Brenda Mahar is a friendly face seen by almost every student at WA everyday. She manages the snack shack that serves breakfast in the morning and additional snacks in the morning. Known and loved by many, Mahar has dedicated herself to the students of WA since her career the hotel industry.

“I feel that my purpose on earth is to serve God by serving others. That makes me happy, just getting to see people’s faces everyday”, said Mahar. “And it’s always a pleasure in drive down here every day[…] I’m so happy to get here and to see you guys’ faces and I’m really happy I chose to spend my last years working here.”

Mahar is says she is passionate about her job, especially making sure to brighten students’ day, considering all the stress she sees on students’ faces.

Mahar is also well loved by students, especially seniors as they leave for college and other future career options.

Mahar has seen the class of 2017 come in as freshman and leave as seniors, “I’ve seen three graduating classes leave, so I see them looking like babies to me because both my children are in their 30s. I see them [students] more than I see my own children,”  said Mahar.

Mahar holds onto memories of past students fondly.

“I just wanna make sure that I have these wonderful faces up on the wall,” she said, referring to the wall by her register, decorated with cards from students past and present.

“It makes me smile, it really does. I like to remember things we either joked about or other little funny things that had happened throughout the day.”

Mahar is a former director of catering sales in the hotel industry, where it was  a high-stress    environment, taking care of big corporate meetings and their numerous sessions. After thirty-five years, she left the industry for a more relaxing job here at Westford Academy.

“When I did come here, the director of Westford Schools said to me ‘Brenda, with this resume I think you’re going to be bored here.’ and I said that I was all for being bored and I’m ready to make that change in my career,” she said.

“I feel like I’m mothering,”said Mahar “I’m a mother still feeling the love of mothering. I love you kids, I just see all the hope in your eyes. You guys are going to be our legacy,” she said.