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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...

Andover Stories of American Identity: Alex sits down with Denise Herrera as she shares amazing life stories that highlight her passion, diligence, positivity and people skills.

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...

Andover Stories of American Identity: Karen Lew Bouchard discusses her life growing up in Pelham, New Hampshire, her rich Chinese heritage, and her racial identity.

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...

Andover Stories of American Identity: Ursula retells a poignant story of her life of “grit and grace”. She emigrated to America from Budapest, Hungary as a gifted teenager. With classic American opportunities, Ursula became an accomplished published author, lawyer, professor,...

Andover Stories of American Identity: Betty Desjardins, shares lots of fond and funny stories about growing up in Andover. With many generations in Andover, she has deep connections and love for her home.

Andover Stories of American Identity: A thoughtful conversation with Amy Sebell, where she discusses her Jewish heritage, her dedication to helping people, her family, and her love for Andover.

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...

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...

Creating Community Through Sharing Stories: John Hess shares his story growing up in West Virginia, where his family valued traveling and spending time with relatives. After going to graduate school at Cornell, he moved to Andover with his family. He...

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...

Creating Community Through Sharing Stories: Zhi Qing Chen, born in Wuhan, China, talks about his life growing up amidst the violence of the Second Sino-Japanese War. He moved to America over a decade ago to care for his grandchild, and...

Andover Stories of American Identity: Juan Morales shares his harrowing story about coming to America as a young child. He discusses the importance of family, culture and hard work.

Andover Stories of American Identity: Erin Taylor talks about her childhood in Andover, and adult life in Andover.

Creating Community Through Sharing Stories: I met with Dr. Magda Parvey, a highly accomplished, passionate and pragmatic educator and leader, for a thoughtful and inspiring conversation about her New York City upbringing, her Haitian culture, her family and her career.

Creating Community Through Sharing Stories: Eliud Felix discusses his journey from his life growing up in Manhattan and the Bronx to working at Andover High School. He has deep family values and traditions, and hopes to see them continue through...

Creating Community Through Sharing Stories: Yuliana Shneer talks about growing up in Ukraine as Jewish girl to immigrating to the United States and becoming a beloved math teacher and finding community in Andover.

Creating Community Through Sharing Stories: Domino Physicist Peter Bloom reflects about his life from his childhood in Newton to learning to be an effective and impactful educator.

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...

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...

Creating Community Through Sharing Stories: Jim Batchelder, with thirteen generations in Massachusetts, recollects his life growing up in Andover. After becoming a beloved art teacher for many years, and working closely with the Andover Center for History and Culture to...

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.

Creating Community Through Sharing Stories: With 5 generations in Andover and as a descendant of slaves, Heidi Lawrence sits down with me to talk about her life and legacy. Her family is one of the five original African-American families to...

Creating Community Through Sharing Stories: Born in Monessen, Pennsylvania, Janis Baron, a teacher, principal, trainer and entrepreneur, shares her extraordinary life and the life lessons she has learned along the way.