BY STEVEN JUPITER
BRANDON—Otter Valley juniors Elizabeth Atherton and Derek Li and Class of ’23 graduate Cadence Muth have been recognized for their achievements this past month.
Cadence Muth received a $2500 scholarship from the Rutland Area Medical Community to attend Vermont Technical College in Randolph. According to the Rutland Regional Medical Center, “the scholarship is intended to stimulate the region’s best and brightest students, encouraging them to continue their education in the field of healthcare.”
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Derek Li received the Brandon Area Chamber of Commerce Prize Award. According to the Chamber, the $500 award is given annually to a junior or senior “who is well-rounded, has participated in school and outside activities, has plans for higher education through college or technical school, and has participated in activities that make the Brandon community a better place to live, work, and play.”
Derek is a member of the National Honor Society and captain of the OV wrestling team. He is also a member of the OV football team. Outside of school, he works in his parents’ restaurant in Brandon and at Kamuda’s Market in Pittsford. He is a member of the Spartan Wrestling Academy and helps coach youth wrestling programs. He’s also been known to help his elderly neighbors with yard work and chores.
This summer, Derek will be living on the campus of Castleton University and taking classes.
“The award is an honor,” said Derek. “I was surprised that I even got it. I’ve heard that it’s a very difficult award to get and I’m grateful. After high school I plan to go to college, to make my immigrant grandparents proud.”
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Elizabeth Atherton was chosen for the Girls State Program by the American Legion Auxiliary. The Girls State Program is a competitive program for girls who have completed their junior years. Selected students learn about government and civics through the formation of a “mock government” in which they hold “official positions.” This stage of the program is held in Randolph and students who do well there may be selected to go to Montpelier, where they will “shadow” state officials and learn about those roles.
Elizabeth was one of only 25 students out of a pool of 125 applicants chosen for this year’s cohort, and the only student selected from Rutland County. Her guidance counselor at OV, Meredith McCartney, had suggested that she apply to the program.
“I was supposed to be a page in the Statehouse when I was in 8th grade,” Elizabeth said. “But the program was cancelled because of COVID. I’m interested in politics, so this seemed like a good opportunity. My ultimate goal is to be a lawyer.”
Elizabeth had to write an essay and submit a resume with her application. “I had to have good grades,” she added. Outside the classroom, Elizabeth is a member of the OV Varsity field hockey team, a mentor to middle-schoolers, and was Class President last year.
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Congratulations to Candace, Derek, and Elizabeth!
