The times are changing at Westford Academy

Westford Academy
GHOSTWRITER
Vol. XV No. 2
Priceless
June 2012
The times are changing at Westford Academy
Remembering 145 combined years of teaching and service
and take a new role as primary
care giver.
Poisson’s retirement isn’t a
big
secret to students and staff
Paul Poisson, a chemistry
and neither is his wife’s
teacher at Westford Acadillness, but Poisson’s
emy will be retiring at the
growing frustration with
end of this year. A veteran
administration and the
teacher of thirty-eight years,
direction of education is
Poisson began his teaching
not such a well known
career at WA fresh out of
fact. He is growing tired
college. Although there have
of the advisory days and
been bumps along the way,
other missed opportuni“I don’t regret a single day
ties to teach. According
here,” said Poisson.
to Poisson, teachers
Poisson is leaving WA for
are
being
put under more and
a combination of reasons.
more
pressure
to teach the
These include his wife’s
same amount of material
sickness with cancer and
Poisson teaching where he has for 38 years. with less time, and still
his growing frustration
have the students underwith administration.
has
recently
lost
her
sight
and
stand all of it.
Diagnosed
it is necessary for the beloved
late last year, Mrs. Poisson
Continued on page 4
teacher to leave his job here
Photo by Alivia Kilroy
KatHleen McaleeSe
Staff Writer
Casserly moves on and out
Jim Casserly, a teacher in the
science department, is leaving
Westford Academy. After 37
years at the job he has stayed at
the longest, he says it is time.
“I’ve reached a point where
it is time to go,” said Casserly.
Casserly started his teaching career at WA after working
in many different occupational
“I was a vet surgeon and an
the state and federal government,” said Casserly.
Along with those careers,
he also had usual “teenage”
jobs like working in a local
supermarket.
At WA, Casserly teaches
anatomy, physiology, biology,
says his courses have undergone
several changes over the years.
As hands-on as his courses are,
Joyce says goodbye
KatHleen McaleeSe
Staff Writer
Continued on page 4
strange knowing he’ll be
done with teaching in only
a couple of months. He will
miss his co-workers, especially the ones he’s worked
with for a long time, and is
planning on coming back to visit.
“I don’t
think I’m just
going to close
the doors
and not come
back,” he said,
“for thirtysix out of my
After thirty-six years of
teaching at Westford Academy, history teacher Ed
Scollan has
decided to
retire.
“I tried
to keep [the
retirement]
as low-key
as possible,
but everyone knows
now [...]
years, this has
especially
been part of
with the
my life.”
new class
When
assignments
[for next
started, he was
year],” said
a twenty-twoScollan.
year-old stuScollan
Scollan with a favorite gavel. dent teacher and
described
“overwhelmed”
his experience at WA as
by
teaching
eighteen-year“unbelievable” and claims
olds. He remembers WA had
he couldn’t think of a better
been a place where the teachplace to be for this long.
ers knew all of the students,
“There weren’t many
even if they were not in any
times when I walked into
of their classes.
this building [that] I didn’t
look forward to [my day]. It
sounds hard to believe, but
Continued on page 4
it’s true,” he said.
Scollan stated that it’s
Gagnon to address senior class
and he has plans to move to
Tampa, Florida, where he and
his wife are building a house.
“I’m old,” said Joyce.
In his place is a student
teacher who
helped him
teach
and was
a former
student
of his.
“It’s
a perfect
Michael Joyce, a German
teacher of 34 years here at WA
will be
retiring at
the end
of this
year.
His
teaching
career
brought
everyhim
one,”
here
said
after he
Joyce.
taught
Joyce
for two
fell
years
upon
in the
WestMidford by chance
west,
Michael Joyce
when he came
and one
back to the states.
year in
For Joyce, it “felt like [he]
Vienna Austria.
At this point in his career he had come home.”
“is ready to start a new chapter
Continued on page 4
in [his] life.”
His kids are out of college
Photo provided by WA yearbook
he said, he believes that science
classes are less hands-on than
they were when he started.
“The state requirements
have changed,” he said. “ We
don’t do as many labs because
works anymore.”
Casserly said WA has
changed in other areas than just
the curriculum.
Haley Verre
Staff Writer
KatHleen McaleeSe
Staff Writer
For Gagnon, performing in front of such a big
crowd is nothing new, as she
plays various instruments
but reciting a speech is much
different than performing
music. Nerves are not a huge
obstacle for Gagnon; she is
more excited than nervous.
Over her past four years
at WA, being the graduation
speaker has been a big dream.
“This is something that
I’ve wanted since I went to
the graduation ceremony in
my freshman year. I’m really honored that I have the
opportunity to speak,” said
Gagnon.
Her dream developed
into reality when the senior
class held auditions for the
position of speaker. During
Senior Steph Gagnon is
set to be the speaker for the
graduating class of 2012 at
this year’s ceremony to be
held on June 1st.
In her speech Gagnon
includes a quote by her freshman history teacher which
serves as the inspiration for
the entire speech. From there,
she then will talk about the
changes that have taken place
between freshman and senior
year.
Within the speech,
Gagnon mainly talks about
“broadening horizons” and
branching out to new things
presented drafts of speeches
and experiences. Much of
they hoped to recite. A group
what she will say is based
upon the quote and changes
re-presented their speeches to
that every senior has underclass advisors Lynn Bonakdar
gone through the past four
and Maria Henderson, Miyears. Every senior has
chael. Parent, and Jim Antochanged in some way
since their freshman year Gagnon is excited to speak at graduation. nelli. A decision was made,
and Gagnon was elected
at Westford Academy,
class speaker.
whether it was their appearEnglish horn in the orchestra,
Continued on page 4
ance, maturity, or mindset.
Photo by Samantha Upperman
lauren cullen
Staff Writer
Ed Scollan: one for
the history books
Photo by Alivia Kilroy
Poisson to hang up his lab coat
COLLEGE
DESTINATIONS
PAGES 8-9
SENIOR FEATURES
PAGE 11
ATHLETIC STARS
PAGE 14
EDITORIALS
Finding happiness on the run
These runs induce a significant amount of introspection.
ing my actions: what I did and
about my life when I’m runwhy I did it.
ning. On a hot summer day
I follow the school of
when the dry August sun warms thought in which the ultimate
my back, I usually like to go for purpose of life is happiness.
If I begin to understand that
Westford has
I’m doing
a really peaceful
something that
environment. The
won’t make me
nature trails surhappy in the
rounding WA wind
short-run and
through our town’s
possibly not in
endless woods,
the long run, I
which make for
look for solua pleasant, scenic
tions.
experience.
Too often
When running,
people get
all my senses becaught up in
come more in tune
what
they
began, and
Alex Lee
with the setting around
somewhere along the
me. The trees breathe
way they completely
the fragrance of the wild. The
lose focus on what they were
bugs buzz, and the birds chirp.
heading towards.
A single wispy cloud moves
People do things because
gradually across the paint-blue
other people will say it will
sky.
lead to happiness. With blind
Despite my fatigue, I always faith, they waste precious
notice these little things on runs. minutes in their lives on what
I see life a lot more clearly, both they later look upon as trivial
in the environment and within.
Photo provided byAalexLlee
alExandEr lEE
Editor-in-ChiEf
JUNE 2012
The best is yet to come
wondering where all the time
has gone. I will never have an
Ethan WalshE
matters.
opportunity to be sixteen, sevManaging Editor
I believe that we should all
enteen, eighteen ever again,
evaluate the ultimate purpose
and neither will any of
It’s that time of year again.
of our actions. If we’re not
you. Embrace it,
Prom has passed, the seniors
headed towards long-term
underclassmen. Understand
have left and graduated (or
happiness, then why even
that these are the best days of
maybe are just about to,
bother. Why suffer.
our lives, despite what you
depending on when you read
You only live once and
may say about wanting to get
this) and there’s nothing left
you’re only young once. Go
out of here as soon as you can.
to do for the rest of us accept
out and try new things. Don’t
I’ll be honest: I had that
to sit around and wait for
be afraid to take chances.
feeling of being trapped toJune 19th.
You don’t want to be old
wards the middle of this year.
Normally, the editorials in
and realize that you could
Some seniors have told me
this graduation issue of the
have been happier. That feelthat sophomore year is really
Ghostwriter feature nostalgic
ing of regret and bitterness
when you begin to realize that
tales or some kind of heartalone would be lethal.
you are “stuck” at WA and
felt description of what is to
Live deep and suck out all
will be
happen in
the marrow of life.
for the
their college
It is when I’m running that
next two
days from
these kinds of realizations
years.
the seniors
come to me.
Somewho have left
thing
the paper,
when swimming, watching
clicked
but this is no
TV, or even just lying down.
in me
such thing. I
Whatever the case, self-comand I
cannot write
prehension is essential to long
realized
on either
term happiness.
that they
topic as I
Ethan Walshe
Living each day with an
were
right. I
am not a senior.
understanding of your actions
am “stuck” in this
I haven’t even
and aspirations will lead to a
place for the next two years
started my second half of
fuller, happier existence.
of my life, and I thought that
high school yet.
was a bad thing. It isn’t, at
With my junior year and
thus upperclassman days soon least not for me. I realized
that I hear all of these people
approaching, I’ve come to
complain everyday about this
realize that in terms of actual
place and I’m sure they have
time, my high school years
their own reasons for that, but
may
be
half
over,
but
I
honour hopes and dreams that we
I really have no complaints.
estly think that the best is yet
can truly extract the value out
I came from a small school
to come. I look at the juniors
of our lives and savor every
and
I didn’t think I’d make
and
seniors
that
I’ve
seen
moment of the time we have
too
many
friends coming
over
the
past
two
years
and
here. It may sound cliché, but
they just seem to know more
it is so important to live with
I thought I’d get lost in the
about themselves as they’ve
no regrets. Do not care what
crowd. But two years later
grown
up
a
bit
and
are
thus
others may think, just do what
I’m surrounded by some of
more
assured
of
themselves
makes you happy.
the best people I’ve ever met
and conduct themselves in a
Even though graduation
way that they know is best for with the best friends and most
feels like the end, it is truly
helpful teachers who make my
them. I want that.
just the beginning. No matentire experience here great
It
seems
to
me
that
these
ter where we go or what we
everyday.
next two years are to be the
pursue, I know that we, as the
So that’s my two cents on
class of 2012, will give our ut- most memorable of my short
what
I think of this place. I
life
thus
far,
or
at
least
that’s
most enthusiasm and take the
am
so
looking forward to the
something
I
want
to
make
most out of every experience.
rest of my days here, just as
them. I’ve come to underI encourage everyone to never
the seniors who are leaving
stand from my older friends
stop going after their dreams
the Ghostwriter, Alex, Sameer,
that
junior
year
is
very
tough
and hope that everyone is pasand Matt enjoyed their time
academically, and I say I’m
here. They have helped to
prepared for that. But at the
what they do. It has been an
change this organization a
same time, my dad consisamazing four years, and the
lot over their four years here,
tently
tells
me
that
these
future is bright. The world is
particularly with regards to
are
the
best
days
of
my
life,
waiting, go get ‘em class of
our transition to a web based
2012.
publication. They have taught
own days as a teen, probably
me a lot, in terms of how to
become a better writer and
how to lay out a paper under
Best wishes to our senior staff memBers:
deadline, which is way harder
than you might think. As they
alex lee, sameer Kini, and matt miller.
leave, I hope that I will be
thanK you for your dedication to the
able to step up and leave my
own mark on the Ghostwriter.
ghostwriter!
Photo by Nick DiNatale
Page 2
Graduation is"just the beginning"
I’ve learned a lot over my
years at Westford Academy.
While I consider the education I received in math, science, English, and history to
be invaluable, I think the life
lessons that my experience at
WA has bestowed on me is far
more important. If there is one
thing that I have learned from
the people I have interacted
with over the past four years, it
is the importance of extracting
the most value out of life.
believe in this concept. The
term “value” means a myriad
of things, depending on who
one talks to. For some, getting the most value out of their
life means obtaining as much
money as they can or gaining as
much fame as possible. However, I implore everyone to chal-
journey of our lives, whether
it is college, the work-force,
or the military, I hope the
class of 2012 continues to be
their inquisitive and curious selves. High school has
been a time for us to explore
who we are as people and
Sameer Kini
Photo provided by Sameer Kini
saMEEr Kini
sports Editor
the most value out of life is
life, and I know that this will
continue.
I believe that it is important to follow one’s dreams
and not settle for any less.
Westford Academy has given
all of us the tools by which
we can achieve greatness and
happiest he or she can be.
As we all embark on the next
which we choose to pursue.
In truth, it is in following
GHOSTWRITER MISSION STATEMENT
ALEXANDER LEE
EDITOR-IN-CHIEF
LAUREN CULLEN
STAFF WRITER
ETHAN WALSHE
Managing Editor
JOCELYN COTE
STAFF WRITER
The Ghostwriter, as a student newspaper, keeps in mind these
goals:
* To increasingly utilize aspects of multimedia in stride with
current trends in professional media and journalism.
* To deliver fair unbiased coverage of school and community
news and events.
* To keep integrity, respect, and ethics at the forefront of our
reporters' and editors' minds.
ANASTASHA ECHAVARRI
NEWS EDITOR
ALIVIA KILROY
STAFF WRITER
SAMEER KINI
SPORTS EDITOR
KATHLEEN MCALEESE
STAFF WRITER
KYLE AUGER
SPORTS EDITOR
MATT MILLER
STAFF WRITER
LETTERS TO THE EDITOR
SAMANTHA UPPERMAN
PRINT EDITOR
HALEY VERRE
ABBY CIANCIOLO
PHOTO EDITOR
JANET FONDEN & KYLE
The Ghostwriter strives to inform, entertain, and address the issues in the Westford Academy community with integrity. It is our
mission to accurately deliver relevant news, represent the voice
of the students, to celebrate the successes of the school, and to
engage the community in debate and discussion.
Scan with your
smartphone to see
waghostwriter.com
GHOSTWRITER STAFF
Submissions are welcome from all WA students and faculty. All
submissions must be signed, but we will publish anonymously
by request. Ghostwriter reserves the right to edit submissions.
STAFF WRITER
KUCAJ
ADVISORS
NEWS
Page 3
Lee leads class at
graduation
attending Dartmouth College
in Hanover, New Hampshire.
At this year’s
He plans to major in economgraduation ceremony,
ics and minor in mathematics.
Nathan Giacalone has
Lee said, “I’m not sure what the special honor of
DartI want to do yet; I’ve changed attending
being
salutatorian.
mouth
College
Although
in Hanover,
New the other
graduation
Hampshire. Hespeakers
found
out a in
few weeks
plans
to major
ago,
Giacalone
economics and mi-knew
before they did.
norlong
in mathematics.
Lee said, “I’m
out when
I got
notfound
sure what
I
one
of
my
teachers
to
want to do yet;
tell
me
the
standings
a
I’ve changed a lot
few
months
back,”
he
the past four years.
[…] I plan on either
found out from my
guidance counselor a
few weeks ago.”
Giacalone says
he was excited when
his teacher told him, but he
kind of had a feeling he was
towards the top of his class
grades-wise, but was still exa lot the past four years. […] I
plan on either being a college
tor.”
For younger
high schoolers, Lee recommends not getting discouraged
when you’re not doing well. He
believes that ups and downs are
bound to happen in anything
and how fast one can recover
well they will ultimately fare.
Westford Academy, Lee said,
“The lessons I learned at WA
are invaluable. I am not that
same kid who walked into its
doors four years ago. I can’t
thank the faculty and administration enough for providing
such an opportunity.”
Way to go Locker IV!
Keep kicking your way
into the future!
“I think everybody has
a sense of who has
the top grades,” he
said. “So they kind
of already knew, but
they were still happy
for me.”
Giacalone said
the key to maintaing his grades
was having a
strict schedule all
through his high
school career. For
him, it means participating in soccer, cross country
ski, and lacrosse.
Another helpful tool for success
was Giacalone’s
parents, who have
encouraged him to
do his best, especially in the
challenging advanced placement classes.
Photo by Alivia Kilroy
LaUren CULLen
Staff Writer
cited. Nate Giacalone
When he told his friends, even
they already suspected he
would speak at graduation.
Continued on page 4
Kimball leaves WA for Tucson
By JoCeLyn Cote
Staff Writer
Susan Kimball has been
working as Westford Acadfor over twelve years, and is
leaving the school staff as the
2012-2013 year commences.
She is easily recognized as one
of the many friendly faces in
As her youngest daughter
graduates from WA, Kimball has decided to move to
Tucson, Arizona to be closer
to her friends and family.
As with many staff mem“It’s as much of a move as
bers who leave
it is a retirement,
Westford Acadebecause I will
my, Kimball will
continue to work
greatly miss
when I get out to
the school’s
Tucson,” she said.
community.
Her daughter will
“I’m
also be coming to
going to miss
Arizona while she
the people,
studies at Arizona
the faculty
State University.
and the staff
Kimball hopes
I’ve worked
to continue workwith for
ing in a school
twelve years, and
system when she
of course, the
Susan Kimball
has settled into her
students.”
new home.
Photo by: Jocelyn Cote
Alexander Lee is known
in the Class of 2012 for his
intelligence.
Lee is the
valedictorian, the
student who
received
the highest
career grade
point average of the
graduating
class.
Lee was
not shocked
when his
guidance
counselor,
Wendy
Pechacek,
informed
Alex lee
him that he
was the valedictorian, as there
had been speculation about him
being the valedictorian throughout his high school career.
“It’s quite an honor, and I
feel very happy to have received it,” said Lee.
In
his time at Westford Academy,
Lee has actively participated in
school activities. In addition to
being the Ghostwriter’s EditorIn-Chief his senior year, he has
done cross-country for his entire high school career and track
for the last three years. “I
also organized a charity Texas
hold ‘em poker tournament for
the past two years, and I’ve
found a predecessor to run it, so
hopefully that works out,” said
Lee.
In the fall, Lee will be
Hard work leads to a special salute
Photo by Alivia Kilroy
Samantha Upperman
print manager
June 2012
Page 4
Lubben
Poisson hangs up lab coat continued Joyce
Continued leaves
Continued from page 1
WA has been a major part
of Poisson’s life for the past
thirty eight years, WA having been constantly changing for most of this time. For
one, the size of the school
has practically doubled since
the start of his career. The
amount of students attending
WA has practically doubled
and there are not as many
familiar faces.
“There is a running
joke amongst administration
at graduation saying which
students we know and which
we don’t. The numbers that we
know decrease every year,”
Scollan cont.
Continued from page 1
Westford has been a smaller,
rural community until eighly
to mid-eighties, when the
popultions grew.
students have changed over the
years as much as others have
told them they have. he beilives
they are a little more stressed
and have a lot more activities in
their lives, but other than that,
he sees no difference.
During his retirement,
Scollan hope to become more
"active" and spend time in
Baltimore, where his son lives.
said Poisson.
As for the students’ character, to Poisson, practically
nothing has changed. The
"I don't regret a
single day here"
-Paul Poisson
students at WA are the same
great kids that they were in
the beginning.
“Students and faculty are
Giacolone cont.
Giacalone’s said he likes
math and science courses, but
his favorite class at Westford
Academy is AP Statistics.
As far as giving advice
to underclassmen goes,
Giacalone said to make sure
to take challenging classes
and to do your best in them.
Giacalone’s hard work has
payed off in other ways than
becoming salutatorian. In the
fall, he is attending Brown
University in Rhode Island.
Giacolone’s accomplishments
are proof that dedication to
studies and extra-curricular
activities pay off.
topnotch” according to Poisson.
For this soon-to-be-retired
teacher, its hard to compare
WA to other schools due to
the fact that this has been
his one and only teaching
job but has “never once felt
threatened by any students”
and has grown very close to
many of his coworkers.
The bond Poisson holds
with many of his fellow
teachers is more than a person he works besides, many
of these people are great
friends as well.
“The amount of support
I have got from the people I
work beside is amazing. They
have helped me through a lot.”
The connection Joyce felt with
the community of Westford
and with the school was so
great that he simply never left.
Joyce will greatly miss both
his coworkers and students.
As stated again and again, WA
takes pride in its well-disciplined students and Joyce feels
the same. He has taken several
trips to Europe with students
and has never had one issue.
“WA students are respectful,
kind, intelligent; they are the
best,” said Joyce.
Casserly moves on and out
continued
Continued from page
“If I wanted to work full
Casserly has been at WA
long enough to remember
when the school would get
calls asking if WA accepted
students for night boarding.
Since he started, the
amount of students has doubled, and the staff has dramatically increased. He said the
staff has increased so much
that he does not know some
of his co-workers’ names, like
he used to years ago.
After he walks out of WA
for the last time, Casserly
plans to continue working as a
part time paramedic.
time, I would just stay here,”
he said.
His plans also include to
travel with his wife, who has
not been able to get that many
vacations from work at the
same time as her husband.
After leaving WA, Casserly
says he will miss his co-workers, who have supported his
decision to retire. Things he
won’t miss, though, are monitoring detention and correcting
his students’ work.
“There’s just so much to
correct,” said Casserly, smiling.
June 2012
Westford
ANATASHA ECHAVARRI
NEWS EDITOR
Ten years ago, Latin teacher
Alan Lubben arrived at
Westford Academy looking
for temporary employment.
However, Lubben’s temporary
position turned into a
longtime commitment over
the course of a decade, and in
that period of time, Lubben
became an integral part of the
language department as well
as the community as a whole.
Now, for personal reasons,
he’s decided to move outside
of Milwaukee, Wisconsin
in order to be closer to his
family, leaving WA without
one of its favorite Latin
teachers.
Majoring
in Classics during his college
years, Lubben had a love of
Greek and Roman mythology,
a passion that never quite left
him after such a long time.
His favorite subject matter
involved ancient Greek and
Latin texts, some of which
he integrated into his class
curriculum.
"I enjoy texts in their
original language in order to
appreciate them as they were
meant to be appreciated” said
Lubben.
Continued on Page 7
NEWS
June 2012
Cupcakes bring sweet new treat to Westford Hidden gem: Yangtze River
Page 5
alexander lee
editor-in-cHief
“I knew I
wanted a ‘u’ to be a cupcake,”
she said. “I pondered about
it for a while, and then it just
came to me.”
Photo by Lauren Cullen
Photo by Lauren Cullen
Photo by Lauren Cullen
just the right amount and the
smooth chocolate ganache on
The Sugar Cupcake
top added a rich touch.
Shoppe, located near the "four
Another
corners" on 110, is a
favorite was the
sweet new treat for
S’mores cupcake,
Westford. As business
a graham cake
skyrockets, the shop
with oozing
has gained more and
chocolate in
more popularity from
the middle
locals.
and toasted
“Business is
marshmallow
unbelievable,” said
topping. Although
the owner Kate Kelly.
the marshmallow
Kelly and
topping was
her baking assistant
slightly gummy,
Andy were both up
the cake had
at 2:30 AM to start
the day baking and
and texture. The
get the shop open for
9:00 a.m. Recently,
complemented,
they have changed
not overpowered,
their week-day hours,
the delicately
so they will now be
Inside the apple spice cupcake
open at 11:00 a.m.
This cake was even
and close at 5:30
better put into the microwave
p.m. The business does not
Cupcake Shoppe was less
have a kitchen on-site and
than satisfactory. The vanillaall the baking is done in a
based cupcakes didn’t taste
included Apple Spice,
rented Billerica kitchen. So in
quite right, with a gummy
Blueberry Crumb Cake,
the afternoons, cupcakes are
texture.
Concession Stand, and the
usually sold
Almond Joy cupcakes.
out.
“We’re
A sweet vanilla
still
frosting with just the right
The
trying
amount of cinnamon sugar
extreme
to get
sprinkled on top was found
popularity
the
on the Apple Spice. The cake
started for
vanilla was spiced just enough and
the Sugar
recipe
had sweet pieces of apple
Cupcake
down,” incorporated in the batter.
Shoppe
said
The Blueberry
when
Andy.
Crumb cake had a yummy
they were
“We
vanilla butter cream with a
featured
are
in the
playing blueberries inside.
Westford
with
M&M's and Snicker candy
Patch and
three
pieces were fun surprises
an annual
recipes,
in the Concession Stand
chocolate
still
cupcake. It was topped with a
festival. The S'mores cupcake
searching
vanilla frosting and a Cracker
shop also has a Facebook page,
for the right one.”
Jack accent.
on which Kelly posts daily
However, the second
trip over-compensated for
Continued on page 6
Both social media and cupcake
shows on television have all
cupcakes were
helped bring in customers.
fantastic.
Going into the
Our
opening of her shop, Kelly
favorite
cupcakes
had minimal expectations.
were the creamShe knew, however, that she
always wanted to own her own
business. Prior to baking, Kelly cupcake, a
chocolate based
cake with vanilla
and then small culinary jobs at
cream in the
country clubs and restaurants.
middle, almost
Kelly said she came
like a Hostess
up with the name of Sugar
cake. It had a
Cupcake Shoppe herself.
Concession stand cupcake
Something about the
Yangtze River restaurant on
584 King Street, Littleton,
oozes with nostalgia. I think
it’s because I used to come
here as a kid. On a Thursday
afternoon, my mom would
offer me a casual meal at this
classic Chinese-American buffet.
I remember the buffet, a
whole array of oriental goodness: general gao’s chicken,
crispy orange beef, Lo-mein,
chicken wings, Peking ravioli,
fried rice, scallion pancakes,
and too many other savory
delights to name. As a kid, I
I ate there. The food was
stick-to-your-ribs good, not
the healthiest option available,
but who cared about that when
we were
young.
Over
the
years,
I admit
that
I had
somewhat
of a
fallingout
Yangtze River buffet
with
Yangtze
River restaurant. For one
reason or another, I just did
not the frequent the place as
much as I did when I was a
child. I think that one of the
biggest factors behind this was
the establishment of two other
Chinese restaurants in Westford: Bamboo and Karma.
So I entered the quaint,
cozy little Chinese buffet trying to rekindle some of that
nostalgia.
The friendly waiter
brought me to a half-booth,
half-chair table. It was a
Thursday in the early evening,
and there were several families perusing over the buffet’s
options.
I ordered the buffet for
myself, which also came with
hot and sour soup. As soon
as the waiter took my order,
I was free to eat my to my
heart’s content at the buffet.
The options are basically
split into three sections: stir-
fried Chinese classics, deepfried appetizers, and desserts.
cided to stick to appetizers. I
spooned onto my plate chicken wings, Peking ravioli, pork
spare ribs, half an eggroll, a
spring roll, scallion pancakes,
and teriyaki chicken.
Everything was fried very
well; none of the selections
were overly greasy, and the
meat dishes still maintained
their juiciness. I particularly
liked the Peking ravioli. Unlike at most other Chinese
restaurants, Yangtze River
amount of soy sauce in the
dumpling itself. This added
ling to stay moist.
After eating the appetizers, I realized just what a great
value this meal was. For the
small price of $9.95, I was
getting as much food as I
wanted. I
had
already
made
my
Photo by Alexander Lee
KatHleen McaleeSe & lauren
cullen
Staff WriterS
trip to
sample
a variety of
appetizers
and now I
was about to
do the same with entrees.
Thus, for entrees I chose
general gao’s chicken, orange beef, vegetable lo-mein,
vegetable fried rice, green
beans in garlic sauce, chicken
medley, and broccoli beef.
The food was as expected.
Slightly worn because they
had been out for a while, but
that’s typical for a buffet. I enjoyed the appetizers more, but
there were no major problems
with the entrees.
Finally, I moved onto the
desserts. Here, there was a
surprising variety of foods.
Not only was I offered icecream as a part of the buffet,
but there were cakes, jellos,
cream-puffs, and fresh fruit.
The cakes slices were small
and square, but these petite aspects made them all the more
appealing.
Continued on page 6
A recently uncovered treasure glimmers among eating establishments
playing in the background
(i.e. Katy Perry and Donna
Summer) killed the mood a
A gem of a restaurant has
popped up in Westford
- Bixbite, a small but
cozy eatery located in
the Westford Plaza at
175 Littleton Road.
Bixbite has a classic
New England-style
vibe and specializes in
“comfort foods” that
range from burgers to
seafood. The Ghostwriter stopped by Bixbite
for dinner recently and
thoroughly enjoyed the
visit.
Bixbite has a calm
Bixbite welcomes new patrons.
and romantic atmosphere,
bit, but otherwise the restauwith nice decor, a warm color
rant had a very pleasant ambischeme, and tables lit by candle- ance.
light. Friendly staff members
Bread was provided at the
were eager to take our orders
start of the meal. Bixbite also
and provide us with complete
offers soups, chowders, and
appetizers to start a meal. The
homemade seafood chowder
was creamy and rich, and
teemed with lobster, scallops,
and potatoes.
This was
impressive
for a local
restaurant
for the comfort food
theme.
Bixbite’s dinner menu
consists of
three main
categories:
salads and
sandwiches,
entrées from the land, and
entrées from the sea. Although
the latter is a bit on the expensive side, the restaurant’s other
meals are priced fairly compared to portion size.
Photo by Jocelyn Cote
Jocelyn cote & Haley Verre
Staff WriterS
The “Gem Salad”, concantaloupe, avocado, sliced
almonds, and red onions, was
one of the more unique meals.
The sweet and sour raspberry
vinaigrette perfectly complemented the summer salad.
Another entrée, the “New
England Burger,” consisted of
a juicy, thick hamburger patty
topped with smoked bacon,
Vermont cheddar cheese, and
barbeque sauce. The burger
was served with a dill pickle
and the customer’s choice of
regular or sweet potato fries.
Options for dessert
included french vanilla ice
cream, homemade warm bread
pudding, New York style
cheesecake, and the popular
“Chocolate Nemesis”. Portion sizes for dessert were just
small enough to not make the
customer too full (with the
exception of the Chocolate
Nemesis).
The cheesecake was made
thin, buttery crust. The sweet
strawberry sauce drizzled on
top helped to make this dessert
nearly perfect.
Chocolate Nemesis was
one of the highlights of the
night. Although on the smaller
side, it proved to be so rich
that we had to split it! It consisted of layers upon layers
of fudgy chocolate, chocolate
sauce, and chocolate shavings.
Overall, Bixbite is a great
new restaurant. Because of
the establishment’s small size
and pricing, however, we
wouldn’t recommend bringing
a large group of friends for
an after-school snack. Having
said this, Bixbite would be a
perfect place to bring a date
for an evening dinner for two.
Page 6
June 2012
Lubben continued
Continued from page 5
tremely
enthusiastic
about the
subject
matter,
Lubben
turned a
would always create catchphrases or use funny pantomimes in order to help us
remember
certain
things,”
said
junior
Photo by Anastasha Echavarri
Known for being ex-
Cupcakes continued
language
into a
class that
students
looked
forward
to.
KnowlLubben in his classroom
edgeable in the
Nick Calow.
material, has was
Between
always able to help students bet- teaching Virgil to his classes,
ter understand the text.
creating catapults and launch“Grammar is a
ing them in contests, taking
huge part of the language, and
his students on trips to Italy,
is always so hard. Mr. Lubben
and advising the Latin Club,
Lubben has made Latin an
interesting study
for all. Lubben made it a point
to make the curriculum exciting, whether it involved reenacting mythological stories,
dressing up in togas, or even
bringing Latin-based food to
class.
As Lubben leaves
WA, he admits that he will
miss the community and the
home that he’s created here.
Luckily enough, he will be
able to continue teaching Latin
to students at a public high
school in Wisconsin and will
be able to have his children
visit their grandparents much
more frequently.
To his students, Lubben leaves a special message,
“Bonam fortunam!
Sean,
Congratulations!
In our eyes you were always the
"Baby"and look at you now.
We are so proud of your
accomplishments and the young man
that you have become.
Love,
Mom, Dad, Steven, Scott, Sam, Stacy
and Rondo
Christian Yip,
Congratulations! We are so
Proud of you!
Love,
Mom, Dad, and Asia
Continued from page 5
The Almond
chocolate cake with coconut
in the batter. The cake was not
overly sweet but still remained
chocolatey. It had a vanilla
frosting and almonds on top.
This idea was both creative
and yummy.
The shop carries the
same basics everyday: vanilla
chocolate, chocolate vanilla,
peanut butter cup, mocha,
chocolate squared, and vanilla
squared. They also offer
every day.
Although a little on
the pricey side at $3.25 per
cupcake or $34.00 for a dozen,
these delicious cupcakes are
worth every penny.
Overall, the experience
was positively delicious.
Nicholas Adams,
the best son/brother in the
world!! We love you.
Congratulations!!
Love,
Mom, Dad, and Kirsty
Look how far you've come
Kelsey! Congrats on all
you've accomplished!
Love,
Way to go Julie, we are so
Mom, Dad, Stephen &
proud of you!
Melissa
Lots of love, Mom, Kerri &
Catherine
Page 7
June 2012
Bon Voyage to the Class of 2012!
ALABAMA
HAWAII
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MANOA
Alexander Locker IV
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Nicholas Adams
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Joseph Paragona III
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Ben Tedstone
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COLLEGE – LOWELL
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Jenna Calisi
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Patrick Flanagan
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COLLEGE
Nick Woodbury
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Alfred Johansen
Kristina Kea
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Thomas Yorke
MASSACHUSETTS MARITIME
ACADEMY
MASSACHUSETTS INSTITUTE
OF TECHNOLOGY
Jacob Mooney
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Michael Bibinski
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Sean McKenney
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Kevin Wong
REGIS COLLEGE
Emma Hurley
SALEM STATE UNIVERSITY
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STONEHILL COLLEGE
Erica Brown
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Justin Pawlowski
THE ART INSTITUTE OF
BOSTON AT LESLEY
UNIVERSITY
Timothy Avery
TUFTS UNIVERSITY
Alleana Brody
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MASSACHUSETTS, AMHERST
Maia Batista
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UNIVERSITY OF
MASSACHUSETTS, BOSTON
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Page 10
January 2012
Westford Academy Theater Arts
congratulates the Westford Academy Graduating Class of 2012
and thanks the thirtyseven members who contributed so much of their time,
energy, love and art to our community.
2011-2012 Season
Code Monkey by Luke Jorgensen
directed by Luke Jorgensen
A Christmas C arol by Charles Dickens
directed by Dennis Canty ‘01
The Hairy Ape by Eugene O’Neill
directed by Michael Towers ‘88
Cabaret by Christopher Isherwood, John Kander & Fred Ebb
directed by Larry Sousa
Five Women Wearing the Same Dress by Allen Ball
directed by Audrey Seraphin ‘12
Growing Pains by Jeff Collard ‘12
directed by Jeff Collard ‘12
Oleanna by David Mamet
directed by Christina Hughes ‘12
What I Did Last Summer by A. R. Gurney
directed by Emily Koerner ‘12
Red Roses for My Lady by Stephen Levi
directed by Jackie English ‘12
Haiku by Katherine Snodgrass
directed by Alexa Lambert ‘12
Far Away by Caryl Churchill
directed by Will Clark ‘12
Get Lost In The Movement
directed by Christine Torto ‘12
WIT – Westford Improve Troupe
managed by Dylan McCusker ‘12
SENIOR FEATURES
Page 11
Clark wraps up WATA career
Arts teacher and director
Michael Towers.
With a play selected
around his individual talents,
Clark says he felt excited to
be a part of this year’s production in that unique role.
“It’s a unique experience
to know that you are having
a world and a team chosen
around what you bring to the
table. I was more than happy
with the opportunity to shoulder a lot of the weight of our
A man throws his body
about the stage, dressed only
in jeans and black soot. As
he delivers his monologue
before a rowdy group of other
men, the emotions in his face
and body shift and alter as he
reveals his innermost feelings
and opinions on the very world
around him. The setting for
this display, Westford Academy Theater Arts’
production
of The
Hairy Ape,
a recent
winner at
the Massachusetts
Educational Theater
Guild’s
festival.
The man,
Will Clark,
a senior
here at
Westford
Academy.
Will Clark on stage in The Hairy Ape.
The
Hairy Ape
competition play,” said Clark.
was the second play that Clark
As some may not know,
played a lead role in that won
Clark has not been as deeply
at the METG Festival, the
involved in WATA as he is
other being last year’s J. Caes,
now for all four years of his
in which he payed the role of
high school career. During
Marc Antony. He described
freshman year he was “roped
his opportunity to be a part of
into” participating in the set
these two winning production
manipulation team for that
as a big honor.
year’s competition play An“I was certainly blessed to
gels in America. From there,
have two state championship
he moved his way to working
teams in back-to-back years,”
the spotlights during Rent and
he remarked.
during his sophomore year he
Clark was involved in
auditioned for Chicago on a
WATA for a number of years
whim, was cast, and became
now and is considered a star
hooked.
and leader of the organizaClark says that his acting
tion. In fact, the decision to
was not something that he
make The Hairy Ape this
year’s competition play was
it wasn’t something he had
made in part with the knowlany prior experience in as
edge that Clark would carry
other members of WATA did.
the play in a lead role.
He described the experience
“Will’s presence, Will’s
as something that was not “a
work ethic, Will’s commitment lock”, meaning he was unsure
to the department and his com- of his abilities and how it
mitment to his craft enabled
would work out for him.
me to select [The Hairy Ape]
Over the past three years,
Clark has played a number of
roles, ranging from Leonardo in last year’s Blood
Wedding to the previously
mentioned Marc Antony in J.
Caes and Ebeneezer Scrooge
in this year’s A Christmas
Carol. However, he describes
his favorite role as the one he
the role of Yank in The Hairy
Ape.
“I’m still coming off of
the tremendous praise and
appreciation for
the production
of The Hairy
Ape. So much
a part of me is
still connected
to the character of Yank
and the 1920s
mentality,”
said Clark.
In addition to acting,
Clark says he
enjoys playing basketball,
organizing
events at the
Parish Center
for the Arts in the
center of town and participating in community services.
In fact, during freshman year
Clark played for the junior
varsity basketball team but
had to abandon his interest
in that sport because of his
interests in theater.
“I’m happy that I did
[left basketball] because I
certainly am more rounded as
a person because of that,” he
added.
On the topic of athletics,
Clark was even signed up to
play varsity football this past
fall. From this time last year
and throughout the summer
he did all of the preliminary
activities such as weight lifting, conditioning, and beginning to eat right.
Photo provided by ASA Photographic
Ethan WalshE
Managing Editor
See featured video of Will
Clark on
www.waghostwriter.com
Continued on page 13
Kohnstam plans gap year abroad
Graduation is looming on
the horizon. For many students,
their high school career is coming to a close and the next door
is about to be opened.
Everyone’s path differs.
Some people decide to go
straight to college while others
them. One student, Josh Kohnstam, will be taking a year off
to do volunteer work in Europe
and elsewhere.
This alternative is called
a gap year. Instead of going to
school in the fall like everyone
else, the student takes a year
off. Students who commit to
this program usually wind up
working instead of vacationing.
Many colleges allow this sort
of situation, although they want
to obtain a list of what plans the
student has for the gap year.
The student then begins
school as a freshman the following year.
Kohnstam began to contem-
plate this idea during his time gain the title of chief amongst
on the German exchange pro- a small tribe on the island of
Fiji. Unfortunately, he lost to
gram in the summer of 2010.
He really enjoyed the program another candidate. Afterwards,
and wanted to do something
in the foothills of the
like that
Himalayas. From
in the
what it sounds, his
near
cousins left a huge
future.
impact on this choice.
He
All through the prohas two
cess, his parents have
cousins
been a factor determinwho have
ing this adventure.
both
“My parents comgone
pletely support
on very
this idea. In fact,
similar
they’ve been
expediencouraging me
tions.
to do this,” said
One travKohnstam. “My
eled to
dad does not supSoutheast
port it as much
Asia and
since he has to
enjoyed
fund it.”
activities
Josh Kohnstam
such as
walking pumas
in a puma sanctuary and travContnued on page 13
eling across Laos on a moped
that he rebuilt.
Another cousin attempted to
Photo by Matt Miller
Matt MillEr
staff WritEr
June 2012
Torto plans to
persue dance in LA
saMantha UppErMan
print ManagEr
This spring, WATA’s
production of The Hairy Ape
was nominated for many
awards for its dance routines.
The choreographer, Christine
Torto, has been dancing and
choreographing dance routines
for many years.
Torto began dancing when
she was a child. She started
off taking basic ballet classes
but then branched out into
other styles of dance.
In middle school, Torto
took a brief hiatus from
dancing and began playing
sports.
“I played basketball and
soccer for the school teams
and also club teams but that
only lasted a few years and I
realized I needed to get back
into dancing regularly,” said
Torto.
After returning to dancing,
Torto realized that it was
her true passion. She found
her area of interest to be
contemporary dance.
“I have done almost every
style under the sun because I
really want to be a versatile
dancer. I’ve done everything
from contemporary to hiphop, and musical theatre to
Bollywood, so I really try to
be strong in every style,” said
Torto.
Along with discovering
a passion for contemporary
dance, Torto gained an interest
in choreography.
“I took a choreography class
at the studio I was dancing
at and that helped me learn a
lot about choreography and
the elements a dance needs.
My sophomore year of high
school I went to a summer
intensive [class] and took an
improv dance class which then
helped me choreograph dances
and I still do [the techniques I
learned] today,” said Torto.
To choreograph a dance
routine, Torto does an
improvised dance to a song and
then takes notes on how she
danced to make a routine.
Torto has planned and has
helped to choreograph 9 shows
at Westford Academy. She
has also taught choreography
classes at the Summer School
for the Performing Arts and
organized the dance for their
shows.
Most recently, Torto choreographed a dance show for her
independent study. In addition, Torto worked on WATA's
spring production of Cabaret.
Continued on page 13
McCusker shines
in all things art
halEy VErrE
staff WritEr
Westford Academy is the
home of many talented young
students, and senior Dylan
McCusker is no exception.
McCusker is involved in a
wide variety of art, which
includes graphic design,
painting, sculpture, and performing.
He has also designed
posters and advertisements
for events, such as theater
productions.
Yet, he claims his “true
passion” is illustration.
“It is best explained by
this: you can illustrate with a
drawing, but you can’t draw
with an illustration. It is
drawing with a purpose. Illustration conveys a message
or story,” said McCusker.
McCusker has already
been recognized for his work;
the Graphic Design category
at the Groton-Dunstable Regional Art Event and an Excellence in Art Award from
the Westford Academy Fine
Arts Department. This year,
he won a book cover illustration contest for the publication of Katie Enos’ fantasy
novel and an Excellence in
Acting All-Star Award for
his role as Paddy in the play
The Hairy Ape.
Recently, McCusker has
been working on an AP Portfolio, “which is 12 pieces of
artwork… all connected with
a theme and similar media.”
In addition, he is making a stop-motion animated
searching for fuel on Earth
to go home.”
He has worked on this
Study.
“At around 4 minutes, and
24 frames a second, I estimate
taking about 5,760 pictures to
McCusker is planning on
attending Massachusetts College of Art and Design and
studying illustration. He hopes
to someday work in the animation, comic book, graphic
novel, or gaming industry. He
believes having his own comic
strip or graphic novel and
working freelance in advertising are also possibilities.
“But no matter where it
takes me, illustration is what
I’ll be doing,” he said.
When he was ten, McCusker often drew his favorite
character from Star Wars and
eventually got how-to-draw
books, which helped him
recognize his artistic ability.
When he went to high school,
he took art seriously and realized its potential as a career.
He has joined a few clubs,
Theater Arts (WATA), WIT,
and the National Art Honor
Society to be the most important to him.
McCusker has been in
fourteen school theater productions throughout high school.
He claimed to especially take
pride in the Westford Improv
Troupe (WIT), since he “loves
to make people laugh.”
He is also proud of his
roles as Paddy in The Hairy
Ape and Picasso in Picasso at
the Lapin Agile.
Page 12
June 2012
Juniors: What are you most excited for next year?
"Doing nothing the
seconD half of the year."
"the low aMount of work."
-krishna sharMa
"graDuating."
-savannah MenDiola
"ProM." -nick callow
"Driving to school."
-eMily Borst
-Marissa Burgess
"senior year in
general." -akhil
sontakk
“I hope your dreams take you... to the corners of your
smiles, to the highest of your hopes, to the windows
of your opportunities, and to the most special places
your heart has ever known.”
~ Anonymous
Congratulations, Sameer!
We are so proud of you and wish you nothing but
happiness and success as you embark on this next
chapter of your life. We will miss you greatly, but
know that the world is waiting for you. Dream big
and laugh often…
With love always – Mom and Dad
Best of Luck to the Class of 2012!
June 2012
Page 13
Clark, continued
Kohnstam, continued Torto, cont.
Continued from page 11
Continued from page 11
However, three games into
this past season he decided
that he didn’t need to do this.
He had signed up for the sport
to, in his own words, prove to
himself that he was still able
to take on that athletic pursuit,
and he realized that he did not
need to do that anymore.
Though Clark keeps his
time occupied with theater and
his time at school.
He takes a few advanced
placement classes which certainly keep him busy.
my schedule and juggle the
AP’s and the theater and the
sports and the extracurriculars
because it keeps you thinking, it keeps you fresh…and
you’re always on the move. I
look at [overextending myself]
out where I belong, what is the
right path for me’… and I’ve
failed in the past, but there is
to do [a lot of things],” said
Clark
As it turns out, the production of The Hairy Ape was the
last that Clark would perform as an actor on stage for
Westford Academy. According to Towers, he had a role in
WATA’s spring production of
Cabaret, but it was behind the
scenes. Clark also directed a
one act play this spring title
"Far Away."
Clark described the whole
experience of knowing that
this was his last time on stage
at WA as a “surreal experience.”
“I had tunnel vision during my last performance on
that Westford Academy stage,
and every moment of theater
that I’ve seen as a member
of this department just faded
away. It was very special for
me, a very beautiful moment
tion and have that coincidensaid Clark.
As Clark prepares to
leave WA , the future looks
bright. Clark plans to study at
Skidmore College.
“I would love to continue
acting, I would love to contribute to Westford Academy
Theater Arts, and Westford
Academy as a whole. This
school has done tremendous
things for me, my class and
my community as a whole,”
said Clark.
He has a plan set in
mind. From September to
December, he will be joining
the humanitarian organization Where there be Dragons
and will be doing service
work in the Himalayas.
He hopes while in Nepal
to learn the native language.
From December until
about March, he hopes to
work as a ski instructor in the
Alps of Switzerland. From
that point on, his schedule is
open. He mentioned plans of
going into Russia to see Moscow or possibly just visiting
friends and relatives around
Europe.
After his journey, he will
be attending Muhlenberg College in Allentown, PA.
“As a person, you sometimes have to get out there an
enjoy life,” said Kohnstam.
“It’s almost like you have to
get out there and grow as a
person before you move on to
the real world.”
Continued from page 11
And according to Torto, it
was her favorite.
"It is probably my favorite because it is my favorite
style of dance and is a big
dance show in general. It’s
a very sexy, racy show that
takes a lot of performance
and acting from the dancers
so I am really pushing myself
to be a strong performer as
well as dancer during this
show.”
After graduation, Torto
plans on going to Los Angeles to further pursue dance.
“I’m planning to […]
continue my dance training
and start going to auditions
and getting a career started
out there,” said Torto.
Check out the Ghostwriter
online!
Videos, photo slideshow of graduation
and an interactive map of college
destinations
Scan with your
smartphone
Congratulations William!
We are so proud of you and all you have accomplished
at WA!
We wish you so much success at Bentley University
next year.
Love,
Mom, Dad, Alex, and Joe
SPORTS
squad, Sullivan is one of the
captains as well.
“I just try helping the kids
The track team requires who actually want to get betgreat personal commitment and ter. Especially at pole vault,
is one of the most successful we are all helping each other
teams at WA, however they are out working on form and proper
often under-appreciated for their technique,” said Sullivan.
triumphs.
As captain, he is extremely
This successful team is made optimistic facing this year’s
up of talented individuals. One of season and has been watching
the most
younger athnotable
letes,
athletes
espeis senior
cially
Brendan
athletes
Sullivan,
who
who has
particibeen
pate in
tearing
pole
through
vault.
both WA
With
school
Sulrecords
livan
and Masleavsachuing afsetts state
ter this
records
season
alike.
there is
Sullivan hurdling with gusto.
Sullisure to
van’s main
be a void of
event is
sorts, but
the pole vault, where he has Sullivan thinks the underclassbeen breaking the most records, men beneath him will work
however the senior also is talented
in multiple hurdle events.
“Dillon McGee is looking
very good at pole vault. He got
needs help with. Except distance. a new p.r. [personal record] at
I hate distance running,” said 10 feet which was great because
Sullivan.
he almost made it to the class
Sullivan has track in his blood, meet and he’s only a sophomore.
apparent by his father's career.
Tristan Lee is also good; he’s
“My dad used to coach track only a freshman and already
at the Airforce Academy and was placing in multiple events,” said
an alternate for the 1984 Olympic Sullivan.
decathlon team so I guess I just
Sullivan is taking his talents
kind of wanted to try out what my to Yale University where he will
dad did,” said Sullivan.
certainly be a key member of
Along with being one of the their track team.
most talented members of the
Photo Provided by Victor Neal
Kyle Auger
SportS editor
Chateauneuf swings
for success
Sophomore making impact on
varsity softball team
teamates.
BY ALIVIA KILROY
STAFF WRITER
Softball has always been a
favorite spring sport for girls.
year and the girls winning at
an impressive pace, fans are
hoping for a postseason run.
Varsity is hoping to
surpass last year’s record of
10-10. With a new assistant
coach, and a growing amount
of seniors on the team this
year, the team is looking for
great results.
One girl on varsity contributing to the race to beat last
year’s record is sophomore
goals for her team as a whole,
she has a few goals for herself.
“My goal is to become a
better hitter and work on my
weakness that I tend to pull
everything down the third base
line,” she said.
She plans to accomplish
these goals with the help of
Burr has been pushing the
girls by having various team
activites to get the team to
work as a unit and create a
sense of comradarie between
playing for 5 years now, and
plans to play the rest of her
time in high school and hopefully in college.
“ My dad really inspired
me and pushed me to play
softball,” she said. “He played
baseball his whole life and
really taught me to love
the game. Then I got older
and started playing on club
teams,” she said.
is still there to support her
today.
“My dad comes out to
most my games, and he
always helps me when I need
to improve something in my
game. He just supports me
with everything in general,”
she said.
Emily plays softball all
year, whether it’s a school
team or a club team. She
keeps in shape and stays focused on softball.
“Playing all year really helps improve my game
because I’m not losing the
swing of things in between
With the playoffs approaching, varsity will need
Girls' lacrosse scoring leader
ALIVIA KILROY
STAFF WRITER
In the past few years, girls'
lacrosse seems to be a growing sport here in Westford.
With about 60 girls wanting
to join this year, competition was tight. With
teams now chosen,
this year’s varsity
team seems much
different than last
year’s team.
The team is
younger, due to the
graduation of many
senior players last
year. Also the team
seems to be more
focused on the team
dynamics and having
fun while playing.
One of the many
girls dedicated to the
sport who made varsity this year is junior
Bailey Mongillo.
Mongillo says
she plans on playing
at WA for the rest
of her high school
career and wants
to play in college
also. She has been
playing lacrosse for 9 years
now, and had an interesting
inspiration to start playing.
“I think I really wanted
to play because my brother
played,” she said. “I would
go to his games and see how
much fun he had, which made
me want to pick up a stick
and start playing.”
During the offseason she
keeps in shape by playing
basketball for WA and playing
on club lacrosse teams all year
long.
“I play lacrosse because I
love the fast pace, the physical
challenges this game presents, and the girls I get to play
is a team player, who wants
not only to win but to have
fun with her teammates.
“My main goal this year is
to be a leader on offense and
make everyone on the team
feel important,” she said.
Mongillo is accomplishing her goal of
being a leader on
offense. She understands the game, and
plays hard
each and
every time
she is on the
Mongillo displaying her skill.
with,” Mongillo said.
The girls’ coach, Julie
Oliver, has been pushing hard
on team dynamics this season.
Oliver has been stressing communications and working the
girls in pairs to create bonds
“She nets
about three
goals a game.
I know a
goal is in the
close future
whenever she
touches the
ball,” said
Kalie Boyd,
the goaltender
on the lacrosse team.
She also is accomplishing her goal
of making everyone
feel important by taking girls aside when
they have a bad pass and
giving them a pep talk.
“I just make sure she
doesn’t dwell on it because
it could affect the rest of her
play,” Mongillo said.
“I’ve played lacrosse since
3rd grade, and I’ve loved
every second of it. It’s just a
great game,” she said.
The boys' lacrosse powerhouse
Kyle Auger
SportS editor
Skyrocketing at over six
has an intimidating exterior,
however he is more than just
size, he is extremely skilled and
is a good leader.
ented and at this point of the year
the lacrosse boys are looking
towards the playoffs.
One of the best aspects
of the team is leadership and
his colleagues with class and
team spirit. He also is gifted
with one of the best attributes
an effective leader can possess,
“My personal goals are all
team oriented, the 1st being
goal is to make a good run in
playoffs hopefully continuing
into the state championship.”
Those goals are realistic,
as the team is extremely talented, with skill all over the
the way to attack the team is
stocked with great players.
stone of the WA Defense. In
every game we can neutralize
our opponents strength by
attackman.” said coach Matt
Tholander.
winning at an impressive pace,
and the future is bright for
them, with underclassmen rising
through the ranks that are hungry
for the highest level.
Despite his previously men-
tioned frame he is much more for our defense and our team on
than just a enforcer.
“He is
our succlearly a big
cess this
strong player,
seabut he also has
son.”
remarkable
coach
quickness and
Tholanagility - makder.
ing him one of
the best on ball
lyle’s
defenders in the
domistate. Great denance
fense requires
was nohard work and
ticed by
constant comcollege
munication.”
scouts,
said coach Tho- Carlyle facing Concord Carlisle.
as he
lander.
will be atThelacrosse
tending diviteam is the one perhaps with the
most camaraderie, and that can the next frontier in his career. His
unique combination of speed
and size will certainly be a
weapon for Gettysburg in the
future.
gest competition will be ActonBoxborough and LincolnSudbury, but so far the team
has perserved and has earned
a place in the playoffs.
Photo Provided By Victor Neal
Sullivan leaping to Yale
June 2012
Photo provided by Victor Neal
Page 14
"Cam Carlyle is the
cornerstone of the
Westford Academy
defense. "
-Coach, Matt
Tholander
be attributed to great leadership,
and that is often the job of upcaptains.
and he is extremely vocal with
his teammates.
fense is working hard and work-
Check out the
Ghostwriter at
waghostwriter
.com
SPORTS
Page 15
June 2012
Shooting for the Stars: Athletes to Look Out for in 12'-13'
Big goal for next years girls' hockey
The future of WA hockey
Lindsay Macdonald
-AliviA Kilroy
StAff Writer
Jay Drapeau
Photo by Alivia Kilroy
Cam MacDonald
Earlier this month sophomore Ashley Craig broke the pole
vaulting record of 9 feet, raising the bar to 10 feet. Craig says
she plans on being involved in track for the rest of her high
school career. “I plan to keep raising the bar, pushing myself
to go higher.” Craig said. “I beat the record this year because I
practiced daily. Then it just kinda clicked.” Craig also partici-
WA’s boys' hockey team is one of the most successful
and also most beloved by students, teachers, and alumni alike.
Two of the best performers were not seniors, but sophomores Jay Drapeau and Cam MacDonald, who were among the
team’s highest scorers.
“We are looking forward to next season, we lost some
talented players but we have some highly skilled players coming
up from the JV team who could have played varsity last year.”
said MacDonald.
The team made it to the playoffs last year but suffered
helped me with this. It gave me body awareness, I knew
to make a deeper run into the postseason, but some adversity is
through the air,” Craig said.
“We don’t have a lot of returning players, so the new
players and leaders will have to step up and contribute.” said
Drapeau.
As line mates, Drapeau and MacDonald will personally
be affected due to the transfer of their third line member.
“We are looking to keep up our offensive stats while
tightening up on defensive.” said Drapeau.
Also another challenge for MacDonald will be his pro-
Vaulting into the record books
Ashley Craig
Photo by Kyle Auger
the DCL all stars who will be returning. A returning player
to the team will be Lindsay Macdonald. Macdonald says that
her goals are to be a leader on and off the ice, along with getting a better look and understanding for the game. She also
said that the team’s goals will be to go further in the tournament than they did this year. “ It may be harder because we
moved up to DCL large but with the group of girls we have,
Photo by Kyle Auger
Photo by Alivia Kilroy
With the Westford Academy Girls' Hockey team winning
a DCL title this year, big things are expected of the girls next
year. With all the captains leaving, the team will be looking to
-AliviA Kilroy
StAff Writer
Girls' basketball dribbling to success
Hannah Hackley
-Kyle Auger
SportS editor
Larsen dominates the slopes
Photo by Samantha Upperman
Photos by Alivia Kilroy
determination.
“I am looking to step up into that role and provide a
Samantha Hyslip
Meghan Kibblehouse
ished 18-4 overall and won the league title. Coach Russell Coward says he is looking forward
to next season, and has plans that they will contend for the DCL title. With the DCL all stars,
Samantha Hyslip, Hannah Hackley and Meghan Kibblehouse all returning as captains, the
team has a strong foundation. Some other rising stars on the team to look out for next year are
Christina Nowak, who will be returning as a senior, also Cathryn and Rebecca Sennott who will
be returning as juniors. “Overall we have a really strong team coming back, more experience,”
Said Coward.
- AliviA Kilroy
StAff Writer
James Larson
Photo Provided By Victor Neal
Katy Pietras raises the bar
Track Captian and
senior Katy Pietras
going for the high
jump at a Track meet
against ConcordCarslisle. She will be
running track next
year at Bridgewater
State University. She
is also involved in
irish step dancing,
and is a part of a
dance company.
Flying down a mountain at extreme speeds make alpine
ski inherently dangerous, but Westford Academy’s team has mastered the craft, being very successful in past years, with a bright
future to follow.
A key component of the squad is freshman James Larsen, who, as a freshman, made an instant impact and was a big
with a winning regular season record and a top 10 place in the
MIAA championships. Larsen also won the award for WA’s most
valuable skier.
This year the road to victory will be much rougher than
that a loss of a talent, it is also a loss of leadership, one of the
key attributes upperclassmen bring to a team. Larsen is not worried about the losses however.
“The team should still be strong [… ] The team will be
sen.
The team’s success will largely hinge upon Larsen, who,
despite the pressure, is humble and faces the challenge with
excitement.
“My goal next year is to make it down the mountain,”
said Larsen.
-Kyle Auger
SportS editor
Page 16
June 2012
Rocking the Boat: Senior Prom 2012
GW Fashion Police
Prom Dress Trends
1. Red dresses
bringing a new meaning
to "red delicious"
2. One shoulder stunners
and a whole lot of them
a timeless classic
switching it up
Cinderella would
approve
7. Mermaid style,
perfect for the boat
cruise
Junior Kaleigh Dommit and Senior Alex Motemurro
Photos by Abby Cianciolo
Seniors, Emily Perrone and Caroline Richard
how low can you go?
11. Hand-made dresses
making dresses their own
10. Floral patterns,
springing forward in
trends
Junior Caitlyn Paltsios and senior Ryan Peterson
Senior Steve McManimon
Pursuit of the Perfect Prom
By ABBy CiAnCiolo
Photo Editor
Prom, the most amazing night of
any high school senior’s life. However these days the amazing “wow”
factor has been drastically changed.
Dresses have gotten tighter and
smaller, while the overall experience has gotten bigger.
Girls now spend all day and
one night. But have they started to
go too far? At both prom and cotillion girls have been stepping out in
very mature style this year.
A common aspect that was seen
er it be spray tanned or from a tanning bed. Although not everyone
is as tan as the supermodels who
displayed their dresses, the need to
utilize so many tanning procedures
seemed unnecessary. Now a little
bit of an extra tan is not necessarily
a bad thing, the main concern is the
girls who go overboard, those commonly referred to as “practically
orange”.
Following this year’s trends, it
appears that less is more when
it comes to the prom dresses.
There are many lovely, modest
dresses in beautiful colors and
patterns. On the other hand,
there are a large amount of
dresses that have seemed to sighit this year amongst the girls.
While they are a classy choice
for Hollywood actresses, when
placed on high school girls they
were also hot this year in many
of the dresses. Some dresses
Senior Jan Pawlowitz, junior Meghan Carlyle, sophomore Emily Wood
there were more cutouts than
actual dress.
Pair this with the acrylic
nails, colored hair, and a whole
lot of diamond accessories and
you have yourself a prom style
Barbie. I do understand that
prom is the one night that every
girl can step out in their best attire and feel beautiful. However,
after all the additions, how
much of their true, inner beauty
can they really display?
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Sophomore Dayle Welch and Senior Audrey
Seraphin
Senior Theresa Yuan and Sophomore Ryan Maher