The student news site of Westford Academy

WA Ghostwriter
The student news site of Westford Academy

WA Ghostwriter
The student news site of Westford Academy

WA Ghostwriter
Divya Sambathkumar

Divya Sambathkumar, Co-Managing Editor

Hi! I’m Divya and I’m a senior here at WA. This is my third year on the Ghostwriter and my second year as Managing Editor. In my free time, I like to dance, binge-watch Vampire diaries, and spend time with family and friends. Contrary to what Keertana and Kristen think, Beauty and the Beast is the best movie of all time.

All content by Divya Sambathkumar
AP prep books pile up on a student's desk.

Change your mindset

Divya Sambathkumar, Co-Managing Editor
May 29, 2021

I sat at my desk, cluttered with all the homework, textbooks, and notebooks for my classes, feeling burnt out and frankly, frustrated that this was how I was spending my senior year. I submitted all college...

Superintendent finalist Dr. Michele Shannon

Q&A with Superintendent Finalist Dr. Michele Shannon

Divya Sambathkumar, Co-Managing Editor
Mar 11, 2021

With Bill Olsen’s Superintendency coming to an end, the school committee recently announced that the Executive Vice President of Client Services for the New York Leadership Academy, Dr. Michele Shannon,...

The March 1 school committee meeting discussed the 4-tier busing system, superintendent selection process finalists, and the FY22 budget.

Four main takeaways from 3/1 school committee meeting

Keertana Gangireddy and Divya Sambathkumar
Mar 2, 2021

The Westford School Committee discussed the new 4-tier model for the fall 2021 year, as well as the next steps in the superintendent selection process after the revelation of the four finalists at the...

The new WA schedule

[Photo] Proposed start times and new WA schedule introduced for fall 2021

Keertana Gangireddy, Kristen Su, and Melanie Duronio
Feb 24, 2021

The new WA schedule

New proposed start times

Olsen’s plan for start-times incites controversy among parents

Divya Sambathkumar and Keertana Gangireddy
Jan 12, 2021

Town members and school committee discussed an initial transportation plan during the first budgetary hearing of the year on Monday, January 11. The proposal encompasses different start times for all four...

Soundbytes: students make new year's resolutions

Soundbytes: students make new year’s resolutions

Divya Sambathkumar, Co-managing Editor
Jan 3, 2021

With the end of an unprecedented and noteworthy year, students are looking forward to 2021 to fulfill their goals. New year's day was perfect to identify a few goals and expectations students have for...

Movie poster of "Ma Rainey's Black Bottom".

Chadwick Boseman’s final movie (Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom) is a must watch

Divya Sambathkumar, Co-managing Editor
Dec 23, 2020

After the death of American actor Chadwick Boseman, people eagerly awaited his last movie, Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom, which truly showcased his phenomenal acting and left an impact on the movie industry...

Westford Academy

11/23 school committee meeting begins new superintendent search and updates on winter sports

Divya Sambathkumar and Sophia Keang
Nov 24, 2020

The Westford School Committee met on Monday, November 23, to address recent updates on COVID-19, winter sports, the superintendent contract, and diversity, equity, and inclusion [DEI] related topics.  On...

Movie poster of Jingle Jangle: A Christmas starring Madalen Mills, Forest Whitaker, Keegan‑Michael Key, and Phylicia Rashad.

Jingle Jangle: A Christmas Boredom

Divya Sambathkumar, Co-Managing Editor
Nov 17, 2020

Imagine sitting through a two-hour-long movie consisting of a billion characters breaking into a song every five minutes. Boring, huh? Released on November 6th, Jingle Jangle: A Christmas Journey is...

A woman sits in her room while doing work remotely

Remote Learning Academy needs some modifications

Divya Sambathkumar, Co-managing Editor
Oct 7, 2020

7:00 a.m.: Get ready for school. 7:35 a.m. - 11:00 a.m.: Stare at a screen trapped in a room with absolutely no in-person human interaction (other than my family of course). That routine has become...

The school committee proposes the hybrid model for the school year. The back to school plans will be voted on August 3.

School Committee details hybrid model in 7/27 meeting

Divya Sambathkumar and Keertana Gangireddy
Jul 28, 2020

With the spread of COVID-19, the district has been actively discussing a safe reopening plan for all Westford Public Schools this fall. The state required all districts to prepare a plan based on three...

Commissioner of Education Jeffrey Riley discusses school re-opening plans for fall

Commissioner of Education Jeffrey Riley discusses school re-opening plans for fall

Srinithi Raj and Divya Sambathkumar
Jun 26, 2020

In light of COVID-19, Commissioner of Education Jeffrey Riley issued a DESE (Massachusetts Department of Elementary & Secondary Education) plan to help guide school districts to properly re-open their...

Paul Kravitz posing with his daughters: six-year-old Maisie Kravitz and ten-year-old Elise Kravitz (left to right).

School Committee candidate Paul Kravitz advocates for transparency 

Divya Sambathkumar, Co-managing editor
Jun 16, 2020

The upcoming school committee election has urged members of the community to step up and pursue the opportunity to make a change. Paul Kravitz is one such motivated candidate who hopes to bring positive...

Senior and co-valedictorian Isabella xu posing for a picture.

Xu named co-valedictorian for the class of 2020

Divya Sambathkumar, Co-Managing-Editor
May 14, 2020

After hours of studying and hard work, Senior Isabella Xu has been announced the co-valedictorian of the class of 2020 alongside Grace Pu. Not only has she performed exceedingly in academic classes, but...

Visualization of the COVID-19 virus.

School Committee Meeting discusses scheduling and distance learning implementations

Divya Sambathkumar and Melanie Duronio
Apr 1, 2020

When Governor Baker announced an extension for all schools in Massachusetts until May 4, showing the continuing effects of the COVID-19 among Westford and its citizens, the Westford School Committee initiated...

Hand sanitizer is most effective when there is an alcohol content above 50-60%.

Press conference with research assistant clears up COVID-19 concerns

Divya Sambathkumar and Anushka Patil
Mar 25, 2020

On Wednesday, March 18, 2020, Harvard Research Assistant Ben Jacobson met with student journalists from around Massachusetts over a Zoom press conference, discussing the potential problems and questions...

The coronavirus outbreak has caused school closures all over the United States.

Emergency School Committee meeting addresses COVID-19 impacts

Divya Sambathkumar and Srinithi Raj
Mar 17, 2020

As the spread of COVID-19 produces further complications regarding academic and social logistics in Westford, the School Committee led an emergency virtual meeting on March 16th to continue discussing...

Jumanji's movie poster includes Dwayne Johnson, Karen Gillan, Kevin Hart, and Jack Black.

Watch Jumanji: The Next Level solely for its comedy

Divya Sambathkumar, Print Managing Editor
Jan 16, 2020

After two years, the sequel to Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle has been released and I am glad to say that this one surpassed my expectations. Going in, I set my standards rather low since sequels generally...

DECA president Shelly Singhal standing next to the DECA board.

23 Questions with DECA president Shelly Singhal | WA Ghostwriter

Divya Sambathkumar, Print Managing Editor
Jan 11, 2020

This is one of many in the Ghostwriter’s new series of 23 questions. This series will highlight the significance of our faculty and students, and the little things about them that many don’t know....

WA Girls’ Basketball triumph over LS marks Coach Coward’s 200th career win

Divya Sambathkumar and Keertana Gangireddy
Jan 11, 2020

On Friday, January 10, WA Girls' Varsity Basketball won against Lincoln-Sudbury with a final score of 40-23. The first half of the game, WA played poorly but after half-time, they picked up their offense,...

The boys' bathroom in the English hallway.

Westford Academy removes boys’ bathroom doors

John Vassiliou and Divya Sambathkumar
Jan 8, 2020

Over winter break, Westford Academy removed the main doors to all the boys' bathrooms around the school.  The decision to remove the doors came after multiple reports of vandalism, vaping, and other inappropriate...

HOSA president Lasya Dutta: "We decided to do the sticker thing because now it's very trendy to put stickers on your water bottles and laptops. We tried to incorporate medical things, as well as a more versatile theme for our products. We're hoping to increase sales in order to pay for opportunities available to our club members."

23 Questions with Lasya Dutta | WA Ghostwriter

Divya Sambathkumar, Print Managing Editor
Jan 3, 2020

This is one of many in the Ghostwriter's new series of 23 questions. This series will highlight the significance of our faculty and students, and the little things about them that many don't know. This...

Freshman Audrey Fletcher: "I want to get better at drawing [...] and do better in history."

What’s your New Year’s resolution?

Divya Sambathkumar, Print Managing Editor
Jan 3, 2020

The Ghostwriter asked ten Westford Academy students what their New Year's resolution is. Here are their responses:

Clock hanging in the Bell Lobby

Here’s why we shouldn’t have later start times

Divya Sambathkumar, Print Managing Editor
Dec 19, 2019

For the past two years, the School Committee has been trying to implement later start times for the entire Westford school district. Their main purpose in doing so is to relieve Westford Academy student...

Clock hanging in the Bell Lobby

Later school times might be implemented next year

Divya Sambathkumar, Print Managing Editor
Nov 1, 2019

For the past two years, the school committee has been proposing later school times. They hope to implement this change next year but there have been many factors that they must address before they execute...

Food delivery to school raises safety concerns

Divya Sambathkumar, Print Managing Editor
Oct 31, 2019

In the last few weeks, deliveries from Panera, Starbucks, Dunkin' Donuts and other food services have been received by WA students through the services themselves but also through parents and apps such...

Fire alarm goes off for the second time in two weeks

Fire alarm goes off for the second time in two weeks

Divya Sambathkumar, Print Managing Editor
Oct 23, 2019

On Monday, the fire alarm went off for the second time in two weeks and students were told to evacuate the building for about 20 minutes  The reason it happened this time was due to the building's old...

Senior Skyler Anderson sets the ball.

WA Girls’ Volleyball defeats Newton-South 3-0

Divya Sambathkumar, Print Managing Editor
Oct 18, 2019

On Tuesday, October 15, Girls’ Varsity Volleyball came out victorious in their game against Newton-South by winning all three sets.WA made a come-back after their loss against Newton-South during their...

A Lincoln-Sudbury player and junior, Dominique Paglia, compete for the ball.

[Photo] WA Girls' Varsity Soccer wins 2-0 against Lincoln-Sudbury

Sep 25, 2019

A Lincoln-Sudbury player and junior, Dominique Paglia, compete for the ball.

Spanish exchange students and their WA host partners pose for a picture during their field trip to Boston.

Spanish exchange students visit Westford Academy

Divya Sambathkumar, Social Media Editor
Sep 20, 2019

For the past two weeks, 15 Spanish exchange students from the Amor de Dios school in Salamanca, have learned about American culture and experienced what it is like to live in the United States. By stepping...

Mr. Antonelli answering a question

23 Questions with Principal James Antonelli | WA Ghostwriter

Divya Sambathkumar, Social Media Editor
Sep 16, 2019

This is one of many in the Ghostwriter's new series of 23 questions. This series will highlight the significance of our faculty and students, and the little things about them that we may not know. This...

College abroad: Redman decides upon McGill University

College abroad: Redman decides upon McGill University

Divya Sambathkumar, Social Media Manager
May 31, 2019

Applying to international colleges can be hard but finding the right one can be more difficult. Having someone to help guide you and having the necessary experiences are all important in choosing both...

All Apple Blossom queen candidates posing for a picture with last year's queen, Emily Doolin

The Apple Blossom court celebrates kindness and service

Divya Sambathkumar, Social Media Manager
May 23, 2019

Westford’s 51st annual Apple Blossom Parade was held on Saturday, May 21st depicting the many finalists and the Apple Blossom Queen, Julianne Lee. Kiwanis, the organization that runs the festival,...

More paintings in the flag lobby by WA's art students.

Westford comes together for district-wide art show

Divya Sambathkumar, Social Media Manager
May 9, 2019

On Wednesday, May 9,  an art show was held in WA in which artwork from Westford Academy, the middle schools and the elementary schools were displayed. Westford Academy's Improv Band, Troubadours,  WAcapella,...

Boys' Volleyball beats Acton-Boxboro 2-1

Boys’ Volleyball beats Acton-Boxboro 2-1

Divya Sambathkumar, Social Media Manager
May 9, 2019

WA Boys’ Varsity Volleyball came out victorious after their game on Friday, May 3 against Acton-Boxboro with the final score being 2-1. WA won the first set, 25-16, but struggled during the second set...

MCAS testing disturbed due to Internet outage

MCAS testing disturbed due to Internet outage

Divya Sambathkumar, Staff Writer
Mar 26, 2019

On Tuesday March 26, Westford Academy sophomores were unable to finish session one of the English MCAS exam, due to an unexpected Internet outage that occurred throughout Westford. There were Internet...

Compliment cards written for students at Westford Academy.

Walden’s Wall fosters the WA community

Divya Sambathkumar, Staff Writer
Mar 25, 2019

Found outside the Wright library, Walden's Wall has attracted the students of Westford Academy through the several colorful notes promoting a positive environment. Created by juniors Isabella Xu,...

Load More Stories