![After Massachusetts voted to remove the MCAS graduation requirement, policy makers are reshaping graduation standards. "The top-line understanding is that we’ve moved away from a system that we’ve known for about 24 years, which is one where every school district in Massachusetts had wide latitude to decide what their graduation requirements were in terms of coursework or other experiences, but every single student, in order to earn a diploma, needed to pass the MCAS in one English, one math and one science assessment," Massachusetts Secretary of Education Patrick Tutwiler said. "We’ve moved away from that now, by virtue of the outcome of [the MCAS] ballot question in November, to a place where communities can still decide what their graduation requirements are, but there’s no requirement for students to pass the MCAS.”](https://waylandstudentpress.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/img_3067_720.png)
![At 5:45 a.m. on April 19, a reenactment of the Battles of Lexington and Concord took place at Old North Bridge in Concord. The reenactment was followed by a parade, where several dignitaries, including Gov. Maura Healey, gave speeches. "This is our generation's time, standing here in this place at this moment, we must commit ourselves to defending [freedom]," Healey said. "That's what I will do, and I encourage everyone who knows our history and values our freedom to do the same."](https://waylandstudentpress.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/93EBB942-34BA-42D3-85A5-220D17FE7E44_1_105_c.jpeg)
![From left to right, junior Ben Pyhtila, sophomores Aadith Charry and Owen Chislett play their cello instruments. Junior Jubin Kim also plays the cello and has been playing the instrument since third grade. "I think that [the cello] is a good balance between a high instrument versus a low instrument, and I just really like the rich sound that it makes," Kim said.](https://waylandstudentpress.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/IMG_6540-1200x800.jpg)
Yale University’s improvisational comedy group, The Purple Crayon, is set to perform a matinee at Wayland High School on November 21st. Wayland High School alum Chris Lash (Class of 2007) is a member of The Purple Crayon cast.
“The members of The Purple Crayon are some of my closest friends in college,” said Lash. “It’s great to share my hometown with them.”
The Purple Crayon’s name comes from the children’s book Harold and the Purple Crayon by Crockett Johnson. The story’s main character, Harold, uses a purple crayon to bring his imagination to life.
The group does not use sets, props, or costumes, as the show is different every time they perform. Lash and his co-comedians rely on audience suggestions to decide on a theme for the show, with nothing planned ahead of time.
“It’s become a huge part of my college experience,” said Lash. “[It’s] totally changed my ideas about improv comedy and performance.”
The Purple Crayon will be performing on November 21st in the Wayland High School Little Theater at 2:00 PM. Tickets can be reserved online via email at [email protected] or purchased at the door. Proceeds benefit the WHS Fine Arts Program.
For more information on The Purple Crayon, or to see performance videos, visit their website.
