Standout Student of the Month

Westwood High School senior Alex Gervais can trace his passion for Student Government all the way back to elementary school. For his classmates, picking a Field Day t-shirt color wasn’t a monumental decision, but Alex was adamant that his grade wore red. When he got to high school, he was excited to learn about Legislative Council, the group responsible for reviewing and revising student handbook policies from open campus to parking to recycling.

“I think that the most valuable thing you can do for yourself throughout high school is to get involved. Participating in a club, getting out into your community, giving back in some way is such an essential part of the high school experience."

Recognizing Alex's political activism within Legislative Council and his keen interest in staying informed about current events, WHS Class of 2023 graduate Marcus Kelly invited him to contribute articles to WHS’ political newspaper We The People during his junior year. Alex accepted the opportunity and last spring was offered the position of Editor for the 2023 - 2024 school year.

While no one can pinpoint the exact year that We The People was founded, there’s evidence that it has been in existence for several decades through numerous mentions in earlier yearbooks.

This student-led publication typically releases three editions per year - Fall, Winter, and Spring -both in print and digitally via email, under the guidance of Faculty Advisor Mr. Shuman. Membership in the publication is open to all students interested in writing, regardless of their academic strengths. Alex highlights the inclusivity of the publication, welcoming voices from various backgrounds and grades. For those unsure what to write about, the editorial staff utilizes a spreadsheet to brainstorm a shortlist of potential topics to choose from. Students are also welcome to propose their own ideas. In addition, Alex personally reaches out to those who have a specific interest in politics or current affairs, inviting them to submit an article for publication. Time management is key, as students typically wait a week out from the deadline to really dive into their articles, in order to keep as up-to-date as possible.

In the Winter 2024 edition of We The People, which was published on February 15, there was a record number of writers (17), reflecting the diverse interests and concerns of the student body, from the Canton Street sidewalk debate to Biden’s diplomacy in the Middle East to the parole of Oscar Pistorious. Alex emphasizes the importance of addressing controversial topics from differing points of view, such as the Israel-Hamas conflict, in order to stimulate meaningful discourse among readers.

Reflecting on his tenure with We The People, Alex hopes to leave behind a legacy of inclusivity, informative journalism, and active student engagement. He expresses gratitude for the opportunity to contribute to the publication and encourages future generations to embrace their voice.

“I want We The People to be remembered as a place that people can go to get their news and see how teenagers are processing what's going on around them. At the center of this publication is the idea of staying informed in an increasingly digital age. Especially for younger people, you know, we're the next generation, right? Every election for the next twenty to thirty years is going to hinge on the Gen Z vote. So it’s important that we learn how to talk about politics and how to have civil discourse because that's the only way we're going to see the changes that we want implemented in the world."

To learn more or join the writing staff at We The People, follow them on Instagram

@wethepeoplewhs or email 24agervais@wpsstudents.org

By Diana Bezdedeanu

In the midst of her final semester in the Westwood Public Schools System, Senior Victoria McGowan's advice to the younger generation is simple: "Try new things. You never know what you're gonna like and what you're not gonna like. And you might end up finding something that you absolutely love that you can't imagine your life without if you hadn't tried it."

Competing in Gymnastics since she was six years old, Victoria seamlessly transitioned those skills when she joined Westwood High School’s Swim and Dive Team, ranking 10th in the state last season. Additionally, she broke not one, but two school records last Spring in Track and Field: jumping 35’ 7.5” in the Triple Jump and being part of a 50.55 second 4x400 Meter Relay. Both of these new athletic ventures she attributes her middle school Math and Science teachers encouraged her to try.

Outside of sports, Victoria maintains an impressive 4.45 GPA and is the Events Manager for WHS’ Cancer Kids First club, a position she decided to pursue at the end of her Junior year after regularly attending club meetings. Her kindness and compassion, inspired by her grandmother who passed away from ovarian cancer in 2016, drives her desire to help others and alleviate suffering. Coming from a large family with many members residing in Westwood, Victoria also enjoys the fantasy football league that she’s in with her cousins.

By stepping outside of her comfort zone, in all areas of life, Victoria McGowan discovered new hobbies that have shaped her legacy at WHS. Victoria's aunt, Sandra Castaldini, sums it up perfectly: “Victoria is a gifted student, a talented athlete, a role model for young women, and a constant source of support and strength for her family and friends. I am so excited to be witnessing all of her accomplishments and look forward to seeing what the future holds for her after Westwood High School. I know that her dedication and commitment will touch many lives”.

When nine-year-old Brendan Dooher recently walked into the Westwood Public Library with his parents and brother, he was surprised to see his grandparents, aunts, uncles, and cousins all waiting for him. It was not until he saw some photos he took, prominently displayed in front of the staircase, that he understood why they were there.

The third grader at the Sheehan School had recently checked out one of the library’s drones, and used it to take photos of well known landmarks around Westwood. The library staff was so impressed by his photos of his school, Buckmaster Pond and Blue Hills at sunrise, that they decided to print some of them and show off his hard work.

“I was really surprised and happy,” Brendan said. “I had fun playing with the drone but I didn’t know that the library would put up my pictures.”

In addition to drones, the Library of Things has a multitude of items that can be borrowed by using your library card. For kids, there are puzzles, games, and learning kits like the Alphabet Learning Locks and a Bug Discovery Kit. The Social and Emotional Learning Collection includes a Calm Down Kit, a Feelings and Emotions Grab and Play Game, and a Building Empathy Grab and Play Game.

The adult collection has an array of items to be used around the house, on the go, for education, or just for fun. They have a blood pressure monitor, playing cards and a checkers set with Braille, and even a walking cane and pocket translator. Book clubs can get materials to help facilitate their meetings, and the musically inclined can check out instruments like ukuleles, keyboards, and drum sets.

If you’re heading outdoors, there are beach tents and canopy tents to keep the sun off of you, and bike pumps, pickleball sets, and flag football kits to keep you active. During the winter weather, karaoke sets, mahjongg, and jenga sets will keep you busy while indoors. Brendan likes to play hockey, but if you’d rather do arts and crafts during the colder months, there is a Cricut printer and knitting needles available to borrow as well.

For technology lovers, there are portable DVD players, bluetooth speakers, Go Pro cameras, and converters to digitize old camcorder tapes. There is even a Nintendo Switch for gamers. Of course, there are always books, movies, and a variety of programs happening at the library as well.

For Brendan and his family, the metal detector is another popular item to borrow. They especially enjoy it when his grandfather throws coins into the sand on the beach for them to find. With so many items available to borrow, there is something for everyone.

The Westwood Public Library, located at 660 High Street, is open seven days a week. The Islington branch at 273 Washington Street is open Monday to Thursday.

Congratulations, Brendan, for being this month’s Standout Student! Nominate a future Tinsley Team Standout Student of the Month by emailing Diana Bezdedeanu at dbezdedeanu@bestversionmedia.com

By Diana Bezdedeanu

Keira Dent, a 2023 graduate of Westwood High School, is set to showcase her incredible talent in Anthony Williams' The Urban Nutcracker at the Boch Shubert Theater in Boston on December 16, 17, 21, 22, and 23. A current freshman at the Boston Conservatory at Berklee, Keira will take the stage as a versatile performer, dancing in three different modalities: Tap, Hip Hop, and Bollywood.

The Urban Nutcracker stands out for its commitment to inclusivity, featuring various dance forms beyond ballet. It’s a modern take on the 19th-century holiday classic incorporating diverse cultural influences, with the Boston cityscape itself playing a role in shaping the production's landscape.

With 17 years of dance experience under her belt, Keira's passion for performing arts has been a consistent thread throughout her life. Having actively participated in Westwood High School's Drama, Chorus, and A Cappella group Passing Notes, Keira has continued to expand her artistic horizons through her studies at Berklee.

Keira's advice for aspiring performers echoes her own experiences, emphasizing the importance of staying true to oneself, avoiding comparisons, and cherishing the unique qualities each individual brings to the stage.

“My biggest piece of advice for anyone interested in the performing arts is to try, hard as it may be, to not compare yourself to everyone else around you. Who you are today and what you show up as is more than enough. There’s no one else like you. Whether ensemble or principle cast, there’s always a lot to learn.”

While Keira finds it difficult to choose a favorite among acting, singing, and dancing, her ultimate dream is to make a mark in the world of movies. She sees Film as a powerful medium to connect with audiences on a personal level, echoing the transformative impact that theater has had on her own life.

Keira's performances aim to bring joy and provide a healthy distraction for her audience. She recognizes the unique energy exchange between performers and the live audience, a connection that has been challenging to replicate in virtual settings during the Pandemic (though she sure has tried, through her participation in several virtual shows). For Keira, the magic of live theater lies in the shared heartbeat of the audience and actors on stage, creating a profound human connection.

What sets Keira apart is her resilience and determination, having faced challenges in her pursuit of artistic excellence. Her journey serves as an inspiration for those who face obstacles, demonstrating that hard work, dedication, and an unwavering love for the craft can lead to success on the stage and beyond.

By Diana Bezdedeanu

Ali Tariq has become the latest addition to the Eagle Scouts. A member of the Troop 1 Islington, Westwood. Ali achieved this prestigious rank through his dedication to environmental conservation and community service. Ali's accomplishment comes as he successfully completed an impactful project aimed at enhancing local awareness of dangerous flora and fauna.

For his Eagle Scout project, Ali took a proactive approach to address the issue of hazardous plants and wildlife in the community by installing a "Hazardous Plants and Wildlife ID Station" at Buckmaster Pond. This station serves as an educational resource for the community to identify potentially dangerous plants and insects in the area. The need for such awareness became evident when Ali noticed that several of his friends had suffered from exposure to poison ivy while enjoying their time at Buckmaster Pond. Moreover, with the increasing incidence of Lyme disease, it has become essential for residents to be well-informed about the risks associated with ticks.

Ali's commitment to serving others extends far beyond his Eagle Scout project. He has actively engaged with his community and beyond, demonstrating his leadership qualities through various initiatives. Ali has dedicated his time to teaching younger students at ICB Wayland Mosque. He participated in musicals at Westwood High School with leading roles, and was part of the team that went to Nationals for the Academic Decathlon.

His journey in scouting began as a Cub Scout in Pack 1 Logan, Utah and he joined the Troop 3 Westwood and then Troop 1 Islington. He has consistently demonstrated his dedication and commitment to the values of the Boy Scouts of America throughout his scouting career in Westwood. He joined Brandeis University for his college education this fall, where he will undoubtedly continue to make a positive impact.

Ali's achievement as an Eagle Scout exemplifies the values of leadership, service, and dedication to community that the Boy Scouts of America encourages in its members. The commitment of scouts to the environmental conservation and community awareness serves as an inspiration to all.

By Diana Bezdedeanu

11-year-old Claire Carey may seem like your average Thurston Middle Schooler: she loves any and all sports from basketball to soccer, playing Mario Kart on her Nintendo Switch, and eating pizza from Islington Pizza. But, did you know that she is also a talented Ninja Warrior?

That’s right! Claire is a team member of Action Athletics, “Boston's premiere obstacle and personal training studio designed by real American Ninja Warriors.” She’s been training since she was six years old, having gotten hooked on it after attending a few open gym sessions with her younger sister, Reese. When asked about her favorite obstacle, Claire says that she likes to climb “anything and everything!”

Claire was born with Cystic Fibrosis, but she doesn’t let it slow her down. Earlier this year, she was granted her Make-A-Wish: to have her very own American Ninja Warrior obstacle course in her backyard. Obstacles include a 12-foot Warp Wall, monkey bars, a salmon ladder, ring toss, and a lache. As Claire’s Make-A-Wish volunteer, I recently had the opportunity to try out her course and let me tell you, she certainly makes it look easy! It takes some serious upper body strength and stamina to move from one obstacle to the next.

By Diana Bezdedeanu

Meet Ella Xu, a rising Junior at Westwood High School, who set a school record this past Spring. Ella was the first student from WHS to place in the top three at the Salem Film Fest’s annual "Keeping It Reel" competition.

Keeping It Reel is a showcase for Massachusetts high school students to present their short documentaries. The competition is free to enter, and each submission must be under ten minutes long. Ella's entry, a four minute documentary titled "How Will You Overcome Procrastination?" struck a chord with the judges for its relatable theme and quality animations.

Ella's Video Production II class, led by Ms. Misuta, was encouraged to submit their short films to the competition. Despite initial doubts and a prior work commitment, Ella decided to attend the screening. To her surprise, her documentary took the stage as the second screening of the night, earning her second place overall and a year’s subscription to a premium editing software.

Upon learning she had won, Ella remarked that she was “amazed," as she had competed against students from all over the state and really didn’t think she had a shot at placing in the top ten, let alone receiving runner-up.

Though Ella won't be enrolling in Video Production again this year in order to explore different electives, her passion for filmmaking and editing remains. She's decided to continue to push herself to create short films outside of the classroom, possibly entering another contest or two in the near future.

Ella's advice to aspiring filmmakers is candid and encouraging.

“Don't give up. Keep on creating and don't worry about perfection. It sounds so cliché but it’s true. I’m so much better now than when I first started, and I have a lot left to learn. From a filmmaking perspective, you’re going to mess up and you might end up with footage that didn’t turn out exactly how you wanted but you shouldn’t dwell on it and degrade yourself because of it. It’s likely not as bad as you think it is. One bad film does not mean your career has ended.”

It wasn't the first time I stepped inside the Lin residence only to be impressed within thirty seconds. Just four years ago, after a friend alerted me to an awesome project Maxim Lin had just finished, I cruised over with my videographer, Walt, and produced a story that went internationally viral. Max, a fourth-grader at Sheehan at the time, had built an impressive mosaic of Patriots quarterback Tom Brady exclusively out of Rubik's Cubes. People far and wide, including Brady himself, complimented Max on his effort and the display spent time in the Patriots Hall of Fame in Foxboro.

That story had legs, almost as long as the legs on 14-year-old Max today, who stands 6'3" as he gets set to embark on his high school career. A recent graduate of Thurston Middle School, Max is headed to Commonwealth School in Boston, one of the most prestigious secondary schools in the world.

"I want a bigger challenge academically," said Maxim, who will certainly get his wish as he studies at Commonwealth. "They have a small student body, which I like. Also, I saw the school had a fencing team, and I really wanted to fence."

While Max still wows audiences with his incredible Rubik's cube talent and magic skills, he has quickly become a very accomplished fencer, most recently competing in July's Summer Nationals in Phoenix, AZ, the culmination of a busy string of recent competitions. Max has been classified in the Y-14 class, but in many instances has competed in much higher classes, squaring off at times against adults who are sometimes 30 years older than he. As Max continues to learn, he continues to improve.

"He's become a better person, a better student," said Maxim's dad, Sherwin. "You have to be very disciplined. Those refs are very strict. You have to know how to handle your emotions, even though you are very young in age."

His mom, Cathy, shared, "You have to be focused, not just on the result, but focused on competition. Sometimes you lose, right? But when you lose, how do you reconcile? It's very important. You prepared for so long. You traveled so far, but you didn't get the result that you expected. Then you have to reconcile, emotionally. This is a very good lesson for a younger person, also for us as well...how do you reconcile? How do you handle pressure?"

His room overflowing with various medals earned over time, Max has sights set high, maybe even someday competing for the United States national team, but there's a long way to go, and many lessons to learn on the path to the Olympics in 2028 or 2032.

In Phoenix, Max learned about unexpected and sudden disappointment. He began the competition in the Y-14 Men's Sabre in dominating fashion, finishing the pool bout round seeded second among 247 fencers. In the first elimination round, Max easily defeated his opponent 15-4. After just two touches in the second round bout, Max sprained his right ankle doing a forward lunge.

"Max probably should have withdrawn from the competition at that point," said Sherwin. "But he asked the medical staff to wrap his foot. After a short break, he continued to finish the bout, but lost 15-12. I know the injury was painful, because he couldn't even walk the next day. I'm proud of him. This was a great experience for Max. He learned to become a top athlete, other than focusing on skill training, taking care of his own body is also important to lead to success."

By the way, Max still creates amazing Rubik's Cube mosaics. His most recent project features Hungarian fencing legend Áron Szilágyi, and once again Maxim's work is spot on!

By Tom Leyden

The 2023 RAY Award Winners from left to right: Sreemayi Reddy, Hank Murray, Greydon Gavin, and Bridget O'Sullivan.

On Thursday, May 18, four students were acknowledged as the 2023 recipients of the Recognize a Youth (RAY)

Awards, presented by Westwood Youth and Family Services in collaboration with the Rotary Club of Westwood.

The RAY Awards were first introduced in 2000 to “honor the good work of young people doing really great things in the community” (Katy Colthart, M.S.W. LICSW, Director of WY&FS).

Greydon Gavin, a rising senior at Westwood High School, was nominated by Lina Arena-DeRosa, Director of the Council on Aging. Greydon is a regular volunteer at the COA and organizer of the quarterly Classic Movie Program - an initiative crafted post-COVID - as Greydon spent much of the Pandemic watching classic movies and wanted to share that experience with the senior residents of Westwood. Arena-DeRosa referred to Greydon in her nomination as “very bright, kind and enthusiastic. We are so grateful for his volunteerism and enthusiasm to help us create interesting content and programming”. In addition to volunteering at the COA, Greydon also plays the Alto Sax in the Wind Ensemble and is a distance runner for WHS’ Winter Cross-Country and Spring Track and Field teams. Upon receiving his award, Greydon remarked, "It’s just so important to give back to the community that you live in and in my case, Westwood has just offered me tremendous support and I feel very lucky and grateful to be a part of this community. I just wanted to pay that support forward through my movie showings and hopefully all the seniors that attended these movies got a relaxing and fun afternoon, as well as some education out of it as well”.

Hank Murray, a rising sophomore at Westwood High School, was nominated by Michelle Miller, Procurement Officer at Town Hall. Hank is a musician who has volunteered for several years in a row at the annual Veterans and Memorial Day parades, playing patriotic songs on his trumpet. Several years ago, the town’s Veterans Day committee was looking for a musician to play at the annual Veterans Day parade and Hank was quick to volunteer his help, remarking that it was an “honor to perform for such an important ceremony." Miller wrote in her nomination that “Hank is the light of our community. He gives his time and talent freely, getting no credit for volunteering and asking for nothing in return. Few people of his age are so selfless and shine so brightly”. When he is not volunteering his time for the Town of Westwood, Hank is a member of WHS’ Jazz Band, performing in the school musicals, and training dogs in obedience and agility.

Bridget O’Sullivan, a recent graduate of Westwood High School, was nominated by Jen Teahan, her former math teacher and Track and Field coach. Bridget was a member of the National Honor Society and served as Captain of the Unified Track Team at WHS. In her nomination, Teahan stated that Bridget is “a hard-working, inquisitive, thoughtful leader who is invested in bringing out the best in everyone. She is innately keen on welcoming others; she is supportive of students with disabilities, and is consistently willing to lend a hand to our younger athletes through mentoring, tutoring, and listening. Bridget generously offers academic and social support to many peers without looking or seeking recognition. She is a staple of inclusivity and kindness and makes everyone around her better with her presence." At the awards ceremony, Bridget said, "Because of my participation in community service, I've gained a heightened sense of empathy towards others regardless of their identity."

Sreemayi Reddy, a recent graduate of Thurston Middle School, was nominated by Kathy Whelan, her English Language Arts and Advisory teacher. Sreemayi has been a Peer Leader at Thurston for the past two years, mentoring younger students. In her nomination, Whelan reflected that Sreemayi has been “an active contributor to our Thurston community and the community at large. She is often first to volunteer and does so in a quiet humble way”. Outside of the classroom, Sreemayi volunteers at the Oak Ridge Cottages and Fox Hill Assisted Living, spending time with the Dementia and Alzheimer's residents. She also recently ran a clothing drive to support Cradles to Crayons and plays tennis with Autistic children at the Waltham Tennis Center.

Harris Maguire, currently in sixth grade at Thurston Middle School, has been creating art since the day he first held a crayon. He even put out an “art stand” outside of his house when he was younger, in lieu of a lemonade stand, selling his masterpieces all over the neighborhood. 

In fifth grade, Harris entered and won his elementary school’s yearbook cover design contest. Shortly after that, he launched a website (www.harrismaguireart.com), and began to offer his work for purchase to the local community and beyond (yes he can ship!) 

Harris’ preferred medium is watercolor paints outlined in pen. He specializes in people, as well as buildings, inspired by a recent trip across the pond to London and Paris. But his absolute favorite things to draw specifically are floral arrangements and hair - there’s just something about the detail. 

In September, Harris’ artwork will be on display in the lobby at the Main Branch of the Westwood Public Library, as part of their monthly young local artists feature. 

For anyone considering picking up art as a new hobby, Harris’ advice is to “take it slow. Don’t immediately rush to put out a piece of artwork as fast as you can. In the long run, you’ll have better work if you take the time to step back and not plow through. Also, try new things. Whether it’s a new style or medium, it’s okay if you never do it again, but try at least once."

 Follow Harris Maguire Art on Instagram @harris_maguire_art

By Abby Stern

While some of us spent 2020 catching up on Netflix or reorganizing our closets, Grace Francalangia was honing in on her baking skills and creating her own baking company.

Graceelizabethbakery.com is filled with beautifully designed cakes, cupcakes, and macarons- all of which is Grace’s specialties.

“I was self-taught,” Grace says. “ I’m a visual learner, so I would just browse pictures on Instagram or Pinterest and figure out how to make it myself. I never watch any videos.”

Grace worked hard on her decorating skills during the pandemic and decided it would be a good time to create her own business.

Artistic and creative, Grace always has had a love for baking. She remembers making Pillsbury Dough Cookies with her parents when she was younger, and from there, her love of baking took off.

A 17-year-old senior at Westwood High School, Grace hopes to major in Marketing in college and maybe continue with her love of baking. When she isn’t in the kitchen, Grace dances at the Charles River Ballet Academy and performs in plays at Westwood High School.

To order from Grace, check out her website at graceelizabethbakery.com or follow her on Instagram.

Congratulations Grace, on being this month’s standout student of the month! We wish you continued success.

By Abby Stern

Ten-year-old Charlie Hertz has been bitten by the acting bug, thanks to Wheelock Family Theatre.

After following in their sister’s footsteps, Charlie decided to sign up to participate in this year’s performance of "Make Way For Ducklings," which was performed for several weeks throughout February and early March in Boston. Charlie will make a stage debut being an understudy for Kack and Mack - two of the ducklings in the famous Boston story.

“Wheelock is an excellent experience,” Charlie says. “I love everyone I’ve met. I already signed up for a summer class to learn stage combat!”

Their love of acting is not limited to Wheelock, however. Charlie will be playing the role of Michael in Sheehan Elementary’s spring performance of Peter Pan.

After speaking with Charlie for only a few minutes, you can tell they are the kind of child who belongs on stage. Mature and outgoing, Charlie tells me more about how free time during the day is spent.

“Well, I’m writing a book; a fantasy novel titled 'Transformed by Magic,' which I hope to get published some day. I love to read and, oh, I signed up for a stand-up improv comedy class this summer!”

I have no doubt we will see more of Charlie Hertz in years to come. Congratulations on being chosen as the April Tinsley Team Standout Student of The Month.

By Abby Stern

Although she is new to the Westwood community, there is no doubt Alana Hogan is making a name for herself.

We bonded instantly over our love of Law and Order, but her maturity, passion, and sincerity were evident from the moment we spoke.

Alana is a 16-year-old sophomore at Ursuline Academy who plays three varsity sports (soccer, basketball, and lacrosse) and also manages time to play in NEX Elite basketball during the fall and spring.

Alana’s parents, who were also school athletes, started her off in kindergarten by having her play soccer and basketball. In the third grade, she started in with lacrosse and hasn’t looked back.

She loves all three sports, but basketball is where her passion lies, so much so that to find a way to honor her godmother, who she recently lost; Alana found out about a non-profit called "A Shot For Life."

As a way to combine sports and raise funds to fight cancer, she started her own fundraising page and was able to raise over $12,000.

Alana then participated with over 200 athletes in the "Shot for Life 24-Hour Gauntlet Challenge." This is a basketball marathon event which is to “loosely symbolizes” the struggles that cancer patients go through. Alana played basketball for 24 hours!

“How was that?” I asked.

“Extremely hard but, more importantly, amazing and supportive. I met people I know I will stay friends with because of this event. I definitely plan to be back again next year.”

When asked if college sports were in her future, Alana didn’t hesitate.

“I hope to play basketball and major in law or criminology,” she said, perhaps inspired by Law and Order?

Did I forget to mention that she spends her weekday mornings in a school acapella group?

It's a pleasure to name Alana Hogan as this month’s Tinsley Team Standout Student of the Month.

Congratulations!

Special thanks to our friends at Islington Pizza for presenting Alana with a gift card to recognize her achievements and allow her to celebrate a bit with family and friends.

By Abby Stern

At five-years-old, when most of her friends and little girls around the world were spending their days on the playground, Alexa Kelly was splitting her time between school and Children’s Hospital in Boston. Alexa was newly diagnosed with Acute lymphoblastic leukemia; better known as ALL.

February is National Cancer Prevention Month and now, 18-year-old Alexa knows a bit about keeping cancer at bay.

After not feeling quite like herself and after she experienced some frequent bruising, Alexa’s turned to her mom, Andrea, who knew the right thing to do was take Alexa to a doctor to figure things out. Neither of them were prepared for a cancer diagnoses. No one ever is.

Alexa then spent the next 2 ½ years in treatment, in and out of hospitals.

Although she was young, she remembers being surrounded by a group of supportive new friends at Deerfield Elementary School. Since she had lost all of her hair due to chemotherapy, her teachers allowed her to wear a hat during the day, which she said made her feel much more comfortable amongst her new peers.

Alexa is now a senior at Westwood High School and when I asked her if she feels her cancer shaped who she is today, she did not hesitate to say, “definitely.”

“Each year, I need to go back to the Jimmy Fund for bloodwork to make sure my cancer has not returned," said Alexa. "I have always felt a word to describe my journey was 'fearless,' so to celebrate my 10 years of remission, I got a tattoo on my arm that says, 'Fearless.'”

And fearless she is. This past summer Alexa ran the Falmouth Road Race in support of Dana Farber Hospital and raised $3,000. Because of the excellent care she received as a young girl, and the memories she has of such caring nurses, she is planning to pursue a career in nursing.

"What will you be focusing on?" I asked her.

“Pediatric Oncology,” Alexa replied.

A perfect match.

By Abby Stern

“Mommy, one day I’m going to be up on that stage,” said then, three-year-old Chloe O’Sullivan, as she watched The Nutcracker for the first time. For the few minutes I spoke with Chloe, her tenacity and love of dance came through loud and clear. Her mom; Sofia, says Chloe was always moving around and loved to perform. She signed up for dance lessons at the age of two and tried out all different kinds (tap, hip-hop, jazz) but her true love was ballet.

Chloe is a 10-year-old fourth grader at Deerfield School and is one of many children who were lucky enough to audition; then be chosen, to perform in The Nutcracker at the Boston Opera House this past December, 2022. Chloe was on stage twice during the performance as a reindeer and credits her time at Newton Studio for Boston Ballet for chance to be in the spotlight. “I used to love going to the Nutcracker when I was little,” said Chloe. “I still do, but now I get to be up there performing and pretend. It’s really fun." This outgoing 10 year old has her future goals of being a ballerina in perspective. “I want to continue it when I’m older, but just as a hobby,” she said. For now, Chloe enjoys reading, drawing and playing with her younger brother, Jason. It shows us, however, that even as a three-year-old, dreams can come true.

Congratulations, Chloe O’Sullivan, for being Westwood Living’s Tinsley Team Standout Student of the Month. Special thanks to our friends at Islington Pizza for presenting Chloe with a gift card to recognize her achievement and allow her to celebrate a bit with family and friends. 

By Abby Stern

With over 70 different clubs offered at Westwood High School, there’s no shortage of extracurricular activities.

In February 2023, Ethan Lu (WHS Class of 2024), received an email from Nick Pruitt, asking if he wanted to put together a team from Westwood to play in his organization’s Quiz Bowl tournament, The Mayflower Cup. Despite having played Quiz Bowl before, the format was quite new to Ethan and he felt that it was a big commitment to ask those who had never even heard of the game before to dedicate an entire Saturday (and $90) to play.

Quiz Bowl is a team-based academic question-and-answer buzzer game, often likened to Jeopardy, with the exception that clues are designated to a specific person on the team.

Ultimately, Ethan managed to find one other guy interested in forming a Quiz Bowl Team - Deepak Viswalingam (WHS Class of 2025). Together, they met and began to go through the process of fulfilling all of the requirements to get administrative approval to establish a new club, including gathering signatures from other potential members. On the last day of the 2022 - 2023 school year, Ethan and Deepak pitched their club idea to Social Studies Department Chair, Mr. Hilton, who gave them the green light and agreed to come on as Faculty Advisor.

Initially dubbed "Trivia Club" for broader appeal, the group officially transitioned to "Quiz Bowl Club", as it solidified its focus. With the foundations laid in the Fall of 2023, the club's humble beginnings included a shared Google Drive folder filled with ambitious plans for future competitions.

The Student Activities Fair marked a turning point, prompting a shift in recruitment strategy. Targeted outreach to individuals strong in specific subjects became the key, leading to the formation of a nucleus of dedicated members: Ethan Lu, Deepak Viswalingam, Jefferson Ji, Ethan Lee, and Jasper Xu.

The first club meeting, initially hindered by technical glitches, soon transformed into an interactive session where quiz packets were distributed and members eagerly delved into the game's rules.

“The Mayflower Cup, the competition that originally spurred this whole idea, was hosting an Autumn edition on Saturday, November 18th, which was just a few weeks away from our first meeting. I wasn’t anticipating having our very first competition until maybe Winter, but then I logged onto the Quiz Bowl forum and saw that it was for new teams, so we kicked into high gear and we ended up taking fifth place in our very first competition and qualifying for regionals”, Lu shared.

Outside of meetings, the club members are often found making flashcards, brushing up on their weaker subjects, and practicing with one another during their respective lunch periods with the goal of continuous improvement. While small in numbers (at most meetings, you’ll find half a dozen to a dozen members), the players devote lots of time and effort to the game out of their own initiative.

“Quiz Bowl is not really a spectator sport, but the guys just inject it with the kind of energy that not even pub trivia could dream of. They’re chomping at the bit, hands raised, ready to slap the desk to answer the questions. I think the best way to really experience it is to join a meeting and either jump in or just watch us”, explained Lu.

WHS’ Quiz Bowl Club has quickly become a force to be reckoned with in the world of academic competitions. Following their success in the Autumn Mayflower Cup, the club went on to send two teams to Belmont High School on Saturday, December 16th, securing another fifth-place finish and qualifying for Nationals. As they gear up for more competitions, one can't help but anticipate the bright future that lies ahead for this small but mighty group of Quiz Bowl enthusiasts at Westwood High School.

By Diana Bezdedeanu