Two Green Mountain Technology & Career Center Students Named 2025 Vermont Presidential Scholars

Lamoille Union High School and Green Mountain Technology & Career Center (GMTCC) proudly announce that two of their outstanding students, Brayden Carton and Cora Chivington, have been named 2025 Vermont Presidential Scholars. This prestigious recognition, facilitated by the Vermont Agency of Education, honors students for their academic, technical, and artistic achievements, as well as their leadership, service, and commitment to their communities.

Brayden Carton, a 12th-grade student, was selected as a Vermont Presidential Scholar in Career and Technical Education not only for his exceptional leadership, perseverance, creativity, and academic and technical excellence but also for his dedication to his studies at GMTCC and community contributions. His journey and achievements truly exemplify the values of the Presidential Scholars program.  Brayden is a member of the Tech Center’s new Engineering Program, which aims to introduce students to various career pathways in the field.

Bradyen credits his parents for his work ethic, attention to detail, and passion for learning and exploration.  Brayden says he jumped at the opportunity to apply to the Tech Center’s newest program, “From the CAD (computer-aided design) work to robotics to small and large scale manufacturing, there are so many different pathways within engineering to explore. It’s been empowering to get hands-on with some of them and to start to envision my direction for after graduation,” explained Brayden.

Cora Chivington was named a Vermont Presidential Scholar in the Arts, celebrating her artistic excellence and steadfast commitment to the creative disciplines. Her talent and passion showcase the power of the arts in education and highlight the high standards of this recognition.  Cora attends GMTCC’s Creative Media Art & Design program.

“It’s a huge validation, a huge honor,” explained Cora.  “It’s so empowering to see that others recognize the time and effort you’re putting into your craft, especially with art, where, as an artist, you often share a piece of work closely tied to you being vulnerable in some way.” Cora says that from the minute she could hold a camera, she knew she wanted to be an artist and create content that evokes emotion in others. Cora currently holds internships at both the Vermont Studio Center in Johnson, Vermont, and The Current, a visual arts gallery in Stowe, Vermont.  She says both venues have allowed her to learn and collaborate with other professional artists with decades of experience.

Green Mountain Technology & Career Center Director Erik Remmers commended Brayden and Cora for their extraordinary accomplishments. “Brayden and Cora exemplify the dedication, creativity, and leadership that make our schools and communities proud.” He added, “Their hard work and achievements inspire us to strive for excellence, reminding us of the transformative power of passion and education.” Director Remmers said their recognitions serve as a testament to the importance of fostering a culture of innovation and determination in education.

Both students are from Lamoille North communities and attend Green Mountain Tech through Lamoille Union High School. Their GMTCC program instructors nominated them for Vermont Presidential Scholars recognition.

Brayden and Cora will be honored at a ceremony at the Vermont State House in Montpelier on Monday, January 27, 2025, from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. Light refreshments will be provided at 4:30 p.m. in the cafeteria, followed by the ceremony in the House Chambers. In the event of adverse weather, the ceremony will occur on Monday, February 3, 2025.

The Vermont Presidential Scholars Program is a statewide recognition initiative that celebrates students who demonstrate outstanding achievements in three categories: General, Career and Technical Education, and the Arts. Selected students are also considered for the U.S. Presidential Scholars Program by the U.S. Department of Education, one of the nation’s highest honors for high school students.

For more information about the Vermont Presidential Scholars Program, please visit the Vermont Agency of Education’s Awards and Recognition webpage.