---
title: "Mike's Notes: Picking Up and Giving Back"
description: Proctor Academy's Head of School shares thoughts on why individuals should invest in an independent school education. Read this week's Mike's Notes here!
image: https://blogs.proctoracademy.org/hubfs/Blog_Pics/Mikes_Notes/2016-2017_Mikes_Notes/Philanthropy/IMG_6956.jpg
---

[![Proctor](https://blogs.proctoracademy.org/hs-fs/file-1222761375-png/Images/INTlogo.png "Proctor")](http://www.proctoracademy.org)

[![Share on Facebook](https://static.hubspot.com/final/img/common/icons/social/facebook-24x24.png)](http://www.facebook.com/share.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fblogs.proctoracademy.org%2Fmikes-notes-picking-up-and-giving-back%3Futm_medium%3Dsocial%26utm_source%3Dfacebook) [![Share on LinkedIn](https://static.hubspot.com/final/img/common/icons/social/linkedin-24x24.png)](http://www.linkedin.com/shareArticle?mini=true&url=https%3A%2F%2Fblogs.proctoracademy.org%2Fmikes-notes-picking-up-and-giving-back%3Futm_medium%3Dsocial%26utm_source%3Dlinkedin) [![Share on Twitter](https://static.hubspot.com/final/img/common/icons/social/twitter-24x24.png)](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?original_referer=https%3A%2F%2Fblogs.proctoracademy.org%2Fmikes-notes-picking-up-and-giving-back%3Futm_medium%3Dsocial%26utm_source%3Dtwitter&url=https%3A%2F%2Fblogs.proctoracademy.org%2Fmikes-notes-picking-up-and-giving-back%3Futm_medium%3Dsocial%26utm_source%3Dtwitter&source=tweetbutton&text=Mike%27s%20Notes%3A%20Picking%20Up%20and%20Giving%20Back) [![Share on Email](https://static.hubspot.com/final/img/common/icons/social/email-24x24.png)](mailto:?subject=Check%20out%20https%3A%2F%2Fblogs.proctoracademy.org%2Fmikes-notes-picking-up-and-giving-back%3Futm_medium%3Dsocial%26utm_source%3Demail%20&body=Check%20out%20https%3A%2F%2Fblogs.proctoracademy.org%2Fmikes-notes-picking-up-and-giving-back%3Futm_medium%3Dsocial%26utm_source%3Demail)

## Mike's Notes: Picking Up and Giving Back

Posted by [Mike Henriques](https://blogs.proctoracademy.org/author/mike-henriques)

11/04/2016

Rain soaked the campus, and I cross the street in a mid-day downpour and noticed the Circle K wrapper. Soggy, dirt-speckled, floppy litter on the side of Route 11, so I reached to pick it up. What drives this impulse? What makes us care in this manner? To pick up after others, to tend to the place where we live? Over the course of this week I have been in several conversations about community and care, about how to nurture this impulse and how to better instill it. What can we do to better take care the Wise, Slocumb, the [Brown Dining Commons](https://blogs.proctoracademy.org/campaign-for-proctor-the-brown-dining-commons), or the Adirondack shelter up at Mud Pond? Or that which is beyond Proctor? How do we awaken this instinct?

![IMG_1747-451037-edited.jpg](https://blogs.proctoracademy.org/hs-fs/hubfs/Blog_Pics/Mikes_Notes/2016-2017_Mikes_Notes/Philanthropy/IMG_1747-451037-edited.jpg?width=836&height=659&name=IMG_1747-451037-edited.jpg)

The stewardship impulse doesn’t arrive with birth. It sits within, waiting to be triggered sometimes early in life, sometimes later. Always there is a process. We learn it from parents, grandparents, teachers, and mentors. Maybe childhood chores have something to do with it – taking out trash, doing dishes, feeding the dog. Maybe it is the jobs bussing tables, mowing lawns, working construction. Maybe it’s church or a service trip. Somewhere along the way we all learn (or should learn) to take care of space and not take it for granted. It starts as responsibility and evolves into genuine caring, becoming reflex to pick up the bits that need picking up.

![IMG_6956.jpg](https://blogs.proctoracademy.org/hs-fs/hubfs/Blog_Pics/Mikes_Notes/2016-2017_Mikes_Notes/Philanthropy/IMG_6956.jpg?width=836&height=557&name=IMG_6956.jpg)

Gradually, inexorably, the interconnectedness of the larger community reveals itself; the greater web of need catches sunlight. Family, our school, our church community, our towns, and our environment – we begin to see these as not simply self-sustaining spaces to be leveraged. We begin to appreciate the greater whole. We understand the structure behind the institution. We look for ways to contribute, to support. The gift of time, the gift of compassion, the gift of talent – these are air, the lifeblood, the underpinning of caring we learn to dispense in our communities: awareness of needs on the one hand, capacity to support on the other. Yesterday I read an email from a friend asking if I would consider supporting a Kickstarter fund. A musician was looking for help. Would I listen? Consider a donation? I did. I will. It makes sense to give back to that which sustains my spirit, and music is a part of that.

![Proctor Academy Boarding School New Hampshire New England](https://blogs.proctoracademy.org/hs-fs/hubfs/Blog_Pics/Mikes_Notes/2016-2017_Mikes_Notes/Philanthropy/IMG_6976.jpg?width=836&name=IMG_6976.jpg "Proctor Academy Boarding School New Hampshire New England")

According to [*Giving USA*](http://www.charitynavigator.org/index.cfm/bay/content.view/cpid/42), individuals, foundations, and corporations gave away more than 373 billion dollars in 2015. We are a generous nation. Millions of people contributed to a variety of causes: religion, education, human services, foundations, the environment, and animals…the list is long. What drives this? [Malcolm Gladwell in his podcast *Revisionist History*](http://revisionisthistory.com/) explores the philanthropic impulse in *[My Little Hundred Million](http://revisionisthistory.com/episodes/06-my-little-hundred-million),* an episode that looks at the why behind giving, specifically large gifts, to institutions. Does it all go back to learning to care? Is it about having impact? Does ego start to dilute the altruism? In the best philanthropic spirit, the ideas represented by an institution are unique and impactful enough as to trigger altruistic investment: this model of education has merit, that church impacts community, this block of wilderness must continue to exist. That which sustains more than us inspires support.

![IMG_6967.jpg](https://blogs.proctoracademy.org/hs-fs/hubfs/Blog_Pics/Mikes_Notes/2016-2017_Mikes_Notes/Philanthropy/IMG_6967.jpg?width=836&height=557&name=IMG_6967.jpg)

Does it all come back to the Circle K wrapper and early lessons moved forward? To me it does.

![Mike_-_newer.jpg](https://blogs.proctoracademy.org/hs-fs/hub/408790/file-1943813927-jpg/Blog_Pics/Mikes_Notes/Mike_-_newer.jpg?t=1478261431221&width=201&name=Mike_-_newer.jpg)

Mike Henriques P'11, P'15

Proctor Academy Head of School

 

[![Read more of Mike's blog posts here.](https://no-cache.hubspot.com/cta/default/408790/7c480f3f-70a7-4ca9-9dd4-bc2ada0444a3.png)](https://cta-redirect.hubspot.com/cta/redirect/408790/7c480f3f-70a7-4ca9-9dd4-bc2ada0444a3)

[![Share on Facebook](https://static.hubspot.com/final/img/common/icons/social/facebook-24x24.png)](http://www.facebook.com/share.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fblogs.proctoracademy.org%2Fmikes-notes-picking-up-and-giving-back%3Futm_medium%3Dsocial%26utm_source%3Dfacebook) [![Share on LinkedIn](https://static.hubspot.com/final/img/common/icons/social/linkedin-24x24.png)](http://www.linkedin.com/shareArticle?mini=true&url=https%3A%2F%2Fblogs.proctoracademy.org%2Fmikes-notes-picking-up-and-giving-back%3Futm_medium%3Dsocial%26utm_source%3Dlinkedin) [![Share on Twitter](https://static.hubspot.com/final/img/common/icons/social/twitter-24x24.png)](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?original_referer=https%3A%2F%2Fblogs.proctoracademy.org%2Fmikes-notes-picking-up-and-giving-back%3Futm_medium%3Dsocial%26utm_source%3Dtwitter&url=https%3A%2F%2Fblogs.proctoracademy.org%2Fmikes-notes-picking-up-and-giving-back%3Futm_medium%3Dsocial%26utm_source%3Dtwitter&source=tweetbutton&text=Mike%27s%20Notes%3A%20Picking%20Up%20and%20Giving%20Back) [![Share on Pinterest](https://static.hubspot.com/final/img/common/icons/social/pinterest-24x24.png)](http://pinterest.com/pin/create/button/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fblogs.proctoracademy.org%2Fmikes-notes-picking-up-and-giving-back%3Futm_medium%3Dsocial%26utm_source%3Dpinterest&media=) [![Share on Email](https://static.hubspot.com/final/img/common/icons/social/email-24x24.png)](mailto:?subject=Check%20out%20https%3A%2F%2Fblogs.proctoracademy.org%2Fmikes-notes-picking-up-and-giving-back%3Futm_medium%3Dsocial%26utm_source%3Demail%20&body=Check%20out%20https%3A%2F%2Fblogs.proctoracademy.org%2Fmikes-notes-picking-up-and-giving-back%3Futm_medium%3Dsocial%26utm_source%3Demail)

[![Read and Subscribe to The Buzz!](https://no-cache.hubspot.com/cta/default/408790/interactive-142506864155.png)](https://blogs.proctoracademy.org/hs/cta/wi/redirect?encryptedPayload=AVxigLLX0XHkSMdK1kznIOdf7xbtVL4RynF1Jf189BAQZu8WMcxUVoExUUjZN2mQAmy6ciUc0ahPQP8wXKqD%2BngJVP8d%2Bc%2B17GhOjUy%2Bgq3bNyduGOlC2KxJH0dRgsDo2tmgq%2FgHSSON8N97IVQc9lFXovp30JGdOwEY%2FooKHCyDq8hULuTDpyypFCIChXEjUmRyTtqYYAUCoKDjpKI%3D&webInteractiveContentId=142506864155&portalId=408790)

### Posts by Topic

- [Off-Campus Programs (522)](https://blogs.proctoracademy.org/topic/off-campus-programs)
- [Experiential Learning (517)](https://blogs.proctoracademy.org/topic/experiential-learning)
- [Community (438)](https://blogs.proctoracademy.org/topic/community)
- [Student Work (416)](https://blogs.proctoracademy.org/topic/student-work)
- [Academics (265)](https://blogs.proctoracademy.org/topic/academics)
- [Athletics (255)](https://blogs.proctoracademy.org/topic/athletics)
- [School Culture (231)](https://blogs.proctoracademy.org/topic/school-culture)
- [Arts (216)](https://blogs.proctoracademy.org/topic/arts)
- [Mike's Notes (182)](https://blogs.proctoracademy.org/topic/mike-s-notes)
- [Educational Model (172)](https://blogs.proctoracademy.org/topic/educational-model)
- [Student Life (165)](https://blogs.proctoracademy.org/topic/student-life)
- [Relationships (149)](https://blogs.proctoracademy.org/topic/relationships)
- [Boarding School (147)](https://blogs.proctoracademy.org/topic/boarding-school)
- [European Art Classroom (131)](https://blogs.proctoracademy.org/topic/european-art-classroom)
- [Mountain Classroom (131)](https://blogs.proctoracademy.org/topic/mountain-classroom)
- [Study Abroad (131)](https://blogs.proctoracademy.org/topic/study-abroad)
- [Proctor en Segovia (115)](https://blogs.proctoracademy.org/topic/proctor-en-segovia)
- [Alumni (109)](https://blogs.proctoracademy.org/topic/alumni)
- [World Languages (104)](https://blogs.proctoracademy.org/topic/world-languages)
- [Ocean Classroom (100)](https://blogs.proctoracademy.org/topic/ocean-classroom)
- [Faculty (86)](https://blogs.proctoracademy.org/topic/faculty)
- [Performing Arts (51)](https://blogs.proctoracademy.org/topic/performing-arts)
- [Environmental Stewardship (49)](https://blogs.proctoracademy.org/topic/environmental-stewardship)
- [Admissions (45)](https://blogs.proctoracademy.org/topic/admissions)
- [The Journey (39)](https://blogs.proctoracademy.org/topic/the-journey)
- [COVID (37)](https://blogs.proctoracademy.org/topic/covid)
- [Residential Life (37)](https://blogs.proctoracademy.org/topic/residential-life)
- [Team Spotlight (37)](https://blogs.proctoracademy.org/topic/team-spotlight)
- [Health and Wellness (34)](https://blogs.proctoracademy.org/topic/health-and-wellness)
- [Summer Months (34)](https://blogs.proctoracademy.org/topic/summer-months)
- [Academic Support (33)](https://blogs.proctoracademy.org/topic/academic-support)
- [Proctor Woodlands (33)](https://blogs.proctoracademy.org/topic/proctor-woodlands)
- [Professional Development (32)](https://blogs.proctoracademy.org/topic/professional-development)
- [Core Values (31)](https://blogs.proctoracademy.org/topic/core-values)
- [Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (29)](https://blogs.proctoracademy.org/topic/diversity-equity-and-inclusion)
- [Skiing (29)](https://blogs.proctoracademy.org/topic/skiing)
- [Staff (29)](https://blogs.proctoracademy.org/topic/staff)
- [Parents (27)](https://blogs.proctoracademy.org/topic/parents)
- [Diversity (26)](https://blogs.proctoracademy.org/topic/diversity)
- [Proctor in Costa Rica (25)](https://blogs.proctoracademy.org/topic/proctor-in-costa-rica)
- [Family Weekend (24)](https://blogs.proctoracademy.org/topic/family-weekend)
- [Wilderness Orientation (23)](https://blogs.proctoracademy.org/topic/wilderness-orientation)
- [Community Service (22)](https://blogs.proctoracademy.org/topic/community-service)
- [Winter (21)](https://blogs.proctoracademy.org/topic/winter)
- [College (20)](https://blogs.proctoracademy.org/topic/college)
- [Graduation (20)](https://blogs.proctoracademy.org/topic/graduation)
- [Leadership (20)](https://blogs.proctoracademy.org/topic/leadership)
- [Head of School (19)](https://blogs.proctoracademy.org/topic/head-of-school)
- [History (19)](https://blogs.proctoracademy.org/topic/history)
- [Technology (19)](https://blogs.proctoracademy.org/topic/technology)
- [Board of Trustees (18)](https://blogs.proctoracademy.org/topic/board-of-trustees)
- [Brian's Blogs (18)](https://blogs.proctoracademy.org/topic/brians-blogs)
- [Campaign for Proctor (17)](https://blogs.proctoracademy.org/topic/campaign-for-proctor)
- [Proctor Ski Area (17)](https://blogs.proctoracademy.org/topic/proctor-ski-area)
- [Afternoon Activities (16)](https://blogs.proctoracademy.org/topic/afternoon-activities)
- [Advisor (14)](https://blogs.proctoracademy.org/topic/advisor)
- [Facilities (14)](https://blogs.proctoracademy.org/topic/facilities)
- [Self-Advocacy (14)](https://blogs.proctoracademy.org/topic/self-advocacy)
- [English (13)](https://blogs.proctoracademy.org/topic/english)
- [Proctor on Snow (13)](https://blogs.proctoracademy.org/topic/proctor-on-snow)
- [Project Period (13)](https://blogs.proctoracademy.org/topic/project-period)
- [Euro (12)](https://blogs.proctoracademy.org/topic/euro)
- [Giving (12)](https://blogs.proctoracademy.org/topic/giving)
- [Learning Skills (12)](https://blogs.proctoracademy.org/topic/learning-skills)
- [Thanksgiving (12)](https://blogs.proctoracademy.org/topic/thanksgiving)
- [Native American Connection (11)](https://blogs.proctoracademy.org/topic/native-american-connection)
- [Senior Project (11)](https://blogs.proctoracademy.org/topic/senior-project)
- [Academic Concentrations (10)](https://blogs.proctoracademy.org/topic/academic-concentrations)
- [College Counseling (10)](https://blogs.proctoracademy.org/topic/college-counseling)
- [Rigor and Support (10)](https://blogs.proctoracademy.org/topic/rigor-and-support)
- [Proctor Fund (9)](https://blogs.proctoracademy.org/topic/proctor-fund)
- [Day Students (8)](https://blogs.proctoracademy.org/topic/day-students)
- [Dining and Nutrition (8)](https://blogs.proctoracademy.org/topic/dining-and-nutrition)
- [EdTech (8)](https://blogs.proctoracademy.org/topic/edtech)
- [Summer Service Trips (8)](https://blogs.proctoracademy.org/topic/summer-service-trips)
- [Thought Leadership (8)](https://blogs.proctoracademy.org/topic/thought-leadership)
- [Campus (7)](https://blogs.proctoracademy.org/topic/campus)
- [Equity and Inclusion (7)](https://blogs.proctoracademy.org/topic/equity-and-inclusion)
- [Innovation (7)](https://blogs.proctoracademy.org/topic/innovation)
- [Maintenance Team (6)](https://blogs.proctoracademy.org/topic/maintenance-team)
- [Science (6)](https://blogs.proctoracademy.org/topic/science)
- [Social Science (6)](https://blogs.proctoracademy.org/topic/social-science)
- [Strategic Planning (6)](https://blogs.proctoracademy.org/topic/strategic-planning)
- [Weekend Activities (6)](https://blogs.proctoracademy.org/topic/weekend-activities)
- [Remote Learning (5)](https://blogs.proctoracademy.org/topic/remote-learning)
- [Andover (4)](https://blogs.proctoracademy.org/topic/andover)
- [Art Exhibits (4)](https://blogs.proctoracademy.org/topic/art-exhibits)
- [Assembly (4)](https://blogs.proctoracademy.org/topic/assembly)
- [Development (4)](https://blogs.proctoracademy.org/topic/development)
- [Holderness Day (4)](https://blogs.proctoracademy.org/topic/holderness-day)
- [Accepted Students (3)](https://blogs.proctoracademy.org/topic/accepted-students)
- [Hays Speaking Prize (3)](https://blogs.proctoracademy.org/topic/hays-speaking-prize)
- [Math (3)](https://blogs.proctoracademy.org/topic/math)
- [Special Olympics (3)](https://blogs.proctoracademy.org/topic/special-olympics)
- [Buy Proctor (2)](https://blogs.proctoracademy.org/topic/buy-proctor)
- [Prep School (2)](https://blogs.proctoracademy.org/topic/prep-school)
- [Proctor in China (2)](https://blogs.proctoracademy.org/topic/proctor-in-china)
- [Sustainability (2)](https://blogs.proctoracademy.org/topic/sustainability)
- [Boat Building (1)](https://blogs.proctoracademy.org/topic/boat-building)
- [Dorms (1)](https://blogs.proctoracademy.org/topic/dorms)
- [Entrepreneurship (1)](https://blogs.proctoracademy.org/topic/entrepreneurship)
- [In Memory (1)](https://blogs.proctoracademy.org/topic/in-memory)
- [Mike (1)](https://blogs.proctoracademy.org/topic/mike)
- [Proctor Pond (1)](https://blogs.proctoracademy.org/topic/proctor-pond)
- [Summer Literacy (1)](https://blogs.proctoracademy.org/topic/summer-literacy)
- [Thanks (1)](https://blogs.proctoracademy.org/topic/thanks)
- [freshman seminar (1)](https://blogs.proctoracademy.org/topic/freshman-seminar)

see all

### Blog Archives

- [May 2023 (1)](https://blogs.proctoracademy.org/archive/2023/05)
- [April 2023 (19)](https://blogs.proctoracademy.org/archive/2023/04)
- [March 2023 (12)](https://blogs.proctoracademy.org/archive/2023/03)
- [February 2023 (24)](https://blogs.proctoracademy.org/archive/2023/02)
- [January 2023 (17)](https://blogs.proctoracademy.org/archive/2023/01)
- [December 2022 (13)](https://blogs.proctoracademy.org/archive/2022/12)
- [November 2022 (18)](https://blogs.proctoracademy.org/archive/2022/11)
- [October 2022 (21)](https://blogs.proctoracademy.org/archive/2022/10)
- [September 2022 (16)](https://blogs.proctoracademy.org/archive/2022/09)
- [August 2022 (9)](https://blogs.proctoracademy.org/archive/2022/08)
- [July 2022 (7)](https://blogs.proctoracademy.org/archive/2022/07)
- [June 2022 (11)](https://blogs.proctoracademy.org/archive/2022/06)
- [May 2022 (25)](https://blogs.proctoracademy.org/archive/2022/05)
- [April 2022 (20)](https://blogs.proctoracademy.org/archive/2022/04)
- [March 2022 (14)](https://blogs.proctoracademy.org/archive/2022/03)
- [February 2022 (23)](https://blogs.proctoracademy.org/archive/2022/02)
- [January 2022 (19)](https://blogs.proctoracademy.org/archive/2022/01)
- [December 2021 (13)](https://blogs.proctoracademy.org/archive/2021/12)
- [November 2021 (20)](https://blogs.proctoracademy.org/archive/2021/11)
- [October 2021 (17)](https://blogs.proctoracademy.org/archive/2021/10)
- [September 2021 (16)](https://blogs.proctoracademy.org/archive/2021/09)
- [August 2021 (11)](https://blogs.proctoracademy.org/archive/2021/08)
- [July 2021 (7)](https://blogs.proctoracademy.org/archive/2021/07)
- [June 2021 (7)](https://blogs.proctoracademy.org/archive/2021/06)
- [May 2021 (22)](https://blogs.proctoracademy.org/archive/2021/05)
- [April 2021 (16)](https://blogs.proctoracademy.org/archive/2021/04)
- [March 2021 (17)](https://blogs.proctoracademy.org/archive/2021/03)
- [February 2021 (23)](https://blogs.proctoracademy.org/archive/2021/02)
- [January 2021 (19)](https://blogs.proctoracademy.org/archive/2021/01)
- [December 2020 (9)](https://blogs.proctoracademy.org/archive/2020/12)
- [November 2020 (12)](https://blogs.proctoracademy.org/archive/2020/11)
- [October 2020 (19)](https://blogs.proctoracademy.org/archive/2020/10)
- [September 2020 (14)](https://blogs.proctoracademy.org/archive/2020/09)
- [August 2020 (10)](https://blogs.proctoracademy.org/archive/2020/08)
- [July 2020 (7)](https://blogs.proctoracademy.org/archive/2020/07)
- [June 2020 (10)](https://blogs.proctoracademy.org/archive/2020/06)
- [May 2020 (13)](https://blogs.proctoracademy.org/archive/2020/05)
- [April 2020 (16)](https://blogs.proctoracademy.org/archive/2020/04)
- [March 2020 (14)](https://blogs.proctoracademy.org/archive/2020/03)
- [February 2020 (22)](https://blogs.proctoracademy.org/archive/2020/02)
- [January 2020 (18)](https://blogs.proctoracademy.org/archive/2020/01)
- [December 2019 (16)](https://blogs.proctoracademy.org/archive/2019/12)
- [November 2019 (17)](https://blogs.proctoracademy.org/archive/2019/11)
- [October 2019 (25)](https://blogs.proctoracademy.org/archive/2019/10)
- [September 2019 (18)](https://blogs.proctoracademy.org/archive/2019/09)
- [August 2019 (7)](https://blogs.proctoracademy.org/archive/2019/08)
- [July 2019 (8)](https://blogs.proctoracademy.org/archive/2019/07)
- [June 2019 (6)](https://blogs.proctoracademy.org/archive/2019/06)
- [May 2019 (22)](https://blogs.proctoracademy.org/archive/2019/05)
- [April 2019 (22)](https://blogs.proctoracademy.org/archive/2019/04)
- [March 2019 (14)](https://blogs.proctoracademy.org/archive/2019/03)
- [February 2019 (26)](https://blogs.proctoracademy.org/archive/2019/02)
- [January 2019 (20)](https://blogs.proctoracademy.org/archive/2019/01)
- [December 2018 (11)](https://blogs.proctoracademy.org/archive/2018/12)
- [November 2018 (17)](https://blogs.proctoracademy.org/archive/2018/11)
- [October 2018 (22)](https://blogs.proctoracademy.org/archive/2018/10)
- [September 2018 (18)](https://blogs.proctoracademy.org/archive/2018/09)
- [August 2018 (9)](https://blogs.proctoracademy.org/archive/2018/08)
- [July 2018 (9)](https://blogs.proctoracademy.org/archive/2018/07)
- [June 2018 (10)](https://blogs.proctoracademy.org/archive/2018/06)
- [May 2018 (22)](https://blogs.proctoracademy.org/archive/2018/05)
- [April 2018 (22)](https://blogs.proctoracademy.org/archive/2018/04)
- [March 2018 (13)](https://blogs.proctoracademy.org/archive/2018/03)
- [February 2018 (23)](https://blogs.proctoracademy.org/archive/2018/02)
- [January 2018 (20)](https://blogs.proctoracademy.org/archive/2018/01)
- [December 2017 (13)](https://blogs.proctoracademy.org/archive/2017/12)
- [November 2017 (19)](https://blogs.proctoracademy.org/archive/2017/11)
- [October 2017 (17)](https://blogs.proctoracademy.org/archive/2017/10)
- [September 2017 (14)](https://blogs.proctoracademy.org/archive/2017/09)
- [August 2017 (7)](https://blogs.proctoracademy.org/archive/2017/08)
- [July 2017 (4)](https://blogs.proctoracademy.org/archive/2017/07)
- [June 2017 (8)](https://blogs.proctoracademy.org/archive/2017/06)
- [May 2017 (27)](https://blogs.proctoracademy.org/archive/2017/05)
- [April 2017 (24)](https://blogs.proctoracademy.org/archive/2017/04)
- [March 2017 (16)](https://blogs.proctoracademy.org/archive/2017/03)
- [February 2017 (26)](https://blogs.proctoracademy.org/archive/2017/02)
- [January 2017 (22)](https://blogs.proctoracademy.org/archive/2017/01)
- [December 2016 (16)](https://blogs.proctoracademy.org/archive/2016/12)
- [November 2016 (22)](https://blogs.proctoracademy.org/archive/2016/11)
- [October 2016 (23)](https://blogs.proctoracademy.org/archive/2016/10)
- [September 2016 (16)](https://blogs.proctoracademy.org/archive/2016/09)
- [August 2016 (7)](https://blogs.proctoracademy.org/archive/2016/08)
- [July 2016 (5)](https://blogs.proctoracademy.org/archive/2016/07)
- [June 2016 (11)](https://blogs.proctoracademy.org/archive/2016/06)
- [May 2016 (25)](https://blogs.proctoracademy.org/archive/2016/05)
- [April 2016 (23)](https://blogs.proctoracademy.org/archive/2016/04)
- [March 2016 (16)](https://blogs.proctoracademy.org/archive/2016/03)
- [February 2016 (29)](https://blogs.proctoracademy.org/archive/2016/02)
- [January 2016 (18)](https://blogs.proctoracademy.org/archive/2016/01)
- [December 2015 (17)](https://blogs.proctoracademy.org/archive/2015/12)
- [November 2015 (17)](https://blogs.proctoracademy.org/archive/2015/11)
- [October 2015 (22)](https://blogs.proctoracademy.org/archive/2015/10)
- [September 2015 (13)](https://blogs.proctoracademy.org/archive/2015/09)
- [August 2015 (6)](https://blogs.proctoracademy.org/archive/2015/08)
- [July 2015 (7)](https://blogs.proctoracademy.org/archive/2015/07)
- [June 2015 (8)](https://blogs.proctoracademy.org/archive/2015/06)
- [May 2015 (27)](https://blogs.proctoracademy.org/archive/2015/05)
- [April 2015 (19)](https://blogs.proctoracademy.org/archive/2015/04)
- [March 2015 (14)](https://blogs.proctoracademy.org/archive/2015/03)
- [February 2015 (24)](https://blogs.proctoracademy.org/archive/2015/02)
- [January 2015 (21)](https://blogs.proctoracademy.org/archive/2015/01)
- [December 2014 (16)](https://blogs.proctoracademy.org/archive/2014/12)
- [November 2014 (18)](https://blogs.proctoracademy.org/archive/2014/11)
- [October 2014 (20)](https://blogs.proctoracademy.org/archive/2014/10)
- [September 2014 (17)](https://blogs.proctoracademy.org/archive/2014/09)
- [August 2014 (6)](https://blogs.proctoracademy.org/archive/2014/08)

see all

### Recent Stories

### Telling the Proctor story

[READ CHUCK'S CORNER AND ACADEMIC LENS BLOG ARCHIVES HERE](http://chuckscorner.proctoracademy.org/chucks_corner/index.html).

[![Speak with someone in Admissions](https://no-cache.hubspot.com/cta/default/408790/a018312c-fd1e-4710-bacc-58ad2c972eda.png)](https://cta-redirect.hubspot.com/cta/redirect/408790/a018312c-fd1e-4710-bacc-58ad2c972eda)

- [Facebook](https://www.facebook.com/proctorparents)
  
    - [Proctor Academy](https://www.facebook.com/proctoracademy?ref=hl)
    - [Proctor Alumni](https://www.facebook.com/proctoracademy)
    - [Proctor Parents](https://www.facebook.com/proctorparents)
    - [Proctor Athletics](https://www.facebook.com/pages/Proctor-Academy-Athletics/140880952609576)
- [Twitter](https://twitter.com/proctoracademy)
  
    - [Proctor Main](https://twitter.com/proctoracademy)
    - [Proctor Community](https://twitter.com/PA_Community)
    - [Proctor Athletics](https://twitter.com/PA_Athletics)
- [![Instagram](https://blogs.proctoracademy.org/hs-fs/file-1229462312-png/Layout/large_link350423_29017.png)](http://instagram.com/proctoracademy)
- [![LinkedIn](https://blogs.proctoracademy.org/hs-fs/file-1222678679-png/Layout/large_link324706_26576.png)](http://www.linkedin.com/groupRegistration?gid=3110)
- [![YouTube](https://blogs.proctoracademy.org/hs-fs/file-1229462307-png/Layout/large_link324705_26577.png)](https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCzVG9mnN7RsqaXa9VSWiPXQ/featured)
- [![Flickr](https://blogs.proctoracademy.org/hs-fs/file-1229072945-png/Layout/large_link324707_26575.png)](http://www.flickr.com/photos/proctoracademy/)

Located in  Andover, NH,  Proctor Academy is a private coeducational day and boarding school for grades 9–12. Students benefit from a rigorous academic program, experiential off-campus programs, fine and performing arts, competitive athletics, and a wide selection of extracurricular activities.

[![](https://blogs.proctoracademy.org/hs-fs/file-1229072925-png/Images/logoFoot.png)](https://www.proctoracademy.org/)

 204 Main Street  .  PO Box 500  .  Andover, NH 03216  
(603) 735-6000

```json
{
  "@context" : "https://schema.org",
  "@type" : "BlogPosting",
  "author" : {
    "@type" : "Person",
    "name" : "Mike Henriques",
    "url" : "https://blogs.proctoracademy.org/author/mike-henriques"
  },
  "datePublished" : "2016-11-04T12:18:17.000Z",
  "headline" : "Mike's Notes: Picking Up and Giving Back",
  "image" : [ "https://blogs.proctoracademy.org/hubfs/Blog_Pics/Mikes_Notes/2016-2017_Mikes_Notes/Philanthropy/IMG_6956.jpg" ],
  "mainEntityOfPage" : {
    "@id" : "https://blogs.proctoracademy.org/mikes-notes-picking-up-and-giving-back",
    "@type" : "WebPage"
  },
  "publisher" : {
    "@type" : "Organization",
    "logo" : {
      "@type" : "ImageObject",
      "url" : "https://blogs.proctoracademy.org/hs-fs/hub/408790/file-1356544276.jpg"
    },
    "name" : "Proctor Academy"
  }
}
```