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The Mercury

Next Stop News

The Mercury

Members of the Council in the House Chambers.

The Vermont State Youth Council’s Trip to the State House

Cooper O'Connell, Editor-in-Chief February 12, 2024

On Jan 30th, members of the Vermont State Youth Council went to Montpelier to deliver the recommendations that they crafted over the past year to the Governor, Lieutenant Governor and the Senate and House...

From left: Hannah Branon (23), Laura Branon (14) and Leah Branon (20) Photo credit: Zen and Chaos

“The Bond They Share”- Branon Cousins Pursue Social Work to Make a Difference

Hannah Branon, Contributor April 19, 2023

Laura Branon (‘14), a Bellows Free Academy St. Albans and University of Vermont graduate, paved the way for younger cousin Leah Branon (‘20), who is a Bellows Free Academy St. Albans alumni and junior...

Casey Painter, Ava Rousselle and Tim Rousselle. Photo credit: Katie Leclerc Photography

¨There is also so much to be gained¨- Foster Parents in Vermont Share Their Experience

Anna Bouchard, Writer March 23, 2023

In 2021, 1,061 children were put in the custody of Vermont’s Department for Children and Families (DCF).  DCF’s mission is to “foster the healthy development, safety, well-being, and self-sufficiency...

Photo credit: Dino Patsouris

A BFA Tradition Graduates: Latin Walks the Stage After 93 Years

Penelope Noza, Writer March 6, 2023

Mercury staff member, Owen Scott, contributed to this piece by conducting interviews. Latin has a long-standing history at Bellows Free Academy.  As stated in the BFA 1929-1930 Courses of Study,...

Some ESPs from BFA
Back row against the wall L-R: Tammy Bruly, Kasia Bilodeau (92), Cara Miller, Roy Sargent, Lori Ploof, Lindsey Bostwick (94) Amy Grioux
Front Row Standing L-R: Louise Fitzgerald (85), Sonya Cuteo, Deb King (90), Jessica Wilson, Brenda Calano (75), Laura Shail
Photo credit: Reilly Babinski

ESPs: “Advocates for Students” but Staff Shortage an Issue

Reilly Babinski, Writer November 12, 2022

Para-educators, now called Educational Support Professionals (ESP), provide assistance and support for students in mainstream or alternative classes under the supervision of a classroom teacher or case...

Shookenhuff with friends abroad.
Photo credit: Ada Shookenhuff

Ada Shookenhuff’s (’23) Experience with International Learning

Rachel Ledoux, Writer March 30, 2022

COVID-19 has put many students in an interesting position over the past few years. Many students spent a year learning online or in a hybrid system, and there are some aspects of school life that still...

Chef Adam Monette in the kitchen at the Northwest Career and Technical Center. Photo credit: Asher Ballantine

Holiday Baking Champion: Adam Monette

Adelyne Collin, Editor January 16, 2022

After receiving a DM (Direct Message) on Instagram from head hunters who scour the internet looking for participants for the Food Network, Adam Monette, culinary instructor at the Northwest Career and...

Darin Dezotelle, wife Katie and their son, Gus

“One of the Greatest Experiences”- A Story of Adoption

Rachel Ledoux, Writer October 13, 2021

For the past few months, Bellows Free Academy social studies teacher Darrin Dezotelle has been having, “one of the greatest experiences of [his] life.” After adopting his soon-to-be-three-year-old...

Martin Kattam’s journey begins, with a truck full of gasoline cans in the back. At one point, some of the gasoline started to leak.
Photo credit:  Martin Kattam

A Journey of Resilience

Olivia Belrose, Writer June 3, 2021

Maple Run Unified School District’s Director of Technology, Martin Kattam, and his wife, Sara, started working internationally about 10 years ago. First, at an American international school in Almaty,...

An NCTC Medical Professions Classroom
Photo credit:  Dino Patsouris

How Covid has Changed Hands-on Learning within NCTC’s Programs: Part IV

Lianna St. Francis, Writer April 20, 2021

Part IV Human Services/ Curiosity Corners  According to the NCTC program website, Human Services “[helps] others...through...community involvement, and classroom instruction.” The students work...

Students in Mike Antoniaks Public Safety and Fire Services Class.  Photo credit:  Dino Patsouris

How Covid has Changed Hands-on Learning within NCTC’s Programs: Part III

Lianna St. Francis, Writer March 30, 2021

Part III Cosmetology According to the NCTC program website, in Cosmetology “students learn practical skills, such as hair cutting, braiding, coloring, highlighting, and various hairstyling techniques,”...

NCTC culinary instructor Adam Monette works with Hailey Hatin (22).
Photo credit: Dino Patsouris

How Covid has Changed Hands-on Learning within NCTC’s Programs: Part II

Lianna St. Francis, Writer March 9, 2021

Part II Culinary Arts According to the NCTC program website, the Culinary Arts program is focused on “food service,” “workplace readiness” and “restaurant management.” Students gain knowledge...

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