On Friday, December 9th, BHS students and our community were invited by the BHS International Club to wear clothing that reflects and celebrates their family cultures. As you can see from the slideshow below, BHS students showed up in a big way!
BHS jumpstarts Troy’s Toy Drive
![Troy Austin with toys donated by the Burlington High School community](https://bhs.bsdvt.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2022/12/troys-toys-scaled-e1669910999312.jpg)
Burlington High School stepped up to support Troy’s Toy Drive, an initiative launched in 2016 by Troy Austin, who now serves as BHS Campus Safety staff. BHS Student Government and BHS staff challenged themselves to collect 100+ gift items to jumpstart Troy’s campaign this year. This is Austin’s 8th year running the toy drive, which he started when he was a student in high school. Troy has organized an event for December 4th at Albert D Lawton Middle School in Essex from 4:15pm – 6:45pm to collect gift items for children in need. Community members are invited to bring a new, unwrapped gift and enjoy live music, cookies, kiddie train rides, Santa, and touch-a -holiday-lighted truck at this free event. Once Troy’s collection efforts are completed, he’ll bring the toys down to the Salvation Army for distribution to families.
![](https://bhs.bsdvt.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2022/12/gussie-scaled.jpg)
![](https://bhs.bsdvt.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2022/12/troys-toys-poster.jpg)
BHS Teacher recognized as Outstanding Educator
![](https://bhs.bsdvt.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2022/11/kofi-wide-e1669134724483.jpg)
![](https://bhs.bsdvt.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2022/11/KOFI.png)
Congratulations to Kofi Amoah for being recognized at the UVM’s 42nd Outstanding Educator Ceremony! Every year, the College of Education and Social Services (CESS) at the University of Vermont, together with Vermont supervisory unions and school districts, the Vermont Agency of Education, and the Vermont NEA, join to honor the accomplishments of our state’s outstanding educators. Kofi, a math teacher at BHS, was recognized for his work here at BHS and all he contributes to our community. Way to go Kofi! This is a well deserved honor!
EJC in Action
BHS Environmental Justice Club (EJC) students with Champlain Elementary students in collaboration with Burlington Parks and Recreation working on the wildlife corridor.
The project is a collaboration between the Burlington School District and the City of Burlington Parks Department designed to re-wild open spaces at CES with native habitat, establish a seed bank and plant nursery, and increase youth involvement in climate action by providing accessible nature-based education to all students. Yesterday, students mulched a path through the school wildlife corridor. The wildlife corridor connects two forested areas and features 100+ native trees and shrubs, all planted by students in the Spring of 2020.
![](https://bhs.bsdvt.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2022/11/EJCatCES3-scaled.jpg)
![](https://bhs.bsdvt.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2022/11/EJCatCES1-1-scaled.jpg)
![](https://bhs.bsdvt.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2022/11/EJCatCES2-scaled.jpg)
Model UN
BHS Model UN team participated in a United Nations Conference on the Ukraine/Russian Crisis this past weekend. The event was led by BHS seniors and helped orient new members to how Model UN conferences run.
BHS Model UN Seniors Julia Hondal, Tiko Bedrosian, and Robbie Safran also served as delegates at BUSUN XXVI, Brown University’s Simulation of the United Nations. This model UN welcomed over 750 students from other Model UN programs across the US. Julia participated in a conference that discussed nuclear proliferation in the Middle East, while Robbie and Tiko took part in a historical conference pertaining to the Mexican-American War.
![](https://bhs.bsdvt.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2022/11/model-UN-from-Robbie-e1668637851492.jpg)