The 2023-2024 year was filled with many ups and downs both within Wayland High School (WHS) and around the world. WSPN reported on various topics, from pop culture to breaking news in the Wayland community and at the high school. Highlighted below is a recap of some of the articles, videos, galleries and podcasts WSPN produced this school year.

September: During the summer, four new department heads were appointed, along with numerous newly hired teachers, as well as guidance dog Gruff. Former Newton Public Schools Superintendent David Fleishman began his one-year term as interim superintendent, along with former Wayland Middle School Principal Betsy Gavron as interim assistant superintendent.

COVID-19 cases multiplied due to a new strand of the disease, causing some schools to return to virtual learning. Wayland High School held its annual club fair, and WSPN reviewed multiple movies and albums including “Barbie” and “Oppenheimer.”

Although there were numerous weather interruptions last fall, two WHS athletes played in the MLS NEXT soccer league, along with several seniors committing to college for sports, including senior Ava Balukonis. Boys soccer lost in the annual Kicks for Cancer game, and WHS golf acquired new coach Brian Reddington.

October: Fire broke out at the International Auto Body shop, leading to the destruction of the shop, the pizza store next to it, honeywell farms and the dry cleaning service next to it. The No Hate High School tour visited WHS, and MetroWest Climate Solutions held a roundtable discussion at First Parish Church in Weston.

The WHS Hockey team hosted its annual golf tournament, Wayland-Weston crew held its annual ergathon and WSPN’s Emma Zocco and Chloe Zilembo reported on the WHS field hockey team being composed only of girls this year.

Additionally, the robotics team put on a demonstration for the Carriage House and the community came together to celebrate the life of Eliza J. Norton on the Cochituate Ball Fields. The Class of 2026 held the sophomore semi-formal dance at Wedgewood Pines Country Club in Stow, and the Class of 2024 had the annual senior Progressive Dinner.

November: Keycards were implemented on all doors leading into school buildings, wellness teacher Scott Parseghian began a free breakfast-making program and the Connect Program held its annual Fall Festival and Haunted House. WSPN’s Chloe Zilembo reported the results and a recap of the fall sports playoffs.

Wayland High School Theater Ensemble (WHSTE) performed the “SpongeBob Musical” and the annual Wayland-Weston Thanksgiving Day football game ended in a 49-18 win for the Warriors. WSPN reported on Parseghian’s new sports broadcasting class, as well as the annual WHS Color Blast.

After an act of antisemitism in town, the community rallied to stand against hate in front of the Wayland Middle School (WMS). On top of that, WSPN’s Ryan Chase shared his opinion on how the Israel-Palestine war and Hamas has affected him and other Jewish people around the world.

December: Guest writers wrote an opinion on the Israel-Palestine war from the pro-Palestine side, and Co-Editors-in-Chief Nadya Chase and Talia Macchi wrote a letter to the audience about both the guest article and Chase’s article.

WSPN’s Tina Su reported on the Wayside Gift Drive, and WSPN’s Katya Luzarraga shared Loker Elementary School’s Pulsera Project. Wayland began construction of a new grass field while WHS enlisted more therapy dogs for student stress.

WMS canceled all middle school overnight field trips and WSPN reported on the administration’s reasoning and reactions from the community. The WHS robotics team resumed the annual Wayland STEM Fair and WSPN’s Mischa Lee reported on junior Reva Datar’s experience as the only girl on the wrestling team.

January: The annual Intramural basketball league (IBL) at WHS kicked off, followed by 16 musicians qualifying for All-States at senior districts. Bubba FC, an indoor soccer league that houses much of the boys soccer team, was in full swing, and the Snowport holiday market was a popular destination for WHS students.

WMS hosted Holocaust survivor Kati Preston for a speech, WSPN spotlighted Wayland Police Chief Ed Burman and WSPN’s Bella Schreiber and Aimee Smith brought to light the Wayland Public Library and the “Raytheon room.” Schreiber also began a “teachers in the wild” series, starting with WHS history teachers.

Following midterm exams, WHS had their annual “Winter Week.” The week included mental health presentations, a hypnosis show, musical performances by students, 10 minute plays from the Honors Dramatic Arts class, guitar performances and more.

February: As Winter Week came to a close, the Window Dance Ensemble had their winter performance, along with the yearly WHS talent show. WHS history teacher and wrestling coach Sean Chase achieved his 300th victory in his coaching career with the Wayland Warriors, and WSPN highlighted a day in the life of a WHS student in January.

Wayland celebrated the Lunar New Year, while WHS sports teams celebrated senior nights. Newton teachers went on a two week strike and the Grammy’s took place in downtown Los Angeles, California.

WSPN’s journalism class went on a scavenger hunt throughout the school. The love story of history teachers Fred and Erin Lehmann was brought to light, and students tested for their seal of biliteracy.

March: Intramural Basketball League (IBL) ended with a white team championship victory over the pink team, and Former Superintendent Dr. Omar Easy filed a lawsuit against Wayland. Senior Sophia Verma gave her opinion on overcoming test anxiety while the class of 2026 took the Massachusetts Comprehensive Assessment System (MCAS).
Easter occurred in March, seniors reflected on their high school careers and the Connect program held a Spring Fling.

Girls lacrosse had a “Play Day” to prepare for the upcoming season. WSPN’s Luzarraga and Smith abandoned coffee for a week, comfort dogs were spotlighted and the class of 2024 hosted the annual Senior Show.

April: The Solar Eclipse took place on Monday, April 8, interfering with some sports and causing a delay. WSPN covered the difference in coverage and enthusiasm towards mens and womens sports, as well as a homicide that took place in Shoppers World in Framingham.

Students in the Spanish classes visited Spain while students in Mandarin visited Taiwan. WSPN reporters explored affordable housing in the area, as well as the impacts of climate change locally.

WSPN staff took a trip to Kansas City for a journalism convention and won numerous awards. At convention students participated in both educational classes and journalism contests. WSPN’s Hallie Luo, Su and Schreiber participated in a maestro contest, covering the Hallmark Visitors Center.

May: A commuter rail accident in Natick led to two deaths. The WHS Concert Choir held their last concert of the year while some students disagreed with the new digital Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT). The Class of 2024’s “Senior Assassin” ended on May 25.

Mothers day happened and WSPN reported on the new gymnastics team being installed in the fall of 2024. While the Class of 2024 committed to their respective college decisions, WHS prepared for the incoming freshmen from the Class of 2028. The Class of 2025 had their junior prom at the Hyatt Regency Cambridge.

June: As the school year closed out, the Class of 2024 said goodbye to high school at their graduation ceremony on Friday, June 7. WSPN covered boys volleyball and their journey to the state championship. WSPN’s Melina Barris and Lee discussed their final exam study tips.

WSPN’s Bowen Morrison, Ben Jackson and Alex Evangelista highlighted the Boston Celtics basketball team and their run in and before playoffs. For sports at WHS, WSPN covered the playoffs and spent time with seniors to discuss how they felt in their last high school sports season.

WHS celebrated fine arts award night and Advanced Placement (AP) senior art students had a chance to display their art on WSPN. The annual Underclassmen Awards ceremony took place on Monday, June 10.

Letter to the Reader:

Dear reader,

If you’ve made it to the end of the 2023-2024 “Year in Review,” we want to thank you for taking the time to support WSPN this year. WSPN faced immense challenges this year, but we have put our all into our production and believe that it paid off. From difficult opinions to grasp to the hottest fashion looks, without loyal readers like you, none of this would have been possible. As this year comes to a close and we begin to prepare for all of the adventures summer will bring, take a moment to applaud yourself for making it through another year. Like WSPN, you have gone through many ups and downs this year, but in the end, you made it. Enjoy the summer vacation, we will see you again next year. And what a year it will be.

We wish you all the best,

WSPN Staff