Humanity. It really gave a new definition to the meaning of “Alternative Spring Break.” I acquired new skills that I certainly wouldn’t have gained if I stayed home for spring break, like hammering, installing windows, making cement. I also, got to experience southern culture, which is completely different than the northern culture we’re used to. It was an amazing time! I highly suggest it to anyone looking for something to do next year!

Prom was nice. My senior prom. I made my dress (which was FANTASTIC by the way) and it was actually for my Grad Challenge. I showed my friends and no one could believe that it was made by a novice sewer. I was extremely proud of it! It was really nice to see everyone look so cute that night! Yay!

May 15th was the dreaded Grad Challenge day where seniors practiced (or didn’t practice) their speeches and presentations. As we walked into the building at 8:15 am, everyone was panicing, pacing, practicing and talk to their fellow peers about the day of events ahead. First session went, then a break. Many seniors were relieved. I, on the other hand, went second session and I was really relieved to be done. Then a break for lunch and third session began.  All in all, I think that GC was a great experience. And although we all complain and whine about it, it really is a great project to do. My motto for GC is “We chose to study something that we love. We’re doing this from the heart. We have so much new knowlege about it [our topics] now. Why shouldn’t we be able to talk about it for 8-12 minutes?”

The Greece trip did leave and yes, technically you could say they had a 3 week vacation! Since they didn’t even leave until May 4th, which was after break. (Darn them!) And they came back home to the 802 on Sunday May 16th. As I wonder around the hallways, I notice my friends who went to Greece were infact, a lot tanner. And I welcomed them home!

Monday, May 17th was the all publicized, unofficial and yet TOTALLY official Senior Skip day! WAHOO! It’s traditionally the Monday after GC presentations. And of course, seniors must “call themselves out” so they don’t receive cuts in their classes. Some seniors had parties, one in particular, a BBQ party. Some went out downtown. Others spent the day relaxing. And although many didn’t partake in school, some however, did decide to show up. The Monday after GC day will always and forever be CVU’s unofficial Senior Skip day!

But CVU, even with all the news that I just clogged your noggin with, I’m really sorry that I haven’t blogged in a month! It’s been a hectic end of the year for me, especially being a senior. In about two weeks, it’s going to be even crazier! Scrambling around for caps, gowns, family visiting, summer vacation plans and somewhere in all of that, us seniors gotta relax, right? *Breathes*

Anyways…

Your’s truly CVU,

Fammy Zammy

Breaking News: Greece Trip Postponed

Hello fellow CVUers,

There’s BREAKING NEWS affecting the CVU community:

Yesterday afternoon, at 12 noon to be exact, students going on the Greece trip left for Montréal to catch their first connecting flight to France. But to their dismay, the trip has been postponed for a later date. The exact cause, however, is unknown but some say it’s because they are giving Europeans first dibs on flights back home. Most of this information was spread through the Facebook status grapevine. So the real questions are: When will they be leaving? Did Mr. Greenwald get really pissed off? Will the Italy trip leave on time? As the Tootsie Pop Owl says, “The world may never know!” And I bet you the kids on the trip are shouting ”Take THAT evil Icelandic volcano!”  At least since it didn’t get completely cancelled, right?

Your’s truly CVU,

Fammy Zammy

Literally Stuck in Vermont

Hello fellow CVUers,

I feel bad that I haven’t been consistent in my blogging. But I have some news to update you upon. And it’s quite fabulous, if I do say so myself. (By the way, don’t you hate all this rain?)

Anyways…

Thursday morning in Journalism, we had a very special guest, Eva Sollberger, from Seven Days. Many of us know her as the host of the popular Youtube video blog “Stuck in Vermont”. She inspired us by teaching us techniques on videography and also gave us tips about jounalism in general. We discussed about how journalists get ideas for articles, her personal experience in the news field and we also watched some of her videos; including one about dog sledding (yes! it IS fun!), one about the Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows book release (Big Harry Potter fan RIGHT here!), and a video about a guy who builds tiny houses! (They were sooo cute!) Eva was a great guest and we appreciated her time.

So another exciting tidbit of news, although kind of sad, is the fact that a volcano has errupted in Iceland. CVU’s biggest drama related to this is that both Greece and Italy trips are soon to depart and they might either have to be canceled or postponed. Flying over volcanic ash isn’t something that planes are too happy to do. And everyone is freaking out about it! Hopefully students on both trips will get to leave, on time, as scheduled and hopefully they won’t have to miss AP exams or prom. Otherwise, they would literally be stuck in Vermont. (Now is your time to laugh. Haha!) Anyways CVU, I wish you a good week before vacation.

Your’s truly CVU,

Fammy Zammy

Eva Sollberger, host of video blog "Stuck in Vermont".

Italy and Greece and Habitat, Oh My!

Hello fellow CVUers,

What a beautiful Tuesday morning! Although it is a bit chilly, the sun is shining in the Champlain Valley. Sorry for not updating since Friday!

With Spring Break rapidly approaching, many of us are either staying in the 802, working, visiting family/friends, headed off to tropical locales, or for those who are even luckier, some are headed towards Europe and also the Southeastern coast right here in the US.

To my understanding, students who take Latin III, Latin IV, or an Advanced Art class are able to attend the Italy trip. It isn’t that easy to go though, being able to go involves an application process, like many school sponsored trips. They explore the world of ancient Italian history and also the beautiful art. Students who partake in Mr. Greenwald’s Ancient Greece class may go to Greece over Spring Break. Like the Italy trip, this too has an application process.    

I feel as though I have limited knowledge of these fabulous European trips and although I’m extremely jealous of the students who are going, I am also going on an awesome journey: to New Bern, North Carolina for Habitat 4 Humanity.

The CVU chapter of Habitat is going to North Carolina around the same time Italy and Greece leaves, we spend a night in DC going down to NC and back up from NC. We work on building a house and strive to make a difference in a family’s live. Even though, for me and many other Seniors, this is a critical time to make important college decisions, (It’s also around AP exams and Prom! AH!) I believe that taking this outing to New Bern will give me a great experience with friends and classmates alike.

So for those of you out there who aren’t going over seas or on an extravagant trip, get involved around home: hang out with friends, if it’s warm enough, go to the beach, drive around and enjoy Vermont during Spring Break. Don’t worry, we’ll take pictures at our destinations and we’ll share them with you in Advisory once we come back

Your’s truly CVU,

Fammy Zammy

What is There to Do?

Hello fellow CVUers,

It’s a beautiful, sunny evening in April and although you may say, “There’s nothing to do in the 802″ I frequently find myself in downtown Burlington. Yes, yes, I know this is out of our CVUland (Oh the enemy!) but let’s face it: we have a great little city which is adored by the Champlain Valley, the 802 and even by the visitors from north of the boarder. I find myself in Burlington many times when I want to hang out with friends, to shop around, and especially when I have to go help my dad at our family businesses. It’s a great place to be on a wonderful Thursday night!

What is there to do in Burlington? Well, there’s the sightseeing of splendid beauty that is lake Champlain. You can go on the waterfront with some friends and have a picnic! There is the great Flynn theater which is always buzzing with activities, classes and even some fabulous plays! (Go see La Cage aux Folles! My Community Consultant did amazing costumes for that play. GO!) There are a multitude of restaurants to please any palate, budget or event. Concerts are also very popular too in the downtown region, esp. at 242 Main, the Flynn, Memorial Auditorium and even on the green by the water front. You can take a bike ride, walk your dog and even go to the skate park. And of course, there is the ever so popular Church street that’s visited by tourists, teenagers, young and old alike.

So if you’re ever bored and wondering what to do, go to Burlington. Fun awaits

Your’s truly CVU,

Fammy Zammy