Feature
9
‘The Overachievers’: Where are they now? by ANDIE SILVERMAN Chronicling the lives of eight Whitman students in her New York Times bestseller, “The Overachievers,” author Alexandra Robbins (‘94) provided a journalistic narrative to showcase the students’ distinct backstories and how their high school experiences shaped their identities. The story follows AP Frank, the workhorse; C.J., the flirt; Audrey, the perfectionist; Julie, the superstar; Pete, the meathead; Sam, the teacher’s pet; Taylor, the popular
girl; and Ryland, the slacker. Robbins shadowed them in 2004-2005 as they handled—or tried to handle— the crushing academic pressure and the influence of drugs, drinking and depression. Though the narrative details the lives of these students during their Whitman experience and the first year of college, it leaves the reader wondering where they are now. The Black & White tracked down three students from the book and checked in on what these “Overachievers” are up to 10 years later.
Sam: the teacher’s pet Photo courtesy JULIA PLEVIN
After struggling to choose which type of college to attend , Sam ((left center) went to Middlebury.
Sam requested to use only his first name
T
he teacher’s pet. There’s one in every class and when Sam assumed the role, he was proud. Even today, he happily reflects on the time he spent at Whitman getting to know his teachers.
AP Frank: the workhorse Photo courtesy FRANK WASHBURN
Frank Washburn (‘04) (right) took 17 AP classes throughout high school.
T
he average Whitman student graduates having taken eight AP courses. Comparatively, Frank Washburn took 17, earning a five on all but one of his exams. Washburn, affectionately known as AP Frank, came to Whitman his sophomore year from the Blair magnet program. He received 800s on his SAT II Writing and Math tests on his first try, and after getting a 790 on his SAT II physics test, his mother made him retake it. He managed to earn a perfect score on his second attempt. His mother played a significant role in his academic achievement. Prioritizing education, she limited what Washburn could do: he was allowed 30 minutes a day to watch either NBC or ABC news because his mother considered any other show “junk”; he couldn’t talk on the phone because his mother screened all of his calls; and he and his brother were not allowed to go out. After a grueling high school experience, Washburn found himself attending the only school acceptable to his mother: Harvard. In college, Washburn had a relatively normal experience, even though he still took more classes than the average student, he said. Unlike in high school, Washburn had an active social life and went to parties with friends. “I had the idea of throwing a piñata party,” Washburn said proudly. “I’m going to pat myself on the back for that.”
After graduating college with bachelor degrees in Environmental Science and Public Policy, he had two job offers lined up: contract work for the EPA, requiring travel and offering a steady salary, or testing video games for $12 an hour. “I figured, ‘Well, I have the education and degree, and it’s not like the planet is magically going to get better, so I’ll test video games while I’m young and responsibility-free,’” Washburn said. Since then, he has spent time working for Harmonix, the creators of rock-band-themed video game Guitar Hero, and has developed several of his own video games, including “Bloody Alloy.” Washburn lives in Boston with his wife and 10-monthold son and pays the bills by tutoring and helping students navigate the test-prep and college-prep process. He’s even considering becoming a teacher, he said. While juggling tutoring, parenting, Kung Fu and working on his game projects, Washburn still plays video games in sweatpants and eats lunchables in his free time; there’s no such thing as being an adult, he said. “Part of you will never grow up—that’s okay,” Washburn said. “Accept that you are a work-in-progress and know that anyone who tells you that they have it all figured out—in any age group—is likely either deluded or a liar. But this knowledge comes with the responsibility to consciously better yourself and to fight like hell.”
“There were definitely moments I played into the role, but I don’t recall ever trying to butter up a teacher in order to get something,” Sam said. “I loved my teachers, and I enjoyed getting to know them as people.” In “The Overachievers,” Sam weighed the benefits of large schools, smaller liberal arts colleges and Ivy League schools. After much contemplation, he chose Middlebury, a small liberal arts school in Vermont, which he found to be the perfect fit. “I needed to be in a place that allowed me to explore all sorts of things without feeling like I had to choose,” Sam said. “And what ended up happening was I learned
a hell of a lot more about how I approach things, which armed me to better be able to evaluate what felt true to me.” Soon after graduating, Sam embarked on different life adventures. He traveled to Asia and back, all while developing a new outlook on life. “What’s been great about life for me is learning to meet everything—successes and failures—with gratitude and love.” Now, after his many ventures, Sam lives in San Francisco and is the CEO of a startup that works to help people find direction in their life. The startup was founded by his graduate-school classmate. “It’s a nutty job for more than a few reasons, but in the scheme of things, it’s exactly what I needed right now in life,” Sam said. “Not only do I get opportunities to practice daily what I learned in grad school, but it’s pushing me to learn more about self-care and how I want to show up in the world for others.”
Julie: the superstar Photo courtesy JULIE PLEVIN
Julie Plevin (‘05) (right) took part in many activities such as track, the hiking club and volunteering at local homeless shelters. She now lives in San Francisco, working as a design entrepeneur.
I
n high school, she did it all. Julie Plevin was a co-captain of the varsity indoor and outdoor track teams, cross country team captain, class officer, cofounder of the Hiking Viking club, mentor at a homeless shelter and a straight-A student since her first day at Pyle. Stress inevitably took its toll, and by the end of junior year, Plevin’s hair thinned so much her mother took her to see a doctor.
After graduating, Plevin attended Dartmouth and found that her work ethic at Whitman was key to her success. “I’m really glad I pushed myself so hard in high school. It gave me a really strong foundation,” Plevin said. “But high school was a great time for me to challenge myself and start to understand my limits. There’s
a difference between embracing a challenge with excitement and being stressed out about it.” While in college, Plevin took the time to explore a variety of activities including hiking, skiing, rock climbing, camping and joining a sorority. Her volunteer work took her to Nicaragua twice on service trips, sparking her love for travel. After returning from Vietnam where she had been on her post-college travels, she settled in San Francisco and now works as a design entrepreneur. “I launched a company and am now working on creating a studio to help clients get clear on their visions and launch their projects,” Plevin said. “ It’s an exciting time.”