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Wayland Student Press
Junior Madita Hofmann smiles as she receives an award from English Department Head Peter Galalis.
WHS celebrates students during annual Underclassmen Awards Assembly
The Class of 2026 toss their caps into the air to conclude graduation.
Caps Off: The Class of 2026 Graduation
Wayland Historical Society Executive Director Scarlett Hoey explains the history of the Cochituate Gatehouse. "The exterior is still a nice monument to remember buildings [involved in] water history," Hoey said. "We all drink lots of water, and it's such an important resource that we kind of take for granted nowadays."
Wayland Historical Society tour explores Lake Cochituate’s history
On Saturday, May 30 a meteor exploded off of Cape Cod Bay creating a sonic boom that was heard miles away.
Not the end of the world, just a meteor
For the past three weeks every Friday teachers gather before school, demonstrating  to bring awareness to their contract enjoins. Educators walk into the high school Together  m at 8 a.m..
Teacher negotiations remain ongoing over disagreements
A Troop 1 Cochituate Wayland sign is posted at Stop and Shop, where Eagle Scout Matthew Tan ran a food drive. Troop 1 is one of the oldest Boy Scout troops in the nation.
Troop 1 creates community impact through Eagle Scout projects
The Wayland Community Fund is a non-profit organization that provides support to communities members in need of financial assistance. While prioritizing privacy, they help cover medical fees, rising rent costs and utilities expenses. “What I appreciate about the Wayland Community Fund is they work with the residents to help whenever they can, " Council on Aging outreach coordinator Maura Snyder said.
The Wayland Community Fund: Supporting residents through financial hardships
With new technologies making daily life more convenient, questions are also being raised about ethics and security, and whether these technologies are causing users to sacrifice their privacy for efficiency.
Efficiency over security: The debate around surveillance technology
Join WSPN’s Emily Davids, Kyle Zhang, and Becket Todd as they dive into the Hacky Sack phenomenon at Wayland High School.
Bring the sack back: Hacky sack takes WHS by storm
Saturn is a popular platform for schedule viewing at WHS. With live student input, start and end times and the ability to view who's in one's classes, Saturn offers a variety of functions that PowerSchool don't have. That being said, it's also a third party platform that is linked to the social media platform Snapchat, prompting the question: Is Saturn worth the security risk?
Is convenience worth privacy? A deep dive into the scheduling platform Saturn
The team celebrates after winning the game 3-1.
Boys volleyball claims long-awaited first state championship
Senior Finn Bell leaps up and attempts a kill, contested by a Longmeadow defender.
Boys volleyball defeats Longmeadow to advance to the Final Four
There are three WHS playoff games this week. Lets take a look at where and when they are.
WHS Spring Playoff Game Schedule: Week of 6/8
Players shake hands after Wayland won the game 3-0.
Boys volleyball advances to quarterfinals with 3-0 win over Lowell
Wayland boys varsity volleyball won the opening playoff game against Pioneer Charter School of Science with a 3-0 sweep on Saturday May 30, kicking off the championship season. The game was a chance for the usual lineup to be mixed around and for players to challenge their flexibility with positions.
Boys volleyball kicks off playoffs with a 3-0 sweep
Join WSPN's Arianna Shang as she argues why "Takopi's Original Sin" should have won the Anime of the Year award.
Opinion: Anime of the year awards popularity, not storytelling
Join WSPN's Mackenzie Young as she explains the hidden benefits of being the tennis team manager.
Opinion: Benefits of being a sports team manager
Join WSPN's Vanessa Taxiarchis and Ryan Chase as they compare the new Alltown Fresh gas station to the neighboring Cumberland Farms.
Settling the debate: Is Alltown Fresh better than Cumberland Farms?
Join WSPN's Sofia Pazolli as she discusses the value of travel and experiences over material objects.
Opinion: Society should prioritize investing in travel and experiences
Join WSPN’s Vanessa Taxiarchis as she reflects on her three years in Wayland High School’s journalism program.
Opinion: The risk that made me
Styling curly hair, a task that may sound simple, can instead feel like a burden to many students. “Hair can be so annoying, and sometimes I just give up on it,” freshman Talia Kohl said.
Detangling the challenges of curly hair
Singer songwriter Charlie Puth came to Boston to perform for his "Whatever's Clever" tour on May 22.
Charlie Puth’s “Whatever’s Clever” Tour is one call away from perfect
Seniors Caroline Rent, Danica Doyle, Riley O'Driscoll, Ava Knourenko, Molly Bergeron, Eliza Russell, Abby Peredna, Anna Yalli, Jayden Newland, Jack Doyle and Connor Langan (left to right) pose for a photo. This group of seniors are all in the same english class.
Interactive map: Class of 2026 future plans
Join WSPN's Sofia Pazolli, Ariana Shang, and Isabella Jolon to discuss Wayland High School's Spring Play, "Radium Girls".
WHSTE’s Radium Girls glows onstage at WHS
In Anatomy and Physiology classes, sometimes they watch medical dramas. ‘The Pitt’ season two recently came out, and it has gained being an accurate medical tv show.
Art imitates life in “The Pitt”
The student news site of Wayland High School

Wayland Student Press
The student news site of Wayland High School

Wayland Student Press

Annie Melander: Before the leap

Vanessa Taxiarchis
December 20, 2025

Join WSPN’s Vanessa Taxiarchis as she shadows senior Annie Melander’s morning before her dance performance. Melander was was Clara this year for her dance studios, Studio Dance Academy (SDA), annual nutcracker show. Melander is a dedicated performer, as she also is apart of Wayland High School’s Window Dance Ensemble.

After waking up, getting ready to leave for her show, senior Annie Melander quickly throws her hair up in a low bun.
8:30am
Annie Melander: Before the leap
Background
Credit: Vanessa Taxiarchis
Starting her day off right, senior Annie Melander eats a breakfast made by her parents.
8:45am
Annie Melander: Before the leap
Background
Credit: Vanessa Taxiarchis / Credit: Vanessa Taxiarchis
After she eats her breakfast, senior Annie Melander throws on some makeup for her dress rehearsal.
9:00am
Annie Melander: Before the leap
Background
Credit: Vanessa Taxiarchis / Credit: Vanessa Taxiarchis
Steaming her clothes, senior Annie Melander gets ready to pack up her costumes and accessories, which make her role in the show come to life.
9:10am
Annie Melander: Before the leap
Background
Credit: Vanessa Taxiarchis / Credit: Vanessa Taxiarchis
After senior Annie Melander does her base makeup, she starts packing up her bags, getting ready to leave.
9:15am
Annie Melander: Before the leap
Background
Credit: Vanessa Taxiarchis / Credit: Vanessa Taxiarchis
Getting ready to leave, Melander carries her bin full of bags, containing costumes and makeup that contribute to her performance by helping her get into the role she is performing as.
9:30am
Annie Melander: Before the leap
Background
Credit: Vanessa Taxiarchis / Credit: Vanessa Taxiarchis
In senior Annie Melander's room is a shelf full of different trophies and awards from throughout all the years of her dance.
setting
Annie Melander: Before the leap
Background
Credit: Vanessa Taxiarchis / Credit: Vanessa Taxiarchis
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Styling curly hair, a task that may sound simple, can instead feel like a burden to many students. “Hair can be so annoying, and sometimes I just give up on it,” freshman Talia Kohl said.
Detangling the challenges of curly hair
Singer songwriter Charlie Puth came to Boston to perform for his "Whatever's Clever" tour on May 22.
Charlie Puth’s “Whatever’s Clever” Tour is one call away from perfect
Seniors Caroline Rent, Danica Doyle, Riley O'Driscoll, Ava Knourenko, Molly Bergeron, Eliza Russell, Abby Peredna, Anna Yalli, Jayden Newland, Jack Doyle and Connor Langan (left to right) pose for a photo. This group of seniors are all in the same english class.
Interactive map: Class of 2026 future plans
Join WSPN's Sofia Pazolli, Ariana Shang, and Isabella Jolon to discuss Wayland High School's Spring Play, "Radium Girls".
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In Anatomy and Physiology classes, sometimes they watch medical dramas. ‘The Pitt’ season two recently came out, and it has gained being an accurate medical tv show.
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A Troop 1 Cochituate Wayland sign is posted at Stop and Shop, where Eagle Scout Matthew Tan ran a food drive. Troop 1 is one of the oldest Boy Scout troops in the nation.
Troop 1 creates community impact through Eagle Scout projects
The team celebrates after winning the game 3-1.
Boys volleyball claims long-awaited first state championship
Junior Madita Hofmann smiles as she receives an award from English Department Head Peter Galalis.
WHS celebrates students during annual Underclassmen Awards Assembly
Join WSPN's Arianna Shang as she argues why "Takopi's Original Sin" should have won the Anime of the Year award.
Opinion: Anime of the year awards popularity, not storytelling
The Class of 2026 toss their caps into the air to conclude graduation.
Caps Off: The Class of 2026 Graduation
The Wayland Community Fund is a non-profit organization that provides support to communities members in need of financial assistance. While prioritizing privacy, they help cover medical fees, rising rent costs and utilities expenses. “What I appreciate about the Wayland Community Fund is they work with the residents to help whenever they can, " Council on Aging outreach coordinator Maura Snyder said.
The Wayland Community Fund: Supporting residents through financial hardships
About the Contributor
Vanessa Taxiarchis
Vanessa Taxiarchis, Multimedia Editor
Vanessa Taxiarchis, Class of 2026, is co-multimedia editor for WSPN. Outside of school, Vanessa loves taking photos for her friends and sports, going to fun events, walking her dogs and traveling.  
Donate to Wayland Student Press
$1385
$2000
Contributed
Our Goal