Westford Academy
GHOSTWRITER Vol. XXVIII No. 2
Priceless
June 2018
WA locks in on school security Principal James Antonelli speaks of Superintendent Bill Olsen’s commitment to students’ safety and continual
School resource officer Geoffrey Pavao drive to better the district’s security system. “And then, all of a sudden, I think people forget [about the shootings]. And I know
Sawka tops the class VARSHINI RAMANATHAN CO-MANGING EDITOR Senior Danielle Sawka will be awarded the title of valedictorian of the class of 2018, the final accomplishment of what has been a memorable high school career as well as a testament to her dedication to her studies throughout the years. In the words of her AP Chemistry teacher, Timothy Knittel: “I’ve got two words that describe her, and that’s ‘the
best’." Sawka is exuberant about academics; she cannot talk about academics; she cannot talk about her love for one subject without overflowing into her passion for everything else. Her transcript features AP courses from all sides of the academic spectrum: Calculus BC, Chemistry, U.S. History, English Literature and continued on page 30
Zhu named salutatorian M S EHUL
my superintendent doesn’t forget. He really wants to move this forward," Antonelli said.
protocols. Antonelli and Olsen hope to install a new safety feature in the form of a simple door locking system, and improve security overall by devising new plans and procedures. The mechanism is comprised of two plates, one on the actual door, and one on the floor. The lock can click in and activate in seconds, yet hold four thousand pounds of force. It can be released from the outside by a police officer using a tool. The lock can be both installed and disengaged in less than five seconds each. Antonelli hopes the device will offer simple safety for students who are in their classrooms. Photo by Kavya Desikan
MAHI KANDAGE SPORTS EDITOR In the wake of recent incidents around the country, such as the Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida shooting, and more recently, the one at the Santa Fe High School in Santa Fe, New Mexico, questions regarding security concerns have risen at Westford Academy. Though Westford is ranked by Niche as the sixth safest district in the state, the sudden surge in the number of school shootings in the U.S. tasks schools to improve its safety. Often, after school shootings, the population is enraged and ready to act in order to prevent another tragedy. The uproar tends to fade away after the initial outburst until the next tragic incident restarts the cycle. However, Westford Academy
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get in the way of his humility, and during his time at WA he focused on As the his passion class of for school 2018 wraps and his up its high passion school for helping experience, others. Westford Zhu Academy has always has been one recognized to push senior himself to Anthony Anthony Zhu his utmost. Zhu as salutatorian of his class. Zhu Continued on page 30 never let his academic success FEATURES EDITOR
A WAR HERO'S STORY PAGE 20
The administration is looking to improve upon the safety measures already in place throughout the district and create new evacuation
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Arsenault leaves mark for another ten or fifteen years. Yeah, so it was a very difficult decision to make, but I think It is the end of an era for at this point in my career, the Westford Academy's music right one," Arsenault said. department: Next fall, band Unlike most administrators, director George Arsenault he will still be able to teach will be moving up to be the by directing the bands. The Director of Performing Arts at opportunity to continue to Acton-Boxborough Regional connect with students directly High School, a position was a large part of why he similar to that of a curriculum decided to apply for the job in coordinator. the first place; Arsenault he feels that it was not is too early in looking for an his career to administrative stop teaching. position, Visual and but when Performing the position Arts opened at Curriculum AB and he Coordinator was reached George Arsenault Andrea Mejia out to as a potential considers his ability to focus candidate, he decided to on the individual to be one of take the opportunity because the hallmarks of his teaching. of its uniqueness. Not only "He's really engaged the are job openings for music students with the choices he administration rare, but the makes for the program itself. school is close enough that he He works in our electronic would not have to uproot his music classes and he really family. customizes the course to what "I could stay in Westford the students' interests are [...]," for the rest of my life [...] she said. [but] these opportunities for these positions -- sometimes Continued on page 12 they won't roll around again VARSHINI RAMANATHAN CO-MANAGING EDITOR
STUDENT ACTIVISTS PAGES 21-22
Waterhouse to honor Roberge in speech KAVYA DESIKAN SOCIAL MEDIA MANAGER Traditionally, each graduating class is addressed by one of their peers as class speaker to reflect on their four years together at Westford Academy. This year’s class speaker, Erika Waterhouse, will reminisce with her peers on their high school experience. Inspired by her twin sister, who took WA Theatre Arts Director Michael Towers's public speaking class, she decided to try something new and audition to address the Class of 2018 at graduation. "I just thought it would be a good opportunity to do something that was kinda out of my comfort zone because I've never really done something like that. I mean no one really has, in front of that many people,” Waterhouse said. Public speaking, though not something she had often participated in throughout high school, was a daunting task that Waterhouse wanted to tackle. Using her love for writing, she crafted a speech which she thought would bring The Class of 2018 together in their last few moments as high school students. Waterhouse received support from many of her friends while she considered auditioning, including last year's class speaker, Mara Burke, as well as teachers like Marine Biology teacher Jen Girardi and English teacher Emily Coates. Between all of her audition rounds, Waterhouse always spent time in Girardi's classroom, who had nothing but praise for Waterhouse and considered her an outspoken and thoughtful student. "[When] Erika came and told me she was going to be the class speaker, I thought she was perfect, [...] she always stood up for herself and everyone else in class. She wasn't afraid to speak her mind. She's very thoughtful and has a lot of empathy, and she can relate to a lot of her peers. I thought she made a perfect fit for class speaker," Girardi said. Coates, who taught Waterhouse English for two years also applauded her for being named as class speaker. Continued on page 10
SPORTS COMMITMENTS PAGE 32