What five questions would you ask George Washington, if you were to meet him live? What changes would you make at your school? Eighth graders at the Joyce Middle School in the English classes of Kathryn Materazzo and history classes of Rob Tropea have been brainstorming lists of questions, refining their queries and asking each other questions as part of a special class project.  Students are learning to interview an adult of their choice and then write a feature story about him or her. This year, in the project’s second year, Materazzo and Tropea have set some new project guidelines. No …

 Putting away the dishes in his dirty work clothes, David Crampton is reminiscing about his childhood. Memories flood his brain of all the good times back when he was a kid, while I ask questions that require him to recall the lost memories.  To the community, David Crampton is a carpenter who has lived in Woburn his whole life. To his family, he is known as “Daddy” or “The Taxi” because of all the rides he gives. Since he is a Woburn native, he knows all about the city. If you ever need directions, he’s the man to go to.   Back when he was young, Woburn was full of open land, and there were …

 When some people picture a stay-at-home mom, they picture a middle-aged woman cooking in the kitchen, cleaning the house, doing laundry, or running errands. However, when Michelle Romano's five kids think of her, they picture wood, power tools, table saws, and things being built, from bookshelves to forts.  Michelle graduated from Arizona State University with a major in architecture. Originally, she wanted to major in art education, to become an art teacher, because she loved art. She took two years of it at Brigham Young University and didn't like it at all. "It was too abstract,” she says…

 Teacher, cheering coach, involved in Woburn sports, social groups, member of the Shamrock PTO, and the high school scholarship fund, and once a member of the D.A.R.E. program. You name it. Ann Boudreau is very active in “her city,” as she likes to call Woburn, Massachusetts.   Ann has lived in Woburn her whole life. She is part of a fifth generation. “I love my city,” she adds.  Ann has always been involved in her city. She works in Woburn at the Shamrock School as a third grade teacher. She also is involved in Woburn sports, social groups, and she is even a member of the high school …

 She wakes up, works, and takes care of her grandchildren. She interviews veterans, studies history, and is involved in her community. This is just the everyday life of Kathleen Lucero.  Kathy Lucero grew up in Woburn, MA. She had a very large family. She was the oldest child of 11. Kathy went to work at Mahoney’s at age 14. She had to work because her family needed the money.  Her favorite family member was her Uncle Jimmy Oroik. He was a twin and a WWI veteran. He got wounded in France, and his twin died in 1918. With no more family left (no parents either), he went to war. Kathy was very …

 Every day he fights for his country, not on the battlefield, but miles away. The weapons he designs and buys and the improvements he makes to them, help make it safer for people over on the battlefield. Words from the hero, Lt . Col. Tomas Tschuor: “Freedom does not come free.”  Tomas Tschuor was your average child in Woburn. He moved to the United States from Switzerland at the age of 9, knowing no English but the simple words, “yes” and “no.”  He gradually grew up and learned not just English but he knew everyone in this town. Tomas always played with the kids on the street and in the town…