Throughout the Westford community, Westford Academy is known for specializing in many facets, such as its high-level academics, impressive Theatre Arts program, and strong DECA organization. However, another layer of WA that makes it so unique compared to most high schools in the area is the capstone internships that seniors partake in during the fourth quarter.
Every week, four Westford Academy seniors can be found in the Westford Police Department (WPD). Whether it be listening to 911 calls or reading reports, they are an example of a group taking full advantage of WA’s unique capstone opportunities for seniors.
These seniors, Brandon Murphy, Mackenzie Fannon, Nicholas Doney, and Brooke Downey have been conducting their internship since April 5, and will continue to throughout the end of May.
Fannon has had a positive experience at the Police Department thus far and has learned a lot from the officers she has been teamed with. In the first few weeks of her internship, Fannon has learned the importance of doing work that you love and how to manage her own stress and the stress of others in intense situations.
“Getting to see people in moments of stress and trying to understand how and why, as well as the psychology behind it [was a positive experience and takeaway] at the Police Department,” Fannon said. “[I have also learned] the importance of having a good work community and enjoying what you do.”
A day in the life for these seniors at the Police Department consists of doing dispatch and listening to records and 911 phone calls, reading reports, and occasionally a ride-along in a cruiser with an officer.
“When we are doing ride-alongs we put on the bullet proof vest and hop in the passenger seat of the cruiser,” Fannon said. “Then we can ask questions and learn about their patrol routes and how to give tickets and hear stories from past calls.”
Murphy will be attending the University of New Hampshire (UNH) this upcoming fall, where he is taking a double major in Business and Justice Studies. Doney is committed to Assumption University where he will be studying Criminal Justice, and both Fannon and Downey are attending the University of Connecticut (UConn) where Fannon plans on studying Psychology whilst Downey studies Physiology and Neurobiology.
Working with people at the WPD will set these four students up for success going into their diverse career paths in college.
For Downey, the opportunity she has been given of working at the Police Department will be beneficial for her future career. After her college career at UConn, she hopes to enter the medical field where she can work together with other first responders.
“My goal is to be a physician’s assistant or a doctor, and I would love to work specifically in the Emergency Room,” Downey said. “If I achieve this, I would be working quite closely with EMTs, firefighters, and police officers who bring in patients. Being on this side of emergency services gives me insight for later in life.”
Planning to pursue a Criminal Justice degree, Murphy felt that the WPD would allow him to understand the duties and responsibilities of law enforcement officers.
“Starting senior year, it was my intention to do a major in business, however I always had an interest in Law Enforcement,” Murphy said. “Taking business classes at WA gave me a good intro into the business world, however the only class that taught me a bit about Law Enforcement was Mr. Martell’s quarter long criminal minds class, so I felt I should maybe try for a spot in the Westford Police as my capstone.”
The interns are grateful for the opportunities they have participating in this capstone. They are especially thankful for the officers who have made their internship a positive experience.
“All of the officers have been super amazing to us during this experience,” Murphy said. “One person who has made a big impact is my site supervisor, Captain Michael Breault. He is an amazing Captain to talk to and super kind and understanding as well.”
