SJA News - November 15, 2023

UPCOMING EVENTS

Wednesday, November 15

Meet the Winter Coaches, 6:30 PM, Alumni Gymnasium

The Athletic Department will present important updates, and coaches will share key information regarding tryouts and more. 

November 16-18

SJA Theatre presents The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee, 7:00 PM

To purchase tickets, click here.

Friday, November 17

Electronics recycling event. View the ad here.

Wednesday, November 22

Thanksgiving Break Begins

Monday, November 27

Classes Resume

Winter Sports Begin

Wednesday, November 29

School photos will be delivered to advisors during the morning advisory period. Digital files will be emailed.

Friday, December 1

Senior Capstone

Athletics Calendar

We are now using Arbiter as our Athletics Calendar as part of an initiative by the VPA. For this reason, athletic events no longer appear on the school calendar on the website. They can be accessed through the Athletics Calendar on the website or you can bookmark this link for the most up-to-date Hilltopper game and practice times and final scores.

Around Campus

An Attitude of Gratitude

At St. Johnsbury Academy, the development of a student's character is fostered by student involvement in projects, clubs, and activities that allow them to interact within the school population and the larger community of St. Johnsbury and beyond. Students learn respect, care, integrity, compassion, inclusivity, and responsibility. The phrases "love those the most who need it the most" and "leave this place better than you found it" have become a part of the culture and are lived out daily with school leadership and faculty guidance. Students are challenged to act in a way that reflects those words.

From the recent Walk for a Healthy Community to the Walk to End Alzheimer's, the upcoming Blood Drive, to members of the Topper Friends Club sitting with residents of the St. Johnsbury House to share and listen to stories from the residents, SJA students, faculty, and staff are involved in community efforts to make a positive impact.

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Math teacher Crystal Meunier was recognized as the Outstanding Educator for the 2023-2024 school year. The award is given by the Curriculum Committee and the SJA administration and was presented by Steve Jolliffe, Dean of Faculty. In addition to teaching, Ms. Meunier is a Junior class advisor and assistant coach on the varsity softball team.

SJA Theatre presents The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee on the Fuller stage this Thursday, Friday, and Saturday at 7:00 PM. Ticket sales are available here. View photos from Tuesday's Chapel performance here.

Using a technique called Raku, senior Cody Barrett worked with Mr. Chatterley to fire two bowls as part of the preparation for his Senior Capstone project. To see additional photos from the day, click here.

The band marched in the Veteran's Day Parade on Saturday, and senior Brooke Haggett, a member of the Vermont National Guard, delivered a speech on the courthouse steps as part of the day's events recognizing our veterans. Photos from the event can be viewed here.

Led by Emmett Johnson's ninth place individually, the boys' XC team also placed ninth in the team competition at the New England Championships in Belfast Maine on Saturday. Ninth is the second-highest team placing at the event in Academy history. Ari Leven followed Emmett in 37th, Moses Andrews placed 123rd, Isaac Lenzini 126th, Nathaniel Bernier 166th, and Evan Windrow 171 out of the 260 qualified racers.  

Eight Hilltopper Student-Athletes attended the Vermont State Athletic Director Association leadership conference for student-athletes. The conference was held at the DoubleTree Hotel in South Burlington on November 13th and 14th. Students from across the state participated in leadership exercises, listened to speakers, and formed action plans to elevate the student-athlete experience at their respective schools.  

Pictured (l to r): Patrick Rainville, Ella Blanchard, Emerson Mitchell, Rylee Strohm, Cassidy Kittredge, Carter Bunnell, Rex Hauser, Evan Windrow, and Isaac Lenzini.

Students joined with faculty and staff to donate blood on Wednesday.

In March 1990, the Academy hosted a group of 30 students from an all-boys school in Tokyo, Japan – Kaijo Gakuen. The Kaijo boys arrived and were swept away by Vermont’s winter landscape, the warmth of their host families, and the novelty of attending school with girls. Thus began a friendship and tradition that many SJA families have cherished. The program has occasionally been interrupted. Our friends did not come in 1991 during the First Gulf War, in 2002 after 9/11, and in 2003 due to the looming invasion of Iraq. The biggest interruption in this program, however, was the pandemic. Their visit in 2020 was canceled and has not resumed...until now.  

From March 20 to 29, the Academy will once again host another group of 30 boys from Kaijo Gakuen. One of the biggest highlights for our guests is the homestay where each student stays with a local family. Our participating families are delighted to spend time with these polite and hard-working 15-year-old boys who are selected from a long list of applicants. Many friendships have been formed and many families are still in touch with their guests.  

If your family would like to become a part of this tradition by hosting one of our guests, please contact Glenn Ehrean, the Director of the Colwell Center for Global Understanding, at [email protected]. He is eager to hear from you.