Senior Maggie Murphy is a gymnast at heart. Gymnastics was the first sport she ever played, and she has loved it ever since she started practicing 14 years ago. Now, she is a four-time winner of the Dual County League (DCL) Gymnast of the Year award, winning each year of high school. Out of the five...

Every year, the Westford Public School System tosses out 54,000 food trays – that's a staggering 29, 400 pounds of waste and the equivalent of 490 trees. This startling fact has sparked action among students at Stony Brook Middle School. At the school committee meeting on Dec. 4, the Environmental...

In the process of discovering what they want to pursue in life after high school, students find themselves trying out a multitude of different clubs, classes and activities in the lead up to their senior year. However, few manage to find their calling so early on in life as senior Alex Korchev has, whose...

Colorful and flashing lights spill into the hallways from the cafeteria. A mix of all different types of music echoes through the mostly empty halls. Laughter and cheers leak from the doors of the cafeteria, where one person stays entirely focused: the DJ. On Friday, November 17th from 6:00 - 10:00...

For many writers, it can be difficult to find a safe space to share their work in a professional and encouraging environment. Beyond Words is a club that has solidified itself as this welcoming place for anyone who is interested.  On Nov. 9, the club held an open mic event for all interested members...

One of the most difficult tasks a student must face throughout their high school years is balancing their life. With schoolwork, sports, clubs, and jobs, students must be able to manage their academic, athletic, and social lives on a daily basis. Students are usually forced to prioritize some extracurriculars...

Students at Stony Brook and Blanchard Middle School recently found out that their 2024 eighth grade Washington D.C trip will be cancelled due to financial, logistical, and inclusivity concerns. The cancellation has inspired opinions on both ends of the spectrum amidst students and parents, with some...

Coming from several different teaching positions at Concord Carlisle, Groton Dunstable, and Chelmsford, Joe Van Gelder is ready to take on his first year at Westford Academy. Van Gelder grew up in Chelmsford and graduated from Umass Amherst and Cambridge College. As an experienced teaching assistant,...

For any high schooler, traveling outside of their home country on their own, even for a week, can be scary. For long-term international students, this feeling can be felt on an even greater scale. Yet, few can take it with as much ease as WA's newest junior, Lukhanyo Sijadu, who has come all the way...

New staff member Katie Mantineo is starting her first year at Westford Academy as a teaching assistant. After working at three different schools within the Westford school district, she is ready to continue her role in a new environment. She hopes to work with and bring smiles to students each day.  Q:...

Zachary Sawyer is WA’s new orchestra teacher, joining the music department staff with many years of musical experience. Recently, the Ghostwriter got a chance to interview him and unlock a few deeper insights into who Sawyer is as a person and how he’s liking his job so far. Q: How are you enjoying...

Christy Weller-Fahy is a student librarian trainee at WA. She got her undergrad from UMass Lowell 5 years ago and is getting a masters in library science at Salem State. She will only be here at WA for at most two weeks, as this will finish her training and she will be eligible for a masters degree in...