The Andover ABC scholars kicked off the year by adding a new skill to their growing repertoire of academic skills: how to eat a steamed lobster!
With a new team of Resident Directors and Resident Assistants, the focus of this year’s orientation was on team building and fostering connection between students and staff that go beyond the everyday rules and regulations of living in a boarding program. To this end, the ABC scholars and staff spent a day away from Andover, visiting Ogonquit, Maine where new Resident Directors Dianne and Chris Caraviello have both a second home and an Art gallery. Students lunched on a classic New England feast of lobsters, corn and salad. They walked into town, visiting the Van Ward Gallery, where sophomore Ariel Leachman excitedly discussed the art of Florence, Italy (where she traveled with People to People this summer) with art collector and owner Caraviello. RAs and scholars ended the day with a hike along the spectacular Marginal Way, a cliff walk over looking the Atlantic Ocean.
Earlier in the summer, sophomores and juniors spent several days at the house participating in ramp up programs focusing on math and chemistry and taught by Andover high school teachers Maura Chapman and Eva Holms- Anderson respectively. During orientation, both scholars and staff were asked to reflect on two key questions: “What from last year, do you want to leave behind? and “What, to this year ahead, would you like to add?” Among the many answers was “Motivation!”
This outstanding collection of ABC scholars seems poised to embrace the Andover ABC and Andover High School experience.
