Staff Writer

Coming soon, Pixar’s new 3D animated movie, Brave will hit the theaters on June 22, 2012. The modern film features a heroine, making the storyline fresh and innovative. Older movies with a girl protagonist in the Disney franchise include Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs, Cinderella, Sleeping Beauty, Mulan, Beauty and the Beast, the Little Mermaid, Aladdin, Lilo & Stitch, and Pocahontas.

It starts in Scotland, during the medieval times. A fierce archer and the daughter of King Fergus and Queen Elinor, Princess Merida causes some trouble in the kingdom. After meeting a witch, she becomes accidentally cursed, and she doesn’t have much time to reverse it. She must find her own path while discovering the true meaning of bravery.

Brave is definitely going to be filled with action and humor, and will surely be endeared by the hearts of many people. The exciting film stars Kelly Macdonald as the main character, Princess Merida, Billy Connoly as King Fergus, and Emma Thompson as Queen Elinor.

People who have enjoyed films such as Up, Bolt, Alice in Wonderland (2010), and Tangled will absolutely love this.

Watch the new teaser trailer and you will instantly be allured!

As midterms rapidly approach, feelings of stress and fear are inevitable among students.

Of course, these tests intimidate freshmen most, since we don't know what they're really like until we have actually taken the tests. The uncertainty is the most stress-inducing factor of these exams.

Stress may also be a result of how seriously these exams are being taken by teachers - and the threats of consequences that will ensue if we do not take this seriously as well. While I understand they are only making sure we are well-prepared, I wish fear wasn't a motive to study.

"I'm nervous and will probably study my heart out and still freak out," said Freshman Abby Chirokas. Freshman Julia Eva Kinney also admitted to being nervous and plans on studying for a total of thirty hours (five hours for each class).

While most students are terrified, a few of their peers have expressed an indifferent attitude. Whether they are confident and prepared or could care less is entirely  dependent on the individual. "Midterms aren't a huge deal, kind of like MCAS," said Freshman Evan Armstrong, "[I'm] planning on studying for two to three hours each night."

Upperclassmen have reassured the freshman the exams aren't as terrifying as they seem to be. Many say the midterms are nothing to worry about as long as you study.

I can't help but wonder how long I should study and what material will be most important to learn. The hours people are planning to study differs, so it is difficult to know the amount of time that should be spent. There is a great deal of material to learn in six to seven classes, so time is precious.

Hopefully, the midterms will not be as stressful as some of us expect them to be.

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.

Kathleen McAleese

Staff Writer

Katie Enos was a beloved friend, daughter, sister, and classmate. After Katie died, she donated several of her organs to people in need. Her family recalls that Katie thought it would be ridiculous for someone to waste their organs if someone out there needed them.

Katie was killed after a car struck her on June 29, 2010.  After her organs were donated, four people’s lives changed drastically for the better.

Katie was pictured in the Donate Life Rose Parade float, which is a float that remembers organ donors, both alive and deceased, who have donated their organs to save a life. Katie met all the requirements for being pictured on the float, being that she was a deceased organ donor. The Rose Parade took place on January 2, 2012 prior to the Rose Bowl, a historic college football game.

The theme for the parade was “Just Imagine…” and Donate for Life represented this as “Just imagine… one more day.” The float was in the shape of a clock, representing both the passing of another day and the lifetime that the donors have been able to elongate after their own passing. Katie was shown at the twelve.

Katie, like all other organ donors on the float, was pictured in a florograph, a picture made up of all organic materials. Katie was joined on the float with seventy other florographs of organ donors, and twenty-eight organ families, families of the receiving organs.

In the parade were ninety one attractions, such as bands, walkers, and dancers, forty one of which were floats. All of them were going along with the theme of “Just imagine…”

The Rose Parade proved to be much more than a football game, as it was both a celebration of past, and present lives, all touched by the generosity of a donor.

Victor Neal, otherwise known as “Cheerio”, is well known in the Westford community for driving to sporting events and taking photos of them. He has been involved in the town for years. These days, you can find him driving around town in a bus, car, or even a Moped on his way to take more photos of Westford’s athletes and students.

Cheerio says after he is done driving around town, he visits Westford Academy.

“After that I go the the guidance office to see Mr. Parent,” said Cheerio. “He needs me, and I need him.”

Students said the first thing that comes to mind when they think of Cheerio is the photos he takes of sporting events, and how he even tries to get to the freshman team’s events.

“I think it’s thoughtful how he comes to games, even freshman games and takes pictures,” said freshman Abby Chirokas. “I love Cheerio!”

Cheerio said he has also taken pictures, but started taking pictures of sporting events in 1989, his first year driving buses. He was even there when the boys soccer team won the state championship.

Cheerio said his main goal at WA is to spread his positive attitude and get involved in the school. He does this by driving to sporting events where he takes pictures of the games and players. Cheerio also takes part in spirit week at WA, and memorial activities for Liv Marchand and Katie Enos.

In addition, Cheerio has been to almost every Graduation and Last Night celebration since it was held at the Blanchard Middle School. One of the years he missed was due to a job in Belgium. This year, he plans on attending Last Night, but cannot attend graduation due to the graduation of his granddaughter.

To show their appreciation for Cheerio and all he does around Westford, the class advisers give him a senior tee-shirt every year.

Cheerio said that often parents will thank him for taking pictures of their children throughout their high school careers. In fact, other schools and towns have asked for Cheerio to photograph their events as well.

Cheerio says he plans on keeping his schedule busy with WA events until he is no longer capable of doing so.

“WA is great place to be associated with,” said Cheerio.

Most famously known for performing the “What kind of cat are you?” song, John Bergin, junior at Westford Academy is a Renaissance man and has a style all his own. Member of Amnesty International, violinist, announcer for WABC, guitar player, Boy Scout, and “baby piano” player, Bergin has several interesting tastes.

Having played the violin for 12 years, Bergin is multi-talented and is willing to teach others how to play this instrument during his free time. Driven by music, Bergin plays the violin in Boston and wishes to major in music. He’s been to many concerts over the years, and is very much influenced by the power of music.

“I’ve been to many concerts, they’re really one of the greatest venues to feel music,” said Bergin.

John Bergin: Looking dogged

Bergin decided to join WABC because he finds it fun and that several of his friends believe that he has the certain personality and voice that would be good for radio. Wishing to truly enjoy life, he likes spending time with his friends.

“When I was younger I used to go to roller kingdom with my friends and we’d sing karaoke,” said Bergin.

Talented musician with a personality larger than life, Bergin has revolved not only to stop swallowing his gum, but to better the lives of others as he goes through life.