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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

James McDermott

James McDermott, Sports Editor

Hey! My name is James McDermott, I am a senior at Westford Academy and this is my fourth year on the Ghostwriter staff. I joined the Ghostwriter because I have always loved writing and sports. In my free time I am almost always playing sports or hanging out with my family and friends. I am extremely excited to continue with the Ghostwriter and hopefully have another successful and fun year.

All content by James McDermott
Graduates throw up their caps in celebration.

A new perspective

James McDermott, Co-Sports Editor
Jun 7, 2024

Four years of high school come with a lengthy set of challenges and distractions no matter who you are, what school you attend, or what your priorities are. At a school as academically rigorous as Westford...

The infielders meet at the mound to encourage pitcher.

Softball sets sights on DCL title

James McDermott, Co- Sports Editor
Mar 31, 2024

At the start of each season, every team in the state is 0-0. Despite this, some teams have higher expectations than others. Westford Academy Softball is a team that has earned the right to go into every...

Fahlman ready to take on next chapter as a Greyhound

James McDermott, Co-Sports Editor
Mar 27, 2024

Senior Chris Fahlman achieved his dream of being a collegiate swimmer when he announced his commitment to Assumption University on Wednesday, Feb. 28. Fahlman began his swimming journey when he was...

Seniors pose for a photo following the pregame ceremony.

WA Boys’ Basketball senior night spoiled by Warriors

James McDermott, Co- Sports Editor
Feb 12, 2024

Westford Academy Boys’ Basketball fell 7-9 on the season on Friday, Feb. 9, losing 51-38 at home against Lincoln-Sudbury on senior night due to the second half being littered with offensive struggles...

Seniors Nick Russo and James Farley complete their pregame handshake.

WA falls just short of CC on the road

James McDermott, Co-Sports Editor
Feb 1, 2024

Westford Academy Boys’ Basketball suffered their sixth loss of the season by a score of 40-38 on Tuesday, Jan. 30 on the road against Concord-Carlisle, falling to 7-6 on the season. It was an up and...

WA lines up to shake hands with Leominster after the game.

Boys’ basketball’s opening night spoiled by Leominster

James McDermott, Co-Sports Editor
Dec 15, 2023

Westford Academy Boys’ Basketball dropped their first game of the season, losing 51-37 against Leominster at home on Tuesday, Dec. 12.  It was a tale of two halves for WA. Consistent offense and...

Stony Brook Middle School in Westford, MA.

Civics MCAS officially introduced to Westford middle schools

James McDermott, Co- Sports Editor
Dec 11, 2023

Beginning in 2025, a civics MCAS will be required statewide for eighth grade students. Westford Public Schools has officially introduced civics MCAS at the middle school level after years of developing...

Students work together on schoolwork in a library.

DLTs need to be built into all students’ schedules

James McDermott, Co- Sports Editor
Nov 21, 2023

Students are struggling with anxiety now more than ever. Many of these cases stem from non-school related factors, while many do stem from schoolwork itself. Either way, with students currently struggling...

Bramanti and Russo flex for the camera.

Boys’ basketball has sights set on hanging a banner in 2024

James McDermott, Co-Sports Editor
Nov 15, 2023

After an up and down season last year that ended in heartbreaking fashion, Westford Academy Boys’ Basketball is more motivated than ever to hang up a victory banner at the end of this season.  A...

Girls' soccer huddles up before regular season matchup.

Fall sports have a historic season for WA

James McDermott, Co-Sports Editor
Nov 2, 2023

Every single fall sports team at Westford Academy has officially made the Massachusetts State Tournament in their respective sport. With the State Tournament season upon us for fall sports, WA teams have...

Wi-Fi needs to improve at Westford Academy.

WA’s poor Wi-Fi situation is in need of improvements

James McDermott, Co-Sports Editor
Nov 2, 2023

Every student, teacher, administrator, and staff member at Westford Academy uses Wi-Fi at one point or another as they go about their day. Wi-Fi has become the foundation of so much of what we do now,...

Albuquerque lines up for a penalty kick in the second half.

Boys’ soccer put to sleep by Bedford

James McDermott, Co-Sports Editor
Oct 11, 2023

WA Boys’ Soccer's three game winning streak was snapped by Bedford, as they suffered a 2-0 loss at home on Tuesday, Oct. 10. A penalty kick resulted in a shift of momentum and an insurmountable deficit...

Senior captains Alex Kwon, Justin Davighi, and Ilan Rashdan pose for a photo following a match.

Golf is striving for greatness in 2023

James McDermott, Co- Sports Editor
Sep 12, 2023

After a state tournament appearance and a 9-1 regular season campaign in 2022, WA Golf looks to continue raising the bar as to what is defined as success. With a new coach in physical education teacher...

WA Girls' Lacrosse regroups at halftime.

WA Girls’ Lacrosse rolls past Arlington behind Carmichael’s 300th career point

James McDermott, Co-Sports Editor
Jun 9, 2023

WA Girls’ Lacrosse defeated Arlington 19-9 at home on Monday, May 22 in a one sided matchup. Sophomore Kassidy Carmichael scored her 300th career point with 12 minutes remaining in the first half, reaching...

Online sportsbooks provide an easier betting platform than ever before.

The rise of sports gambling at WA

James McDermott, Co-Sports Editor
May 11, 2023

Last names have been removed to protect source's identities. Gambling has been a prominent aspect of sports culture for the majority of history. Ever since gambling online through sportsbooks became...

Dominici smiles for her senior picture.

Dominici to make a splash at Swarthmore

James McDermott, Co-Sports Editor
Apr 13, 2023

Playing a sport in college is an unforgettable experience for the athletes who are lucky enough and work hard enough to reach that level. It is a privilege that athletes must work towards throughout their...

Geraghty coaches up the girls' hockey team.

Head Girls’ Hockey coach Jim Geraghty awarded DCL/MVC Coach of the Year

James McDermott, Co-Sports Editor
Apr 13, 2023

After leading WA Girls’ Hockey to the state tournament after a 5-15 season in 2021-2022, head coach Jim Geraghty has been voted Dual County League/Merrimack Valley Conference Coach of the Year (DCL/MVC). In...

Haggan eludes defenders as he navigates through the defense.

Haggan to burst onto the scene at Bentley

James McDermott, Sports Editor
Apr 2, 2023

It is rare to see any eighth grader begin football for the sole purpose of playing at college. With less than a 7% chance of accomplishing that goal, it is a feat most athletes do not even attempt. However,...

The dangers behind TikTok.

How dangerous is TikTok?

James McDermott, Sports Editor
Mar 22, 2023

It is safe to say that every student, teacher, administrator, and staff member at WA has heard of the globally popular social media platform, TikTok. It has redefined social media, inspiring Instagram,...

WA's starting lineup gets introduced on senior night.

Boys’ Basketball stampedes Wayland on senior night

James McDermott, Sports Editor
Feb 1, 2023

Westford Academy Boys’ Basketball improved to 7-6 on the season after blowing out Wayland 85-41 at home on Tuesday Jan. 31 on their senior night. A season-high 85 points, coupled with stifling defense,...

Coach Kalukiewicz is all smiles after his 400th victory.

Coach Kalukiewicz eclipses incredible milestone of 400 wins

James McDermott, Sports Editor
Jan 20, 2023

20 years, 20 preseasons, 20 regular seasons, 20 postseasons, 20 offseasons, and 20 wins per season. That is the formula necessary to win 400 games as a high school basketball coach, which explains why...

WA Girls' Basketball huddles up to game plan for the second half.

WA Girls’ Basketball outlasts Bedford in high scoring battle

James McDermott, Sports Editor
Jan 10, 2023

WA Girls’ Basketball improved their record to 3-5 on the season after beating Bedford at home 57-53 on Friday, Jan. 6. WA came out with an abundance of energy to begin the first quarter, starting...

Schultz (second from right) runs alongside teammates during practice.

Schultz to sprint onto the scene at Merrimack College

James McDermott, Sports Editor
Dec 24, 2022

Less than eight percent of all high school athletes continue their athletic careers at the collegiate level, and just two percent of all high school athletes compete at the division 1 level. On November...

Anthony Rudiman poses for a picture with his helmet and pads.

Anthony Rudiman wins 2022 DCL Thorpe Player of the Year

James McDermott, Sports Editor
Dec 9, 2022

Westford Academy Football won their first DCL title since 2015, and posted a stellar 6-2 regular season record, not once losing a single DCL matchup along the way. Senior running back and captain Anthony...

Schultz (second from right) runs alongside teammates during practice.

WA Boys’ Cross Country takes home the 2022 DCL title

James McDermott, Sports Editor
Nov 4, 2022

Westford Academy Boys’ Cross Country dominated the DCL Championships on Friday, Oct. 28 at Franklin Park, winning 58-31 behind record-setting performances from junior Paul Bergeron and sophomore Jack...

Players get up after being involved in a tackle.

WA tramples Lincoln-Sudbury in one sided matchup

Jack Zwirn and James McDermott
Oct 21, 2022

WA Football defeated Lincoln-Sudbury 21-6 at home on Friday, Oct. 14, improving their record to 5-1 on the season. WA dominated from the first snap of the game, opening up a huge gap to allow senior...

ESPN fantasy football logo.

Fantasy football unleashes competitive spirit like no other

James McDermott, Sports Editor
Oct 17, 2022

Every Sunday from September to December, households across the country are filled with whirlwinds of emotions. Some houses consist of people jumping up and down in celebration, while some contain people...

WA Football players pose for a picture. (Wilson, Haggan, Rudiman, Fremault)

WA Football hungry to tackle the competition

James McDermott, Sports Editor
Sep 12, 2022

After kicking off their season with a 44-6 blowout win against Dracut, WA Football looks to continue dominating whoever is on the other side of the line of scrimmage every Friday night. Following a...

Matthew Zegowitz rises above the net.

Boys’ Volleyball outduels Lowell to advance to State Championship

James McDermott, Sports Editor
Jun 15, 2022

The WA's Boys' Volleyball game against Lowell was a rollercoaster of a matchup. WA commandingly won the first two sets to put themselves just one set away from a trip to the State Championship. Lowell...

Kirby receives pitch and frames it in the strike zone.

Kirby makes a call to the bullpen at Clemson

James McDermott, Sports Editor
Jun 2, 2022

Senior Captain of the Westford Academy Baseball team Cole Kirby has played on the baseball fields of Westford for as long as he can remember. Although he has made the decision to not pursue playing baseball...

Morgan Smith admires shot after striking ball.

Morgan Smith finds her fairway at Phillips Exeter

James McDermott, Sports Editor
Jun 2, 2022

Driving the tee into the ground, striking the ball, and watching it soar towards the green has become a familiar feeling for Morgan Smith, and one that she will continue to experience at Phillips Exeter...

Student parking lot.

Student vehicles vandalized in school parking lot

James McDermott, Sports Editor
Apr 24, 2022

The Ghostwriter acknowledges that this is an ongoing investigation and not all the information has been shared/released with us; please read at your own discretion.  During the last week of school...

WA's starting five is introduced before the first round of the state tournament.

[Photo] Boys’ Basketball trumps St. John’s in first round of State Championships, 41-40

Srinithi Raj, James McDermott, Co-Editor-in-Chief, Co-Sports Editor
Mar 5, 2022

WA's starting five is introduced before the first round of the state tournament.

Zoom meeting is held due to COVID-19 guidelines.

Pandemic affects communication

James McDermott, Co-Sports Editor
Feb 18, 2022

Note: The sample size of the survey we took regarding communication and the pandemic is small, but the responses show consistent trends From wearing masks to being required to stay six feet away from...

Mrs. Callaghan

Callaghan temporarily fills in for Fonden

James McDermott, Co- Sports Editor
Jan 13, 2022

Molly Callaghan has done something that not many other people have ever done, and that is return to teaching after a 14 year long absence from the profession. Callaghan is currently filling in for English...

WA lines up pregame.

Boys’ basketball outlasts Boston Latin to secure second win

James McDermott, Co- Sports Editor
Dec 22, 2021

Westford Academy Boys' Varsity Basketball traveled to Boston Latin on Tuesday, December 21st, and came home with a winning score of 54-37, led by senior Griffin Eddy. The first quarter was a hard-fought,...

Host of Survivor, Jeff Probst

Season 41 of ‘Survivor’ is a family-friendly thriller

James McDermott, Co- Sports Editor
Dec 11, 2021

Season 41 of "Survivor" has been one like no other. Shocking, never-before-seen twists have left viewers on the edge of their seat, but that is not the only thing that has made Season 41 special. "Survivor"...

Thanksgiving Dinner

Top 7 Thanksgiving Day traditions

James McDermott, Co-Sports Editor
Nov 24, 2021

1. Run a turkey trot A turkey trot is a long-distance race held on Thanksgiving Day all across the country for anyone looking to burn some calories before a traditional Thanksgiving Day feast. 2....

A swimmer warms up in-between races.

WA Swim and Dive moves to a new location for practices and meets

James McDermott, Co-Sports Editor
Nov 23, 2021

The Westford Academy Swim and Dive team will move their practices and meets this season from UMass Lowell to Westfit and The Beede Center after UMass Lowell drained their pool to save money after the pandemic....

Senior Cole Kirby putts the ball.

WA golf team dominates opponents all season long

James McDermott, Co- Sports Editor
Nov 3, 2021

The Westford Academy golf team had an extremely successful season, finishing with an impressive 8-2 record, making it to states for the first time in six years, and ending the year as DCL champions.  To...

Danbury Trashers Logo

The Trashers bring sirens to Danbury

James McDermott, Sports Editor
Oct 6, 2021

Untold: Crime and Penalties: The Danbury Trashers is a fascinating story about a minor league hockey team created by a man named Jimmy Golante. Jimmy Golante was a crime boss who was the mastermind behind...

WA Grey Ghosts celebrate their victory over Dracut.

Westford Academy routes Dracut on their way to 25-8 victory

James McDermott, Co-Sports Editor
Sep 14, 2021

WA football secured a 25-8 victory over Dracut on Friday, Sept. 10 on the Trustees Field. WA dominated all aspects of the game from start to finish, including three touchdowns from running back Anthony...

Movie poster for Honest Thief

Honest Thief will steal your attention

James McDermott, Staff Writer
Jun 16, 2021

In late 2020, an absolute thriller, Honest Thief was released. Honest Thief is a movie that will keep you on the edge of your seat, as you watch a former bank robber continuously outsmart two dirty FBI...

WA students share unique perspective on remote learning

WA students share unique perspective on remote learning

James McDermott, Staff Writer
May 6, 2021

This school year has been full of ups and downs, with many unexpected challenges. Most students have faced the challenges of the hybrid learning model, but what about the students who have been completely...

Senior Ellie Nolan spikes the ball over the net while senior Haleigh Millett (front) senior captain Megan Tierney (back) look on.

Concord Carlisle outduels WA in one sided victory

James McDermott, Staff Writer
Apr 10, 2021

WA Girls Volleyball fell to Concord-Carlisle in straight sets on Thursday, April 1st. Concord Carlisle’s (CC) efficient and aggressive style of play combined with Westford Academy’s lack of cohesiveness...

All American poster features characters Spencer James and Billy Baker.

All American’s dramatic storyline keeps viewers wanting more

James McDermott, Staff Writer
Mar 10, 2021

The CW Network television series All American premiered on October 10, 2018, and is now three seasons long (season three episodes are still coming out week by week). The television series is an unnecessarily...

Peppermint Chocolate Cookies

Top ten things to do over February break if your plans have been cancelled

James McDermott, Staff Writer
Feb 10, 2021

This past year has been very different for all of us due to COVID-19, and the effects are still being felt today. February vacation is coming up next week and it is usually a time where a lot of us go...

The feud continues between LaRusso and Johnny.

‘Cobra Kai’ kicks the competition

James McDermott, Staff Writer
Jan 24, 2021

The Netflix series Cobra Kai, based off of the Karate Kid, movies is a must-watch for people of most ages. Season one was released on May 2, 2018. Now, the series has just released its third season adding...

The decision to cancel basketball and ice hockey greatly impacts seniors, who will miss out on the last season of their high school career.

School committee decides on the winter sports season

James McDermott, Staff Writer
Dec 18, 2020

On December 7, 2020, the Westford School Committee voted 4-3 in favor of cancelling Westford Academy's boys and girls basketball and boys and girls ice hockey for this year’s winter sports season. This...

Picture provided by: Anthony Brown

Anthony Brown fills in for Colson as history teacher

James McDermott, Staff Writer
Oct 27, 2020

Anthony Brown is currently filling in as a history teacher at Westford Academy for Michael Colson. He is extremely excited to be teaching at WA and hopes to make this year the best it can possibly be. Q:...

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