SJA News - October 1, 2025

CAMPUS NEWS

SJA Community Supports Soup's On: Empty Bowl Fundraiser

For the second consecutive year, the St. Johnsbury Academy community has proudly partnered with Northeast Kingdom Community Action (NEKCA) to support their annual fundraiser, Soup’s On: Empty Bowl, taking place on October 2. NEKCA is a leading organization in the NEK addressing poverty through education, partnerships, and community initiatives. 

In preparation for the event, the school’s pottery studio came alive on a recent Tuesday evening as community members gathered to create a collection of unique, hand-crafted bowls. Michael Chatterley, Chair of the SJA Art Department and pottery instructor, opened the studio and welcomed a diverse group of participants—including current students, prospective students, alums, faculty, staff, and members of the public. For senior Ruby Tillotson, this was her first time glazing pottery, and she said, “I am so glad that I am able to share my art to help the community.”

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Chapel Talk

Seniors Ella Romero and Donley Johnson, both members of the Student Diversity Council and the Jewish Student Union, spoke in Chapel this week to share information with their classmates about Rosh Hashanah, which took place last week, and Yom Kippur, which will be observed on October 2. Their message focused on tying the holidays' themes of forgiveness with a hope for respect and conscientiousness within the SJA community.

UPCOMING EVENTS

Monday, October 6

Financial Aid/College Admissions Night, Fuller Hall, 6:00 PM

Saturday, October 18

Homecoming Dance, Alumni Gym, 7:00 - 10:00 PM

Wednesday, October 29

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

Tuesday, November 4

Deadline for Senior Photos

Additional information is available here.

AROUND CAMPUS

Students enjoyed a perfect Vermont sunset with peak fall foliage Monday night during a hike to Devil's Hill in Peacham.

On Friday, the SJA community turned out for the annual Walk For A Healthy Community. Photos from the event can be viewed here.

On Friday, an open mic event was held in the Mayo Lounge. Students shared their musical talents, told jokes, and recited poetry; others came to cheer on their friends and classmates. The next open mic will be held in November. 

The Charles Hosmer Morse Center for the Arts is always filled with beautiful work created by students, including this display of pinhole cameras and the prints they produced.

Mr. Roberts' first year electrical students became the teachers as they instructed Mrs. McGarvin's career exploration students on the basics.

Mrs. McGarvin's career exploration class visited the St. Johnsbury Fire Department last week. Trips like this allow students to connect classroom skills and discussions to real-world careers.

Mr. Mackenzie performed an original composition titled Light in Chapel for Musical Monday. View the performance here.

Members of the senior class worked with Chef Hale to prepare macaroni and cheese and apple crisp, which they sold at Tuesday's soccer and field hockey games. Future sale dates will be announced soon.

ATHLETICS

Hilltopper Mountain Biking hosted its only home race of the season on Sunday, and in a field of 200 riders from across the state, several Academy students earned top 10 finishes. In the most advanced Category A, Tillie Lange finished 3rd, Merrik Williams 5th (above), Kat Zajko 6th, and Julian Maguire 9th. In Category B, Brody Dussault finished 2nd in the boys' race, and Stella van der Linde finished 2nd in the girls' race. Photos from the event can be viewed here.

Sophomore MJ Kissinger took first place in the Women’s Pro Series at the Fox US Open at Killington over the weekend. Not only did MJ win, but she beat the next fastest pro racer by six seconds and was the fastest female amateur in the Open. 

The Boys' Cross Country team finished first at the U-32 Invitational on Saturday.

Boys' Golf photos from Senior Night can be viewed here.

Photos from Monday's JV Soccer win over Colchester can be viewed here.

Photos from the JV Boys' Soccer game versus Colchester can be viewed here.

Varsity Field Hockey photos from their win over Middlebury can be viewed here.

Photos from Tuesday's Varsity Boys' Soccer game can be viewed here.