Ande Hammers has been attending Nederland schools since preschool. Some of Ande’s fondest memories are “looking up to older kids in things like theater and school, and then getting to the place they were and finally feeling confident in my abilities.”

She also shares, “I have loved growing up with the same students since elementary school and through high school, and it’s been so fun to learn and grow in such a supportive and tight-knit community. It’s also so amazing to start out looking up to older students and be able to end my time here as a leader in the school and the Ned community.”

In the ninth, tenth, eleventh, and twelfth grades, Ande was involved in fall plays, musicals, and directing, and was a part of the Student Council (StuCo). During the eleventh and twelfth grades, she was a member of the National Honor Society and Executive StuCo.

In the ninth and twelfth grades, Ande was a member of the orchestra, and in the twelfth grade, she helped develop the Senior Perspective media posts. Ande has worked as social media manager for The Mountain-Ear newspaper this year.

Ande is passionate about music, including singing in the choir, playing fiddle in the orchestra, and playing bluegrass outside of school. She attends a lot of live music and loves going to bluegrass festivals.

She also enjoys making art, baking, cooking, making crafts, and planning fun parties and events with friends. Learning new hobbies and trying new things is also enjoyable for Ande. Another thing Ande is passionate about is building a wonderful community and supporting the people she cares about.

The wonderful community has been part of Ande’s experiences while attending schools in Nederland and is part of what she loved. She shares, “I know I can always count on my peers and friends to support me. It’s so fun to be such close friends with so many people in the school, and I love how I have continued to make new friends and build connections with people across grades and in many different activities.”

Ande is grateful for the opportunities she’s had to participate in so many activities and feels lucky to have become a leader in the school. The classes Ande has enjoyed taking are music, art, Loquations, orchestra, and photography.

Ms. Strong and Ms. Evans are Ande’s two most influential teachers. “Ms. Strong taught me how to advocate for myself and others and showed me that it’s always important to check in with yourself and prioritize your needs as well.”

Ande continues, “Ms. Evans showed me how to be a great leader and director and taught me how to strengthen connections between people and bring them together to create beautiful things like music and theater productions. She has also taught me how to build and strengthen beautiful relationships with others.”

Ande states both teachers have helped her grow and thrive in high school. The lessons and support Ande has received from them are things she will have for the rest of her life.

Skylar Abookire is a student to whom Ande would like to give credit. Skylar has improved Ande’s life greatly since elementary school. Ande confesses, “She is always by my side, and I know she will support me and help me through everything. We have done so much together every year, from Student Council to directing plays to writing the Senior Perspective to promote NMSHS.”

Skylar has been the inspiration behind Ande’s commitment to becoming the best version of herself, being confident in her abilities, and trying new things. “The unique opportunities, the wonderful students and teachers, and (you guessed it) THE COMMUNITY!” are the things that have kept Ande academically motivated.

Ande has received the SCAD Achievement Honors Scholarship for $3,000 and the SCAD Academic Honors Scholarship for $12,000. In the fall, Ande will attend Savannah College of Art and Design.

Ande will “miss so much about high school: the music department, the amazing theater community, the leadership opportunities, all my incredible friends, the supportive and extremely dedicated teachers, and above all, the welcoming and tight-knit community.”

“Be involved, and don’t be afraid to try new things! Ned has so much to offer, and you never know where you’ll find your people, so try anything and everything you can. The community is so special here, and you can always find people who will encourage you to be yourself!” is the advice she’d like to leave with future Ned students.

Thank you, Ande, and congratulations on your upcoming graduation!