Category Archives: Vermont

CVU Community, US Headlines, Vermont, Volume '22, Issue 1, Wellness

Burlington’s Recent Rise In Crime: Why Is It Happening?

January 11, 2023 cvcadmin

By Sam Daley

From petty theft all the way to homicide, crime has been at a 5 year high across the Burlington area. But what’s been causing this rise? And why is it so hard to fix?

In 2021, in response to national controversy and protest, Burlington cut funding to the police force by 30%. Crime has been on the rise since then, with fourteen gunfire incidents in 2021 and over twenty in 2022, as opposed to the old average reported incidents of two. Given this information, you would think the easiest solution would be to just revert that change and bring more money into the force, right? Well, no. That cut has since been reversed, but crime is still increasing. So what is the problem? It’s the same problem that has been affecting small businesses across the entire country since the start of the pandemic, the staffing shortage.

The funding cuts for the police reduced the maximum number of employed officers from around 100 to 74, but according to the New York Times, there are “61 officers in the force, but only 53 are actively deployed because of issues like injury or military service…” The NY times gets a little bit of data wrong here. They state that the maximum employed officers is 74, but when funding was reinstated the cap was returned back to 100. This means that just over half of the police force were supposed to have are currently employed, with some days only having 2 or 3 armed officers in the downtown area at a given time.

The force has been stretched so thin that they are not only having trouble dealing with the major spike in violent crime in the city, with over 10 times the old national average in gunfire incidents, but an officer says “…staffing cuts in the department made it difficult to pursue minor crimes…”(NY Times.) This quote was taken from an officer’s conversation with a woman whose bike was stolen not too long ago. In fact, bike theft has been a major problem amongst all people in Burlington, but especially UVM students. The New York Times states that “about 220 bikes, valued at $267,000, had been stolen in and around the city since June.” There have been incidents of people grinding bike racks off cars, breaking bike locks, and people have been seen just casually riding around on these stolen bikes. Some of the stolen bikes are ridden, and some are scrapped and presumably sold.

There is some data showing that Priority 1 911 calls, which consist of “…domestic assaults, shooting and other gunfire incidents… drug overdoses, suicides, and 911 hang-ups…” have a lower percentage that are affecting overall public safety, with the latter 3 options are not considered affecting safety of others. Drug overdoses and suicides have been happening much more often than in previous years with the pandemic’s effect on everyone’s mental health, and the total number of Priority 1 calls is still very high right now.

While crime rates have been much higher than previous years, Burlington was previously considered one of the lowest crime cities in the whole country. The city, even with the higher crime rates, is still relatively safe compared to other cities across America, however that does not mean it doesn’t come with its dangers. Burlington is still an amazing and beautiful city, but hopefully this data can help anyone who lives in Burlington or is traveling there, whether that be for just going to church street, living there, or going to UVM, remain vigilant and safe in these turbulent times.

Image Source: https://www.sevendaysvt.com/vermont/two-dead-one-wounded-in-burlington-shooting/Content?oid=36049833&media=AMP+HTML

CVU Community, Vermont, Volume '22, Issue 1

Graduation: A time of hope or fear pt 2

January 11, 2023 cvcadmin

By Molly Simons

Three months ago, I wrote a story interviewing 3 seniors to see how they felt about graduating. I decided to follow up with them to see how their opinions changed. Bevan Roberts, 17, Jameela Memoli, 17, and Maggie Whitman, 17, all stated how excited they were to see what happens next, although they were going to miss their friends and families.

Bevan has been accepted into three colleges so far with still waiting for seven. So far, St Micheal’s, Roger Williams, and Johnson & Wales being her favorite so far for studying criminology. She explained her love for the campus including the fact that “there are only four days of classes so you have Friday off. The school has three private beaches for the college students.” Her parents are sad that she is leaving seeing as how her older brother is in college currently so they are worried about “being alone”.

Jameela has been accepted into Fisher College in Boston. She is still waiting on three, with Southern New Hampshire being her favorite. She is very excited to leave Vermont. “Southern New Hampshire’s college had a great atmosphere, and the campus, including the dorm rooms, is really nice!” She said she wants to “study criminal justice and do forensic science as my major.”

Maggie got accepted into Sienna, which is her safety school. She is still waiting to hear back from UVM which she made an early decision for. Maggie is the first kid in her family to go off to college. She stated that “I have two younger siblings, and I am going to miss their presence a lot.”

As the school year is coming to an end, and seniors are making college decisions you can tell some are very stressed for this next big step, but all students are getting excited about this next big chapter!

CVU Community, Opinion & Review, Our Natural World, Vermont, Volume '22, Issue 1, Weather

A Guide to Christmas Trees: When to Buy, How Much You’ll Pay, and Artificial trees versus Traditional

January 9, 2023 cvcadmin

By Jocelyn Kaplan

A Christmas tree is a common centerpiece to the American Christmas experience. Getting a Christmas tree is more nuanced than it may seem, as it involves several aspects. The buyer must contemplate when to purchase the tree, the price, and whether an artificial tree or a living tree suits their needs best.

Many Vermonters agree that the best time to obtain a tree is in the beginning of December. CVU senior Anna Arsovski agrees that anytime before December 1st is too early, “If you get your tree too early, it’ll be dead before Christmas.”

Country Living agrees with Anna, stating, “Typically, real Christmas trees last five to six weeks if they are looked after properly.” Many Vermonters follow Country Living’s advice and get their tree three weeks before Christmas.

CVU seniors Julia Hunt and Maggie Whitman both wait until after the Thanksgiving festivities to end before getting a tree. Julia Hunt discusses how her family wants the healthiest tree for Christmas: “Most of the Christmas magic comes from the tree, and one you get too early in the season will be droopy and sad.”

While many Vermont families get their tree the second December rolls around, getting a tree is a several hour process that does not easily fit into everyone’s busy schedules. Robert Kaplan, a Vermont attorney, gets his Christmas tree two days before Christmas every year. “It’s the first real time I have off to spend several hours picking and transporting a tree. In a perfect world, I would get it early and have it up all season, but it’s not feasible for my family.”

The economic factor that comes with buying a tree is a big consideration of when families get their tree. According to Time Magazine, the busiest day to get a tree is the first Saturday of December. The weekend after Black Friday is when Christmas tree prices skyrocket.

Prices can reach as high as $80 during the first weekend of December, and fall as low as $30 right before Christmas eve. Maggie Whitman’s tree purchased from a tree farm in Huntington was $60. Robert Kaplan’s tree was only $35 on the Wednesday before Christmas last year.

If getting a cheap tree is a priority, waiting until as close to Christmas as possible would be the best option. Another financially secure option are artificial trees.

Artificial trees eliminate the hassle of buying a tree every year and worrying about the tree dying, but they are an investment. According to Consumer Reports, the average artificial tree purchased in 2019 was $104, but due to pandemic related supply chain issues the new average price for an artificial tree is $131. While artificial trees are initially expensive, the overall cost is cheaper as they are only purchased once.

Owning an artificial tree is a less common option, but it is a very legitimate replacement to a traditional tree, along with several surprising benefits.

Lindsey Auriemma, a CVU senior, switched last year from a real tree to artificial. “I think my parents were sick of cleaning up the needles on the ground. Also we always know it’s going to fit in the house, which isn’t a guarantee with real Christmas trees. One year our tree scraped the ceiling and there was serious damage.”

Daynara Galvez, a CVU senior, has always had an artificial tree. “My mom thinks they’re prettier and also more manageable. It’s expensive initially but the investment pays off every year.”

While an artificial tree is manageable and prevents the mess a Christmas tree brings, the buying of article trees impacts small tree farm businesses. A Christmas tree farmer interviewed by the Huffington Post says, “Farmers plant millions of Christmas trees every single year, and without the business to sell them, they could lose thousands of dollars spent on the tree care.” An artificial tree may be cheaper in the long run, but it hurts the businesses around the community.

Overall, Vermont citizens appear to get their trees early in December and while the tree is in good condition for Christmas, they have to deal with the hefty price tag. The ideal time to get a tree based on cost would be Christmas Eve, but the cheapest long-term option would be investing in an artificial tree. Getting an artificial tree does impact small businesses, so if able to buy a living tree from a Christmas tree farm that would be the best option.

Opinion & Review, Sports, Vermont, Volume '22, Issue 1, Wellness

Get Moving: The Ultimate Guide to Jumpstarting Your Fitness Journey

January 9, 2023 cvcadmin

BY Filip Popa

Getting started at the gym can be intimidating, especially if you’re new to fitness or haven’t worked out in a while. But with the right mindset and approach, you can quickly become comfortable and confident in the gym setting. As a trusted source for information on the gym and working out, I, Filip, am a great resource to turn to. With 2 years of consistent exercise under my belt, I’ve demonstrated a dedication and commitment to fitness. I also have made good progress and learned a lot through my mistakes and advancement, showing practical experience and a deep understanding of the challenges and rewards of working out. I’m currently lifting above standards, meaning most of my lifts are 2x my bodyweight in lbs. (Squat and Deadlift), and am actively seeking out information and resources to improve my fitness. As a 17-year-old, I am also relatable to a high schooler audience who may be interested in starting their fitness journey as I am a junior here at CVU.

First and foremost, it’s important to choose a gym that is right for you. This means finding a convenient, affordable facility and offering the equipment and amenities you need to achieve your fitness goals. Take the time to shop around and compare different gym options in your area, and don’t be afraid to ask questions and take tours before making a decision. Some examples of some decent gyms around the area are as follows:

Planet Fitness: This gym chain is known for its low monthly membership fee of around $10, as well as its “judgement-free zone” policy. It offers a variety of cardio and strength training equipment, as well as group fitness classes. https://www.planetfitness.com/

The YMCA (also known as the “Y”): The Y is a non-profit organization that focuses on community wellness. In addition to providing a wide range of fitness equipment and classes, the Y often offers additional services such as swimming pools, basketball courts, and childcare. Membership fees vary by location, usually around ~$39, but tend to be more expensive than Planet Fitness. https://www.gbymca.org/

The Edge Fitness Clubs: This chain of fitness clubs offers a range of membership options, including access to multiple locations, personal training, and small group training. It also has a variety of cardio and strength training equipment, as well as group fitness classes. Membership fees tend to be more expensive than Planet Fitness usually around $14.99 per month for an Edge Red membership to $34.99 per month for an Edge Total membership, but may offer more amenities and options for those looking for a higher-end gym experience. https://edgevt.com/

Ultimately, the best gym for you will depend on your individual fitness goals, budget, and preferred amenities. It’s important to do your research and consider all of your options before making a decision.

Once you’ve chosen a gym, it’s time to get started. The best way to begin is by setting specific, achievable goals for yourself. These might include losing weight, building muscle, improving your overall health, or simply feeling more energetic and confident. Write down your goals and refer to them often to keep yourself motivated and on track.

Next, create a workout plan tailored to your goals and fitness level. A great workout to start with is a full-body circuit training routine. This can be done using a combination of free weights, machines, and bodyweight exercises, and can be easily modified to suit your individual needs and abilities.

For example, a full-body circuit training workout might include the following exercises:

Bodyweight squats
Push-ups
Lunges
Bench press
Bent-over rows
Planks
Bicep curls
Tricep dips

Perform each exercise for 45-60 seconds, with minimal rest in between. Complete the entire circuit 2-3 times, depending on your fitness level. This workout can be done 2-3 times per week, with at least one day of rest in between. According to Healthline, as you become more fit, you can increase the number of sets and add more challenging exercises to the circuit.

Incorporating cardio into your fitness routine is an important way to improve your cardiovascular health, boost your energy levels, and support overall health and well-being. There are many different types of cardio exercises to choose from, including running, cycling, swimming, and dancing.

When doing cardio, it’s important to find activities that you enjoy and that you can sustain for an extended period of time. It’s generally recommended to aim for at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity cardio per week, or 75 minutes of vigorous-intensity cardio, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). This can be broken up into shorter sessions throughout the week.

To get the most out of your cardio workouts, it’s important to warm up before you start exercising and to cool down afterwards. This can help reduce the risk of injury and make your workouts more comfortable. It’s also important to stay hydrated and to listen to your body, taking breaks as needed.

As you become more fit, you can increase the intensity or duration of your cardio workouts to continue challenging your body and improving your fitness. It’s also a good idea to mix up your cardio routine by trying different activities to keep things interesting and prevent boredom. With a consistent cardio routine, you can enjoy the many benefits of this important type of exercise.

First, it’s important to make sure you are getting enough protein to support muscle growth and repair. Protein requirements may be higher for those engaging in strength training or other forms of resistance exercise, as these activities can cause microtears in muscle fibers that need to be repaired in order for muscles to grow stronger. Good sources of protein include lean meats, dairy products, eggs, beans, lentils, and nuts.

Carbohydrates are also an important part of a healthy diet for active individuals. Carbohydrates provide the body with energy that it can use during exercise, and they are particularly important for endurance activities like cardio. However, the amount of carbohydrates needed may vary depending on the type and intensity of exercise being performed. It may be helpful to experiment with different carbohydrate intake levels to see what works best for your individual needs.

In addition to protein and carbohydrates, it’s also important to consume a variety of other nutrients, including fruits and vegetables, healthy fats, and fiber. These nutrients can help support overall health and well-being, and they can also help you feel more energized and ready to tackle your workouts.

Finally, don’t be discouraged if you don’t see instant results. Getting in shape takes time and effort, and everyone’s journey is different. Be patient, stay consistent, and trust in the process. With dedication and perseverance, you will start to see and feel the benefits of your hard work.

The length of time it takes to see results from your fitness efforts can vary depending on a number of factors, including your starting fitness level, the type and intensity of the workouts you are doing, and your diet and lifestyle habits.

In general, you may start to see some early improvements in your fitness within a few weeks of starting a consistent exercise program. These may include improvements in your endurance, strength, and flexibility. However, more noticeable changes in your appearance, such as weight loss or muscle gain, may take longer to appear.

As you continue to work out consistently, you may start to plateau, meaning that you stop making progress or see fewer improvements. This is a common occurrence and can be caused by a variety of factors, including not enough variation in your workouts or not increasing the intensity of your workouts as you become more fit.

To avoid plateaus and continue making progress, it’s important to mix up your workouts and try new activities, gradually increase the intensity of your workouts, and make sure you are fueling your body with the nutrients it needs to support your fitness efforts. It’s also important to be patient and trust in the process, as getting in shape takes time and consistent effort. With dedication and perseverance, you will start to see and feel the benefits of your hard work.

Ultimately, getting started at the gym can be intimidating, but with the right mindset and approach, you can quickly become comfortable and confident in the gym setting. Choose the right gym, set specific goals, create a personalized workout plan, pay attention to your diet and lifestyle, and be patient and consistent. With these steps, you will be on your way to achieving your fitness goals and improving your overall health and well-being.

If you’re looking to further progress your fitness knowledge, here are some things you could start looking into:

Progressive Overload: This refers to the concept of gradually increasing the demand on your muscles through weight training, in order to continue making progress and adaptations. In order to continue improving, you will need to progressively increase the weight, reps, or sets of your workouts over time.

Nutrition: Proper nutrition is essential for optimizing your training and recovery, and for supporting overall health. It’s important to pay attention to the quality and quantity of the food you eat, as well as to consider your individual needs and goals. You may want to consider seeking the guidance of a registered dietitian or a certified sports nutritionist if you are looking to take your nutrition to the next level.

Recovery: In addition to proper nutrition, adequate rest and recovery are also important for optimizing your training and performance. This can include getting enough sleep, using proper warm-up and cool-down techniques, and using active recovery or rest days as needed.

Variety: Incorporating a variety of exercises and training modalities can help to prevent boredom and keep you motivated, as well as to target different muscle groups and energy systems. This can include adding in new exercises or workouts, trying different types of equipment, or participating in group fitness classes.

Professional guidance: If you are looking to take your fitness to the next level and are not sure where to start, seeking the guidance of a personal trainer or coach can be helpful. They can assess your current fitness level and help you create a personalized plan to achieve your goals.

Our Natural World, US Headlines, Vermont, Volume '22, Issue 1, Wellness

Crash on Route 105 Leads to Concerns on Road Safety Regarding Animal Collisions

December 5, 2022 cvcadmin

BY JACOB RUSSELL

According to NEWS10, on October 8th, 2022, 48 year old Jason St. Pierre crashed his Jaguar into a cow on Route 105 while going at a speed of over 100 miles per hour. Unfortunately, both Pierre and the unlucky cow were killed in the accident. Why the cow was on the open road in the first place, along with the identity of the cow’s owner, remains a mystery. Allowing a domesticated farm animal the ability to roam freely is considered a state crime.

This event raises significant questions and concerns about road safety in Vermont, especially animal crashes like this case.

According to the PEW research center, “An estimated 1 million to 2 million crashes between motor vehicles and large animals such as deer occur every year in the U.S., causing approximately 200 human deaths, 26,000 injuries, and at least $8 billion in property damage and other costs. In rural states such as Wyoming, wildlife-vehicle crashes represent almost 20% of reported collisions.” This shows how important wildlife road safety is, and how big the effect is in rural states like Vermont.

However, the PEW research center has also come up with a plan to combat this issue by asking Congress to update and revise America’s Surface Transportation (FAST) Act of 2015. They hope that these new revisions will “…provide competitive matching grants for states, municipalities, and tribes to undertake projects and strategies to reduce wildlife-vehicle collisions. Because new technology reliably shows hot spots where many animals cross highways and roads, these infrastructure investments could be very successful in reducing collisions, improving motorists’ safety, and enhancing habitat connectivity”.

In terms of actions that can be taken that can directly reduce wildlife and vehicle crashes(WVC), the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) stated,“There are no simple solutions to reducing WVCs. In this study, the research team reviewed 34 mitigation techniques, a number of which are effective in reducing WVCs, show promise, or are considered good practice, including integrated planning efforts, wildlife fencing and wildlife crossing structures, animal detection systems and public information and education.”

By implementing both wildlife fencing, as well as specially designed animal highways and crossing bridges, we can better prevent the issue of wildlife collisions and save countless numbers of lives and property damage.

An example of man-made structure allowing for safe animal crossing

If this event has taught Vermonters anything, it is that especially in these coming winter months to be very vigilant and aware of animals or potential collisions in order to protect both ourselves and our animal neighbors.

CVU Community, Opinion & Review, Uncategorized, Vermont, Videos & Podcasts, Volume '22, Issue 1, Wellness

“Growing Up on the Internet” Rambling Redhawks Episode1

December 5, 2022 cvcadmin

CVU Community, CVU Sports, Opinion & Review, Sports, Vermont, Volume '22, Issue 1, Wellness

Is Cheerleading a Sport?

November 16, 2022 cvcadmin

By: Taylor Rock

CVU–What drew me to cheerleading was the unity between peers. At cheerleading, I’m family with the people who surround me. I’m a family with the community that I cheer for and so avidly support. It is a high energy activity for me to engage myself and others in. I have cheered Freshman, Sophomore, and Senior year.

However, even as a Freshman, I was always told by peers, “You’re not an athlete because you don’t play a real sport.” That is why I asked professional coaches to answer the query of: “Is cheerleading a sport?”

Ricky McCullum, our sports and activities director here at CVU, is clear when stating that cheerleading is indeed a sport. He stated “…when people talk about sports, I’m like, that’s definitely a sport. To me it’s similar to football as far as one of the top sports that are team oriented.” Cheerleading is a larger sport than what is simply presented to crowds at rowdy events.

In order for something to be considered a sport, what must it possess? I asked the coaches this same question, and all answers were almost identical. “For me, having a goal, having work ethic, and working towards something I think makes it a sport.” McCullum states.

Rex McCoy, one of our two Esports coaches, says, “I don’t think the physical aspect is as important. I might be biased being the Esports coach, but I think that the kids I see succeeding in my group are taking away the same values that I took away from high school sports.” McCoy is the only coach who did not answer with a physical component in order to classify an activity as a sport.

From my experience, I would define a sport as a cooperative activity working toward a common goal, with some sort of strategy and competitive nature. The Oxford Languages Dictionary defines a sport as, “an activity involving physical exertion and skill in which an individual or team competes against another or others for entertainment”. Oxford Dictionary defines cheerleading as “a sport involving organized cheering and dancing in support of a sports team.”

Cheerleading consists of two seasons: fall and winter. Fall cheerleading is classically known for being represented at football games, and rallying the crowd. Rahn Fleming, the varsity football coach, is one of the biggest supporters. “The primary function is to evoke energy from the crowd. There’s a lot of vocalization to it, there’s specific gymnastic and dance moves…” Fall movements consist of choreographed cheers, stunts, dancing, and tumbling. During the fall season, we tend to focus mainly on cheers and stunts, while we dabble in dance and tumbling during quarters and halftime performances.

Cleo (Left) Cailie (Center) and Jackie (right) at our CVU vs Hartford home game, 10/8/22

Winter cheerleading is a competitive season. Winter cheer is known for intense dances, stunts, and tumbling. The competitive nature makes cheering extremely time-consuming with back-to-back practices, performances, and tournaments. McCollum states, “Just watching… It’s really impressive. You have to have courage, you have to have coordination. It’s a team sport. Everyone has to be in unison. Especially when you’re doing ones where you’re throwing each other up. Catching. Got to have trust. Because any mistake can be… the last. It’s very dangerous.” It is McCullum’s first year working here at CVU, and he has been extremely supportive of our team.

A needle pose at the CVU vs Hartford game, 10/8/22

Jaden Parker, a member of the boys Varsity Volleyball and track team here at CVU, says that cheerleading is not a sport. He says, “In fall you’re cheering for a team… in winter it’s more competition based with no sports team that you’re cheering for.” I asked why he would not consider cheer a sport, and his response was “I don’t think that something you don’t compete in can be considered a sport. That is why I believe winter cheer is a sport and fall is not. Most sports don’t require another sport to be happening at the same time to be able to participate in it. And I don’t think you can compete against yourself and call that a sport.” I agreed that he has a good point with the differentiation between winter and fall cheerleading. I also agreed with the fact that competing against yourself cannot really be considered a sport. Is there such a thing as a one person sport?

I asked Will Sprigg, a variety sport player and member of our E-Hawks esports team, if cheerleading was a sport. He says, “No, it’s a hobby. You’re not going against teams. Taking two teams and comparing them against each other, there’s no actual interaction between the two teams, and it does not create a sport to compete in. It’s like looking at two videos and comparing them, and calling that a sport.” He defines that sports need real competition between two or more teams, and he does not believe that competition exists within cheerleading.

Coaches have qualified cheerleading as a sport. Some students have disagreed with that definition. The Dictionary definition of sport is debatable based on where you source your definition; however, cheerleading has filled every category given in the definitions to some degree. This includes cooperation, competition, athleticism, and spirit. I believe cheerleading is a sport, and I would consider myself an athlete. If you were in my shoes, would you think the same?

CVU Community, Vermont, Volume '22, Issue 1, Wellness

CVU TARDINESS POLICY

November 16, 2022 cvcadmin

Aidan Militello

CVU– This year, CVU has decided to double down on school policies for students who arrive at school late. Arriving more than ten minutes after eight forty five is considered an unexcused absence.

Three unexcused absences triggers a meeting with a teacher to discuss why you are arriving late. Five unexcused absences triggers a meeting with teachers and parents to discuss strategies on how to arrive on time, and if the absences are all in one class, the cut process may be applied.

In interviewing Fairbanks house administrator Arthur Chiaravalli about the late policy this year, I found that the policies are not new and have not been altered this year. The school is simply reinforcing policies already in place in order to create a more normal classroom environment. During Covid, CVU was much more separated, and by reinforcing these policies this year, the hope is that it will help to bring the CVU community together.

According to Chiaravalli, “We want to be more present with each other finally after two years.” He was referring to the two years of Covid isolation and detachment from the community. Chiaravalli wants to make sure that we can all be there for each other on time. “When you think back to Covid, there were in some cases students who slipped through the cracks.” There was not as much emphasis on ensuring that students arrived on time. The enforcement of these policies now allows for students to show up on teachers’ radar, and become apparent that they may need help.

In interviewing students, I found a much different picture. I spoke with one senior at CVU who did not want to be named. I asked if he thought coming into class late affected his learning. “Not at all, I can just email the teacher or ask a friend what we did in class.” Although this strategy may not be for everyone, it demonstrates that being tardy or absent may not affect the students that much. Though what Chiaravalli said is important, being part of the community by showing up on time may not be important for every student. I asked if a ten or fifteen minute tardiness affected his learning, “Not really no, the class usually hasn’t even started by then and everyone is usually still talking.”

The big picture is if a student is tardy for a class enough, the student will be scheduled for a cut meeting. In this meeting the student will discuss with their teachers and parents why they should be allowed to remain in this class despite their tardiness. The student must explain why they have been tardy, and make plans for how they are going to resolve their tardiness problem. As Chiaravalli said, it is important for us to come together as a class and as a community, on time, and ready to participate.

US Headlines, Vermont, Volume '22, Issue 1

Vermont’s Massive Renter’s Assistance Program Winding Down

November 7, 2022 cvcadmin

By Brigid Skidd

Burlington, VT– The Scott administration announced on August 31st a roll back of Vermont’s Covid era Federal Renter’s Assistance Program. The Vermont Emergency Rental Assistance Program (VERAP) was set up through the Vermont Housing Authority to keep people housed during the Covid-19 pandemic and the economic crisis it caused. This program has served over 15000 Vermont households since April 2021. It was part of a larger 320 million dollar federal rent assistance fund which was originally projected by officials to last through at least 2023.

However, the program went through its 138 million dollars in federal funding more quickly than expected. Doug Farnam of the Vermont Agency of Administration explains, “The reason that everyone that is finding out about this now (August 31st) is that we didn’t have the actual spending recorded and the data to know we were going to run out of money before the end of the winter.”

The Vermont Housing Authority offered VERAP assistance to any household that had an Area Median Income (AMI) below 80%. According to VERAP’s updated website, as of October 1st the program is closed to new applicants and has reduced its funding by 30% to all households. By November 1st households over 30% AMI will have they’re support cut to 50% of the original and be cut completely by the end of the month.

This decision has caused outrage among tenant’s advocates and sparked criticism of the government’s response to the crisis, specifically the way this will exacerbate the effects of the current housing crisis . Brenda Seigel, Democratic nominee for governor and longtime tenants advocate, stated,“Our vacancy rate is just over 2%. There is no housing,” she said. “There will be more people without housing, and there will be immense harm to low- and moderate-income people across this entire state.”

As high school students, renter’s issues are not generally on our mind, but housing insecurity is not alien to CVU and will be exacerbated by the ending of VERAP.

CVU Community, US Headlines, Vermont, Volume '22, Issue 1, Weather, Wellness

Hurricane Ian beyond florida

November 7, 2022 cvcadmin

By Molly Simons

On September 28, 2022 one of the most catastrophic hurricanes in US history hit in Lee County, Florida . Hurricane Ian spread from the South Eastern States in the US to Cuba, Columbia, and Venezuela. It caused massive amounts of damage and killed more than 100 people. This is the deadliest hurricane to hit Florida since 1935.

Vermont doesn’t have hurricanes, so is anyone at CVU really “affected” by this hurricane? Turns out one of CVU’s very own history teachers, Ute Otley, was impacted by her family being near the hurricane.

Ute’s dad, step mom, and her dad’s two best friends live where the hurricane hit. She was unable to contact them for a couple days but heard through a friend that they were safe.

To prepare for the hurricane, they went out to get plywood to board up the windows in case they wouldn’t hold. Since they didn’t want to evacuate,they had to stock up on batteries and water. This caused Ute to worry about her family. Luckily, Her dad’s friends evacuated before they lost their house. Her dad’s house was okay, but his best friends’ was destroyed.

This historical event has changed the way Ute’s family lives. She said, “I can hear the depression in my dad’s voice, because our favorite restaurants are gone. Until the hurricane hit, he worked on a golf course on Sanibel island. Sanibel got hit hard and the causeway got destroyed so he’s out of a job.”
Regarding her dad, “I think he feels at moments lucky to be alive, but also at other times he feels like it’s gonna take 10 years, and he doesn’t know how it’s gonna go back to the Florida that he knew.” Her sister on the other hand, who was in a different part of Florida where the hurricane did not hit, feels like “the whole state is mourning.”

Here at CVU we are about 1,500 miles away from where Ian hit in Lee County. But even though we are miles away people in our community still were affected. We are a lot more connected than we seem and the people you see everyday can be impacted by the tragic stories around the world.

Activists rally for LGBTQ+ rights outside the Supreme Court (New Yorker) (Photograph by Bill Clark)

CVU Community, US Headlines, Vermont, Volume '22, Issue 1, Wellness

LGBTQIA+ Rights Across the US

October 26, 2022 cvcadmin

By V. Sorce

“You can’t hide from everything, and gay people are real.” – X, age 16

CVU – Florida’s “Parental Rights in Education” bill 1557, commonly coined the ‘Don’t Say Gay’ bill, prohibits discussion of topics relating to sexual orientation and gender identity in the classroom up to grade three and beyond. Policies in some other states restrict schools from teaching Lgbtq+ related topics around gender and sexuality, restrict the use of gender-neutral bathrooms, or even prohibit the display of pride flags in schools. Over half of all US states, including Arizona, Alabama, Georgia, Virginia, and Ohio, have laws which impinge upon the rights of millions of young individuals.

Here in Vermont, however, the direction of law seems to be different. But is Vermont actually so different?

According to an NBC article dated March 20, 2022, a staggering 238 anti-Lgbtq+ bills have been introduced in the US thus far in 2022 alone; 23 states in the US have proposed anti Lgbtq+ bills, and thirteen states have signed those bills into law since the beginning of 2022. The ‘Don’t Say Gay Bill’ and rest of policies throughout these areas effect over 20 million adults and 21% of Gen Z in the US who are Lgbtq+.

Students in Virginia high schools walk out (WCBD)

Students in many affected schools are taking action by leading walkouts from school. Three states – Arizona, Virginia, and Ohio – instituted more restrictions in September regarding pronouns and gender markers in school. The bills that have been passed aren’t just seen as numbers in a pile of laws to sort through; thousands of high school students in those states organized walkouts from school on September 29th to protest for their safety and rights.

The laws aren’t just affecting their rights; it’s affecting their lives: “I nearly committed suicide. These are really kids who are scared out of their minds because of this policy,” Calabia– a high school student in Virginia–said (as quoted in the Guardian).

While these students fight for their basic rights in school, it is remarkable to consider how different the circumstances are here in Vermont. For exaxmple, during the spring of 2022, Vermont was in the process of legalizing gender affirming hormone blockers for transgender children without parental consent. As of 5/12/2022, however, the law failed to pass. Although it didn’t pass, the law was an attempted step towards equality.

And here at CVU there has been a visible increase in progress for equality over the years, such as the growth of the GSA network and the uptick of pronoun usage in class. Despite the changes, though, Lgbtq+ teens at CVU still face some difficulty. So despite such examples of “progress”, is Vermont really so different from other states?

Being inevitably stuck in awkward situations because of their identity is often a daily occurrence, and since homophobia is so ingrained in society, it will take every effort for LGBTQ+ normalcy at least reach ‘acceptance’, at a minimum. Slurs and misgendering are among many forms of how homophobia and transphobia are experienced in the halls of our own school.

X is a junior at CVU. They are out as transgender and express some changes they would want to address in US law. They stress the importance of equal rights everywhere, not only in some states: “There should be legal protections for Lgbtq+ people in all states. We can’t be discriminated out of jobs or Healthcare or housing because that’s a very real thing in certain places and it makes it very difficult for people to live their lives.”

A long-standing goal of Lgbtq+ people and allies have been how to educate society in understanding trans and gay identities to create a more inclusive world; the main place that education is taking place is, yes, school— yet schools and the education of Lgbtq+ identities are the places most of these new laws target.

It can be hard to imagine that queer Vermonters are actually in a extremely supportive space compared to the environment Lgbtq+ people might be living through in other US states. X tries to define that difference: “I think in Vermont we have definitely more protections in place, that when we go to get a job or adopt a child or need medical care, there’s a lot less in place that prevents us from getting it.”

However, “I find them [anti- Lgbtq+ laws] highly infuriating. I think they create a lot of unnecessary road blocks in the person’s development trends or just to access of information which is a big thing for rolling into being an adult you actually have to understand the world around you—you can’t hide from everything and gay people are real… Hello…!”

They also say some of the best ways to help these populations, no matter who you are, is “doing research and understanding what’s happening”. T, another student at CVU, wishes more people can “reach out to them in some capacity.” By staying connected and understanding what they’re going through, awareness can always be spread.

With still three months left in 2022, even more bills will be piling up to restrict people from equal rights. Positive Lgbtq+ laws granting rights are hardly balancing the scale currently as tensions rise, and our generation awaits a time when instead of trying to prevent negative bills, the focus can shift to the possibility of progressive protections for Lgbtq+ people. It’s hard to move forward when half the country is still moving in reverse.

CVU Community, Our Natural World, Uncategorized, Vermont, Volume '22, Issue 1, Weather, Wellness

Polluted Lake Champlain: How Can We Stop It?

October 26, 2022 cvcadmin

Written By Jocelyn Kaplan

VERMONT–Have you ever driven across the causeway between Colchester and South Hero and been hit with the pungent smell of a chemical-like odor? Have you ever looked across the lake and noticed patches of green clinging to the surface of the once vibrant lake?

Lake Champlain, Vermont’s largest lake and greatest landmark is being polluted by an excess amount of phosphorus runoff.

Too much phosphorus promotes an overgrowth of algae blooms. The blooms grow on the surface of the water and block light from entering into the lake. The blocking of sunlight prevents plants from photosynthesis, causing decay and death.

The Department of Health in New York states, “Exposure to any blue-green algae blooms can cause health effects in people and animals when water with blooms is touched, swallowed, or when airborne droplets are inhaled.” Algae blooms are harmful to humans, as many types of blue-green algae contain toxins which cause digestive issues and breathing difficulties.” Animals swimming in the lake can also suffer from the toxins, which in severe cases if ingested can cause liver failure and seizures.

Heather Morely, AP Environmental Science teacher, noted that the amount of algae blooms are affected by climate change as temperatures continue to rise. She also commented on what farmers can do to help reduce runoff. “Riparian buffers, areas that absorb a lot of the runoff before they get to waterways, and strategies about the time of year manure is applied to fields.” I asked what her main concern was about phosphorus runoff, and she voiced troubles with wastewater treatments,“We should really be focusing on our wastewater treatments and applications of manure to lawns.”

The phosphorus intake is directly related to the amount of runoff into the lakes. Runoff is caused as snow melts and there is more water than the land can absorb. The excess water flows down the land into bodies of water.

The Lake Champlain Basin Program details how Lake Champlain is suffering from phosphorus runoff coming from all parts of human life. “Nonpoint sources of pollution, which include runoff from roads and developed areas, and from lawns, farmlands, and other rural areas contribute more than 90% of the phosphorus that reaches the Lake.”

Farmlands contribute a significant amount of runoff, with 38% of phosphorus in the lake stemming from nutrients within fertilizer and manure that wash off before reaching the soil.

Developed land also has a big impact on the sheer mass of phosphorus that is ending up in Champlain, taking responsibility for 16%! Developed areas like parking lots and roadways are impervious and shed water. Instead of the absorption through grass, the rainfall and snowmelt is sent towards the lakes. Intense storm flows, a direct consequence of rainfall building up with little to no absorption, causes a higher amount of erosion in stream-banks which sends more sediments into the lake.

Vermont citizens are concerned about the state of the lake’s environment, but many are unaware of how the increasing pollution is caused by farmlands and urbanization. Ally Clos, 17, was an anomaly who was able to cite important factors that contribute to the phosphorus runoff, but was unaware of how the phosphorus buildup could be prevented. “Isn’t runoff caused by farms? We learned that it was from the soil and cow manure that runs down and pollutes the lake. But I don’t know anything about how to stop buildup of phosphorus.”

CVU students Jimmy and Hayden, both 15, discussed how the pollution has affected their lives. They have both experienced the smell of phosphorus, and have been unable to swim in the lakes because of the pollution buildup. Hayden noted that his health has been impacted by the lake’s pollution, “I’ve gotten sick from the algae, I went home with a headache and ended up with a raspy throat.”

Educating Vermonters, specifically the farmers, on the harmful effects of phosphorus could be groundbreaking on preventing future pollution of the lakes. Cutting back from phosphorus fertilizers, and implanting sewage grates designed to catch runoff water would help all Vermont’s bodies of water.

While the issue can hardly be solved by one individual, being aware of the strategies designed to prevent pollution and educating others into considering and embedding these resources into our farming, gardening, and wastewater plants could help the lakes of Vermont tremendously.

CVU Community, Our Natural World, Vermont, Volume '22, Issue 1, Weather, Wellness

Pollution in Lake Champlain

October 17, 2022 cvcadmin

By Victoria Chyra

Pollution can be found everywhere and it affects us more than we even think.

Lake Champlain is tucked in the Champlain Valley between the Adirondack Mountains, New York and the Green Mountains of Vermont. It’s a great attraction for many locals. It is used for sports fishing, hunting and recreation and it’s also the major source for drinking water for nearly 200.000 people.

In 2012. groups of toxins were reviewed for the first time by the Lake Champlain Basin Program and partners. Specific contaminants within these groups were labeled as substances of concern.

The pollution did not occur suddenly and wasn’t caused by just one source. First of all, Vermont’s Winooski River dumps about 20,000 metric tons of chloride in the lake per year, and at the same time the runoff from rainwater and snowmelt flows into the water. On top of that,there was an excessive growth of algae found which is caused by too much phosphorus; this comes predominantly from agriculture. Because of that, large reductions are needed from farms within the Lake Champlain watershed. This amount of algae creates danger because of its toxicity for animals and even humans. It has been a problem in recent years, which led to beaches having to close. Signs were put up to discourage visitors from swimming in the lake, like in July 2021 at Burlington’s Blanchard Beach.

In the Year 2021 the Vermont government stated after years of starting the Lake Champlain Basin Program, which is in partnership with government agencies from New York, Vermont and Quebec to coordinate and fund efforts that benefit the Lake Champlain Basins water quality, fisheries, wetlands, recreation and cultural resources, that the water quality meets several standards for swimmable and fishable waters but there is still a long way before declining victory against the pollution at the Lake.

And even locals can help to decrease pollution at their known Lake by just following five simple steps:

Always avoid releasing untreated sewage into lakes and rivers as it gets mixed with water and pollutes it.
Don’t throw any solid waste into the water streams as it clogs the flow of water thereby leading to pollution.
Avoid releasing construction waste into the river. Use organic gardening techniques and avoid using pesticides and other herbicides.
Avoid releasing harmful chemicals and oils into storm drains or rivers.
Always check that your car engine is not spilling oil that finds its way into drains and then rivers.

CVU Community, Vermont, Volume '22, Issue 1, Wellness

Reintroduction to the CVU Phone Policy

October 14, 2022 cvcadmin

BY Filip Popa

HINESBURG, VT–CVU’s new phone policy has gotten students startled. “I feel like I’m not able to text my parents if I have a family emergency,” said a CVU Junior who wishes to keep their name anonymous. With the start of the new school year of 2022, CVU started re-inforcing a school policy that requires students to either put their phones in their bags or in a designated “pocket” in the classroom. This rule has been off the grid since 2019’s COVID-19 when students were encouraged to go on their phones to keep avoid speaking and potentially spreading the virus.

The idea behind this policy is that students are better off focusing without their devices on their bodies. The majority of the classrooms have a poster with a quote that CVU uses as a motive for their policy. The quote reads, “A world full of attention-deprived citizens… will be a world of cascading crises where we can’t get a handle on any of them.” – Johann Hari. CVU is enforcing these policies backed up by scientific research saying student learning will increase if phones aren’t present during class in the learning environment. However, the policy allows students to access their phones after class and during passing periods.

Arthur Chiaravalli, the Fairbanks house administrator, agreed with the change, “I feel like I’m getting to know my advisory a lot better, I’m connecting with them, there’s not that distraction of “I’m just gonna zone out.”

On the other hand, a senior at CVU who did not want to have their name included, answered that they think, “No, I don’t think it’s helping me, it actually makes me feel more conscious about my phone,”

So overall, the responses coming from the CVU faculty and the students vary and opinions are mixed. Many of the students “don’t care” as Chiaravalli pointed out, while others claim against it and say it’s not helping.

McKinley Martin, Junior, said, “I realized that not having the access to check in with my family and people that I need to be able to talk to has induced more stress on me than actually helping my learning.” On the other hand, Aidan Militello, Junior, felt that “the phone policy allows me to honestly stay focused and not worry about any notifications that might interrupt me.”

With this policy being reinforced freshly this year after many years of no enforcement, there isn’t enough data to prove if this policy has been making a positive impact or not on the school. What do you think? Fill out this google form and tell us what you think in regards to the effectiveness of this policy, you can do so by clicking here. The answers to the survey will be used to create an updated piece in the near future. If you’d like to be interviewed, leave your name in the survey.

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSeaWZSiGjoBsNKrgjxE9SJWxDuQKv0_2es8h2vWe-OycxWGPg/viewform

Arts and Sciences, CVU Community, Opinion & Review, Vermont, Volume 12: Fall '21, Wellness

Hobby Hunters Episode #2: Adam Bunting

December 22, 2021 cvcadmin

Hobby Hunters episode 2

CVU Community, Our Natural World, Vermont, Volume 12: Fall '21, Wellness

Yates: The American Dreamee

December 21, 2021 cvcadmin

By Mina Radivojevic

The summer season came to an end late this year, but I still can’t get over the fact that the dreamee season is over as well! And if you don’t know what a dreamee is, then you missed out on a lot this summer. Yates Family Orchard is just one of many orchards in Vermont. But it has a secret recipe (or two) that makes them stand out from the crowd. Dreamee – similar to creamer, just with an extra donut – is their secret to making people come back.

Jessika Yates, co-owner of the orchard, has been running the orchard since the first day. The interview with Jessika made me closer to this family and their journey.

Jessika enthusiastically began the story of the history of the Yates Family Orchard: “My husband and I, we bought this property in 2008. We found this house with amazing views out to the Adirondacks and then south to the Bristol Valley and we thought: Wow, this is a really cool place. We didn’t know anything about apple trees. And we never really expected to run an orchard.”

“At the time we bought this house, there were only two acres and about 110 trees. So for the first eight years, I guess you could call this more of a hobby orchard. It’s part of an orchard that’s been in existence for a very long time. Those were all planted in the late 1930s. So for the first eight years, we’ve always done a pick your own. We found a commercial cider press from the very get-go mainly because we needed a piece of that cider press and we could only buy the whole thing so we’ve been pressing cider, but literally our farmstand was just a table with some bags of apples. I’ve always made jams but there was pretty much just an honor box there. I did a completely different full-time job.”

With the full-time job on her hands, Jessika and her husband had to figure out another way to manage the apples. They did this by working with the organization called Salvation Farms. Volunteers were sent to the Yates orchard, and all the apples were donated throughout the state. This was a relief for the Yates, since they were then sure none of the apples ended up as a waste.

“So that’s what we did for the first eight years,” Jessika continued. “The previous orchardist who still owned the surrounding acres passed away unexpectedly.”

This is how Yates acquired more of the current orchard, and it was their way of protecting the viewshed that surrounds it. Ultimately this quadrupled the number of trees, and that was just too much to donate, and so the business of the Yates Family Orchard took a swing. It officially got established as a business in 2017.

What the Yates Family is known for are dreamees. A dreamee is a creamee on top of a fresh apple cider donut. Like many of the best things in history, dreamees were an accident. We can thank Yates’ neighbors for the invention of the dreamee.

“One night my neighbor came into our garage and we had just fired up the creamee machine and we were frying doughnuts and test tasting and then we put a dollop of creamee on a doughnut. And we’re saying donut, creamee… dreamee! And that’s how the dreamee was born! They tend to make people really happy,” Jessika sounded very proud saying this last part.

The Yates are happy to make others happy. They represent not only the good taste, but also nice views and tranquility. Besides this, they are also proud of the range they can offer.

“We have 28 Different kinds of apples. So I think sometimes people think I’m a crazy Apple lady. I get pretty excited because the first apples start ripening in July. And some of those early season apples that ripen before we open. We use them for the products that we make like our apple barbecue sauce and our apple chutneys. I think that no matter when you come, if you came every week, you would find different apples that are ripe and so that kind of makes it fun.”

After a little talk about apples, which are the main resource of the Yates Family Orchard, we had to go back to desserts. This year, the orchard took a new risk, which ended up being more than successful.

“Growing our business this season, I had someone come aboard to help with making donuts but also someone to make all of our pies in house. Our pie baker said: “Well, why don’t we put a little dollop of our apple pie filling and drizzle some caramel on top?” And that’s how the “supremee” was born. And so we’re always kind of concocting and coming up with fun different things just to see what we can combine. And you know what? They taste good!”

It seems like the Yates family never fails to surprise it’s customers. From freshly picked apples and charming views to tasty homemade “supremees” and all sorts of delights, they offer a diversity of products. So, when the next summer comes, don’t miss a chance to indulge in this heaven on Earth.

Vermont, Volume 12: Fall '21, Wellness

Covid Pets

December 21, 2021 cvcadmin

By Olivia O’Rourke

Did your family adopt a pet during the pandemic? According to the ASPCA, 23 Million Americans did! And the good news is that the majority of those families plan to keep them. That’s about 1 out of 5 homes in America that brought some sort of pet into their family during the pandemic.

What were some of the main reasons for all the ‘covid pets’? “This incredibly stressful period motivated many people to foster and adopt animals, as well as further cherish the pets already in their lives, and our recent research shows no significant risk of animals being rehomed by their owners now or in the near future as a result of the lifting of pandemic-related restrictions,” said Matt Bershadker, ASPCA President and CEO. Even as the quarantines are lifted, families are keeping the pets as part of their routine and their lifestyles.

There were some concerns by the ASPCA that there would be a surge in returns once the quarantines were lifted and people started going back to work. But they offer a lot of resources and support to help pet owners who need it during the transition. The good news is that in a recent survey, 87 percent of respondents shared that they are not considering rehoming their animal, suggesting that pet owners remain committed to caring for their cats and dogs.

In such a stressful time it is great to see that people found a way to not only help animals in need, but to also find a way to help their own stress. I personally adopted a kitten and got a horse, so I am part of the statistics and I know both of these amazing animals helped me get through the pandemic.

CVU Community, Opinion & Review, Vermont, Volume 12: Fall '21

being an exchange student

December 21, 2021 cvcadmin

by Méline Palkovic

When my sister started talking about it, I knew right away that I would want to go, that I would want to be an exchange student. When I really think about it I’m not really sure why I decided to go; when people ask me even today I say that I wanted to discover a new country, a culture, sports, another language that I could speak fluently and also some change, something new that stands out from the everyday. But on the other side I just knew that this is what I wanted to do.

Before being able to leave, there are many steps: finding an association (unless you are leaving privately), creating your profile to find a host family, the documents to obtain the visa, the meetings preparation,… All of this requires preparation.

Then, when the departure gets closer, we start to say goodbye to the people of our family until the real departure where in general we say goodbye to our parents. For me it was the hardest step before the trip. It’s something to say that you will not see your family again for almost a year. And also to leave his country for so long. I live in Switzerland, in Geneva, and I personally love the place where I live. Geneva is not too big a city, it’s not too crowded but there is a lot to do. There are the “rues basses” especially frequented for shopping, the different restaurants for all tastes, the jet d’eau, the old town and the numerous buildings and museums like for example the one of the red cross,… It’s my Home.

Then, the departure, the trip, the arrival and the first meeting with our host family and our “new home”. I was excited to live in a new place and have a new bedroom. At the beginning I learned to know my “new family”, their habits, the activities during the weekends and the week… At first it’s a little “weird”. I remember when I arrived. My flights had been changed and I arrived at midnight. I was tired and a little lost, although Burlington airport is very small. And I saw them far away. They had made a sign with “Welcome Méline” written on it. We had two zoom before, but this was the first time I met them in real life. I was a bit stressed but it went really well. I was shy but after a time we got to know each other. At the beginning, literally you live with strangers but little by little they start to become a second family for you.

Many other exchange students told me that during the Christmas period it would be particularly difficult because for many people Christmas is an event that gathers all the family and where they spend time together. This is not my case. For me, so far it was very hard at the beginning, before starting school. Then, I started to do more things like going out with my host sister’s friends, going for walks, visiting my new city… ; now I am busy during most of the day with school and sports. It’s always hard at times, but it will get better.

One thing that helps me when it’s hard and I miss my family is to think about how lucky I am to be here and to be able to discover and do things that I’ve never done. I celebrated Thanksgiving, I’m going to spend Christmas in Arizona, skating on frozen lakes,… I also strongly advise new people in general to do sports. When you’re in a team it allows you to meet people easily. You integrate on the team, you make friends and it’s good for your health

I think being an exchange student is a unique experience. Everything you learn, whether it’s about the country you discover and the culture, the country, the language, the fact that you grow enormously in your autonomy, your way of thinking… I don’t hide from you that it’s hard (more or less depending on the person) and I think you have to admit it, it’s normal. But overcoming this difficulty makes you stronger. So if you’ve always wanted to go abroad for an exchange year but you’re not sure, you have doubts, you’re… Do it!

Some pictures…

Some pumpkins we made on Halloween. It was really fun to make. It took me about 3 1/2 hours to make it. Mine is on the small table, it’s two characters from a comic book.

Back in the summer, it had only been a few days since I arrived in the US and it was very hard. Tess (my host sister) suggested that I come to the lake to swim because one of her friends has a boat. It was so nice. In the picture from left to right there is Sophia, Sabina, Me and Tess. Today we all play on the same ice hockey team

A few days during the Thanksgiving vacation we went to Maine. In the picture you can see the lighthouse overlooking the ocean. We visited and ate sushi, it was great!

Arts and Sciences, CVU Community, Vermont, Volume 12: Fall '21

CVU Chamber Choir & Madrigal singers participate in Holiday Events

December 17, 2021 cvcadmin

By Mazzy Ricklefs

The CVU Chamber Choir & Madrigal singers participated in two holiday events on Friday, December 10th. They attended the Madrigal Festival at St Joseph’s Cathedral in Burlington and then joined other high school choirs at the top of Church Street for a group performance by the giant Christmas tree. They then performed their own choral repertoire including Carol of the Bells and Deck the Halls for people passing by further down Church Street.

On Saturday, they performed outdoors at “Winterfest”, an event hosted by the Vermont Children Trust Foundation. They performed a twenty minute set, three times, enjoyed by many families passing through Maple Street Park in Essex. Catherine Case and her family braved the chilly weather to listen to the performers. “It’s a nice break from the hustle and bustle of holiday preparations and reminds me that the season is really about joy,” she said. Wylie Ricklefs, a bass singer with the Madrigals, said,” It feels good to finally be able to perform for people after all the hard work we’ve put into this.” These performances were a great kick off to the holiday season!

These performances embodied the relief both students and community were feeling after a long period of Covid induced isolation. Not having public performances for so long, including the lack of live holiday musical programming in 2020 was hard on musicians and audiences across the board. The overall sentiment of both the performers and the audience was that they need each other and this happens best with in-person music.

When asked about the impact these live holiday performances had on both students and their audience, CVU Choral Director Cameron Brownell responded, “Choral music is all about community, so it was very special to come together as a CVU community and as a Vermont community with other high school choirs from around the state. It was a powerful experience to gather around the tree on Church Street and join our voices together for the first time in 2 years! Although we’re still not back to pre-COVID concerts and events, everyone involved has been so grateful and appreciative of the opportunity to hear live music in the air. Singing prepares our hearts to connect with others and I know my students are happier and healthier because they sing together!“

US Headlines, Vermont, Volume 12: Fall '21

Scam Call or Spam Call?

November 19, 2021 cvcadmin

By Ian Dunkley

HINESBURG, VT – Spam calls are an unfortunately common annoyance for many Vermonters. Most of us simply write them off as just that, an annoyance, but the truth surrounding these calls is much more sinister.

Vermont has an unusually high amount of spam calls, especially when taking into account the population being only 625,000 people. When analyzing the results from a spam call blocking app called Truecaller in 2021, it was revealed that approximately 1.1 million spam calls were directed towards Vermonters. While this number is already staggering, it becomes even more interesting when considering the total number of spam calls recorded by the app being 11 million between March and September. Despite Vermont’s relatively small population size, it received approximately 10% of all total spam calls.

https://www.pxfuel.com/en/search?q=contact

While these numbers are quite high, they don’t show the true danger spam calls pose to Vermont as a whole. Data collected during 2020 by the Vermont Attorney General’s office showed that a total of 249 Vermonters were scammed as a result of these calls. The amount of money that was taken from these people was estimated to be 1.5 million dollars in total. That’s over 6 thousand dollars per person. In comparison with the 30 million dollars stolen nationwide, Vermont holds a large portion relative to its total population.

As it turns out these numbers are unusual. A company called Strategic IT Partner was routing thousands of foreign scam calls directly to Vermont. This Florida-based company now faces fines of up to 67 thousand dollars if they do not screen the legitimacy of the calls they reroute. Although this company has been penalized, this doesn’t spell the end for scam calls in Vermont. In light of this, please be aware of the calls you receive as well as the information you disclose over the phone.

https://nymag.com/intelligencer/2018/05/how-to-stop-spam-robocalls-with-stir-shaken.ht

Our Natural World, Sports, Vermont, Volume 12: Fall '21, Weather, Wellness

What will covid restrictions look like for top VT ski resorts this winter?

November 18, 2021 cvcadmin

By Mazzy Ricklefs

Ski season is right around the corner and many are curious what it will require to be out on the slopes safely this year. How will it compare to last year? According to CVU students and the Burlington Free Press, these are the top resorts in Vermont and some of the requirements needed to enjoy your time.

Sugarbush Resort

Sugarbush is definitely a favorite of many in and out of state skiers. According to the Burlington Free Press, Spokesman John Bleh says Sugarbush plans on not having any restrictions outdoors, but if things drastically change the resort will follow local guidelines. “If the town of Warren decided to reinstate masks, we would as well,” Bleh said. As far as being indoors, masks are recommended and required for unvaccinated staff. Sugarbush’s owner, Alterra Mountain Company, is considering more aggressive measures but hasn’t made any final decisions.

Smuggler’s Notch Resort

Smugg’s will be similar to Sugarbush this year, in the sense that the ski area will be pretty open and flexible. As far as indoors, masks will be required rather than just recommended, even if you are vaccinated. “Now that we’re going into the ski season, it’s an outdoor sport so naturally people are wearing goggles and masks,” Spokeswoman Stephanie Gorin said. “We’re not requiring masks on the lifts, but most people wear them.”

Jay Peak Resort

Jay Peak plans to follow any mandate the State of Vermont issues concerning masking and distancing. Jay Peak will not be limiting the number of tickets sold, according to Toland. Spokesman J.J. Toland states that, “One of the advantages we have up here is that we are so far up here,we don’t see the crowds that some of the southern resorts get and those that do make the trip (to Jay Peak) take comfort in that fact. The short of it, we expect to have a great winter.”

As far as places like Killington Resort and Bolton Valley Resort, they are still deciding what their COVID-19 protocols will be for this year. Last year, Bolton followed all guidance from the State of Vermont, CDC and OSHA so it is assumed that will most likely be the case this year as well.

CVU Community, CVU Sports, Sports, Vermont, Volume 12: Fall '21, Weather, Wellness

What’s up with winter sports?

November 18, 2021 cvcadmin

By Asa Roberts

As fall sports come to a close, it’s time to start looking at the upcoming winter season. This year has a plethora of opportunities to get active! From hitting the slopes with the alpine ski team to trying out the all new girls wrestling team, there’s something for everyone!

Cross Country skiing:

Are you looking for a great way to get outside and stay in shape this winter? Take a look at cross country skiing! No experience necessary, skiers of all levels and competitiveness are welcome to join. Nordic skiing practices every day after school at the local ski center Sleepy Hollow (once there’s snow). Sleepy Hollow is a Great place for skiers of all abilities, and passes work all year round for skiing, snowshoeing, hiking and biking. If you enjoy being outside and staying fit, you are in luck. Coach Sara Strack will be heading the CVU team this year once again, and will surely make this season amazing. Cross country skiing had its first meeting last Thursday the 28th. Missed it? No worries! You can learn more about nordic by visiting CVU nordics website here, or by emailing coach Strack.

Alpine skiing:

More into going down the hills? Check out the Alpine ski team. The ski team starts their season before the snow falls with workouts and practices in the mini gym. Ski team is open for new racers, as well as veterans, so no matter what your level of experience, you are sure to fit in. Alpine racing practices at Cochrans during the week, and heads up to Sugarbush on Saturdays for training on the big hill. If you are interested in picking up racing, or have any questions regarding the season, be sure to reach out to assistant coach Lee Morse laxcoach.vt@myfairpoint.net. Alpine skiing starts soon so be sure to check it out!

Indoor track:

If you are interested in staying fit, or preparing for track and field this spring, check out indoor track club. Indoor track is a great option if you are looking for a low commitment sport, or if you are wanting to practice every day. Indoor track practices at parisi on mondays and tuesdays, with plenty of opportunities for carpooling, so don’t let rides deter you. Meets are on Saturdays at the indoor track at UVM, and are optional. Looking for a way to practice field events?Indoor tracks got that too! Both track and most field events are available. If you are interested, or want to learn more, email coach Elise Seraus at cvuindoortrack@gmail.com.

Basketball:

Both boys and girls basketball are back in full swing this year! With the girls season being tragically cut short right before the championship game two years ago, and no fans being allowed at games last year, both teams are more excited than ever to lace up and play. Boys Basketball will once again be having a varsity, JVA, and JVB team this year, and the all star coaching staff will be returning. Coach Osborne, who brought last year’s team to the quarterfinals is returning this year to make another run. CVU’s very own Seth Emerson will be coaching JVA, and Pat Keogh will be the JVB coach. If you are interested in trying out for the basketball team, email Coach Osborne or talk to CVU’s Seth Emerson.

Girls Basketball is excited to be back on the court! The girls will be having three teams as well this year, and will be head coached by Ute Otley once Again. The girls will surely be dominant once again this year, so even if you aren’t a player, be sure to go watch and support. The girls host open gyms during preseason. To learn more, email coach Otley.

Wrestling:

CVU is excited to offer wrestling opportunities for both boys and girls this year! Wrestling is an awesome opportunity to get fit and build self confidence for everyone. Gunnar Olson will be coaching the wrestling team this year, and the team is open to wrestlers of all experiences and abilities, contact coach Olson at olsonsitedesign@myfairpoint.net. Ladies, if you are interested, contact CVU student Cassidy Flemming at 469-773-1889 for more information or any questions. Be sure to check out CVU wrestling’s website here.

Gymnastics:

With floor, beam and bar events, CVU gymnastics has something for everyone. Following an amazing 2020 season where they took home gold, gymnastics had a modified season during 2021, and are looking forward to getting back to normal for the 2021 season. Coach Madison Bordeau is back again to lead the team. Practices are held at Green Mountain Training Center in Williston, and are every day. If you are looking into gymnastics this year, contact Dan Shepardson.

Hockey:

CVU’s hockey teams are starting up soon, so lace up your skates and get out on the ice. The girls once again are teaming up with MMU to form the Cougarhawks. The girls head coach Scott Bushweller will be returning along with his stellar coaching squad, and are officially taking over the program from MMU, but will keep the name Cougarhawks. Boys hockey is looking forward to a great season this year, with head coach J.P. Benoit returning. Both girls and boys hockey hold open ice sessions throughout the year, and the season is starting up soon. Contact Dan Sheperdson for more information.

Our Natural World, Vermont, Volume 12: Fall '21, Wellness

The Sweet Story of Maple Syrup

November 18, 2021 cvcadmin

by Méline Palkovic

Shelburne, VT – You may know that Vermont is famous for its maple syrup, but do you know how it is made ? With what ? How long does it take ? How many trees are used ? As someone who has only lived in Vermont for a short time and is interested in the subject, I have been looking into the matter and have done some research. I live in Shelburne, so I decided to start my investigation locally.

The Palmer’s Sugarhouse has been maple sugaring for over 50 years. It started with their grandmother who ran out of sugar to cook with during the World War ll. She decided to tap a tree and get some sap and then she became the first woman maple-maker in Vermont to be inducted into the Maple Hall of Fame.

At first it was a necessity, then it became a hobby, then it gradually grew and now there are snow parties where you can find all the maple and sugar served on snow.

In the United States, Vermont is the state that produces the most maple syrup, in 2020 more than 2 million gallons of syrup was produced(about 50% of the country’s production). There are about 1,500 sugar shacks in Vermont.

The maple syrup production process begins in February. First, the trees must be tapped, which involves inserting a spout into the tree with a hammer or drill. Then, when the weather becomes warm enough(above freezing [32 Fahrenheit, 0 Celsius] during the day and below freezing in the evening), usually between March and April, the sap begins to flow. Afterwards, the sap is transported by tubing or collected in buckets to the sugar factory and arrives in tanks.

Type of spout:

Tanks:

Then the sap is boiled using an evaporator. The sap is mostly water(about 95% of water), it is clear when it comes out of the tree and once it is boiled, that is where the inverted sugars are obtained. One tap yields about 10 gallons of sap and it takes 50 gallons of sap to make 1 gallon of maple syrup. This is why maple syrup is very expensive because most of the sap has to be boiled down to water and the rest is sugar and it takes hours and hours to boil the sap into maple syrup.

At the beginning of the season, the sap is at first the lightest, which is called delicate flavor, then it gradually becomes darker, until it becomes robust, which is the more flavorful. These changes are due to the gradual warming during the spring. As the temperature rises, the sap becomes darker(this evolution is produced by a chemical change in the composition of sugars and other elements).

-Golden, delicate taste

-Amber, rich taste

-Dark, robust taste

-Very dark, strong taste

Maple syrup candy:

What’s really useful about maple syrup is that you change the temperature when you cook it at and you get a lot of different products without adding anything. Like maple cream that goes on donuts, cookies and toast, candy (“caramel”) and maple sugar that is good on granola and coffee. All of these can be achieved just by changing the cooking temperature.

Maple syrup is also good because it has a low glycemic level, which is better for people who have problems with sugars like diabetes. It’s versatile, you can cook with it instead of cane sugar, you can put it in a balsamic maple sauce for a salad, you can use it on salmon as a marinade; there are many things you can do with it.

The maples are trees of the family Sapindaceae. They can grow from 10 to 45 meters in height. There are more than a hundred different maple trees in the world. The three main trees used to produce maple syrup are the sugar maple, the black maple and the red maple. To produce maple syrup, it is necessary to wait until the maple tree is generally 30 years old and 12 inches in diameter. A sugar maple can live about 400 years. Maple syrup producers use trees in the wild but some plant their own trees.

This maple is 5 years old. We have to wait another 25 years before we can tap it.

Finally, if no one in your family is a sugar maker but you want to become one (whether it’s for hobby, for you and your family, or if you want to start a business), just go to any hardware store for the supplies you don’t have and if you don’t know how to do it ask some sugar maker friends or look on the internet. Many hobbyists are tapping their own trees in their backyard. Anyone can really become a sugar maker!

CVU Community, Our Natural World, Sports, Vermont, Volume 12: Fall '21, Weather, Wellness

Ski Mountains around VT: Where are YOU skiing this year?

November 18, 2021 cvcadmin

By- Mia Kenney

Looking for a place to ski and snowboard? Vermont has a lot of mountains to choose from. Here is a list of 5 more popular ski resorts and some facts about each, including cost, how many lifts, kinds of lifts, and some of the things that draw people to these mountains. Hopefully this helps you and your family decide where you might want to go skiing or snowboarding this season!

Cochran’s

https://skimap.org/data/207/66/1453225164.jpg

Cochran’s is a non-profit organization. That is one of the reasons people are so drawn to it even though it is a small mountain with only 1 t-bar, a rope tow and a “mighty-mite” A season pass there is about $206.70. Cochran’s has about 8 trails with all different levels. Cochran’s is not a resort so there is no staying there but they do have a lodge where you can take breaks and warm up. Cochran’s is all about family so they love doing things like Friday night dinners, not I’m not sure if they are doing it this year because of Covid, but this is something that they have been doing for years.

Smugglers’ Notch

https://www.smuggs.com/pages/winter/skiride/trail-map.php

A season pass at Smuggs is about $419. Something that draws people to Smuggs is that they technically have 3 mountains. Smuggs also has the fun zone which is an indoor play area with bouncy houses and games. Smuggs is a resort, so they have condos that people can rent. There are 8 chair lifts with about 78 trails. Their hours are different for different lifts, most lifts open at 9am but some open at 8:30.

Jay Peak

https://jaypeakresort.com/skiing-riding/snow-report-maps/trail-map

A season pass at Jay Peak is about $669. Their hours are 9am till 4pm. Opening day is estimated to be November 24th. Something that draws people there is that the Jay Peak water park along with the hotel is at the bottom of the ski mountain, so people can finish skiing and go to the water park. There are 9 chair lifts and about 78 trails. The trails are all different, some with moguls, some glades, and some groomed. They also have a variety of trail levels, for example they have easier trails for less advanced skiers and they have harder trails for people that are more advanced.

Bolton Valley

https://www.boltonvalley.com/winter/trail-maps-snow-reports/trail-maps/

A season pass for one adult at Bolton is about $846.94. Bolton has both Backcountry skiing and Nordic skiing, and they also are very accepting of snowboarders. Bolton currently has six lifts and 64 trails that can be accessed by the lifts. Bolton does have a ski lodge; it is a little on the smaller side and because of covid, you can’t be in the lodge for very long… but at least there is a lodge! Bolton is also a resort, so they have a hotel which draws a lot of people there. Bolton’s lifts are chair lifts so they are easy to get on and off of and they are accessible to everyone. Bolton’s hours are 9am till 10pm. Opening day is November 26th.

Stowe

https://www.stowe.com/-/media/stowe/files/maps/stowe_winter2122_map.ashx

A season pass at Stowe is about $1024.00 but they do have sales, so they can be a little cheaper. It also depends on when you want to buy them; if you buy them super in advance they will be cheaper than if you buy them in November or even October. Stowe is also a resort, so they have hotels you can stay in. Stowe has 12 lifts and 116 trails. Their opening day is November 19th. Their hours are 8am till 4pm. Stowe also has both chair lifts and they have gondolas.

https://www.flickr.com/photos/usdagov/18279541619

CVU Community, Our Natural World, Vermont, Volume 12: Fall '21, Wellness

Not as organic as you think

November 5, 2021 cvcadmin

By Ethan Cook

Small farmers in Vermont have taken a hit during the COVID pandemic, and they are about to be hit even more. In August of 2022, Horizon Organic is ending contracts with nearly 90 farms based out of the Northeast. This is because factory farms, which have been manipulating their “organic” label, are taking lots of business from them. However, New York senator Charles Schumer hopes to give them an edge against the bigger farming corporations.

Factory farms have gotten away with swapping animals in and out of organic environments, giving them the “organic” label on their products, and creating more of an appeal among the public. This strongly benefits the owners of these large scale farming companies, but we aren’t always getting exactly what we pay for.

A page on Jane’s Healthy Kitchen notes the prerequisites for a farm’s product to be considered organic. “Organic foods are required to ensure cycling of resources, promote ecological balance, and conserve biodiversity. Livestock must have regular access to pasture without routine antibiotics or growth hormones. Products must follow strict production, handling and labeling standards, and go through a certification process. The standards look at many other factors such as soil quality, animal raising, pests and weed control. Synthetic fertilizers, human sewage sludge, irradiation, and GMO ingredients are not allowed.”

The problem is that the products we are buying from the grocery store are not always as “organic” as we think they are. Schumer says that these big farms are able to rotate their livestock in and out of organic management while keeping the “organic” label because of technicalities in the laws regarding organic dairy farming. This creates a disconnect between the general public and the people bringing them their food.

A press release stated several New England Senators, including Schumer, created a letter to the Secretary of Agriculture, Tom Vilsack, requesting him to approve the Origin of Livestock rule. This law would close the loophole for factory farms, and hopefully make family owned farms a much better looking alternative for local grocery stores to get their dairy, meat, and other farm products from.

From an article by Isabella Colello, “New York’s dairy farmers are the lifeblood of the Upstate economy and after years of being wrung dry by a system that disadvantages them, they’re now at the edge of an economic precipice,” Senator Schumer said in a press release. “For an industry that has razor-thin margins as it is and saw historic losses during the COVID crisis, for many family-owned organic dairy farms, losing their contracts with Horizon Organics will be the final pull on the rug under them.”

An article on Valley News says that “the number of dairy farms in Vermont has decreased by 37% in the past 10 years and by 69% in the past 24 years.” Farming, an industry that used to be a major source of income for Vermont and its people, has more than halved in the 21st century, showing the urbanization of both our land and our jobs of choice. Cancelling the contracts with small farmers only influences the decisions of our younger generations, and makes the lives of current farmers that much harder.

Vermont’s small farms have become much more of a novelty and less of a provider for food, animal products, and income in the last few years. Much of these are produced by large farms owned by corporations, and these are pushing the picturesque Vermont farmers out of business.

To pour salt on the wound, factory farms, which are thriving off of the deals they have with food distributors, aren’t being completely honest about the way they take care of their animals. The farmers that are dominating the profession, or rather, majority shareholding corporations, are lying about the state of their livestock, yet they continue to stay on top. Hopefully, Schumer and other senators will be able to take this option away from them and benefit small farmers substantially.

CVU Community, Opinion & Review, Vermont, Volume 12: Fall '21, Volume 6, Issue 2

Vermont Fall Activities

November 5, 2021 cvcadmin

By Vivienne Babbott

The end to summer in Vermont is always bittersweet. Yet as the leaves shift to their signature red, many Vermonters look forward to Halloween and the classic fall activities that accompany it, especially after a year in lockdown with few celebrations.

If you´re looking for a sweet treat, Shelburne Sugarworks offers delicious pure maple syrup, maple candies, and a variety of handcrafted maple ice creams. This includes a seasonal favorite, maple pumpkin cheesecake flavor.

Whitcomb’s land of pumpkins is known for their usual assortment of pumpkins and gourds, however their pumpkins are sold out for this year. However there is still an impressive 4 acre corn maze, which is open to the public from 10-5 on the weekends. To complete the maze, you will come across checkpoints, and learn about the pumpkin-growing process along the way. How fast do you think you can do it?

Photo courtesy of Whitcomb´s

Though most orchards are closed for the season, Yates Family Orchard is one of the few apple orchards still selling fresh fruit! Stop by their stand in Monkton to get your apples, cider donuts, pies, Dreamees, and treats while they last! Yates Orchard is open from 9:30-5:30 every day, up until October 31st! Get your apples while they last!

Speaking of October 31st, if you wanted to get spooky this Halloween, Nightmare Vermont was the place to be! This year they offered a scare-maze with actors & animatronics, as well as a narrative walk through performance, with vendors and live entertainment in the lobby. Nightmare Vermont also focuses on charity work, and donated $32,000 this year alone. All the more reason to go next year!

Photo Courtesy of Nightmare Vermont

CVU Community, Vermont, Volume 12: Fall '21, Wellness

CVU’s New Stomach Ache: School Lunchtime

November 4, 2021 cvcadmin

By Harrison Young-Glatz

At Champlain Valley Union High School, lunchtime is becoming a hot topic due to the number of unmasked kids in close proximity to one another. Many kids end up sitting outside to cram fewer into the cafeteria, but with COVID cases still high in Vermont, some students are starting to worry that during the colder months, when kids stop eating outside, that the cafeteria will become a field day for the COVID-19 virus. Alex, an 11th grader at CVU, mentioned, “Man, It was crazy (on the first day of school); half the kids were outside.” He continued, “Like what’s gonna happen when it’s too cold to sit out there? Admin’s gonna have to do something about it.”

The head director of the cafeteria, Leo LaForce, stated, “The school runs off of CDC guidelines. If the CDC ever deems masking or distancing no longer necessary, then lunchtime will be a lot more manageable.”

Dr. Alex Huffman, an aerosol and bioaerosol specialist at the University of Denver, said on twitter, “Indoor lunches are high risk b/c: COVID is largely airborne, Masks are off, Kids are often packed closely, Many kids in one room, Kids are louder at lunch (so more aerosol is released).”

In response to this, LaForce had to say, “Yeah, I’m concerned about the kids who go home every day to immuno-compromised or younger/older family members. I know that most of the kids in our cafeteria are vaccinated, and symptoms aren’t likely as bad for vaccinated people, but then that kid could go home bringing the virus to their family members who aren’t as fortunate.”

If indoor lunches are deemed too risky by the CDC, CVU may have to revert back to 2020-21’s school year lunchtime model. A dozen or less kids in different rooms throughout the building, and the cafeteria would deliver bagged lunches to kids in those rooms. When questioned about this, LaForce replied, “I really hope it doesn’t go back to delivered lunch. I just want kids to have a normal lunch again.”

Administration could not be reached for comment by the time of publication.

CVU Community, Vermont, Volume 12: Fall '21

Halloween Events Coming up in VT

October 22, 2021 cvcadmin

By Mazzy Ricklefs

The end of October is just around the corner and one of the most exciting holidays in the year will be here on October 30th…Halloween! Vermont goes crazy with many different fun events for all ages and here are a few favorites.

Nightmare Vermont

Essex Junction during the month of October Hosts ” Nightmare Vermont” Thursday’s, Friday’s, and Saturday’s at the Champlain Valley Exposition, sponsored by the South Burlington Rotary. Nightmare Vermont doesn’t open until 7pm so that people can get the full night time spooky experience. Tickets range from $13-$15 dollars. Go to https://nightmarevermont.org/ to find more info.

Burlington ‘Halloween Howl’ Haunted Hayrides

Burlington is having their haunted hayrides this saturday, october 23rd from 2-6pm at north beach campground. The family-friendly hayride event features “spectacular spooks, creeps, and fun scenes,” according to Burlington Parks, Recreation and Waterfront. Visit https://enjoyburlington.com/event/halloween-howl/

Scarefest Vergennes

Last but not least, Vergennes is having their “Scarefest” Friday October, 29th, and Saturday, October 30th from 7-11pm. Prices will range from $10-50 a ticket. Enjoy a weekend of horror films, dancing and costume contests. Looking up “Scarefest Vergennes” will bring you to more information.

CVU Community, Sports, Vermont, Volume 12: Fall '21, Wellness

Williston Edge Closed

October 22, 2021 cvcadmin

By: Emma Richling

WILLISTON VT. – The Williston Edge, home to swimmers, athletes, and loyal members of the community, officially closed down on September 30th, 2021. How big of an effect did this have on members of the CVU community? What will change for CVU swimmers and athletes?

Amelia Worth, a senior at CVU who swam for the Williston Edge Swim Team before the closing, shared her thoughts on the transition to a different center. “The Williston Edge has been my second home since I was five years old and I’ve basically been in that pool everyday since then. My drive to swim practice is gonna be longer and that’s going to affect basically the amount of things I can do in a day. I was really lucky that swim practice used to be really close to my house because that meant I could fill up my schedule after school with a lot more things like after school clubs and still be able to make it to swim practice.”

CVU swimmers now have to commute to the South Burlington Edge location for practice making other activities like clubs harder or impossible to attend.

Elizabeth Parent, a 10th grader at CVU and a former staff member at the Williston Edge mentioned, “What I do at the Williston Edge I can do at any center, I’m going to the Essex location now. A lot of other kids go to the Williston Edge and could probably transition to another location pretty easily but most of them won’t because it’s a change”. Although the Essex and South Burlington Edges are only 15-20 minutes away from the former Williston location, the change to a whole new space and building might feel like too much for some people.

All of the programs and services the Williston Edge offered (including Swim Team) were transitioned to one of the other centers in Essex or South Burlington on October 4th, 2021. No information has been released in regards to what the building is going to be used for, all we know is that it was sold to a company that has different plans for its use. As the closing approaches, concerns arise for the change that will come to many members and users of the facility. Worth said, “It’s something I thought was going to be eternal that isn’t anymore”.

CVU Community, Vermont, Volume 12: Fall '21, Wellness

Working under COVID: two views

October 21, 2021 cvcadmin

By Mina Radivojevic

HINESBURG, VT – As an exchange student from Serbia, I haven’t been here for a long time, but one of the first things that I learned about Vermont is that a lot of places can’t keep up with demand since they don’t have enough people to keep businesses going.

The people who are holding many businesses together are actually busy, full- scheduled high school students. So, the best way to look at this situation is through two different lenses: grown up employer vs. high school employee.

Will Patten, the owner of the Public House restaurant in Hinesburg, shared with me his view and experience with lack of workers and hiring students. CVU students, in this case. “So, we don’t have any trouble hiring people from CVU; that is pretty much all we can hire. Which is not great because most people don’t have any experience and they play sports. But that’s pretty much all we can hire now. For people in high school, a job is a form of independence, a way out of the house. It’s gas money, it’s a third place. It’s home, school and now a job. So that’s not where the problem is, the problem is with people who are on their own, supporting themselves, paying the rent, have mortgages and car payment. Those are the people that aren’t coming to work. And it’s not just restaurants, it’s everybody. Every business in Hinesburg wants to hire somebody. It’s crazy. “

Patten also made a note that his cafe needs to be closed for two days of the week due to lack of workers.

Lila Shober, one of the working CVU students, had a similar experience at her workplace because of the same problem. “I work at the Windjammer Tuesdays and Fridays and Saturdays. I work in an environment that’s really busy because of the lack of workers. Sometimes parts of our restaurant are closed because of the lack of staff,” she said.

At the same time, Shober had found the silver lining of what’s going on: “But some perks about it is that I do get more income. It’s very stressful being there three times a week. After school. After practice. It can be really tiring and I do go to school tired sometimes, but I do like having extra money. And I am really worried about, at least, my restaurant staying above float so I always try and help out as much as I can.”

One more perk that Shober pointed out is the fact that there are more options to choose from, since there’s no one else to work.

To answer my question why they think this is happening and what role COVID plays, Patten and Shober didn’t hesitate much.

Patten claims that, during COVID, people were taught not to work. He also considered all that we’ve been going through lately, putting climate change right next to the pandemic as one of the factors why people lost their belief in progress.

Shober’s interpretation of the situation is that people’s mental health was what got most damaged by coronavirus, and that it had also put a lot of fear into people, making them even scared to go out.

Not only did COVID affect people’s work ethic in this and the previous year, but we have yet to see what’s to come and how it will affect the future for businesses and lives in Vermont.

The Champlain Valley Chronicle

Category Archives: Vermont

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CVU TARDINESS POLICY

Polluted Lake Champlain: How Can We Stop It?

Pollution in Lake Champlain

Reintroduction to the CVU Phone Policy

Hobby Hunters Episode #2: Adam Bunting

Yates: The American Dreamee

Covid Pets

being an exchange student

CVU Chamber Choir & Madrigal singers participate in Holiday Events

What will covid restrictions look like for top VT ski resorts this winter?

What’s up with winter sports?

The Sweet Story of Maple Syrup

Ski Mountains around VT: Where are YOU skiing this year?

Cochran’s

Smugglers’ Notch

Jay Peak

Bolton Valley

Stowe

Not as organic as you think

Vermont Fall Activities

CVU’s New Stomach Ache: School Lunchtime

Halloween Events Coming up in VT

Burlington ‘Halloween Howl’ Haunted Hayrides

Scarefest Vergennes

Williston Edge Closed

Working under COVID: two views

"News for our Community"