SJA News - October 21, 2026

Senior Named Commended Student


Senior Jude Rutter, of Barnet, Vermont, has been named a Commended Student in the 2027 National Merit Scholarship Program. A letter of Commendation from the school and the National Merit Scholarship Corporation (NMSC), which conducts the program, was presented by Headmaster Dr. Sharon Howell to this scholastically talented St. Johnsbury Academy senior in morning chapel on October 15, 2026. “Jude is one of our most outstanding students—and a positive contributor to the community, which he cares about very much.”


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Seniors Nominated for DAR Good Citizens Award


Seniors Raine Rashid, Ayla Brown, and Mya Barney have been nominated for the DAR Good Citizens Award and Scholarship Contest, which encourages and rewards the qualities of good citizenship. This award recognizes individuals who demonstrate dependability, service, leadership, and patriotism in their homes, schools, and communities. Teachers and peers select these students because they demonstrate these qualities to an outstanding degree.

Support on the Court


SJA and South Burlington gathered for a photo to support breast cancer research before last week's games

2026 Spirit Squad Nominees


The Senior class nominated 12 classmates who embody the best of School Spirit and Hilltopper tradition for the 2026 Spirit Squad. The winners will be named in Pep Chapel on Friday. Front row (l-r): Una McKinnon, John Thornton-Sherman, Lola Ide, Zane Faherty, Zelda Brent, Ayla Brown. Back row: Jude Rutter, Leo DeLucia, Raine Rashid, Tatum Steen, Dominic Robinson-Jimenez, Peyton LaPete. We have created a SmugMug gallery and will add photos to it throughout the week.

UPCOMING EVENTS

Wednesday, October 21

Spirit Week

Class schedules for Thursday and Friday can be found here.


Thursday, October 29

School Photos, Fuller Hall, 8:30 AM - 3:00 PM

This session is for students who missed the dates in September. Order envelopes may be picked up at the main office. Online orders can be placed here.


Thursday, October 29

Fall Semester Student Progress Conferences


Monday, November 2

Senior Photos Due

Email steve.legge@stjacademy.org with any questions.


Thursday, November 5

Open House, 6:30 PM

For students in grades 8-11 who are interested in attending SJA next year.


  • Meet our faculty, staff, and leadership team
  • Learn about academic programs and supports
  • Talk to students, coaches, and club advisors
  • Enjoy snacks made by culinary students


Register here.

ANNOUNCEMENTS

AROUND CAMPUS

Students in Mr. Baker's Intro to Building Trades class built this house over a 4-week period. Using finish nail guns, miter saws, a table saw, and a jigsaw, they learned about teamwork, residential framing, and home construction. 

The Vermont Supreme Court brought its On the Road Program to SJA last week, hearing three cases in South Church Hall and giving students a firsthand look at the state’s judicial process.


The hearings were open to the public, allowing SJA students to observe the proceedings before participating in a question-and-answer session with the justices. The experience offered students a unique opportunity to learn about the court’s work and gain insight into the judicial system.

The Class of 2030 returned to Fuller Hall last week to perform the Alma Mater and did a great job. Watch the video here.

Musical Monday this week was brought to us by (l-r) Bohdan Danforth '27, Liam Matthew '28, Lucas Ruggles '28, and alum Devlyn Foldeak '26. Their performance can be viewed here.

Modern Dancers in the "Turns Around the Back," a floor exercise in the Martha Graham Technique. It is an essential part of training in the Graham Technique, performed daily in professional studios around the world, at the Graham School in NYC, and here at St. Johnsbury Academy.

Mr. O'Brien and a group of students traveled to Boston last week to visit Wentworth Institute of Technology and Northeastern University.

ATHLETICS

Photos from last week's JV Soccer game can be found here.

Varsity Soccer recognized its seniors on Friday. Photos from the day are here.

The Cheerleading team celebrated their seniors before Friday night's football game. Photos from the event are here.

Senior Recognition for the football team was held prior to their game against BFA-St. Albans. Photos can be found in this gallery.

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