WA Ghostwriter

Budget breakdown IV: An unsustainable present, a tentative future

Varshini Ramanathan and Mehul Shrivastava
Apr 18, 2019

In the previous installments of this budget series (I, II, III) we discussed the how and the why of the school's budget deficit that caught public attention this year but has in actuality been persisting...

Budget breakdown III: Outdated state aid hurts towns statewide

Varshini Ramanathan and Mehul Shrivastava
Apr 9, 2019

In the previous installment of this budget series, we discussed some of the how and the why of Westford's school budget crunch. Now we break down the state aid formula, or money the state gives to make...

Budget breakdown II: Why Westford?

Varshini Ramanathan and Mehul Shrivastava
Apr 9, 2019

In the first installment of this budget series, we looked at the immediate effects of the budget cuts and its lack of sustainability for the future. Now we look at how this budget deficit came about, the...

Budget breakdown I: Immediate effects

Mehul Shrivastava and Varshini Ramanathan
Apr 9, 2019

This four-part series details the causes and effects of the budget deficit facing Westford Public Schools this year, exploring its origins in terms of town revenue, state funding, and other major factors....

[Photo] School committee searches for next superintendent, preparation begins

Dec 23, 2020

The Westford School Committee begins the search for a new Superintendent with Olsen's retirement on the horizon.

What you need to know about the school budget cuts

Varshini Ramanathan and Mehul Shrivastava
Mar 23, 2019

On Saturday, Mar. 23, Westford will be holding its annual Spring Town Meeting from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., where it will be finalizing the budget for the upcoming fiscal year, FY20. The school system is taking...

Herren speaks to community

Mehul Shrivastava, Managing Editor
Feb 5, 2019

On Thursday, Christopher Herren came to Westford Academy to give a presentation to the students on addiction. Herren is a former basketball player, who played for teams such as the Denver Nuggets and the...

The future is uncertain

Mehul Shrivastava, Managing Editor
Jan 23, 2019

As we get older, our definition of success changes, and so does our definition of failure. People hold themselves to different standards, and those standards change as we get older and face more challenges. When...

Opinion: Seniors would love a snow day

Mehul Shrivastava, Managing Editor
Jan 20, 2019

Last year, the school district experienced a whopping nine snow days, and as a result, the Distance Learning Program was put in place. Students had six extra days at the end of the year and received more...

District considers later start times to address lack of sleep

Mehul Shrivastava and Keertana Gangireddy
Jan 20, 2019

Superintendent Everett Olsen has proposed a later start time for all students in the district, with the intention of allowing high school and middle school students in particular to maintain a healthier...

WA staff manages mental health

Mehul Shrivastava, Managing Editor
Jan 20, 2019

Depression and anxiety have become more and more common in teenagers in today's fast-paced lifestyle. Stress concerning academics, extracurriculars, social situations, and life at home often build up and...

[Photo] Girls' basketball comes out on top against Billerica

Jan 20, 2019

Sophomore Jennifer Martin attempts to dodge a Billerica player.

7 tips for future college applicants

Mehul Shrivastava, Managing Editor
Oct 30, 2018

The college application process is a hefty one. As someone who just submitted their first round of applications, I can tell you my experience was far from perfect, but I can also say that pressing the...

[Photo] Girls' Volleyball takes 3-0 victory on Senior Night

Oct 26, 2018

Defensive players attempt to block the ball and send it to the other side of the court.

Opinion: New Spirit Rally is a positive step towards inclusivity

Mehul Shrivastava, Managing Editor
Oct 23, 2018

I spent freshman, sophomore and junior year of high school looking forward to my senior spirit rally. Every year, I watched the senior class run onto the field and cheer on their classmates, and I could...

Student Council introduces changes to annual spirit rally

Mehul Shrivastava, Managing Editor
Oct 16, 2018

Westford Academy's student council announced that the spirit rally, taking place on October 19 2018, will include stations in addition to the original event in order to promote inclusivity in the WA community....

Soo returns to WA as band director

Mehul Shrivastava, Managing Editor
Oct 1, 2018

Soon after George Arsenault left Westford Academy at the end of the last academic year, Michael Soo came in to take his place as the school's band director. After coming to Westford Academy as a student...

Bunyon takes over athletic department

Mehul Shrivastava, Managing Editor
Oct 1, 2018

At the end of the 2016-2017 school year, former Athletic Director Dan Twomey replaced Michael Parent as one of the three deans of Westford Academy, and former head football coach Adam Gagne took his place...

Girls’ Field Hockey falls to Acton-Boxborough

Mehul Shrivastava, Managing Editor
Sep 17, 2018

On Monday, September 17, the Westford Academy Girls' Varsity Field Hockey team lost to Acton-Boxborough Regional High School with a score of 0-2. Although they were not victorious, Coach Sherry Fisher commended...

Westford Farmers’ Market closes after twelve-year run

Founder cites plateauing popularity, government restrictions

Varshini Ramanathan and Mehul Shrivastava
Jun 18, 2018

After twelve years of filling the Town Common on sunny Tuesday afternoons, the Farmers' Market had become a summer staple in Westford. However, on April 25, 2018, the Westford Farmers' Market announced...

Knittel flocks to birding

Mehul Shrivastava, Managing Editor
Jun 17, 2018

Finding faculty members with original and unusual hobbies is not always a common occurrence. One of these faculty members is Chemistry teacher Timothy Knittel, who has become an avid birder over the last...

WA teachers earn highest academic degree

Mehul Shrivastava, Managing Editor
Jun 17, 2018

Many teachers at Westford Academy have earned their Master's Degree, but few go on even further to earn a doctorate. Two more faculty members will be added to that category, Mathematics teacher Brian Scanlan,...

[Photo] Top 5 foods at the Strawberries N' Arts Festival

Jun 18, 2018

Springdell Farms sells their fresh, handpicked strawberries.

[Photo] 43rd annual Strawberries N' Arts Festival offers a day of entertainment for all

Jun 16, 2018

The famous strawberry shortcake is a popular food item during the festival.

Student playwrights recognized at theater festival

Mehul Shrivastava, Features Editor
Jun 15, 2018

This year, the Cannon Theater in Littleton is hosting their first ever 10 Minute Play Festival,where six out of the ten plays are written by Westford Academy students, and three additional students will...

[Photo] WA takes steps towards gender inclusivity

Dec 13, 2018

Graduation concludes as the Class of 2018 throws their caps into the air.

Zhu acknowledged as salutatorian

Mehul Shrivastava, Features Editor
Jun 1, 2018

As the class of 2018 wraps up their high school experience, Westford Academy has recognized senior Anthony Zhu as salutatorian of his class. Zhu never let his academic success get in the way of his humility,...

Administration addresses school security

Mehul Shrivastava, Features Editor
Mar 19, 2018

With recent events that have taken place in schools across the country, Westford Academy, as well as the entire school district in Westford, are looking to enhance school security to further ensure student...

Emily Bramanti prepares for life after WA

Mehul Shrivastava, Features Editor
Feb 13, 2018

Senior Emily Bramanti has been a prominent player in girls' basketball for all four of her years of high school. As her final season approaches its end, Emily Bramanti reflects on her time at WA as well...

Girl’s Basketball falls to Wachusett at TD Garden

Mehul Shrivastava, Features Editor
Jan 29, 2018

On Saturday, January 27, WA Girls' Basketball lost to Wachusett with a close score of 45-41 at TD Garden. WA trailed behind Wachusett for the first half, but the second half brought a lot of action...

[Photo] Boy’s Basketball falls to Algonquin 71-53

Kavya Desikan, Social Media Manager
Jan 30, 2018

Senior Ashwin Vasan moves to block an Algonquin player

Sophomore sets goals for 24%

Mehul Shrivastava, Features Editor
Jan 22, 2018

This school year, a brand new club has been added to WA's list of activities. 24%, started by sophomore Jamie Wolpert, is focused on getting more female high school students interested in pursuing STEM...

Administration meets with ADL amid racial tensions

Mehul Shrivastava, Features Editor
Jan 19, 2018

On December 14, The Anti-Defamation League came in to conference with the administration at WA. It was a full work day of training requested by Jenny Kravitz, the science curriculum coordinator and the...

[Video] WAGB wins battle against AB

Kavya Desikan, Social Media Manager
Jan 18, 2018

Last night, Westford Academy Girl's Basketball faced off against Acton-Boxborough and won, maintaining a consistent lead as they continuously out-scored them. WA stayed just ahead of AB during the...

Boys’ Basketball defeats Concord-Carlisle

Mehul Shrivastava, Features Editor
Jan 17, 2018

On Tuesday, January 16, the Varsity Boys' Basketball team won against Concord Carlisle with a score of 58-39. Coach Chris Bramanti wanted to focus on maintaining communication for a strong defense, and...

E-Cigs : Vaping epidemic plagues WA

Mehul Shrivastava and Alisha Sabnis
Dec 6, 2017

Over the last couple years, Westford and several neighboring districts have had more and more students vaping at the high school level. Members of administration have been making efforts to reduce the...

[Photo] WAGV finishes great season

Dec 11, 2017

The girls celebrate their victory