Melanie Duronio

WA introduces a variety of PE courses for students

Melanie Duronio, Co-Managing Editor
Mar 28, 2022

Starting the next school year, new physical education courses will be offered to WA students. These include Basics of Kinesiology, Kinesiology of Team Games, Health Education, Empowerment and Goal Setting,...

Girls basketball defeats Boston-Latin in state tournament

Melanie Duronio, Co-Managing Editor
Mar 6, 2022

WA defeated Boston-Latin 62-40 at home in their first state tournament game on Thursday, March 4. This win clinches their spot in the next round of the tournament. As soon as the clock began ticking,...

Impact Project spreads positivity to Westford community

Melanie Duronio, Co-Managing Editor
Feb 19, 2022

Whether it be COVID-19 or political unrest, the past few years have been extremely difficult for many communities, and have left behind feelings of melancholy and stress. With the world seeming to have...

WPS addresses verbal abuse targeted at Wayland player

Anushka Patil and Melanie Duronio
Feb 5, 2022

During a Westford Academy girls' basketball game on Friday, January 28, racially charged comments were directed at a Wayland High School player from the WA student section during the final moments of the...

Maru spreads the wonders of STEM with engineering company

Melanie Duronio, Co-Managing Editor
Jan 19, 2022

Many students can find it difficult to juggle classes, extracurriculars, and social life while preparing for college at the same time. However, in the case of senior Neev Maru, this is all an easy feat...

7 underrated artists that are a must-listen

Melanie Duronio, Co-Managing Editor
Dec 22, 2021

It's always a great way to wind down by listening to some of your favorite tunes, however, it can get boring to listen to the same singers over and over again. From indie, to pop, to punk, there are many...

Soundbytes: What are students’ plans for Thanksgiving?

Melanie Duronio, Co-Managing Editor
Nov 24, 2021

As Thanksgiving break finally approaches, students' minds have been preoccupied with delicious foods, reuniting with family and friends, and taking a well-deserved rest. The WA Ghostwriter followed up...

[Photo] Soundbytes: Seniors’ opinions on the 2022 Disney trip cancelation

Pravar Mukkala, Opinions Editor
Nov 24, 2021

Senior Ryan Jacobsmeier: "Usually my family comes to visit [...] but this year they are not unfortunately. They have work and all the kids are older so it'll be me, my brother, and my parents. And of course...

[Photo] School committee should change “The Grey Ghost” mascot

The Editors
Nov 22, 2021

The staff on The Ghostwriter supports Dr. Chew's proposal to change "The Grey Ghost" mascot.

Isabel Doherty continues her passion at Catholic University

Melanie Duronio, Co-Managing Editor
Nov 3, 2021

Ever since six-year-old Isabel Doherty saw a player in a bright red jersey running to score a goal for the first time, she knew that she wanted to play on a soccer team. Now, after four years spent with...

WA vaccination survey regards possible mask lift

Melanie Duronio, Co-Managing Editor
Oct 10, 2021

The Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) issued a statement on Sept. 27, stating that mask requirements in schools will be extended until Nov. 1. However, as of Oct. 15, if a school...

Netflix’s “Sex Education” returns for an anti-climactic third season

Melanie Duronio, Co-Managing Editor
Sep 28, 2021

In recent years there has been a noticeable, but not unwelcome, shift regarding social topics like race, sexuality, and gender. We seem to be striving towards an era of tolerance and acceptance, and our...

Wearing a mask is still important, more so than “normalcy”

Melanie Duronio, Co-Managing Editor
Sep 16, 2021

When thinking of the past eighteen months, many images may come to mind — the endless weeks of quarantine, never-ending online calls and assignments, and perhaps even the chaos that was the 2020 election....

Students start fundraiser to help India become “Covid Safe”

Melanie Duronio, Features Editor
Jun 16, 2021

After living within a pandemic for over a year, there seems to finally be light at the end of the tunnel. With most Americans either fully vaccinated or waiting on their second shot, as well as mask restrictions...

Rao awarded salutatorian of his senior class

Melanie Duronio, Features Editor
Jun 2, 2021

Although high school may seem like a brief period of time on the surface, much can be accomplished through hard work and dedication. Senior Arpit Rao is a prime example of this, as his diligence and passion...

New schedule promotes normalcy at risk of student health

Melanie Duronio, Features Editor
May 1, 2021

Picture this: you are a student in the midst of a worldwide pandemic. Although your life is anything but normal, you still have an obligation to go to school and complete your work from behind either a...

23 Questions with new superintendent Dr. Chew

Melanie Duronio, Features Editor
Apr 2, 2021

This is one of many in the Ghostwriter's series of 23 Questions. This series highlights the significance of our faculty and students, and the little things about them we may not know. The Ghostwriter...

International teachers bring fresh perspectives to WA

Melanie Duronio, Features Editor
Mar 4, 2021

“Knowledge is power” is a phrase that is often recited but generally taken for granted. Education is varied all over the world when it comes to educators, resources, and schooling, with each teacher...

Proposed start times and new WA schedule introduced for fall 2021

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

New timings based on parental feedback have been proposed for the 4-tier bus system meant to alleviate budget constraints, according to WA principal James Antonelli. Additionally, a pilot schedule for...

Marvel’s “WandaVision” has potential, but lacks in action

Melanie Duronio, Features Editor
Jan 28, 2021

When picturing a Marvel superhero, most would imagine their favorite characters partaking in fast-paced action scenes, consisting of epic battles where the heroes always defeat the villains and save the...

[Photo] Melanie Duronio

Sep 16, 2019

School committee searches for next superintendent, preparation begins

Melanie Duronio, Features Editor
Dec 23, 2020

With Superintendent Bill Olsen's approaching retirement at the end of the 2020-2021 school year, the Westford School Committee has begun the process for choosing the next superintendent, who will begin...

Ice hockey, basketball cancelled due to rising COVID cases

Melanie Duronio and Kristen Su
Dec 8, 2020

With a 4-3 vote, the Westford School Committee decided to follow Superintendent Bill Olsen’s recommendation to continue alpine and nordic ski in-person and swimming and gymnastics virtually, with basketball...

GhostCast Episode 1: Climate Change

Unnati Bhat and Melanie Duronio
Nov 18, 2020

GhostCast is a Podcast by the WA Ghostwriter. GhostCast, the voice of the ghost, is a platform voicing WA student opinions on relevant issues and topics. This first episode is co-hosted...

Class of 2022 STUCO Officers and Representatives

Melanie Duronio and Kristen Su
Oct 19, 2020

On Friday, October 16, the WA Ghostwriter interviewed some of the junior candidates either running or re-running for student government. The candidates discussed their plans for the 2020-2021 school...

Hybrid learning is a good alternative, but needs changes before it can be “great”

Melanie Duronio, Features Editor
Oct 9, 2020

Week One: Wake up, put on your mask, and begin your daily commute to WA for a week of in-person learning alongside your teachers and friends. Week Two: Wake up, eat breakfast, and turn on your computer...

Five pieces of advice geared for incoming freshmen during COVID-19

Melanie Duronio, Staff Writer
Sep 24, 2020

As COVID-19 continues to impact our day to day life, ordinary activities have become complicated feats, as society tries to figure out how to continue life as normal in this bizarre climate. With Westford...

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...

Valery Young runs for school committee position with fresh ideas

Melanie Duronio, Staff Writer
Jun 16, 2020

As the Westford School Committee continues to make important decisions, Valery Young is one Westford resident who has decided to step up and take a more active role in her community by running for a position. Young...

Ella Krikorian pursues career in nursing with lessons from the pool

Melanie Duronio, Staff Writer
May 20, 2020

In the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic, working in the medical field has taken on a whole new light, especially for those choosing it as their career path. Inspired by a long line of nurses in her family,...

The five main takeaways from the 5/18 school committee meeting

Melanie Duronio, Staff Writer
May 19, 2020

On Monday, May 18, the Westford School Committee addressed their plan, on a Zoom call broadcasted by the Westford CAT, for the upcoming school year as well as residents' uncertainties and concerns. With...

Lois Lowry discusses upcoming book and answers readers’ questions

Hannah Thomas and Melanie Duronio
Apr 18, 2020

On Thursday, April 16, Lois Lowry, the author of The Giver, answered students’ and teachers’ questions through a Zoom call that served as a substitute for her canceled book tour. Lowry used the opportunity...

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...

Nine must-watch shows to enjoy while social distancing

Anushka Patil and Melanie Duronio
Mar 26, 2020

By now, individuals, families, communities, and countries have realized the severity of the coronavirus, a pandemic plaguing the world as a highly contagious disease. Spreading rapidly, the coronavirus...

Joe Biden addresses voters’ concerns regarding his campaign and coronavirus

Melanie Duronio and Hannah Thomas
Mar 18, 2020

On Monday, March 16, 2020, Democratic Candidate Joe Biden held a virtual town hall meeting to address the current concerns regarding the coronavirus to potential voters, as well as to answer general questions...

Coronavirus affects the lives of Westford citizens with family in China

Melanie Duronio, Staff Writer
Mar 7, 2020

On December 31, 2019, the coronavirus was first identified among a cluster of individuals who were originally believed to have pneumonia in China. The disease is spread by respiratory droplets created...

Westford residents voice their reasons for keeping Olsen

Melanie Duronio, Staff Writer
Feb 13, 2020

On Monday February 11, a School Committee Meeting was held at Stony Brook Middle School to discuss the concerns surrounding Bill Olsen's contract renewal. Multiple Westford residents, parents, students,...

Town Clerk awaits Eckroth’s letter of resignation

Melanie Duronio, Staff Writer
Feb 13, 2020

During the Westford School Committee meeting on Monday, February 10, emotions ran high as town residents challenged the Committee's decision to not renew Superintendent Bill Olsen's contract. One such...

[Photo] School Committee faces backlash following vote to not renew superintendent’s contract

Mahi Kandage, Editor-in-Chief
Feb 11, 2020

Superintendent Bill Olsen discusses the situation surrounding his contract at the School Committee Meeting on 2/10.

[Photo] WA boys’ basketball devastated by Cambridge-Rindge and Latin on senior night

Keertana Gangireddy, Photography Editor
Feb 11, 2020

Westford Academy players leap to block a possible point for Cambridge.

Pete Buttigieg discusses plans for future, emphasizes inclusivity for all

Melanie Duronio and Srinithi Raj
Jan 4, 2020

On Saturday, January 4, 2020, a crowd of potential voters gathered at the Nashua Community College in New Hampshire to listen to Pete Buttigieg speak about his priorities and plans for the future if he...

WA wrestling team triumphs during first DCL match

Melanie Duronio, Staff Writer
Dec 19, 2019

On Wednesday, December 18, the Varsity Wrestling team won their first DCL match against Boston Latin. The event took place at Westford Academy with a final score of 58-13.

Later start time offers healthier alternatives for students

Melanie Duronio, Staff Writer
Dec 19, 2019

With a large number of students coming to class sleep-deprived, the school committee has been debating the idea of later school start times as a solution to this continuous problem. I believe that if Westford...

Knives Out keeps viewers on the edge of their seats

Melanie Duronio, Staff Writer
Dec 5, 2019

Rian Johnson’s film Knives Out creates a compelling murder mystery that is easy to become enraptured by, thanks to its stunning visuals and entertaining characters. Set in a gothic mansion and filmed...

Spirit Rally 2019 celebrates spirit

Melanie Duronio, Srinithi Raj, and Keertana Gangireddy
Oct 12, 2019

Yesterday, October 11th, marked WA's annual spirit rally. Here are some of the memorable moments.

[Photo] WA bans black face paint at spirit rally

Oct 21, 2021

Seniors at the 2019 spirit rally.

Westford Academy experiences real fire drill

Melanie Duronio, Staff Writer
Oct 9, 2019

On Tuesday morning during second period, students huddled outside of school after a defective alarm triggered an unexpected fire drill. A faulty screw in the fire alarm located in the band room broke...

Butterline takes on gap in digital learning position

Melanie Duronio, Staff Writer
Sep 15, 2019

Introducing Marianne Butterline, a former Norman E. Day School teacher who has recently joined the Westford Academy staff. She will be working as one of its new Digital Learning Specialists. Q: What...

Melanie Duronio, Managing Editor

WA Ghostwriter