First Responders, Students Honored In Andover

ANDOVER, MA - From Andover Public Schools: Andover High School students were honored today by principals and administrators from Andover High School, High Plain and South Elementary schools for leadership displayed in the immediate moments following the September 13, 2018 fires in the Merrimack Valley. Students from West Middle School also presented Andover Police and Fire with hundreds ‘thank you’ cards created by students across the district.

Andover High School students Ally Keenan, Ava Goff, Kelley Carzo, Hannah Rowe, Haley Brenner, Becca Nash, Julia Mazrucchi, Karishma Mistry, Melissa Holguin, Bryant Kroeger and Morgan Swain participate in the after school programs at High Plain and South Elementary schools, where they are responsible for watching younger students. All were working the afternoon of the fires and explosions, and made the decision to remain with the younger children.

Andover principals Phil Conrad (HS), Pamela Lathrop (High Plain Elementary) and Tracy Crowley (South
Elementary) and APS Assistant Superintendent Sandra Trach honored the students today for their quick thinking to ensure younger students’ safety through the chaos of the afternoon.

“We are so very proud of our students for their commitment,” said Superintendent Sheldon Berman Ed D. “The high school students’ bravery at these after-school programs, our 7th graders fundraising at West Middle School and creating thank you cards for first responders from all our schools are wonderful ways to honor the
community.”

Holly Smith, Ella Vidoni, Eva Routhier, Maeve Feeley, and Julia Rodenberger, seventh graders at West Middle School have been hard at work since the Monday following the incident to raise funds for those in need, and have collected gift cards to local businesses, cash and checks to donate the Red Cross of Massachusetts. Holly, Eva and Ella presented Andover Fire and Police departments with certificates of appreciation and thank you cards written for first responders by students across all Andover Public Schools.

Photos courtesy of Andover Public Schools