“Snow-covered Dirt Roads,” by Sophia Brooks, 14, of Essex Junction
Young Writers Project is a creative, online community of teen writers and visual artists that started in Burlington in 2006. Each week, VTDigger publishes the writing and art of young Vermonters who post their work on youngwritersproject.org, a free, interactive website for youth, ages 13-19. To find out more, please go to youngwritersproject.org or contact Executive Director Susan Reid at sreid@youngwritersproject.org; (802) 324-9538.
California may have its scenic coastlines, New York its metropolitan hubs and Utah its stunning rock formations… but if you put it to any Vermonter, they’ll likely tell you all other states pale in comparison. You need only look around you at the autumn leaves aflame, the white-tipped mountains whizzing with skiers, and the small, close-knit neighborhoods that scaffold our lives to understand just how precious our humble realm is. This week’s featured poet, Sela Morgenstein Fuerst of South Burlington, celebrates the composition of our beloved lands and communities in response to the Tomorrow Project, a new civic engagement initiative at YWP aiming to empower the social and political voices of our future.
My true home, Vermont
Sela Morgenstein Fuerst, 11, South Burlington
Being a Vermonter is spending six months of the year wearing a jacket.
Being a Vermonter is running outside in nothing but leggings and a sweater, thinking it’s springtime when it hits 47 degrees.
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Being a Vermonter is lying flat on your back in 15 inches of snow, watching the thick flakes tumble down from the sky.
Being a Vermonter is being shocked at the size of all other cities.
Being a Vermonter is knowing three out of seven people you pass on the street.
Being a Vermonter is playing on the University of Vermont Green as a preschooler, already toddling around in a snowsuit.
Being a Vermonter is biking miles and miles with your best friends every weekend, splashing through puddles as the lilacs in your neighborhood bloom.
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Being a Vermonter is hiking Camel’s Hump and Mount Philo, and being so used to the Adirondacks in the distance that you forget to take pictures.
Being a Vermonter is going to a stadium and realizing it seats more people than live in Burlington.
Being a Vermonter is baking brownies and crunching through the snow to give them to your neighbors.
Being a Vermonter is reading the newspaper and joining webinars with Becca Balint at school; it’s marching in the Pride Parade while the wind rips through Church Street.
Being a Vermonter is figuring out how to protect Vermont while Vermont figures out how to protect you.
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Being a Vermonter is staying at sleepaway Camp Hochelaga, the stars there tinged with sunscreen and waves.
Being a Vermonter is swimming in Lake Champlain every summer, darting through the emerald swathes of pine trees on your best friend’s motorboat.
Being a Vermonter is having to drive to Plattsburgh to go to a decent department store.
Being a Vermonter is not knowing a life without an autumn filled with fire.
Being a Vermonter is shouting the words to “Stick Season” by Noah Kahan out the bus windows as the brown and gray world disappears along the highway.
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Being a Vermonter is flying anywhere warmer than here over February break.
Being a Vermonter is still believing in Champ.
Being a Vermonter is so much more than muddy springs and bonfire falls and freezing lakes that feel better than the ocean.
Being a Vermonter is community and love and beauty all 365 days of the year.
Being a Vermonter is poetry and nonfiction all in one.
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Being a Vermonter… well, you’re a Vermonter, aren’t you?
ARLINGTON — The Preservation Trust of Vermont has officially presented The Arlington Common and Nick Albert of Albert Construction with a 2026 Preservation Award at the annual Downtown and Historic Preservation Conference.
The Preservation Awards recognize outstanding contributions to the preservation and revitalization of Vermont’s historic buildings and community spaces. The Arlington Common was selected for its “exceptional impact on community gathering and historic stewardship.”
The success of The Arlington Common relies heavily on the dedication of local partners who brought the vision to life. Among the key honorees was Albert Construction, led by Nick Albert, whose exceptional craftsmanship and dedication to historic integrity were vital to the project’s completion.
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“Preserving historic structures requires more than just standard construction; it demands a deep respect for original materials, architecture, and community legacy,” said Don Trachte, Head of the Buildings and Grounds Committee and Arlington Common Board Member. “Nick Albert and the team at Albert Construction went above and beyond to ensure that every detail honored the past while engineering a space that will serve Arlington for generations to come.”
Powerball, Mega Millions jackpots: What to know in case you win
Here’s what to know in case you win the Powerball or Mega Millions jackpot.
Just the FAQs, USA TODAY
The Vermont Lottery offers several draw games for those willing to make a bet to win big.
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Those who want to play can enter the MegaBucks and Lucky for Life games as well as the national Powerball and Mega Millions games. Vermont also partners with New Hampshire and Maine for the Tri-State Lottery, which includes the Mega Bucks, Gimme 5 as well as the Pick 3 and Pick 4.
Drawings are held at regular days and times, check the end of this story to see the schedule.
Here’s a look at June 25, 2026, results for each game:
Winning Gimme 5 numbers from June 25 drawing
13-14-18-21-22
Check Gimme 5 payouts and previous drawings here.
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Winning Pick 3 numbers from June 25 drawing
Day: 2-1-4
Evening: 0-7-1
Check Pick 3 payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Pick 4 numbers from June 25 drawing
Day: 5-4-4-9
Evening: 5-5-1-1
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Check Pick 4 payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Millionaire for Life numbers from June 25 drawing
03-13-14-34-45, Bonus: 01
Check Millionaire for Life payouts and previous drawings here.
Feeling lucky? Explore the latest lottery news & results
Are you a winner? Here’s how to claim your lottery prize
For Vermont Lottery prizes up to $499, winners can claim their prize at any authorized Vermont Lottery retailer or at the Vermont Lottery Headquarters by presenting the signed winning ticket for validation. Prizes between $500 and $5,000 can be claimed at any M&T Bank location in Vermont during the Vermont Lottery Office’s business hours, which are 8a.m.-4p.m. Monday through Friday, except state holidays.
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For prizes over $5,000, claims must be made in person at the Vermont Lottery headquarters. In addition to signing your ticket, you will need to bring a government-issued photo ID, and a completed claim form.
All prize claims must be submitted within one year of the drawing date. For more information on prize claims or to download a Vermont Lottery Claim Form, visit the Vermont Lottery’s FAQ page or contact their customer service line at (802) 479-5686.
Vermont Lottery Headquarters
1311 US Route 302, Suite 100
Barre, VT
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05641
When are the Vermont Lottery drawings held?
Powerball: 10:59 p.m. Monday, Wednesday, and Saturday.
Mega Millions: 11 p.m. Tuesday and Friday.
Gimme 5: 6:55 p.m. Monday through Friday.
Lucky for Life: 10:38 p.m. daily.
Pick 3 Day: 1:10 p.m. daily.
Pick 4 Day: 1:10 p.m. daily.
Pick 3 Evening: 6:55 p.m. daily.
Pick 4 Evening: 6:55 p.m. daily.
Megabucks: 7:59 p.m. Monday, Wednesday and Saturday.
Millionaire for Life: 11:15 p.m. daily
What is Vermont Lottery Second Chance?
Vermont’s 2nd Chance lottery lets players enter eligible non-winning instant scratch tickets into a drawing to win cash and/or other prizes. Players must register through the state’s official Lottery website or app. The drawings are held quarterly or are part of an additional promotion, and are done at Pollard Banknote Limited in Winnipeg, MB, Canada.
This results page was generated automatically using information from TinBu and a template written and reviewed by a Vermont editor. You can send feedback using this form.
Champlain Valley senior Zoey McNabb has been named the Vermont high school girls track and field athlete for the 2026 season, Gatorade announced Thursday, June 25.
The Gatorade award recognizes athletes for their on-field success, high academic achievement and exemplary character.
In her first year as a competitive runner, the 5-foot-7 McNabb broke long-held state records in the 1500- and 3000-meter races this past spring with times of 4 minutes, 28.59 seconds and 9:24.58, respectively. At the Division I state meet, she swept both events to help the Redhawks claim a team championship three-peat.
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More: Why Vermont track and field officials reversed decision on 1,500 state record
Her 3,000 time ranked fourth nationally; her 1,500 performance was good for 12th. At the New England championship meet, McNabb took second in the 3,200 and third in the 1,600. She also ran in five events at New Balance Nationals, where she set the state record in the two mile.
An all-state basketball player for CVU, she has volunteered locally at the Green Mountain Montessori School in Essex in addition to donating her time as a youth basketball coach, according to the news release.
“Zoey was fearless this spring, attacking decades-old records and destroying them,” BFA-St. Albans coach Mike Mashtare said in a statement. “What made her special was how effortless she made it look with her smooth stride and relaxed running style.”
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McNabb has maintained an unweighted 4.27 GPA in the classroom. She has signed a written letter of athletic aid to compete on scholarship at the University of Vermont this fall.
As part of Gatorade’s commitment to breaking down barriers in sport, every player of the year also receives a grant to donate to a social impact partner.
To learn more about the Gatorade Player of the Year program, visit playeroftheyear.gatorade.com.
ContactAlex Abrami at aabrami@freepressmedia.com. Follow him on X, formerly known as Twitter: @aabrami5.
