WA’s Disney tradition continues
By Kendall McElroy
Staff Writer
The Disney trip is a Westford Academy tradition that has been going on for more than a decade. Underclassmen anticipate it, while seniors count down to it.
After last year’s trip, people began claiming that the trip would no longer continue for future classes. James Antonelli, Westford Academy’s principal, said, “it is a rumor.”
Antonelli also explained that they will continue with the tradition as long as the school committee still believes it is a good idea.
Seniors leave for Disney World before finals every year and about 75% of the total senior class attend.
“It is an independent trip,” said Betsy Murphy, one of the trip coordinators and a guidance counselor at Westford Academy. Most of the students on the trip wake up early and can enjoy Disney World as they please as long as they make their midnight curfew.
Murphy also mentioned that there are some expectations that every student must meet in order to have that privilege. Any senior who has had a suspension that school year will not be able to attend. For students who have had an in school suspension they have the option to do community service to be able to go.
Drugs, smoking, and alcohol are not tolerated during the trip and there are heavy consequences for such behavior, like possibly having to catch the next flight back to Westford. Also, there is a risk of being excluded from senior week activities.
This year they are planning to fly together on Jet Blue straight from Boston to Orlando. They always stay at the All-Star Resorts and they each receive passes that allow them to go in and out of all the different parks in Disney World.
Overall, it is considered a highlight of a Westford Academy student’s senior year.
“I fully support the trip and love that our WA students have something to look forward to in their senior year,” said Antonelli.