Mar 24, 2009

Eagle Tribune: Faris does it all at Merrimack

Faris does it all at Merrimack. Tennis captain busy as star student-athlete, volunteer

By Chris Helms
chelms@eagletribune.com

Read all of Merrimack's spring previews from Tuesday's Eagle Tribune

Merrimack senior Andrea Faris is a true student-athlete.

The Andover native and Central Catholic graduate is a tri-captain and four-year member of the tennis team, but her involvement in the school and surrounding community extends far beyond the court.

In addition to serving as the president of the Student Government Association, Faris has also had a hand in numerous school-sponsored clubs, organizations and outreach programs. To name a few, she's been involved in Merrimack in the City, Bread and Roses, Learn and Serve, and she's also a member of the newly formed Sustainability Committee.

"Giving back is something I've always enjoyed doing," said Faris, whose mother, Anne Marie, is a tennis coach at Greater Lawrence Tech. "In high school, we did a lot of cool things like helping clean the Spicket River, and Merrimack is kind of similar to Central in that way. It's really cool to try to get out there and make a difference."

Time is understandably spread pretty thin for Faris due to her numerous extracurricular activities. However, she dedicates herself just as strongly to the academic side and is on pace to graduate magna cum laude with a 3.7 GPA.

"I'm a psychology and criminology double major, and I'll be getting a minor in Law and Society," said Faris, a member of both the psychology and sociology national honor societies. "I actually created the minor, which was pretty cool. I just set out asking a bunch of people 'Where do I go, what do I do?' and finally I had a professor who took an interest to help me develop it."

Post-graduation, Faris plans to attend the Mass. School of Law and hopes to one day become an attorney. As has been the case with her community involvement up to this point, she would like to continue making a positive impact in the community she's been a part of her whole life.

"I'd love to have my own practice sometime down the line after graduating from law school and service the community I'm in now," she said. "It would be great to stay here and practice here."

In spite of the bright future ahead of her, Faris won't forget about her time as a Warrior.

"I've tried to make these four years the best I could and make the biggest impact possible. I can't express to you how excited I am to move forward, and looking back, I'm so proud of what I've been able to accomplish.

"I'm happy to have gotten the opportunities from Merrimack that I have and just grateful of everything that's happened these past four years."


Cross Country (M) Cross Country (W) Field Hockey Football Soccer (M) Soccer (W) Volleyball Basketball (M) Basketball (W) Ice Hockey Baseball Lacrosse (M) Lacrosse (W) Softball Tennis (M) Tennis (W) Lawler Completion Project Athletic Staff Directory Blue Line Club Cheerleading Compliance Composite Calendar Directions Facilities From the AD's Desk Intramurals Marketing & Promotions Merrimack Championships Quick Facts Recruiting Questionnaires SAAC SID Downloads Sponsorship Sports Medicine Strength and Conditioning Visitors Guide	Home \| Roster \| 2009-10 Schedule \| Standings \| Statistics \| News \| Coaches \| Archives [Printer Friendly] Mar 24, 2009 Eagle Tribune: Faris does it all at Merrimack Faris does it all at Merrimack. Tennis captain busy as star student-athlete, volunteer By Chris Helms chelms@eagletribune.com Read all of Merrimack's spring previews from Tuesday's Eagle Tribune Merrimack senior Andrea Faris is a true student-athlete. The Andover native and Central Catholic graduate is a tri-captain and four-year member of the tennis team, but her involvement in the school and surrounding community extends far beyond the court. In addition to serving as the president of the Student Government Association, Faris has also had a hand in numerous school-sponsored clubs, organizations and outreach programs. To name a few, she's been involved in Merrimack in the City, Bread and Roses, Learn and Serve, and she's also a member of the newly formed Sustainability Committee. "Giving back is something I've always enjoyed doing," said Faris, whose mother, Anne Marie, is a tennis coach at Greater Lawrence Tech. "In high school, we did a lot of cool things like helping clean the Spicket River, and Merrimack is kind of similar to Central in that way. It's really cool to try to get out there and make a difference." Time is understandably spread pretty thin for Faris due to her numerous extracurricular activities. However, she dedicates herself just as strongly to the academic side and is on pace to graduate magna cum laude with a 3.7 GPA. "I'm a psychology and criminology double major, and I'll be getting a minor in Law and Society," said Faris, a member of both the psychology and sociology national honor societies. "I actually created the minor, which was pretty cool. I just set out asking a bunch of people 'Where do I go, what do I do?' and finally I had a professor who took an interest to help me develop it." Post-graduation, Faris plans to attend the Mass. School of Law and hopes to one day become an attorney. As has been the case with her community involvement up to this point, she would like to continue making a positive impact in the community she's been a part of her whole life. "I'd love to have my own practice sometime down the line after graduating from law school and service the community I'm in now," she said. "It would be great to stay here and practice here." In spite of the bright future ahead of her, Faris won't forget about her time as a Warrior. "I've tried to make these four years the best I could and make the biggest impact possible. I can't express to you how excited I am to move forward, and looking back, I'm so proud of what I've been able to accomplish. "I'm happy to have gotten the opportunities from Merrimack that I have and just grateful of everything that's happened these past four years."