Tonona Valz, junior

 Tonona is interested in public safety and particularly in working with police dogs.  She has worked at the Vermont Police Academy, Barre Town and Montpelier police forces, and the U.S. Air Force.

“I loved learning how dogs are used to investigate everything from bombs, to drugs and rescue.  My CBL reinforced my drive to be a dog handler in the field of public safety.

 “At first I wanted to join the Air Force and be a military dog handler.  Now my horizons are opened way up to other types of enforcement opportunities.”

Sam Meeks, junior

 Sam works at the Carriveau Service Center in Montpelier.

“I enjoy learning about how a car works.  I like hands-on learning and working on actual cars that people drive each day.  I have learned a ton about cars.  I now know how to repair and replace brakes and brake lines, change oil, assist with state vehicle inspections, replace gas tanks, repair and replace exhaust systems, and fix radiators.

“I plan to attend the Barre Technical Center next year for automotive.  I may want to go on to a technical college and pursue automotive, but I’m also considering the military and trying to concentrate my service in mechanical repair.

“My CBL has offered me job experiences and gives me a chance to get a head start in a field that I want to pursue later on.  CBLs are also fun and students get a chance to learn hands on.”

Austin Martineau, junior

 Austin works with Tossy Garrett, a local jeweler, in her Montpelier studio, Storm and Sunrise. 

            “The most interesting thing about working with fine metals is that you have the ability to start with a piece of silver or gold and turn it into something completely unique.

            “My CBL hasn’t really changed my ideas about a future job, because I never wanted to be a jeweler.  It’s more of a hobby for me, but it was nice to learn about something I am interested in for a change.  I would definitely recommend a CBL to anyone who wants to learn about something that isn’t offered at high school and even to learn more about something that you have already taken a class on.”

  Emily Parker, junior

 Through the Neighbor to Neighbor AmericCorps Program, Emily visits an elderly lady named Blanche in her home.

            “I’m her friend and assistant.  It’s a different kind of CBL since the work is completely one-on-one.  It may seem like more of a social experience, but it is definitely a learning site for me and for Blanche.

            “Blanche is very interesting.  She’s a bitter and angry old woman, but she is also extraordinary and has extensive knowledge from traveling the world and living to the fullest. Blanche is tremendously passionate about countless things from acting/movies/Broadway to eating healthily to the world’s inevitable issue with outer space ownership/weaponry to government conspiracies.

            “Although Blanche is difficult to handle, we have bonded in a spectacularly unbreakable way and I am incredibly proud of how far both of us have come.

            “Through experiencing Blanche, it has become apparent that I have the capacity to help others.

            “The CBL experience has the potential to teach every student something valuable about our community and/or about themselves.  It gives you freedom like no other program in our school because you can really learn about anything.”