Indira Garcia and Alex Wu

Creating Community Through Sharing Stories: Indira Garcia was born in Chile during the 1973 Chilean coup d'état, which had a significant effect on her childhood. She was raised in Mexico with a strong focus on intellectualism and family bonds. She...

Chris Klein & Alex Wu

Chris Klein, an Andover native and author, discusses his German and Irish roots. He recounts his life growing up amidst classism in the 1980s. Inspired by AP US History class, he discovered his passion for research-based writing, determined to preserve...

David Fazio & Alex Wu

David “Faz” Fazio, a beloved Andover High School basketball coach and gym teacher, who has made gym fun for all of his students, talks about how his high school coach helped him see past his challenging childhood. During his 34-year...

The Sarkisians and Alex Wu

Creating Community Through Sharing Stories: An interview with multiple generations of the Sarkisian family, where they share how their ancestors fled the Armenian Genocide, their lifestyle growing up on the family-owned farm, establishing a legacy in Andover, and how their...

Alina Lopez and Alex Wu

Creating Community Through Sharing Stories: A conversation with Alina Lopez, a hardworking Puerto Rican mom born in Chelsea, Massachusetts, where she shares her life story highlighting her strong culture and family memories.

Ajita Bhat and Alex Wu

Creating Community Through Sharing Stories: Ajita Bhat reflects on her immigration to America in the pursuit of higher education, and how her impressions of the country has evolved. After settling in Andover, she quickly found community, and eventually became the...

Linda Love Mesler and Alex Wu

Creating Community Through Sharing Stories: Linda Love Mesler, whose family has roots in rural Iowa for hundreds of years, talks about her global childhood, from New York to Cambodia. After becoming a technology lawyer, she settled in Andover and is...

Xi Hua Zhao and Alex Wu

Creating Community Through Sharing Stories: Xi Hua Zhao was born in China, where he lived a happy and modest life. He moved to the United States over a decade ago to help his daughter take care of his grandchild, and...

Sandis Wright and Alex Wu

Creating Community Through Sharing Stories: Sandis Wright was born in a rural Swedish community in northern Maine, where he always dreamed of living in the big city. After moving to both Chicago and Atlanta, and getting married, he decided to...

Janet Hamiln and Alex Wu

Andover Stories of American Identity: a conversation with Janet Hamlin about her extraordinary childhood and life that gives her perspective to be compassionate and passionate.

Elizabeth Walther-Grant and Alex Wu

Creating Community Through Sharing Stories: Elizabeth Walther-Grant, adopted from the Bahamas and raised by an Andover family, talks about growing up in Andover, the racism she faced, and what inspired her to found Merrimack Valley Black and Brown Voices. She...

Tina Girdwood and Alex Wu

Creating Community Through Sharing Stories: Long-term Andover resident Tina Girdwood shares her impactful life and dedication to helping her community, from founding the Andover Recycling Program, being a school committee member, and eventually leading the initiative to start the Andover...

Seema Gupte and Alex Wu

Creating Community Through Sharing Stories: Seema Gupte, born and raised in India, talks about her childhood living between her family’s farm and in the city. After immigrating to America, she adjusted to the many cultural differences. Once she moved to...

David Vigorito and Alex Wu

Creating Community Through Sharing Stories: IM David Vigorito talks about growing up in Massachusetts, to his brief time in Las Vegas, to returning to his home state. Although he discovered his passion for chess at the later age of 16,...

Ralph Bledsoe and Alex Wu

Andover Stories of American Identity: Born in Compton, California, Ralph Blesdoe, a descendant of slaves, recounts his amazing journey of becoming a beloved science teacher at Andover High School.

Leah Okimoto and Alex Wu

Creating Community Through Sharing Stories: Leah Okimoto was born in upstate New York, and after having to move to several places across the country, she settled in Marlboro, Massachusetts, where she cemented her childhood. In New York City, she pursued...

Nicolette Nordin Heavey and Alex Wu

Creating Community Through Sharing Stories: Nicolette Nordin Heavey was born Detroit, but spent the majority of her childhood in Belgium and England. After attending college in America, she moved to Andover to raise her family. Wanting to help contribute to...