Early Sunday morning, the Wayland Police Department discovered that the Wayland High School sign at the corner of Route 126 and the WHS entrance had been vandalized with spray paint. On the south side of the sign, below the school’s name, the words “IS GAY” were spray-painted in bold black lettering.

At this time (5/23 – 4:10pm) it is unclear who the vandals are.

Principal Patrick Tutwiler informed the high school community of the vandalism via email just before 4pm Sunday afternoon. Tutwiler described the act as “contemptible,” “cowardly” and “unacceptable.” Tutwiler reported that the incident appeared to be isolated, and that evidence would be gone by the time students arrived Monday morning.

However, students and faculty heading north could still make out the graffiti on the sign Monday morning as custodians worked throughout the day to wash away the evidence.

See a picture of the full graffiti »

Community Reactions

After Tutwiler’s email went out, word spread and on Monday morning the vandalism was the buzz of the school. WSPN reporters caught up with both students and staff to get their reactions to the event.

“Regardless of its intent, it is a homophobic slur.” -Brian Keaney, English Department Head

“I wasn’t suprised and I was kind of angry at them for doing such an act.” -Nikhil Mysore, sophomore

“I think it is pretty stupid. It just seems like something stupid to put on there. If you are going to vandalize the school it would make more sense to put stuff on the actual building. Even them saying “is gay” is the stupidest possible thing to say because it is not even really an insult. -Alex Dulude, junior

“Gay does not mean bad. I’m disappointed; I would have hoped people knew better than that by now.” -Gwen Goldin, English teacher

“I thought it was funny but also very disrespectful” -Ben Fogg, freshman

“I was pretty much disappointed that, whether it was a Wayland person or not a Wayland person, someone would do that. I think that it’s inappropriate, and hurtful.” -Ken Altshuler, Science Department Head

“I think the tagging of Wayland High School is very disrespectful, and I hope that it wasn’t someone from Wayland High School because I think that it’s just something that no one should ever do and I do not approve.” -Lee Junkin, junior

“I think that Mr. Tutwiler’s response was very productive and affirmative that this is not what our school is about. It’s very disheartening to think that someone would do that to us.” -Marybeth Sacramone, Guidance Department Head

“It’s kinda messed up. That shouldn’t be spray painted anywhere….I don’t think that someone should do that. I think they should find who did it.” -Matt Devlin, sophomore

“I was really upset. I don’t think that that is an insult that should be used in a public setting like that.” -Carter Pedersen, sophomore (EDITOR’S NOTE: Pedersen’s last name was originally spelt Pedderson, it is in fact Pedersen. We regret the error.)

“Vandalism has never made sense to me because it seems like even if it’s an act of frustration or anger, it’s such a blunt crime. It’s not very focused, because you end up hurting everybody. Because everybody who drives by the sign, even if they don’t go to the school, now feel the value of the community somewhat diminished…It’s really distressing. I’m embarrassed by it, and I hope whoever did it is likewise embarrassed.” -Bayard Klimasmith, Assistant Principal

“I just think it’s dumb because they’re giving people reasons not to trust high schoolers. There’s a reason why people don’t trust high schoolers, because people do dumb stuff like that.” -Jack McCullough, senior

“It’s just so needless and ugly. I think that about sums it up.” -Richard Weingartner, drama teacher

“I was really surprised. I didn’t think anyone would actually do something like that.” -Saya Higano, junior

“It’s very offensive, I’m offended.” -Daniel Hyde, senior

“My first reaction was it was so immature. I thought the culprits would be younger kids; it’s just so juvenile.” -Ken Rideout, science teacher

“All the college kids are home, so I’m guessing it was either them or high school kids. Wayland handled it well by just getting rid of it, and not dawning on the fact that you’re gonna change the way kids act by trying to tell them not to do things. You should just get rid of it and move on.” -Rebecca Goldberg, junior

“I was really surprised and I hope it wasn’t one of the Wayland High School students who did that because that’s not a good thing to write.” -Lina Cowen, senior (Student Council President)

“It seems like an immature act, and it’s sad that they damaged school property. It seemed the implication of using the word ‘gay’ was in a negative way, which is something the Wayland community does not stand for. I certainly hope it wasn’t someone from Wayland.” -Patricia Halpin, history teacher

“I mean, like what does it even mean to say that Wayland High School is gay? It’s kind of just pointless that someone would even write that. I mean, it’s not really a big deal.” -Jacob Sussman, sophomore

“I was very saddened. I hope it was just some idiot who was being an idiot, you know what I mean. I’m really glad that Mr. Tutwiler reacted strongly and quickly and that it’s been removed because that’s the kind of community that we are. We don’t stand for that type of bad behavior.” -Mary Brown, Language Department Head

“I think it was rude, but I think the school handled it properly by erasing it before the students came to school.” -Elisa Bushee, junior

“It was very unfortunate what happened. As an administrator and a longtime fan of Wayland I am praying it is not our kids. I think our kids our better than that. Talking with kids last year that are out and openly gay and asking them about their experience at Wayland, every time I have heard them say anything it has been positive. They would tell me stories about how people who went through this, or my friend went through that [at other schools] and I never went through any of that. So that kind of keeps reminding me that people who are out say that this is a pretty safe environment, so I guess I am believing in our students that it was somebody else.” -Scott Parseghian, Dean of Students

“I think that whoever did that was really wrong and I just think that people should think twice before they do their actions because even though the janitors can wash it off, that mark will be left there forever.” -Allie Wuerfl, sophomore

“I think it was really unwarranted and wasn’t funny at all.” -Alex Gupta, senior

EDITOR’S NOTE: WSPN is awaiting a comment from the Wayland Police Department.

How do you feel about the graffiti? Sound off in the comments below.