Srinithi Raj

[Photo] WA boys’ volleyball looks to build off of a promising run last season

Jack Zwirn, Staff Writer
Apr 6, 2022

A Lowell player spikes the ball as the WA team prepares to return.

[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

Voruganti scores a two during the four-minute extension of the game. The Ghosts won the first round of the State Championships.

WA Girls Basketball becomes DCL champions

Srinithi Raj, Co-Editor-in-Chief
Feb 19, 2022

Marked by quick recoveries and a strong defense, Westford Academy Girls Basketball took home the DCL Championship title tonight, after having defeated Lincoln-Sudbury (LS) 40-30 in the DCL Semifinals and...

WA remains split in reception of finals cancellation for 2021-2022 school year

Srinithi Raj, Co-Editor-in-Chief
Feb 4, 2022

Following Westford Academy administration’s decision to cancel finals, the WA community remains split in its reception of this choice. Coupled with the cancellation of midterms earlier this month, students...

[Photo] Midterms for 2021-2022 school year are canceled

Jan 6, 2022

Old midterm and quarter two schedules have been changed

Midterms for 2021-2022 school year are canceled

Srinithi Raj, Co-Editor-in-Chief
Jan 6, 2022

With the advent of midterms, Westford Academy administration has decided to cancel this semester exam in light of heightened COVID cases for the 2021-2022 school year. At the end of the school day on...

Students modify holiday plans amidst COVID

Srinithi Raj, Co-Editor-in-Chief
Dec 22, 2021

With rising COVID and flu cases, students share their holidays plans and how they have been modified to accommodate the pandemic. Students were asked: "What are your holiday plans this year during COVID?...

‘Encanto’ expands POC narrative

Srinithi Raj, Co-Editor-in-Chief
Dec 9, 2021

When we think of a Hispanic movie, what may come to mind is likely some combination of stereotypical foods like tacos, sombreros, and gang activity--unfortunately. With such a caricature being asserted...

Team bonds usher success: Kate Edison swims to Connecticut College

Srinithi Raj, Co-Editor-in-Chief
Nov 24, 2021

Fully clothed coaches and sopping wet swimmers jumped into a pool to celebrate their final swimmer’s winning lap. But, no one saw the sleepover she had to miss the previous night to practice for the...

WA Varsity Football delivers 24-14 victory against Lowell

Srinithi Raj, Co-Editor-in-Chief
Nov 14, 2021

Westford Academy defeated Lowell 24-14 on Friday Nov. 14 at Trustees Field to advance to a 7-3 record on the season. WA dominated all aspects of the game from start to finish, including three touchdowns...

WA Art Calendar creates nostalgia

Srinithi Raj, Co-Editor-in-Chief
Oct 31, 2021

Every year, the Westford Academy Art Club curates 14 student artworks to adorn the club’s yearly calendar. This year’s artists were recently named, including students from grades ten to twelve, with...

Westford’s Varsity Football dominates 29-0 against Newton South

Srinithi Raj, Co-Editor-in-Chief
Oct 9, 2021

Westford Academy defeated Newton South 29-0 on Friday night at Trustees Field to advance to a record of 4-1 on the season. WA dominated all aspects of the game from start to finish, including four touchdowns,...

Sewing machine project makes history books come alive

Srinithi Raj, Co-Editor-in-Chief
Sep 24, 2021

Deep in the factories of the industrial revolution, workers toiled away on Singer sewing machines for long hours and uncertain pay. Nearly 200 years later, those same machines will be wielded by high school...

“Cinderella” is an unrecognizable remake

Srinithi Raj, Co-Editor-in-Chief
Sep 14, 2021

At this point, there's a Cinderella movie that seems to pop-up every decade or so; heck, every one of my aunts born in different generations has a single adaptation they gravitate toward. Upon watching...

Olsen leaves a legacy of cooperation and empathy

Anushka Patil and Srinithi Raj
Jun 3, 2021

As the Class of 2017 threw their graduation caps high in the air, there was a single student whose attention was elsewhere. A young graduate looked towards the man at the podium who created the very building...

Unique learning environment may undermine academic integrity

Srinithi Raj, Co-Editor-in-Chief
May 14, 2021

Chegg, Coursehero, Slader, and Varsity Tutors. There’s something that all these websites have in common, and while I’d like to think that they’re used for the enrichment of student learning, that...

Coping with COVID-19, missing out on familial relationships

Srinithi Raj, Co-Editor-in-Chief
Apr 30, 2021

With a single shriek on a Sunday morning, my day collapsed from my greatest worry being about what flavor of tea I’d drink for breakfast to confronting a reality I never thought I would face: my grandmother...

Say yes to ‘Yes Day’

Srinithi Raj, Co-Editor-in-Chief
Apr 2, 2021

Want to watch TV on a weekday? Or eat ice cream for breakfast? As the daughter of two immigrant parents, I’d laugh at the infinitesimal prospect of me ever being able to do these activities. It’s not...

WPS begins full reopening after state-wide mandate

Anushka Patil and Srinithi Raj
Mar 17, 2021

After Massachusetts Commissioner of Education Jeff Riley’s state-wide directive for the reopening of all schools, the school committee unanimously voted in favor of an April 26 reopening for grades 6-12,...

Humans of WA: Sreya Binu shares experiences as an aspiring artist

Srinithi Raj, Co-Editor-in-Chief
Mar 5, 2021

Whether it be band, orchestra or chorus, it’s no surprise that WA students excel in the musical arts. One such student at our school is freshman Sreya Binu. Binu has been singing since she was two years...

Humans of WA: Student body explores later start times dilemma

Srinithi Raj, Co-Editor-in-Chief
Jan 29, 2021

Adding on the hours II: Modified learning model sparks controversy

This story is the second part in a series detailing DESE's new instruction-delivery requirements, why WPS is working to comply with such modifications, and community reactions to this mandate.

Srinithi Raj, Co-Editor-in-Chief
Jan 7, 2021

Following the decision of the MA Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) to increase synchronous learning time requirements, Westford Academy remains split in its reception of this mandate....

Adding on the hours I: WPS increases synchronous learning time to meet DESE requirements

This story is the first part in a series detailing DESE's new instruction-delivery requirements, why WPS is working to comply with such modifications, and community reactions to this mandate.

Srinithi Raj, Co-Editor-in-Chief
Jan 6, 2021

After the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) concluded that students would benefit from an increase in live instruction time, WA will shift to a new learning schedule that replaces...

“Uncle Frank” portrays a frank and emotional tale

Srinithi Raj, Co-Editor-in-Chief
Dec 12, 2020

As Amazon released yet another old, revamped film on its platform for Thanksgiving weekend, I was expecting “Uncle Frank” to be as boring as any other basic road trip movie. Two laughing fits and one...

Class of 2021 STUCO officers and representatives elaborate on goals for school year

Srinithi Raj, Co-Editor-in-Chief
Oct 19, 2020

Ghostwriter Co-Editor-in-Chief Srinithi Raj interviewed some of the senior STUCO candidates who were interested to share their goals with the Ghostwriter on Friday, October 16. In the Q&A, the students...

The hybrid model is a privilege with inevitable shortcomings

Srinithi Raj, Co-Editor-in-Chief
Oct 8, 2020

As I was walking through the courtyard one day for a mask break, I witnessed two girls taking off their masks and sharing a Starbucks drink. Not only was I appalled and honestly quite frightened, it was...

2020-2021 school year experiences parking pass price hike in light of COVID-19, budget

Srinithi Raj, Co-Editor-in-Chief
Sep 23, 2020

In light of COVID-19, the WPS School Committee and Finance Department authorized a change to Westford Academy’s 2020-2021 student parking system: student parking will now be open to both juniors and...

Graduation commemorates class of 2020

Srinithi Raj and Austin DeSisto
Aug 7, 2020

On Friday, August 7, WA hosted the graduation of the class of 2020. While maintaining social distancing, the Westford community joyously commemorated the graduating class. Below is a gallery of moments...

School Committee meeting 8/5 updates hybrid model

Srinithi Raj and Melanie Duronio
Aug 6, 2020

With the ongoing spread of COVID-19, the Westford School Committee gathered for an online meeting on Wednesday, August 5, to continue discussing a safe reopening plan for Westford Public Schools. Although...

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...

Jannelle Cioffi vouches for student education in run for school committee position

Srinithi Raj, Co-editor-in-chief
Jun 16, 2020

With the advent of the Westford Town Election, several school committee candidates have made their mark as promising members. One such individual is Westford resident Jannelle Cioffi. Cioffi has lived...

The Weeknd returns with ‘After Hours’

Srinithi Raj and Keertana Gangireddy
Mar 26, 2020

Canadian singer Abel Tesfaye, aka The Weeknd, is arguably the best modern R&B artist out there. The soul sensation hit records with a full length, 13-track LP, After Hours, a follow up to his 2018...

School Committee meeting updates residents on impacts of COVID-19

Update 3/25/20: Governor Baker announced that all schools will be closed through May 4, 2020.

Srinithi Raj, Features Editor
Mar 24, 2020

As COVID-19 infiltrates the Westford area, the School Committee led another virtual meeting on March 23 to continue discussing the virus’s impact in town. Governor Charlie Baker has instituted a stay-at-home...

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...

Seven ways to occupy yourself at home during COVID-19 social distancing

Srinithi Raj, Features Editor
Mar 17, 2020

Inevitably, by the third or fourth day of staying at home, you're so bored you wish you were back in school again. Especially with a three-week-long period of social distancing, it can be difficult to...

Breaking down the recall election of six School Committee members

Srinithi Raj, Features Editor
Feb 26, 2020

Westford resident Sue Higgins has been collecting signatures for an official recall referendum election against School Committee members Avery Adam, Chris Sanders, Gloria Miller, Alicia Mallon, MingQuan...

Soundbytes: How do you feel about midterms?

Srinithi Raj, Features Editor
Jan 16, 2020

Midterms are always one of the most stressful times of the year. Here is a gallery featuring how some students feel about midterms and the advice some give as to how to prep for these exams.

[Photo] WA outswims Cambridge

Penny Joyce, Staff Writer
Jan 10, 2020

Shreya Krishnan reaches the surface of the water after doing a kick-flip.

Why citizens came to hear Pete Buttigieg’s ideas for president

Srinithi Raj, Features Editor
Jan 5, 2020

Pete Buttigieg is a moderate Democrat who staged a political rally in NH on Saturday, January 4th, in which over 100 citizens came to hear his potential plans if president. The Ghoswriter asked some participants...

Soundbytes: Where did people go for holiday break?

Srinithi Raj, Features Editor
Jan 5, 2020

Like every other year, winter break has come to an end in what feels like an instant. Here is what some people did over the 2019 December break:

Srinithi Raj, Editor-in-Chief

WA Ghostwriter