December 15, 2021
HEADMASTER'S MESSAGE

Some Lessons in Joy

Last week walking back through the snow from our student holiday concert, the first formal concert we’ve had at St. Johnsbury Academy in close to two years, I was humming with joy. It was one of those quiet, sparkling evenings when it feels quite magical to be where we are. Even when we're tired. Which we are.  
 
School this year has involved being something close to tireless, no matter what realm of school life you inhabit. But, of course, none of us is tireless. The winter solstice, when we are allowed to stand still for a moment before moving into the new year, is particularly welcome this year.

ANNOUNCEMENTS
Senior Earns Top 25 Honors for Label Design

Package design is an essential part of every marketing class. It challenges students to focus their designs in ways that catch the consumer's eye while offering important information about the product. Typically, students lean towards a rigid box shape with square corners. But one student in Mr. Shea’s Digital Design II class decided to think outside the box. She created a label for the Schilling Beer Company, located in Littleton, New Hampshire, that landed her on hopculture.com’s list of the 25 Best Beer Labels of 2021.

CTE Students of the Quarter

The following students have been recognized as CTE Students of the Quarter for the second quarter. Front row (l-r): Mishaya Manchester (Introduction to Culinary Arts), Kyara Rutledge (Entrepreneurship I), Kayanna Burns (Personal Finance), Asa Rexford (Entrepreneurship II), Ernest Roy (Career Exploration). Middle row: Colter Thibaudeau (Electricity I), Garrett Olcott (Woodworking), Beckett Jewell (Automotive Technology 2), Zephyr Hill Barnes (Automotive Technology 1), Jayden Jenkins (Introduction to Construction), Theodora Montague (Introduction to Woodworking). Back row: Henry Roy (Welding), Wyatt Roy (Electricity II), Jacob Ailes (Construction Technology), Mya Pushee (Human and Professional Services). Missing: Dominic Warren (Introduction to Automotive Technology), Holden Newland (Introduction to Welding), Garett Demers (Work-Based Learning), Aiden Kimball (Introduction to Business), Sundus Kussad (Culinary I), Damien Valley (Culinary II), Delaney Smith (Introduction to Culinary Arts).
Building a Tradition

In Chef B’s kitchen, gingerbread houses signal the end of the fall semester and the beginning of the holiday season. Last week, houses in different stages of the creative process lined the walls as students scurried around, searching for just the right touch to complete their project. Bowls of frosting in various holiday colors sat nearby, ready to be deployed as design elements or as an adhesive to attach an Oreo to the wall. Close by were bags of gumdrops and candy canes, ready to be added to the designs.


 More photos can be viewed here.
With the start of the new athletics season and the restrictions on spectators at area schools, we have created a new item called "This Week in Sports." This link includes game times, opponents, locations, streaming services offered, and the spectator guidelines at each venue. It will be updated with any changes as necessary.
Start the new year by taking an SJA Adult Education course. We have many new offerings including Career and Technical Training, Home Improvement Skills, Life Skills, and Enrichment courses, as well as Professional Development courses — all designed to help you learn, grow, and succeed.

UPCOMING EVENTS

Saturday, December 18
Vacation Begins

Tuesday, January 11
Classes Resume
AROUND CAMPUS
Last week our musical groups were able to hold their first indoor concert in over a year. Photos from the concert can be viewed here. Video of the event can be viewed here.
Mrs. Mackenzie’s AP Literature class dropped by the library on Friday to pick up some extra reading material for break.
We had a preview of the spring musical, Mama Mia, in Chapel on Friday. Click here to see the preview.
In the next round of Poetry Out Loud, the finalists each performed in Chapel last week. Each of their poems can be heard by clicking on their names: Greer Kennedy, Alice Nelson, Madison Wilson, and Rea Leonie Voigtlander. The next round will be held in January.
The winter athletic season kicked off last week. On Saturday, SJA hosted the Sandy Murray Early-Bird Wrestling Tournament. Photos from the event can be viewed here.
Students were in the holiday mood on Friday with their finest sweaters. See more from Ugly Sweater Day here.
The lobby of the Morse Center for the Arts was filled last week with buildings, houses, and even a lighthouse, made by students in Mrs. Loder's pottery classes. More photos can be viewed here.
On Monday, St. Johnsbury Academy celebrated the school's 179th birthday. Chef B and her students made sure the day was recognized with plenty of cupcakes.