An average Andover student’s mind includes: grade deflation, hypercompetitiveness in college admissions, DNA synthesis, post-modern World History, and… pink scooters with glow-in-the-dark wheels. For the past few weeks, scooters of all colors and sizes have dominated the campus, with many students, from football post-grad athletes to Junior girls, riding them around. A few nights ago, I walked across a circle of twenty students. Each of them brought their scooters towards the center of the circle, almost as if gathering for a spiritual ceremony. Though the scooter trend (or, as I call it, the “scootrend”) may seem “odd” or even “cringe,” the popularity of a seemingly childish mode of transportation reveals a special bond in the Andover community. As a Prefect, I witnessed the rise of the scooter trend among the Juniors in my dorm, who were discussing which scooters to get and inviting other people in the dorm to join their scooter sessions. Although students might come back with scrapes on their arms, scooters serve as a special memory for all of them and students beyond. Specifically, the trend defies the glorification of “nonchalance” and the misconception that academic success and trivial joys cannot coexist.
Andover students, or boarding school students in general, are often held to higher standards of emotional and intellectual maturity. In a tightly knit residential community of peers and instructors, we are often compelled to maintain an impeccable image of ourselves. Our daily routines are integrated into our social lives at school, and small mistakes or arguments with peers can lead to immediate inconveniences. Furthermore, the academic pressure from other students, family, teachers, and even within oneself, can cause many to feel demoralized and exhausted after a long day of work. To combat this widespread stress and pressure, Andover provides an array of activities for students to enjoy, from various munches to Cluster activities. However, these activities — organized by the administration to manufacture a healthy social life — don’t feel as fulfilling as coincidental moments of joy like storming the football field or participating in a nine-square tournament. In other words, the most effective modes of alleviation from social and academic pressure originate from the student body.
The recent trend of scooters captures the beauty of the random collective that frees students from Andover’s continuous “All-In” mindset. When we ride scooters, we are no longer tethered to expectations of maturity, as scooters are commonly seen as remnants of childhood. If a single student had dedicated their life to riding a pink scooter, they might have been called out for being “cringe” and “antisocial.” However, the collective decision to embrace the “cringeness” and nostalgic connotation of scooters enables students to scoot away without fear of social judgment. In a time when many high schoolers turn to unhealthy coping mechanisms for stress and anxiety, such as substances, detrimental relationships, and doomscolling, Andover students bonding over such a simple and entertaining activity is refreshing to observe.
Despite this positive influence, some students still call the cult of scooters “trivial.” They may argue that scooters are a fleeting trend that does not reflect the overall culture at Andover. Many students, especially upperclassmen who are too caught up in the college admissions process to enjoy the scooters, have expressed their complaints about the “scootrend.” Some argue that it is frustrating to see a herd of Juniors riding past them on unicorn scooters. For those who don’t resonate with this trend, the abrupt addition of a new transportation system might be unsettling.
Nonetheless, the scooter trend is powerful precisely due to its triviality. Caught in the hectic schedule of hopping between classes, extracurriculars, and athletics, most students cannot afford a dedicated time slot for hobbies or, at times, self-care. In my Junior year, developing hobbies or activities for personal joy seemed impossible with the amount of assignments and assessments given every day. Riding scooters to classes or the gym, however, doesn’t require an extra time slot; instead, it makes a mundane moment more entertaining, convenient, and efficient. This accessibility and a low entry barrier allow students to substitute their morning strolls with riding scooters with friends.
Once we shift our mindset, we can finally begin to appreciate the simple beauty of the “scootrend.” We are too young to dim our passions, to chase after nothing but success, and to consider stress a daily emotional routine. Scooters remind us that no matter how hectic and frustrating life gets, there’s always time to “scoot” the negative emotions aside and instead “scoot” away with your friends.
