Kailuna Holmes - Young Writers Project
We want you all to know that Kailuna Holmes (10th grade) has been accepted into a semester long creative writing course with the Iowa Young Writer's Studio. This is (as I'm sure y'all are well aware!) one of the most prestigious/reputable writing programs in the U.S. The program has an acceptance rate of about 2.7% (Harvard is at 5%), and since they moved more of their courses online amidst the pandemic, applications were at an all time high! Go Kailuna, go!
This is undoubtedly a reflection of her writing abilities, perseverance, and courage to apply, but I also know it demonstrates the high quality education provided here at L&G. We have amazing writers and thinkers to work with, and when we introduce them to cool opportunities, they go for it. We are so lucky! Keep up the good work, everyone.
Mr. Testo's Exploratory
Mr. Testo had his students go out and create snow people as part of their class... Here are some of the results!
Riley Barton - 2020 State Soccer Team
From: Marty Testo, Decemebr 16, 2020
Please congratulate Riley Barton on being named to the 2020 Twin State Team. (Top HS players from VT vs Top HS players from NH) This is a tremendous honor to be selected to this team. This is only the second player in my 9 years at L&G to be selected.
Rebel Nation!
Vermont Presidential Scholar
Congratulations to senior Matt Emerson for his selection as a Vermont Presidential Scholar!
Chris, Riley Barton share love for soccer
BY SHANE COVEY Brattleboro Reformer
BRATTLEBORO — Like father, like son.
Thirty-seven years after his dad scored the game-winning goal for Proctor in the Division 3 state championship game, Riley Barton became Leland & Gray’s all-time leader in soccer tallies.
“What a fun road it’s been,” stated Rebels coach Chris Barton, whose teams have put together a 30-23-3 record during his son’s high school career on the pitch. “It has been my pleasure to have coached and been involved with Riley’s soccer career for so long.”
Chris guided the Townshend team to a 5-3-1 mark this season, including a victory in the playoffs. He was then named the Division 3 Coach of the Year.
“He is very good at understanding what we have for individuals, and how to put it all together and make a team out of us,” Riley said of his dad.
The two enjoy watching soccer matches on TV together as well as playing golf.
“Being on the same team as my dad is completely normal for me, and honestly I love it. He has been my coach in the dome soccer league in Massachusetts and my high school Math teacher,” Riley explained. “We are so alike in many ways that we click no matter what we are doing. I believe that my dad is an excellent high school soccer coach.”
The senior midfielder scored 69 goals during his varsity soccer career, breaking Ben Shulga’s previous school record of 56 tallies.
“The game allows me to escape from life and just enjoy myself,” Riley mentioned.
He started going to his dad’s summer soccer camps when he was 4, began playing in an indoor league four years later, and has been an All-State selection since his sophomore year at Leland & Gray.
“I believe the moment when he really fell in love with the game was on March 8, 2011, when he and I travelled to the Meadowlands in New Jersey to watch the men’s US International team take on Argentina,” Chris recalled. “We had front row seats in the Argentina section to see his favorite player, Leo Messi.”
Riley, whose favorite soccer team is Tottenham, is unsure whether or not he will play the sport at the next level. The Leland & Gray senior plans on majoring in Marketing in college.
Shane Covey can be reached at scovey@reformer. com or 802-254-2311 X163. On Twitter: @ShaneCovey.