From in school suspension to center stage; The Andrew Boyer story (Part 1)

Andrew Boyer is a 15 year old freshman at Marcus High School in Flower Mound, TX. He’s on the “A” honor roll, he’s a singer, song writer and guitar player who performs in area restaurants, and he has recorded more than a dozen songs. Before Mother’s Day 2009, however, Andrew’s life was very different.

Andrew’s first memory is when he was about three years old and recalled, “Ricky Martin was like Elvis to me at the time. I thought he was the all time best singer ever.” In the next few years, Andrew would perform for his parents by lip syncing along to songs by Elton John, Johnny Cash, and Elvis Presley. He discovered karaoke at age eight, and got his first guitar from a pawn shop when he was nine years old. “I fiddled around with the guitar and learned to play by ear. I never took any lessons.” said Andrew. He began to write his own songs. Scott Boyer, Andrew’s father, became amazed at his abilities and said, “Andrew has a musical gift and is able to put his feelings into songs. He can easily write about things he is passionate about.” Even though he excelled in music, Andrew has ADHD which makes school work very difficult. He is highly creative, very insightful, and extremely persistent, but has a hard time paying attention to things that don’t interest him, is unorganized, and impulsive. Even though Andrew is very intelligent, not following school rules caused him to do poorly in his classes.

As a middle school student, Andrew struggled to pass his core subjects. He would frequently receive detentions and be assigned Saturday school because he did not complete his homework. He often skipped his punishments and landed in ISS (In School Suspension). Andrew disliked authority and acted as a class clown to get attention. When he did have something to contribute to class discussions, he would be told to put his hand down. “Teachers usually thought I was just waving to the other kids when I had my hand up. Sometimes they didn’t call on me because they thought I would say something inappropriate.” Andrew explained. He felt misunderstood by his teachers and peers and thought of himself as someone who didn’t fit in.

Andrew spent many afternoons in the assistant principal’s office where he was assigned community service work as a consequence for his poor classroom behavior. Most of his teachers grew frustrated with Andrew’s lack of effort, but there were two teachers at Lamar Middle School who saw something special in Andrew.

Choir was one of Andrew’s favorite classes because he was able to do what he loves…SING. His choir teacher, Ms. Ribb, went above and beyond to help Andrew pass his classes so he would not have to go to summer school. “I should have listened to Ms. Ribb and let her help me, but because I was goofing around, I failed my classes. I got kicked out of choir and I had to go to summer school.” said Andrew, who now regrets the attitude he had toward his teachers who tried to help him.

Mr. Bavousett, Andrew’s outdoor education teacher, also noticed a certain talent in Andrew and reached out to help. Bavousett suggested that Andrew go to Rockfish Seafood Grill to meet a singer friend of his, Barry Martin, who performed at the restaurant. A Mother’s Day visit to Rockfish with his family was the beginning of a huge change for young Andrew.

“From In School Suspension to Center Stage; The Andrew Boyer Story” will continue with Part 2 tomorrow