Vermont

17 outstanding Vermont high school girls athletes who left their mark in 2023-24

Published

2 years ago

July 9, 2024

17 outstanding Vermont high school girls athletes who left their mark in 2023-24

With our annual features on the Vermont high school athletes of the year posted, now it’s time to give proper credit to other outstanding performances and accomplishments from the 2023-24 year.

After a full year of watching games and combing through our Burlington Free Press All-State teams and coaches’ all-league and all-state teams, here are a batch of girls standouts — 17 in all — who also caught our attention in the fall, winter and spring months.

‘Built different’: North Country star repeats as Free Press girls athlete of the year

Our endeavor with this feature is to recognize athletes who shine in multiple sports throughout the school year.

Enjoy!

STANDOUT GIRLS OF 2023-24 SCHOOL YEAR

Madison Barwood, Hartford High School

The junior made the BFP All-State second team at forward in field hockey, helping the Hurricanes roll to the Division II state title. She was also an BFP All-State honorable-mention selection at forward during the winter when Hartford claimed the program’s first hockey state championship. In the spring, Barwood surpassed 100 career goals in lacrosse and made the D-II coaches’ first team as a midfielder for a Hurricanes squad that went undefeated during the regular season.

Natalie Beauregard, U-32 High School

In the fall, the senior made second team for BFP All-State field hockey at forward. In the winter, Beauregard was a leading scorer for the Raiders’ basketball team. In the spring, she made D-II coaches’ first team on attack, keying U-32’s run to a second straight state title.

Elise Berger, Champlain Valley Union High School

The steady senior was instrumental in leading CVU girls basketball to the second of back-to-back D-I state titles. For her efforts, the 5-foot-11 point guard was named the Free Press’ Miss Basketball for the 2023-24 season. In the spring, Berger wrapped a two-year career playing varsity baseball at the Hinesburg powerhouse, earning All-Metro second-team honors as a pitcher. Berger will continue her baseball career at Bard College.

Sabrina Brunet, South Burlington High School

In field hockey, the senior switched from forward to midfield this past fall and guided the Wolves to their second D-I title in three seasons, to earn Free Press player of the year honors. In the winter, Brunet racked up 28 goals and 15 assists in hockey, to join the 100-point club, and help South Burlington advance to the D-I semifinals. She was named to the BFP All-State second team. In the spring, Brunet was a US Lacrosse Academic All-American and a D-I coaches’ first-team selection at midfield.

Brooke-Lynne Choiniere, St. Johnsbury Academy

The senior was an All-Metro first-team pick in soccer, mainly playing at center back before moving to central midfield later in the year. In the winter, Choiniere was a high-scoring forward for the Kingdom Blades who landed on the honorable-mention list for BFP All-State hockey. In the spring, Choiniere earned an outfield spot for All-Metro honorable mention.

Brooks DeShaw, Burlington High School

A determined forward with great skill, DeShaw scored 20 goals this fall to break Burlington soccer’s program record for career tallies with 58. The Middlebury College-bound DeShaw landed on first team for BFP All-State. In the winter, DeShaw was academic all-star who was a key forward on the Sealakers’ first championship in program history. And for lacrosse in the spring, DeShaw earned a spot on the D-I coaches’ second team as a midfielder.

Stella Dooley, Champlain Valley Union High School

The senior was one of the state’s best center backs in soccer for two years, making the BFP All-State first team for a Redhawks squad that went undefeated during the regular season. In the spring, Dooley was a US Lacrosse Academic All-American and D-I coaches’ first team pick at midfielder.

Tanner Drury, White River Valley School

At 5-foot-2, the senior Drury shined in three sports at White River Valley. In the fall, Drury was a D-III coaches’ first team defender. In the winter, Drury surpassed 1,000 career points and made the Southern Vermont League ‘C’ Division first team. And in the spring, Drury was a first-team pick for the SVL ‘C’ Division first team.

Isabel Greb, Proctor High School

The senior pulled off a rare feat this school year, reaching two impressive milestone figures with 100 career goals in soccer and 1,000 career points in basketball. In soccer, Greb made the BFP All-State second team as a forward. In basketball, Greb was an honorable-mention selection for BFP All-State. Then this spring for softball, Greb earned a spot on the SVL ‘D’ Division honorable-mention list.

Hannah Gubbins, Woodstock High School

The senior was a first-team selection for BFP All-State in field hockey and hockey. In the fall, she supplied 25 goals and 11 assists to make first team at forward. In the winter as a defenseman, Gubbins was Woodstock’s leading scorer (23 goals, six assists). And in the spring, Gubbins was a midfielder who made the D-II coaches’ first team.

Holley MacLellan, Milton High School

The box-to-box midfielder who tallied 21 goals and 16 assists, MacLellan made the BFP All-State first team in soccer, guiding the Yellowjackets to the D-II state title. In the winter, MacLellan made another first team for BFP All-State after collecting a team-high 37 goals in the Sealakers’ run to an historic state crown. Then in the spring, MacLellan was a first-team outfielder for the All-Lake squad.

Sidney Herrington, Arlington Memorial High School

Herrington was a coaches’ all-state midfielder who helped Arlington claim the D-IV soccer championship in the fall. For basketball, Herrington made first team for the SVL ‘D’ Division. And for track and field, Herrington claimed shot put and javelin at the D-IV state meet while running a leg on the victorious 4×400 relay squad for the Eagles.

Breya Montague, Essex High School

The senior was a BFP All-State second-team honoree for defense in the fall, helping Essex reach the program’s first D-I title game in 10 years. In the winter, Montague landed a spot on the honorable-mention list for BFP All-State basketball. And in the spring, Montague spearheaded the Hornets’ run to their first lacrosse title in program history. Montague, who surpassed 100 career goals in April, was also a US Lacrosse All-American and first-team pick for D-I coaches.

Nicole Norton, Colchester High School

The senior landed on the honorable-mention squad for BFP All-State in field hockey, helping the Lakers reach the D-I semifinals. In the winter, the shooting threat made honorable mention for BFP All-State in basketball. And in the spring, Norton was a first-team selection at third base for All-Metro softball.

Aurora Rella-Neill, Mount Anthony Union High School

The junior was an honorable-mention pick for BFP All-State in soccer. In the winter for Nordic skiing, Rella-Neill was a Southern Vermont League all-star selection. And in the spring for lacrosse, Rella-Neill was a first-team midfielder for D-I coaches.

Audrey Rupp, Windsor High School

The junior powered Windsor to an appearance in the D-III soccer title game with a 50-goal season, earning a spot as a second-team forward for BFP All-State. In the winter, Rupp made BFP All-State honorable mention for basketball as the Yellow Jackets played in their third straight final. And in the spring for Hartford, Rupp was a US Lacrosse Academic All-American who also landed on the D-II coaches’ first team as a midfielder.

Kate Tilgner, Stowe High School

An honorable-mention selection on defense for BFP All-State, Tilgner helped Stowe to a D-III soccer four-peat. In the winter for hockey, Tilgner was a Lake Division first-team forward and an academic all-star. And in the spring for tennis, Tilgner paired with teammate Gabby Doehla to win an unprecedented fourth straight doubles state championship. Tilgner also won at No. 4 singles in the team final for the Raiders’ fourth straight title.

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Contact Abrami at aabrami@freepressmedia.com. Follow him on Twitter: @aabrami5.

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Vermont

6 of the Quirkiest Towns in Vermont

Published

4 hours ago

March 4, 2026

Press Room

Vermont is, for many visitors, the postcard-perfect New England state. A part of the United States since 1791, the first to join the Union after the Thirteen Original Colonies, Vermont has many unique, and sometimes quirky, features. The place has attracted artists and other creative geniuses, some of them decidedly eccentric, from its earliest days. The natural parts of Vermont, like the famous Lake Champlain, offer unusual points of interest for visitors and locals alike. With a state as rich in traveling attractions, it should be little wonder that some of them come with a quirk or two.

Montpelier

Summer Farmers Market in Montpelier, Vermont. Editorial credit: Phill Truckle / Shutterstock.com

Montpelier, while being Vermont’s charming capital, is the tiniest among all US state capitals with just around 8,000 residents. For comparison, the second-smallest, Pierre in South Dakota, has a population of about 14,000. Established in 1787, this historic town warmly welcomes visitors with a variety of landmarks, including the Vermont History Museum and the sprawling 200-acre Hubbard Park. The State House is also open to the public for tours. Just a short drive west, less than an hour away, lies Lake Champlain, one of the Northeast’s most beloved watersides.

The town’s name pays homage to Montpellier, a beautiful city in southern France. This naming reflected the high regard for France at the time, especially for their support during the US War of Independence. Interestingly, Montpelier has experienced its share of flooding, with significant damage occurring in the years 1927, 1992, and most recently in 2023.

Elmore

Elmore, a charming small town in Lamoille County with fewer than 900 residents, is a favorite spot for autumn leaf-peepers. Located north of Montpelier, this peaceful town has its own unique charm, including several local landmarks sharing the name ‘Elmore,’ which adds to its character. It’s important to note that Elmore town is separate from East Elmore. To the west, Elmore Mountain overlooks the area, while Elmore State Park lies just north of the town itself. Enjoying waterside beauty, Elmore Lake is often listed among Vermont’s most picturesque lakes, with its waters flowing into the Lamoille River through Elmore Pond Brook. Like Montpelier, Elmore is situated east of Lake Champlain. For those seeking a more bustling scene or a change of pace, the vibrant city of Burlington, just an hour’s drive west, makes for a perfect day trip or weekend getaway.

Stowe

Stowe, with a lively population of 5,300, is Vermont’s top spot for adrenaline seekers and the eccentrics among us, earning its reputation as the state’s premier ski and snowboard destination. The Stowe Mountain Resort proudly calls itself the “ski capital of the east”—that’s the eastern United States. Nestled near the breathtaking Mount Mansfield, Stowe offers more than just winter fun; warmer months bring plenty of activities like hiking and mountain biking in the beautiful Cady Hill Forest.

The town also has a rich history, being the home of Jake Burton Carpenter (1954-2019), the visionary behind Burton Snowboards and a trailblazer in making snowboarding an international sport. While some might have called him eccentric when he launched his company in 1977, today he’s celebrated as a true pioneer whose legacy keeps inspiring young snow sports enthusiasts, like those at Mount Mansfield Winter Academy, a special school dedicated to nurturing the next generation of champions.

Manchester

Manchester, a town with 4,500 residents located in southwest Vermont, is popular among art and architecture enthusiasts. It features Hildene, the estate of Abraham Lincoln’s son Robert, which boasts an impressive Georgian Revival house and grounds. The town’s American Museum of Fly Fishing showcases numerous rods, flies, and related gear, attracting many superstitious anglers. Manchester is also home to Orvis, a renowned fishing and clothing company. The Southern Vermont Arts Center hosts exhibitions, and includes a sculpture garden and performance space. Nature lovers should visit Mount Equinox, west of town, or explore the Green Mountain National Forest to the south.

Eccentric fact: Jonathan Goldsmith, known for portraying “The World’s Most Interesting Man” in Dos Equis commercials, resides in Manchester. Stay quirky, my friends.

Brattleboro

Brattleboro, with a population of 12,100, sits along the Connecticut River and features a variety of attractions and oddities. Located just west of New Hampshire—in which the Connecticut River forms the border—and just north of Massachusetts, the town is an ideal midpoint for exploring the wider New England region. Outdoor enthusiasts will appreciate Fort Dummer State Park, welcoming hikers, bikers, and campers alike. Among the more renowned eccentric figures in history, British writer Rudyard Kipling moved to Brattleboro after marrying a Vermont woman in 1892. Their home, Naulakha, references his birth and childhood in India. Kipling believed that Brattleboro’s conservative small-town culture created an

Woodstock

Woodstock, a town with 3,000 residents located in upstate New York, is separate from the famous 1969 cultural event. This southeastern town attracts architecture enthusiasts, particularly for the First Congregational Church, built in 1807 and featuring a bell cast by American revolutionary Paul Revere, and the Norman Williams Public Library, completed in 1884. For outdoor activities, visitors can walk in Woodstock Town Forest, located south of the town, or enjoy panoramic views from the Marsh Billings Rockefeller National Historical Park, the only part of the US National Park system in Vermont besides the Appalachian Trail. Recently, Woodstock has modernized its infrastructure with digital technology, launching the “Wireless Woodstock” initiative in 2011, which provides free Wi-Fi across the entire town. It’s not quirky; it’s just cool.

Vermont’s Quirky Small Towns May Also Be Its Best

These small Vermont towns show the state’s sometimes quirky, but never boring character. Architecture fans will find unusual, beautiful examples state-wide. Montpelier is an oddly pint-sized capital with heavyweight history. Brattleboro has long attracted strange, sometimes brilliant types, whether foreign or domestic. Manchester is interesting enough for the World’s Most Interesting Man. And with abundant natural parks, the Green Mountains, and the majesty of Lake Elmore and Lake Champlain, the quirks of Vermont’s best features should attract even the most straight-laced visitors.

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Vermont

Vermont postal worker allegedly threw away mail she was supposed to deliver for months

Published

16 hours ago

March 4, 2026

Press Room

Vermont postal worker allegedly threw away mail she was supposed to deliver for months

Crime

During a search of a dumpster where the worker allegedly discarded the mail, police found several packages and holiday cards.

A Vermont postal worker was cited and suspended for allegedly throwing away mail that was supposed to be delivered to other people, according to police.

Natasha Morisseau, 34, of North Troy, was cited on nine counts of petty larceny and five counts of unlawful mischief, Vermont State Police said in a statement. She works as a mail carrier for the town’s United States Postal Service (USPS) office.

Officers were first alerted to the discarded mail on the afternoon of Jan. 23, according to police. Upon finding the mail in a dumpster on Elm Street in North Troy, they determined that none of it was for that address.

Police identified Morisseau as a person of interest and learned that she was a postal employee. They confirmed that she had regularly been throwing away a small amount of mail under her care since at least October 2025, according to the statement.

After searching the dumpster and Morisseau’s mail vehicle, officers found opened and unopened packages, along with several holiday cards, one of which contained money. Morisseau was later cited Feb. 14 and is due to appear March 17 in Vermont Superior Court, police said.

Since Jan. 23, Morisseau has been suspended by USPS, and all recovered mail has been given back to them for delivery, according to the statement. The case has been forwarded to the USPS’ Inspector General for further review.

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Vermont

Vermont Air National Guard joins Iran campaign – The Boston Globe

Published

1 day ago

March 3, 2026

Press Room

Vermont Air National Guard joins Iran campaign – The Boston Globe

On a typical day, some of the 20 stealth fighter jets based in South Burlington, Vt., take off from tiny Burlington International Airport for training runs near the northern border. In recent months, they’ve flown much farther afield.

The Vermont Air National Guard’s 158th Fighter Wing was deployed in December to the Caribbean, where it took part in the US campaign to capture Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro. Shortly thereafter, the squadron joined a military buildup in and around the Middle East to prepare for US and Israeli airstrikes against Iran.

Though both deployments had been widely reported, the military remained mum about the whereabouts of Vermont’s F-35A Lightning II jets. Even Governor Phil Scott, technically the commander of the Vermont Guard, said he only knew what he’d read in the news, given that US military leaders were directing the missions.

On Monday, General Dan Caine, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, confirmed the deployments at a Pentagon press conference about the war on Iran. Caine praised National Guard members from Vermont, Wisconsin, and elsewhere.

“In the case of the Vermont Air National Guard and the 158th Fighter Wing, they were mobilized for Operation Absolute Resolve,” Caine said, referring to the Venezuela campaign. “And then were tasked to take their F-35As across the Atlantic instead of going home, to be prepared to support this operation” in the Middle East.

Much remains unknown about the Vermont Guard’s recent missions, including the precise role they played in Venezuela and Iran, where the jets are currently based, and how long they’ll remain.

The Guard did not immediately respond to requests for comment., Its recently elected leader, General Henry “Hank” Harder, said in a statement that the force was “proud of the dedicated and professional service of our Airmen” and pledged to support their families in the meantime.

“We will continue to carry out our commitment to these Vermont Service Members until, and long after, they return from this mission,” Harder said.

Vermont’s three-member congressional delegation, meanwhile, has praised Vermont Guard members for their service in Venezuela but has criticized President Trump’s campaigns there and in Iran, particularly absent congressional authorization.

“The people of our country, no matter what their political persuasion, do not want endless war,” said Senator Bernie Sanders, an independent, echoing similar remarks from Senator Peter Welch and Representative Becca Balint, both Democrats. “We must not allow Trump to force us into another senseless war. No war with Iran.”

Paul Heintz can be reached at paul.heintz@globe.com. Follow him on X @paulheintz.

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