A budding journalist, leader in Springfield

The back of Theo Avent’s Cosmos green hoodie is a big tipoff. It says: “Mr. President.”

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Published February 15, 2016 in the Rutland Herald A budding journalist, leader in Springfield By Susan Smallheer STAFF WRITER SPRINGFIELD — The back of Theo Avent’s Cosmos green hoodie is a big tipoff. It says: “Mr. President.” Avent, 16, is president of the sophomore class at Springfield High School and a reporter for The Green Horn, the student newspaper, and Green Horn Live, the high school’s weekly television news show. He’s involved in the drama club’s production of “Almost, Maine,” now in rehearsals; he’s one of two students selected for the school’s key management team for the current school year. And like a lot of kids, he holds down a job, in addition to keeping up with class and homework. He used to play soccer in middle school, and he plays seven musical instruments. In his spare time, he likes to read mysteries. Avent wants to be a social studies teacher and has his sights set on attending the University of Vermont. He’s attended Upward Bound at Keene State College to help him get ready for college. His older brother Alex Hall is a sophomore at UVM, studying English. Hall was a straight A student at SHS, and Avent said he’s his mentor. Avent also has a younger sister Zoe, a seventh-grader at Riverside Middle School. Avent works 20 to 25 hours a week at Shaw’s, the supermarket in Springfield, as a grocery clerk. Getting a car is one of his goals. He describes his job at Shaw’s as a “goodwill ambassador” helping people all over the store. He’s a bundle of energy, pure and simple. “I counsel him that he’s got to slow down,” said longtime Springfield High School English teacher Mike Janisyn, who also oversees the high school’s journalism efforts. In recent editions of the Green Horn, Avent wrote stories and columns about parent-teacher conferences, youth voting in the United States, Donald Trump, the resignation of House Speaker John Boehner, the American education system, and the presidential race. At Green Horn Live, he’s mostly behind the scenes for the Friday morning show, “one of the technicians in the booth,” said Janisyn, as well as helping to direct the co-anchors. “He’s so oriented toward community building and collaboration and teamwork,” said Janisyn. Avent and the other Springfield High School journalism students “on their own,” according to Janisyn, went over to Keene, N.H., this fall and covered Republican presidential candidate Trump’s event there. The students came away impressed with the energy and enthusiasm of the crowd. As a student journalist, the professional taboo of political preference doesn’t apply. Avent said he’s a supporter of Democratic presidential candidate Bernie Sanders of Vermont, not a big surprise. Previously, during the summer months, Avent has volunteered for Gov. Peter Shumlin and even New Hampshire Gov. Maggie Hassan, a Democrat. Avent said he wished he had enough time to volunteer, not to mention getting someone to drive him over to Claremont, N.H. He hopes to eventually volunteer later this year for a campaign. “I’d love to get in there and be a part (of it),” he said. Avent won’t be 18 until June 2017, so voting in the 2016 presidential race is an impossibility. Despite all his activities and work, Avent said his parents make it clear that his grades can’t suffer. “I have always been interested in social studies and history. I love learning about how this country works and the history of the world,” he said. “Social studies sparks a debate about history and the political bone in me is always looking for a debate.” Avent is all about “making things better,” Janisyn said, and making sure students have a voice. In addition, Avent is a “very curious student” academically, and has a great sense of humor, he said. “Speaking as an older person, all of this ties into leadership. He’s that strong of a leader,” he said. http://www.vermonttoday.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/RH/20160215/FEATURES03/160219664 http://www.rutlandherald.com/article/20160215/FEATURES03/160219664