CVU Celebrations

Dear Community,

Yesterday was a powerful demonstration of our school motto, "taking care of each other," with two truly special events.

Last night, we hosted the annual Empty Bowls Dinner, which brought our community together to celebrate good food, creative art, and local connection. The success of this event truly highlights the generosity and shared spirit within our community (more on that below).

Earlier in the day, the CVU community gathered to cheer on both the CVU and MMU Unified Basketball teams. While MMU won on the scoreboard, CVU was also victorious. Any time our whole community comes together, it's powerful; when we unite in the name of inclusion, good sportsmanship, and fun, it elevates the experience to a whole different level.

Three hundred people shared a meal last night in the CVU Café to help fight food insecurity.

The third-annual Empty Bowls Dinner, a student-run event that combines food, pottery, conversation and community, raised funds this year for the Williston Food Shelf. Attendees ate from and took home bowls crafted by potters in the CVU Ceramics Studio—students and volunteers made more than 300 unique, keepsake bowls. More than a dozen community restaurants and other partners donated the meal of hearty soups, bread and ice cream.

“It’s nights like tonight that help us with our mission of neighbors helping neighbors,” Williston Food Shelf board member Betsy Johnson told attendees. The event raised more than $6,000.

Families of seniors, please save the date, Friday, May 1 for the Senior Exit Experience. Your child's advisor will be sending you a personal invitation next Thursday with the time of your child's presentation!

Congratulations to Senior Graciela Sanchez who recently completed her certification to become an ISSA Certified Personal Trainer! Graciela started the project in NEXUS semester one and has continued Independently this semester to accomplish this significant achievement!

Just in time for the weekend, here is a NEW episode of The CVU Show for your viewing pleasure!

This week's episode includes lots of Interviews, next week's weather forecast, CVU sports, and much more. Please watch and share!

CVU Scholars Bowl sent two teams to the Vermont State Playoffs on Saturday, April 4th, at Essex High School.

Our varsity "A" team won three out of four games, losing only the final to champion Hanover, to earn a 2nd place finish.

Our JV "B" team also won three out of four games, losing only the final to JV champion Burlington C, to also earn a 2nd place finish.

Representing CVU today were seniors Charles Redmond and Leah Rauch, juniors Brady Driver, Willcox Elliott, JD Kogut, Anthony Lamb, Saffron Chang and Jesse Kim and sophomore Finn Etter.

Vermont Presidential Scholars Recogniation Night in Montpelier. Pictured here is Levi Olsen with Secretary of Education Zoie Sanders.

Congratulations to our Coach of the Year, Varsity Boys Hockey coach JP Benoit.

Welcome To Hinesburg’s New Police Chief, Christopher Romance

Hinesburg welcomed a new police chief in February—Christopher Romance, a 29-year veteran of New York’s Rockville Centre Police Department, who seeks to strengthen ties with HCS and CVU.

In the Hinesburg Record, Romance recently shared that his most satisfying accomplishment working on Long Island came from the close relationship his department built with seven schools and one university. He plans to bring that community-focused approach to Hinesburg, where he has joined the safety teams at both CVU and HCS and seeks to grow connections between his department and the schools through regular visits and frequent collaboration.

Early College Opportunities at CCV !

Join CCV staff and current students for an info session to hear more about the Early College and Free Degree Promise programs at the Community College of Vermont. CCV’s Early College (EC) program allows rising Vermont high school seniors to spend their entire senior year at CCV earning college credits, finishing their high school diploma, and getting a jump on a college degree, tuition free! After EC, the Free Degree Promise covers a second year at CCV, allowing students to earn an associate degree at no cost.

Learn about these programs and financial aid options, explore the application process, and get inspired by these amazing opportunities. In-person attendees will be entered into a drawing to win tickets to the Jay Peak indoor waterpark!

Thursday, April 16 at 4:00 PM at CCV-Winooski

Tuesday, May 12 at 6:00 PM Virtual Info Session

Sign up to attend an info session: admissions.ccv.edu/portal/ECopportunities

Help the New American Outreach Club Build Our Mini Food Shelf!

Please consider making a donation to the NAOC Food & Gift Card Drive.

We have set up a mini food shelf in the Direction Center and are allowing students to shop as well as coordinating food deliveries as needed. Please consider donating to support our students and families!

We are collecting:

• Non-perishable food items (see suggestions below)

• Gift cards to local grocery stores. Gift cards allow us to shop for fresh items requested by families.

Donations can be dropped off in the Direction Center or Main Office. Even a small contribution can make a meaningful difference for a family in need.

Thank you in advance for your support!

Most Needed Items:

• Grocery store gift cards (Hannaford, Market 32, Shaws)

• Rice

• Bags of beans (black, pinto, lentils)

• Peanut butter

• Vegetable oil

• Pasta

• Ramen Noodles

• Spaghetti sauce

• Snacks (granola bars, popcorn, nuts, etc.)

• Toiletries (deodorant, shampoo, toothpaste, etc.)

• Paper Products (paper towels, toilet paper, etc.)

• Dish detergent

• Laundry detergent

• Eggs

Please reach out to Naomi Williams at nwilliams@cvsdvt.org if you have questions or would prefer to make a Venmo donation.

Thank you for your support!

Principles of Business is a year-long introduction to business class open to students in any grade. During the spring semester students work in teams to form their own micro-businesses to practice what they’ve been working on and learn about entrepreneurship. All proceeds from their sales go toward a non-profit their team has chosen to support. This week we’re featuring three of our teams who are producing products and ready to accept orders! Please consider supporting these students, their businesses and their entrepreneurship education!

The Small Works is a CVU microbusiness run by Natalie Berman, Ethan Richardson, Sadie Perocchi and Amrie Millette dedicated to making fun and fashionable wristlets and lip balm holder keychains for your keys, wallet, or bag. We sell each of our items in three different patterns: camo, cheetah print, and polka dot. We sell our lip balm holders and wristlet separately and as a bundle, and each lip balm holder purchased comes with a lip balm! All proceeds go to HOPE Works Vermont, which helps assault survivors. Go to this link to order! Thank you for supporting us!

Wick & Wonder, a student‑run candle created by Emma Cote, Anika Zimakas, Sophia Zada-Silva & Brianna Cepana. Our company is excited to offer two lavender‑scented candles. Choose our classic candle for $20, or make it personal with our $25 customizable candle, which features a printed photo of your pet. The customizable candle is more than just a fun keepsake—it celebrates the animals we love while directly supporting those still waiting for homes. Since all proceeds are donated to the Humane Society of Chittenden County, every candle helps provide care, shelter, and second chances for local pets in need. For more information, or to place an order contact Anika Zimakas anikazimakas@cvsdvt.org

Fidget Flow is a CVU microbusiness created by Addy Smith, Giovanni Gomes, Caio Newitt, and Kendall Fagnant. Our goal is to provide fidgets that serve as the perfect tool to relieve stress and keep your hands busy. We currently offer three models: the Flip Chip, the Spinner Fidget, and the Multi-Fidget. We are just getting started, so stay tuned for even more colors and models coming soon! All proceeds go directly to the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) Vermont, helping support mental health awareness. If you are interested in purchasing a fidget, please visit our link to order. For any further questions, feel free to reach out to us at addisonsmith@cvsdvt.org. Thank you for supporting our business and mental health advocacy!

The Community Field Project hosted a listening session at CVU on Wednesday night to present information about the turf field they're proposing to build to replace CVU's B Field. The group, comprised of community members, parents and volunteers, held the open event to share field renderings, data about the turf components, environmental criteria and costs to the packed audience. The group's goals are to build a three-season turf field that is built to meet 2026 environmental requirements, is available to CVU teams, student groups and the community, and is ADA accessible so that everyone can attend games and school events on the field. With lower overall maintenance costs, an enhanced and modern drainage system, and more opportunities for practices and home games, the group was excited to present this opportunity to the community. The Community Field Project is proposing raising all construction costs privately through philanthropic donations.
Responsible Growth Hinesburg is hosting a follow-up community listening session on Friday, April 10th at the Carpenter Case Library to discuss their thoughts on the proposed turf field.

NEWS:

• Lost & Found: Items will be on display in the Main Office on Monday & Tuesday. Unclaimed items will be available to the community on Wednesday.
• Water Bottles: If you’re missing a water bottle, please check the windowsill outside the Main Office. Unclaimed bottles will be cleared away on Friday after school.
• CVU Theater: Get your tickets now to the Senior Directed One Act Plays! Come experience the tragic love story of Romeo & Juliet and the hilarious “retelling” of Shakespeare’s 37 plays, The Complete Works of Shakespeare (Abridged). Shows are Fri & Sat, April 10th & 11th at 7pm and Sunday, April 12th at 1pm. Adults $10 / Students $7.
• The New American Outreach Club is holding a drive to support our local immigrant families. We’re collecting non-perishable food items and gift cards to local grocery stores. Donations can be dropped off in the Direction Center or Main Office. Thank you for your support!
• The University of Vermont is inviting students to attend a Healthcare Career Fair. If you're interested or wondering about a career in healthcare, you should attend! The fair is Wednesday, April 15; the group will depart CVU at 1pm, returning by 3pm. For more information or to sign-up, please contact Hannah Carey or swing by Nexus in Room 120.