SJA News - November 26, 2025

CAMPUS NEWS

Making a Difference

The following message was part of a Chapel Talk on November 25 by Binaca Hanson, Assistant Headmaster for Academic and Student Life.

Today, I am delighted to gather with you as we celebrate the conclusion of our fundraising efforts for this year’s Walk For A Healthy Community. 

In late September, I had the privilege of speaking with all of you about NEKCA’s essential work in our community. This remarkable organization serves hundreds of families each month, and as the needs of our neighbors continue to grow, the commitment to respond with compassion and action has never been more critical. Our support has never been more critical. Each can of soup, box of cereal, and jar of peanut butter you contributed represents far more than mere nutrition; it embodies hope and support. Every dollar we raised plays a crucial role in helping NEKCA fill the gap between available donations and the pressing needs within our community. Together, the cans and coins we've collected send a powerful message: no one in our community needs to face food insecurity alone. 

St. Johnsbury Academy, I am immensely proud of how we’ve united as a community to support NEKCA. Whether your advisory group gathered spare change or organized a spirited effort that resulted in over 10 'everything but the turkey' Thanksgiving bags, your contributions have made a meaningful impact. If your advisory took on the challenge of each bringing in two canned goods or two dollars, your efforts mattered. Whether you crafted and sold custom SJA earrings or knitted and raffled off beautiful winter hats, your creativity and hard work have made a difference. Advisors, whether you went the extra mile to support your advisory’s contributions or dressed up in an inflatable costume to walk laps and bring joy, your effort made a difference. Sophomores, Sophomore advisors, Chef Hale, and Dean Angell: I want to shine a light on your remarkable efforts, and when I have more time to talk in greater detail about what you did, I absolutely will. You made a difference. 

Today, Mr. Roberts, Mrs. McGarvin, and her B block students will load a bus to deliver the food donations to NEKCA. Thanks to the Variety Day earlier this month, contributions from our advisory groups, and the extraordinary fundraising achievements of the sophomore class, I am honored to present Jenna O’Farrell, Executive Director of NEKCA, with checks totaling $8, 656.37. 

Chapel Talk

Last week in Fuller Hall, junior Raine Rashid, joined by members of the Student Diversity Council, delivered a Chapel Talk reflecting on the importance of November 20, recognized as Transgender Day of Remembrance—a day honoring transgender and gender-nonconforming individuals who have lost their lives to anti-transgender violence.

2025 Outstanding Educator

Math teacher Shari Larocque was recently honored as a 2025 Outstanding Educator by the University of Vermont. Joining Shari for the presentation are (l-r) Don Tinney, President of the NEA, Jill Briggs Campbell, Deputy Secretary of Education in the Vermont Agency of Education, and Katie Shepherd, the Dean of the College of Education and Social Services at UVM.

Vermont State Dance Festival

SJA dance students participated in the Vermont State Dance Festival this past weekend, including (l-r) Elise D’Ambra '26, Audrey Hartwell '27, Riley Washington '26, Brianna Dwyer '28, Caydence Pierce '26, Reghan Greenwood '26, Leah Beattie '29, and Riley Dalley '28. 

UPCOMING EVENTS

Wednesday, November 26

Thanksgiving Break Begins

Monday, December 1

Classes Resume

Winter Sports Begin

Wednesday, December 3

Make-Up Photo Day, Fuller Hall, 8:30 AM - 3:00 PM

Friday, December 5

Senior Capstone Day

Sunday, December 7

Can't Look Away, a special film screening.

Catamount Arts, 4:00 PM - 6:30 PM

View the flyer here.

Wednesday, December 10

NEASC/PD Late Start Schedule

Monday, December 15

Finals Begin

View the calendar here.

Wednesday, December 17

Holiday Concert, Fuller Hall, 7:00 PM

AROUND CAMPUS

Culinary students were busy in each of the school's kitchens this week, preparing meals for the holiday. Their work included roasting 350 pounds of turkey, making 120 pounds of mashed potatoes, and 95 pounds of stuffing, 6 gallons of turkey gravy, 30 dozen rolls, 30 pumpkin pies, 30 apple pies, and 3 gallons of cranberry sauce, on top of all of the dinner rolls, pies and breads made and sold to the school's faculty and staff. Photos from the week can be found here.

Thank you to everyone who donated blood and to everyone who volunteered to help make last week's blood drive a success.

Saturday's electronics recycling event had a strong turnout, with community members taking advantage of the opportunity to recycle old computers, televisions, and printers.

The SJA Robotics Team visited two Vermont engineering leaders last week, touring Benchmark Space Systems in Burlington and Rigorous Technology in Williston. Benchmark develops propulsion systems for the space industry, while Rigorous Technology designs customized robotic solutions for industrial automation.

Friday was cloudy and cold, and made for a perfect day for hot chocolate! Thank you to everyone who made sure the students and staff had a warm drink between classes.

Students in Mr. Guckin's Intro to Construction classes were perfecting their skills in the shop this week.

When one of their classmates was feeling a bit homesick, students in Mrs. Jolliffe’s AP Seminar class knew just how to help. They came together to prepare a traditional Mexican soup, buying the ingredients themselves and doing all of the cooking.

Mr. Wright was recognized as the Top Tier Topper this week in Chapel. Sporting his trademark sweater vest, several of Mr. Wright's fellow teachers accepted the award in his place.

ATHLETICS

Seven members of the Girls' Varsity Soccer team earned All-Metro recognition. (L-r): Lucy Moriarty '29 (2nd Team), Jayden Bunnell '26 (1st Team), Addison Ely '26 (1st Team), Ellie Reed '27 (1st Team), Thea Gilbert '26 (Honorable Mention), Emily Clark '26 (2nd Team), and Avery Gelwick '26 (1st Team). Additionally, Addison and Avery played in the Vermont Green and Gold Senior Classic game earlier this month at Norwich University.