Westford Academy Names February Students of the Month

The following was submitted by Westford Academy. To submit your own content, e-mail the editor at asylvia@westfordcat.org

Jackie Beals, daughter of Mr. & Mrs. Kevin Beals was named Student of the Month for February.  Stephanie Anderson, Jackie’s coach nominated her in the area of Athletics.    Coach Anderson writes: Jackie ended her last high school gymnastics season with high accomplishments. This season she was awarded the Dual County League Gymnast of the year for 2015 at the DCL meet.  At the league meet, Jackie placed 2nd on bars, 3rd on beam, 3rd on floor, and 3rd in the All Around.  She has been a DCL All Star all 3 competitive years on the team including 2015. She qualified for the 2015 Massachusetts Individual championships in the All-Around competition, where she seeded 7th out of the top 40 gymnasts in the state. This season Jackie broke WA Gymnastics’ All Around school record with a 37.25, beating out Erin Auger’s 2009 record of a 36.9.

At the Massachusetts North sectional competition, Jackie placed 4th on bars and 12th in the All Around.  She was a top performer throughout her high school gymnastics career, competing in every meet and placing top 3 at every regular season meet in each event.

Kelsey Pandiscio, daughter of Mr. & Mrs. Tony Pandiscio was named Student of the Month for February.  Technology Teacher, Kathe Paquette, Kelsey’s nominated her in the area of Academics.    Mrs. Paquette writes: Kelsey is one of the most dedicated students I have ever worked with at WA. She has worked hard to earn A’s in all her classes this entire school year. Kelsey is a senior who, although she has been accepted to multiple schools, has maintained the same work ethic and lofty expectations as the ones she set her freshman year.  For these reasons I believe she is deserving of the honor of Student of the Month.

Isabella Xu, daughter of Mr. & Ms. Weidong Xu was named Student of the Month for February.  Caitlin Klick-McHugh, Isabella’s coach nominated her in the area of Athletics.    Coach Klick-McHugh writes: Isabella Xu is nominated for her immediate impact on the WA Girls Swim & Dive Team in just her freshman year.  Isabella stormed onto the team as one of the most versatile swimmers in 2014-2015.  She was able to fill a void in the backstroke, individual medley, and freestyle events due to last year’s graduation.  In just her freshman year, she scored for the team in the maximum four events at the DCL Championships, the North Sectional Championships, and the State Championships.  At the Division 1 State Meet at MIT, Isabella was even on the 2nd place 200-freestyle relay team that set a school record.  Isabella was able to accomplish all of this while still taking all honors classes and earning a 4.0 GPA in her first semester at WA. 

Zach Kettering, son of Mr. & Mrs. Andrew Kettering was named Student of the Month for February.  Caitlin Klick-McHugh, Zach’s coach nominated him in the area of Athletics.    Coach Klick-McHugh writes: Zach Kettering, a junior on the WA Boys Swim & Dive team, is being recognized for his work-ethic and leadership.  For the third season in a row, Zach competed at the Division 1 State Championships.  Zach is one of the top distance swimmers on the swim team, but it is his dedication and compassion as a teammate that make him such a strong leader.  Zach is inclusive of all swimmers, and often plans team activities that include everyone from seniors to freshmen.  During his junior year, Zach also pushed himself to take many challenging classes, and was even able to earn a 4.0 for the semester.  Zach is a great example of a student-athlete, balancing heavy demands from both his classes and his sport, while still finding time to encourage his teammates.   

Rachel Harkins, daughter of Mr. & Mrs. Brian Harkins and Lily Hitelman, daughter of Mr. & Mrs. Steward Hitelman were named Students of the Month for February.  Mock Trial Advisor Chris Gorham, nominated them in the area of Special Recognition.    Mr. Gorham writes: I am nominating Rachel Harkins and Lily Hitelman for special recognition for their efforts in anchoring the Westford Academy Mock Trial Team.  While there are many deserving team-members, Rachel and Lily have distinguished themselves through their consistently excellent effort and performance.  In four preliminary rounds, Westford is 4-0 and is Regional Champion.  This is due in large part to Rachel’s opening statement and cross-examinations and Lily’s direct exams and closing statements.  The openings and closings of mock trials are critical, and these seniors have performed their tasks with a level of sophistication that only comes through hard work and consistent effort.