Sy Barry and Alex Wu

Sy Barry recounts his story of how he overcame his tough childhood through his passion and love for drawing. Eventually becoming a renowned comic book and comic strip artist, he was able to find success and contentment in both his...

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.

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.

Kevin O'Leary and Alex Wu

Andover Stories of American Identity: Andover resident Kevin O'Leary shares his story about his worldly upbringing, and how it all led to his profession of becoming a psychologist to help wounded veterans heal.

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...

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...

Jim Batchelder and Alex Wu

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...

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,...

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...

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.

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...

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...

Jon Trachtenberg and Alex Wu

Andover Stories of American Identity: A thoughtful conversation with Jon Trachenberg about his childhood in Long Island, New York, to his life as a father in Andover, Massachusetts.

Patricia Gregory and Alex Wu

Creating Community Through Sharing Stories: Born and raised in France, Patricia Gregory talks about her French childhood and family memories. Wanting to travel to America ever since she was young, she shares her first impressions of America, her experience eventually...

Tao Tu and Alex Wu

Andover Stories of American Identity: Alex Wu sits down to interview his exceptional math tutor, Tao Tu, about his childhood as a math prodigy in China, immigrating to the United States, and raising his family, including his two daughters.

John and Leslie Boloian and Alex Wu

Andover Stories of American Identity: John and Leslie share their compelling family story relating to the trauma of the Armenian Genocide, immigrating to Andover as farmers, and creating a legacy through their land and culture.

Hochan Won and Alex Wu

Creating Community Through Sharing Stories: Hochan Won was born in South Korea, and her family immigrated to the United States when she was six years old. After going to school, graduating, and working in the Boston area she and her...

Julie McLeod and Alex Wu

Creating Community Through Sharing Stories: Julie McLeod shares her life story growing up in Boston with strong Catholic faith, and how she came to Andover with a strong sense of wanting to help others. This led her to volunteer in...

Ed Pedi and Alex Wu

Creating Community Through Sharing Stories: Award-winning professional photographer Ed Pedi shares his life story, from growing up in Chelsea with his 7 siblings to his passion for photography, traveling the globe by motorcycle, and the lessons that he learned.

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...

Magda Parvey and Alex Wu

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.