Eighty-four seniors graduated from Proctor on June 4. Sam Johnson was one of them. Like the others, his name was called; he rose--his robe festooned with National Art Honor Society cords--and strode to the stage, hugged Matt Nathanson, shook hands with Mark Loehr and Mike Henriques as he received his diploma. He gave Swayz a hug. A thousand people applauded. His family cheered, and he took his seat. To all but a few, Sam's graduation was just one more in the series. But to a few with keen interest in history--Proctor's history--Sam Johnson's graduation was very special. 

 

Sam is not the first member of his family to graduation from Proctor. Like so many at this school, Sam is a "legacy." Somewhere in this image from the 2009 yearbook is his sister, Hannah.

 

And here, a proud younger brother poses with Hannah two Junes ago.



Being a very unique school, with a distinct social ethos that many people find irresistible (and others dislike!), Proctor attracts dozens of siblings and cousins every year. But we're just getting started with the Johnson family.... Below--squatting at left--is Sam's cousin, Matt, at Proctor in Spain in 2004.

 

And below, Sam poses with his half brother, Matt Gorevan, who graduated in 2003.

 

And here is their cousin, Amy Johnson '01, carrying the ball in 2000.

 

In the column at the right of this page, you will find an image of Sam's Uncle Bryan from his 1972 yearbook page. Below is Sam and Hannah's dad, Steve Johnson, in 1971.

 

We're not done. Below is a photograph of the patriarch of one of Andover's great families, Amos Johnson '34 (grandfather to Sam, et. al.,) taken during his sophomore year, 1932.

 

I regret that I do not have an image of great-aunt Leah Johnson, who is believed to have graduated in 1924. Sam and Hannah's mom writes, "Our family has been involved with Proctor for at least 87 years.....We think there was one before Leah and Amos, but we did not listen closely enough to (grandmother) Mimi."

While Sam's graduation from Proctor may be the end of a chapter, we hope that it is not the end of a story. May our relationship with families such as the Johnsons enrich this community decades and decades hence!