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WA Art Students say “Ciao” to Westford
April 13th, 2012By Alivia Kilroy
Staff Writer
Over April Vacation this year, many students will be leaving the States and flying all over the world for trips. One of these include the Italy art tour, where art students from Westford Academy will be going to Venice, Florence and the Cinque Terre.
The thirteen students going on this trip will be leaving Saturday, April 14th from Boston, flying straight to Milan, where they will then be transferred to Verona. When arriving in Verona they will sightsee at Juliet’s Balcony (Casa di Giulietta) and then have some free time. The rest of the day will be spent at the hotel settling in.
The first full day in Italy for the students will be spent in Venice, which will bring many opportunities for pictures for the ten photography students attending the trip. This includes Doges Palace, Rialto Bridge and St.Mark Cathedral.
“This is what I’m looking forward to the most. It’s so unique with the canals and bridges,” said Lisa Bolotte, an art teacher going on the trip.
The second full day in Italy will be spent on a guided tour of Ravenna while on the way to Florence. This tour includes entry to the museum and Basilica of San Vitale. After this tour they will continue to Florence where they will go directly to the hotel for the night.
The third day in Italy includes a full day in Florence and an optional excursion to Pisa. The students will have a tour of the cathedrals in Florence, and get a demonstration of leather making. After lunch, the students may either go on the tour to Pisa which brings them to the Leaning Tower and around to more great photo ops, or they can stay back in Florence and have a free day. That evening the group can go to a local disco.
The next day will be a transfer to Cinque Terre, which means “five islands.”
“ These islands include picturesque villages perched atop cliffs on the sea; great opportunity for photos,” said Bolotte.
The day spent here is mostly a free for all. They go to many different towns across the islands. After the short day here they will return back to the hotel for the night and get ready to go to the Como region, where they will take a cruise.
Grand Canal in Venice http://www.travelblat.com/
The sixth day in Italy will be spent traveling to Rome by train. Once in Rome the students will go sightseeing in the Vatican City which includes a walking tour of the chapels. They will then go to a guided visit of the Colosseum, and a walking tour of the Pantheon. They will have free time to shop and some time to see some other major monuments.
The students will then return back to the states for the end of vacation.
Chateauneuf swings for success
April 10th, 2012By Alivia Kilroy
Staff Writer
Softball has always been a favorite spring sport for girls. With three teams filled up this year and the girls beginning to play, fans are starting to wonder how the girls will do this season. Varsity is hoping to beat 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 Emily Chateauneuf. Not only does Chateauneuf have big 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 the team’s coach, Coach Burr. Burr has been pushing the girls by having a lot of scrimmages and practices right away to get the team comfortable together.
Chateauneuf has been 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.
Chateauneuf says her dad 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 seasons,” Chateauneuf said.
The girls play at home Wednesday April 18th , go see Chateauneuf in outfield.
Mongillo; Strong Offensive Force
April 10th, 2012By 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’svaristy 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, an offensive player for the Ghosts. 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 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 on and off the field. Mongillo 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 field.
“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.
Alyssa Ware; Adding Depth to the Blue Line
March 2nd, 2012
By Alivia Kilroy
Staff Writer
The Westford Academy girl’s hockey team clinched their division this year with a big win over Concord Carlisle Wednesday February 8th with a final record of 16-2-2. They look forward to playing Saturday, March 3rd at home against Weymouth in the first round of the MIAA tournament.
Alyssa Ware was one of the major parts of the team that contributed all season, and the team will look toward her for help in the post season.
“I enjoy every minute of ice time I get in each game and contribute everything I have every game,” said Ware.
Ware started skating when she was in 2nd grade. She says her family has always been very big on the sport.
“I just knew I wanted to be a hockey player since I was young. I was inspired just by being exposed at such a young age,” said Ware.
Her family continues to be a part of her hockey career. At most games you can see her mother and sisters in the crowd, and her father, Dean, Bob Ware, behind the bench as a coach for the team. Ware says having her father as a mentor has been a positive experience.
“We have a pretty close relationship so he is always there for me with his help. Having him right by my side the whole way is something I will always remember,” said Ware.
She never feels singled out as the coach’s daughter or like she isn’t getting the same treatment as the rest of the team.
“He pushes me just like he pushes the rest of the team and I wouldn’t have it any other way,” said Ware.
Ware has been a part of the girl’s hockey team as a defenseman for the two years she has been here at WA. She says that she loves the responsibility that she has and contributing to the goaltending the team has. As a sophomore she plans on playing hockey through her high school career and in college too.
“I’ve never really played forward at this level, I love being a defenseman,” said Ware.
Ware says that this year’s success comes from the drills that have pushed them. The challenging drills have helped them develop skills in many areas on the ice. Also the team has bonded on and off the ice, learning to communicate and trust each other.
“Winning the division was one of our goals as a team this year. We set out to be the best and we accomplished it in result of our hard work. We are all so proud of ourselves and are happy to represent Westford Academy as the DCL champions,” she said.
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Oleanna Darkens Black Box
February 2nd, 2012
By Alivia Kilroy
Staff Writer
Every year Westford Academy students produce Black Box performances, directed by some of WA’s own. One of these plays this year is Oleanna, written by David Mamet and directed by senior Christina Hughes.
Oleanna is a dramatic play focused on the power struggle between two characters, teacher and student, and the misinterpretations that happen between them during encounters they have.
Because of its dark themes and occasional difficult dialogue from the performers, this play is intended for a mature audience. The violent ending to the play also directs it toward a more mature audience, with a suggested rating around PG13.
“We just wrapped up the final shows, I was so proud and pleased with the outcome. It was very successful and proved to be a wonderful experience for both the Black Box team and school as a whole,” said Braley Degenhardt, assistant director.
“I have heard many conversations after the show debating audience members’ opinions and this is obviously a positive reaction, seeing as our main goal as artists is to provoke a response from our audiences.” Degenhardt said when asked about the overall outcome of the play.
Oleanna was well cast. Sophomore Renee Craig as Carol, the student, gave a stunning, impeccable performance, making the audience feel as if though this was an actual experience she was going through.
Freshman Thomas Mitsock played John, the teacher figure. He fit the role perfectly, asserting his power and making the storyline run smoothly and quite believably.
Overall, Oleanna was well produced and was an enjoyable show to watch.
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Westford Girl’s Hockey Team Skates Away With a Win
January 17th, 2012
In the 1st period the puck was controlled mainly by Westford, keeping the play in their offensive zone for the first half of the period. The girls on both sides kept the play constant. Although Concord-Carlisle had two power plays they could not produce any goals due to the strong defense on Westford’s team. At the end of the first there was still no score.
The 2nd period was just as fast paced as the 1st. Westford had possession for most of the period. Halfway through the second period the Ghosts had a rush up ice. Sophomore, Alyssa Ware, took the first shot and Sarah Lizotte, picked up the rebound and got the first goal of the game, putting Westford on top.
Concord-Carlisle came out looking to tie the game up. The play moved up and down the ice. After a few good shots by CC and some great saves by Kerry Pouliot #30 , the Ghosts had a breakaway and scored. The insurance goal going to sophomore Lindsay MacDonald and the assist from Kim Lizotte #8.
The ghosts held this lead and came out with the 2-0 win.
“We maintained poise with the puck and made some really nice plays that left Concord Carlisle ‘in shambles,’ as our coach likes to say,” said Ware.
“I think the game tonight showed how much we wanted it. This was a league game for us so it was nice to come on top with a win.”
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Nature Still Coping After the Storm
November 21st, 2011
Deer eating shrub. Photo by Alan Fitch.
By Alivia Kilroy
Staff writer
The snowstorm before Halloween took Westford by surprise. The snowstorm resulted in a large amount of trees and limbs down all over Massachusetts.
This storm was not so bad because it was early, but because of the overall change in temperature over the past few years. “The increasing temperatures have caused leaves to stay on the leaves longer, overriding the usual things that make leaves fall off such as length of day and dryness” said Joe Poynton, a Biology teacher here at WA who majored in Forestry in college.
Studies have shown that as of the last few years spring has been coming a week earlier and winter a week later. This causes leaves to stay on later and later each year because of warm temperatures. The warm temperatures cause more evaporation, which directly links to more rain keeping the plants photosynthesizing later into the year.
“The leaves being on trees acted as catcher mitts, catching all the snow.” said Poynton.
He also mentioned that the weight of snow that fell in a ten feet by ten feet area could have weighed as much a tank, in which case the storm could have been a lot worse on the wildlife around Westford.
“Deer are going to have a hard time this winter, you’ll probably see them in your yards eating your shrubs and everything they can,” said Poynton.
The deer population is already down from last year’s harsh winter. Chances are that deer will not have to compete as much this winter for food, but they still will struggle.
Other animals may have a hard time surviving this winter because their nests were in the trees and limbs that could not handle the weight of the snow.
The overall effects of the storm may not be as apparent to residents of Westford now that the storm has passed and everyone has begun to clean up their yards, but nature might take a hard hit in upcoming months because of October’s harsh storm.
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Seniors Come up Big in Lady Ghost Football
October 27th, 2011By Alivia Kilroy
Staff Writer
The long awaited Lady Grey Ghosts football game was last Thursday October 20th. The games consisted of the Freshman vs. Seniors and Sophomores vs. Juniors to find who would be competing in the final game.
First game Seniors ruled the turf. The Freshmen team came out strong but lost their spark after the seniors got the first touchdown.
After the touchdown the seniors were pumped. They kept the game on the Freshmen defensive end, and even when the Freshmen broke out, the Seniors were there to stop the rush.
One tackle halfway through the first half led to a fight on the field between two girls from opposing teams. Punches were thrown and teachers broke in.
After recovering from the fight the Seniors came out with a bang. They scored two more touchdowns, crushing the Freshman 32-0 and moving on to the final game.
The Sophomore-Junior game was deemed to be much more entertaining and fair than the Senior-Freshman game.
The Sophomore team held up a good fight against the Juniors with no score after the first half.
“I feel like they should keep the Junior versus Sophomore game fair. It’s more fun to watch that way,” said sophomore Emily Chateauneuf.
After holding it even until the last five minutes of the game, the Juniors finally got a touchdown but the Sophomores held off the extra point attempt.
“I thought we had a chance to win but I wasn’t sure. Keeping it down to one touchdown was a great accomplishment,” said Chateauneuf.
With just one touchdown in the game, the Juniors eliminated the Sophomores from the tournament and moved onto the final game against the Seniors.
Junior Sage Riddick commented, “Yeah the Juniors didn’t think they would win. It was a relief. The Sophomores had way more practice than us.”
Although the Juniors put up a good fight, they couldn’t compete with the Seniors, losing by just one touchdown. Seniors won the final game and claimed the title as Lady Grey Ghost Football champions.
“It wasn’t a surprise the seniors beat us, but I was surprised we only let up one touchdown. It was a fun experience.” Said Riddick.
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Black Box Productions to Showcase Romantic Comedy
October 19th, 2011By Alivia Kilroy
Staff Writer
Five Women Wearing the Same Dress written by Alan Ball and directed by Audrey Seraphin is a Black Box Production premiering next week. This comedy is about is about five bridesmaids who are hiding from the wedding because they secretly hate the bride, which causes an immediate bond among them.
“It’s like one big sleepover.” says Seraphin.
Although they all are completely different from each other, they end up staying in the room together and talking about everything in life, from their general beliefs to love. An usher from the wedding then joins then and romantic comedy ensues.
Seraphin says that this play is PG-13 and is not intended for young children because of the mild references to drugs and sexual content.
The show opens Thursday, October 27th and runs Friday, October 28th and also the following Thursday and Friday at 3 pm and 7 pm each day. It is five dollars for a ticket for entry.
Seraphin says that this is a funny play that everyone should come see.
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Varsity Field Hockey Shoots a Win Past Waltham
October 6th, 2011By Alivia Kilroy
Staff Writer
The Westford Academy Varsity field hockey team got their first home win yesterday against Waltham. With great goaltending from sophomore Allison Avery and an aggressive offense the girls pulled out an impressive 2-0 win.
The first half of the game was all WA. With constant play right in the face of the Waltham goalie, the crowd and coaches were shouting “Shoot! Shoot!” Waltham tried to break away but Westford’s defense was always there. Junior Alison DiFonzo had a great steal and brought it back into the offensive zone.
With only 50 seconds left Westford forward sophomore Allia Connolly passed it to sophomore Jenna Klinka who shot it into the net for the first goal of the game. The remainder of the half was spent in Waltham’s defensive zone.
“The first half of the game we played strong and dominated the field. We need to play like that more often,” said Connelly.
The second half Waltham stepped its game up getting good chances against Westford. Connolly stepped up her game, taking shots, stealing the ball and even maneuvering around players with the ball.
Senior Melanie Jordan had a hard shot pass across the field and took some great blocks in defense. With about 10 minutes left in the game senior Nikki Larsen got a goal off the initially shot by Connolly.
The final score was 2-0 Westford, raising their record to 5-2-2.
“It felt great to win our first home game on the new turf field with my help,” said Connelly.
The Ghosts will take on Acton-Boxborough tomorrow at AB.
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Langille Steps in to Assist Antonelli
September 30th, 2011By Alivia Kilroy
Staff Writer
Hilary Langille has worked as a paralegal at a large law firm in Boston, and as a billing receptionist at a church, but when a job opened up in the central office for Westford she took that.
After working for 2 years under a grant, the grant ended, and with that ended her job. After losing her job she immediately got a job at the Westford Regency in the sales office billing for the social and business events.
While working there, she saw that the job for administrative assistant at WA had opened up and she immediately applied.
“My heart was with the schools,” Langille said.
Hilary Langille is the new administrative assistant at Westford Academy.
Langille grew up outside of New York city and has lived in Westford for 20 years. She says where she grew up is similar to here but it was a bit less country.
“Things here are a little less fast paced. It’s nice,” says Langille.
As an administrative assistant she greets people, answers questions and helps parents and students. She also works exclusively for Principal Jim Antonelli. She says she is really excited to be helping with graduation and is excited to see the class graduate.
Langille has two children, an 18 year old daughter who went through Westford Academy and is now a freshman in college and a 16 year old son who is a junior currently at WA. Knowing the school from being a parent of a graduate and current student has helped her adapt to her new job.
Langille says even if she could have any other job she wouldn’t make the change.
“Honestly this is what I want to do right here,” she says.
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Welcome Mr. Poynton
September 26th, 2011By Alivia Kilroy & Jocelyn Cote
Staff Writers
Q: How long have you been teaching? How long were you at Stony Brook?
A; Well this is my 11th year since my official start date which was 2001, but I almost taught at Blanchard for 2 years before that. So 12 or 13 years.
Q: So has your whole teaching career been in Westford?
A: Yeah, and I grew up here as you know.
Q; How has your WA experience been so far?
A: It’s good. It’s busy, very busy. I have 3 different classes so I have all levels of freshman biology. So I’m trying to juggle what I do with each class. In middle school you typically teach 8th grade science 5 times in a day, but here I’m not just juggling the classes I’m changing classrooms.
Q: What science courses are you teaching now?
A: I’m teaching Honors, CP and Bio Foundations. There is no freshman that escapes my grasp.
Q: So you have students you had in 8th grade last year?
A: Yeah about 30% of the kids I know. Which is good because they know they can’t screw around, not behavior wise but with the quality of work they produce. Like I just had a lab report in one of my classes and the kids who had me last year turned in really great stuff. The kids who didn’t have me last year were a little skimpy in places. So I have to be like I want quality.
Q:How does this compare to teaching 8th grade science?
A: I find that being in the classroom itself is less work. In an 8th grade classroom you have to be on the lookout for shenanigans. The typical 8th grader, not all, but the typical 8th grader doesn’t know what to do with down time. Like given enough down time a group of 8th grade boys will hurt themselves, or break something, or have some type of bodily function occur. So whereas the typical 9th grader you can have 4 boys sitting, most of the time, for 5 minutes and that’s okay. The typical 8th graders attention span is much less. And planning is much more. I’m constantly planning, like everyday I have to plan what I teach but I have to figure out what I have to grade, when I’m going to grade it, what materials do I need, how do I have to set up this lab and break down this lab, do I need computers, do I need to print stuff up. And all that stuff has to be set up ahead of time.
Q: Where did you go to college?
A: I went the UMASS Amherst between the years 1995 and 1999.
Q: What did you major in?
A: My major is in forestry which is like ecology. So basically Forest ecology.
Q: Were you nervous the first day of school?
A:Yeah I was a little nervous. But it was almost like freshman were nervous. Like wasn’t nervous about teaching because I know that but more nervous on where I was going or who to sit with at lunch.
Q: Were you excited when you found out you were moving up to the high school?
A:Oh yeah very much so. That was always my goal, when I started teaching at the middle school.
Q: How are you adapting to the new curriculum?
A:Slowly. Very slowly, it’s a day by day process. I go to different classrooms and listen in on their lessons.
Q: If you weren’t a teacher, what job would you want to have?
A:I would be a subsistence farmer, like I would have enough acres of land to grow enough food to sell and live off of. I guess I’m really like a home boy, the only thing I don’t like about teaching is you have to be inside all day.
