Education

By Ginger DeShaney Andrew Markarian is going from a graduating class of about 70 students at Boston Collegiate Charter School (BCCS) to Syracuse University, which boasts about 15,000 undergraduates. While he may experience a bit of culture shock in the fall, he’s hoping growing up in South Boston will help him adjust to a big school. “South Boston isn’t that big, but it still has a huge community, and I feel the same with Syracuse,” said the son of Debbie and Thomas Markarian of South Boston. “I know it’s a large school but I feel like there still could be small communities all around. That’s the same with South Boston. It’s not that large but there are a bunch of things you can do and [...]

A dog named Boo solidified McRae Wiederer's goal to become a veterinarian.  In second grade, the daughter of Ed Wiederer and Ginger DeShaney decided she wanted to be a vet. But she only lived with cats, so when she befriended Boo at the Paraclete Center, before she was even a student there, she asked the staff if she could walk the dog every once in a while to see if being a vet was something she really wanted. “I said I wanted to be a vet in second grade, but that’s just something second-graders say,” said McRae. “So I wanted to confirm that I wanted to be a veterinarian. And that’s what taking care of Boo did.” Her friendship with Boo -- and two Adventures [...]

Southie Sports Paved the Way for Adam Alto By Ginger DeShaney The wisdom Adam Alto gained from growing up in Southie will serve him well as he heads to the Ivy League’s Dartmouth College this fall.  “I’ll definitely continue the work ethic that I’ve learned from Southie,” said Adam, who is a senior at Belmont Hill School. “There’s a lot of lessons that I’ve learned here -- not just through school but through sports, through being with my friends -- that I’ll bring there.” The son of Carrie and Peter Alto plans to make some close friends at Dartmouth. “It really helped me in Southie,” Adam said. “I’ve known the kids I play hockey with and the kids I’m really close friends with since before [...]

By Ginger DeShaney The kids in the Edgerley Family South Boston Boys & Girls Club after-school program are part of something special … especially during the COVID-19 pandemic.  “We’re in this thing together. We’re a team; we’re a club,” said Michael Letchfield, Program Director at the Club and the manager of the after-school program. “The kids think, ‘It was a difficult year but my Club was behind me and I was part of something.’ “The members really appreciate what they are getting,” Michael added. “It’s a special deal. The kids feel like partners in this.” Part of the mission of the Club’s after-school program -- especially now -- is to offer a respite.  “We try to provide some normalcy for the kids in this crazy [...]