When Carlos Hoyt, Associate Dean of Students, stepped onto the stage for his act during Wednesday’s All-School Meeting, students were surprised to see that he had exchanged his Super Secret Man Slam varsity jacket in favor of a hot pink cocktail dress. As lead singer of the “Dorkies,” Mr. Hoyt and several fellow male faculty members treated the Andover community to a rendition of “Midnight Train to Georgia,” complete with interpretive dancing and a hip-hop remix.
Not surprisingly, students had strong reactions to such a spectacle. But it was with gratitude rather than judgment that students left Cochran Chapel. Indeed, students displayed almost universal appreciation for the faculty’s display of good natured humor in getting up on stage. As Head of School Barbara Chase noted, it’s never easy to perform. To perform in front of one’s students must have been particularly difficult.
But this willingness on the part of the faculty to engage directly in Andover life is what makes this school unique: the connection between students and faculty extends far beyond the limitations of the classroom.
Therein lies Andover’s beauty. In one moment, students and faculty can be working together in classrooms and on the playing field and can be laughing together over lunch in Paresky Commons or sharing a cinnamon bun at a dorm munch the next. The relationships here go beyond the classroom and extend into every facet of community life.
Like almost every other part of life at Andover, performing during All-School Meeting is far from easy. But as Mrs. Chase noted before singing “Somewhere Over the Rainbow” with the Seniors of Fidelio, it’s easier to do it when you’re not alone.
At Andover, students are lucky to know that they never are.
This Editorial represents the views of The Phillipian Editorial Board CXXXV.
