March 27, 2026
Prioritizing wellness
Student-led council to prompt conversation & actionby Allyson Irish
If Evan DeMayo ’26 and Anny Wang ’26 could wave a wand and magically change anything at PA, it would be that students could better understand signs of overwhelm and feel comfortable talking about these problems with peers and adults.
“Andover is a place where everyone is talented and driven; that energy is exciting, but it can also be exhausting,” says DeMayo. “Student wellness should never be treated as miscellaneous, nor should we ever be afraid to talk about it.”
DeMayo and Wang feel so strongly about this that the pair launched the Academy’s first, formal, student-driven initiative focused on student health and well-being. Proposed in October, the Student Wellness Council will kickoff this spring with programming and a special Paresky Commons dinner event including free T-shirts and special activities.
For many high schoolers, speaking openly about mental health, family pressures, academics, or social life can feel uncomfortably vulnerable and embarrassing, DeMayo and Wang explain. The new council aims to destigmatize these conversations, making wellness visible, normal, and essential to the daily life at PA.
The Student Wellness Council will bring hidden struggles into light, normalize honest dialogue, and remind us that caring for our wellness is part of what it means to truly thrive.
”Even though DeMayo and Wang will not be able to see the fruits of their labor next year, the seniors are nonetheless excited about the opportunity for future students to better understand mental health and wellness. They want students to be able to share their struggles without stigma, and to build resilience and happiness in the process.
“This is a historic moment for Andover,” says DeMayo. “Anny are I proud to have helped build something we believe fills a real need in our community.”
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