Michael Nechipurenko, Class of 2023, is a first year reporter for WSPN. He plays for the high school’s soccer team. Outside of school, he enjoys reading and spending time with friends and family.
![Wayland High School Class of 2019 alum Devin Wong is the new assistant coach of Harvard University Nordic Ski Team. "I’m excited to be a part of a new team and coaching staff am motivated to learn from [head coach] Cate Brams and grow as a coach and wax tech," Wong said.](https://waylandstudentpress.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/09-27-24-NSKI-Wong-Announcement-1920x1080-1-e1730466291327-1200x704.jpg)
![Standardized tests have been a core aspect of the average high school career for over a century. However, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, testing centers have been forced to shut down on a frequent basis, which has restricted student access to the tests. “I was scheduled to take [the SAT] in Fitchburg, MA, which is around 30 minutes from my house,” WHS junior Christopher Nunn said. “After my test got canceled, though, [I found] that the only remaining available locations were in Connecticut and New York, which was extremely annoying.”](https://waylandstudentpress.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/Screen-Shot-2021-06-08-at-9.44.22-AM.png)
![Members of the Class of 2020 celebrate at the 2019 Wayland High School Prom. This year's seniors will not have the opportunity to attend an official prom, but many are optimistic regardless. "I'm definitely really excited to have the privilege to enjoy [our] senior events amid the pandemic," senior Allen Zou said. "I think we're pretty lucky because I know a lot of other schools aren't able to have these types of activities, so it's important to be grateful for our events."](https://waylandstudentpress.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/Screen-Shot-2021-05-13-at-12.47.34-PM.png)
![The WHS girls volleyball team celebrates after winning a point. This year, as a result of the many social distancing rules imposed on athletic groups, the volleyball team was forced to modify the way in which they recognized each claimed point. "We found other ways to congratulate each other and make sure that our energy as a team was high," senior captain Mira Ireland said. "For example, [we had] specific cheers for points like aces or kills."](https://waylandstudentpress.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/pjMzMlGiC7vHiCOqPJb6F5BiJA0kIkdIohrM5gzB-900x598.png)
![Junior boys lacrosse player Ryan MacDonald looks up the field while carrying the ball. This year, Massachusetts high school athletic teams have been unable to participate in state-wide playoff tournaments, which has prompted some spring athletes to covet a large, traditional postseason competition. "I think with the way things are going right now we should definitely have a state [tournament], especially with COVID [cases lessening]," MacDonald said.](https://waylandstudentpress.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/CUCd0GjCZaudmP0bRQita86YqwmnW9jd7kS4l6OQ.jpeg)
![The WHS field house is typically a space in which runners practice and compete during the winter months. The MIAA opted to move this year's winter track season outside as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, but athletes are optimistic regardless. “I hope with this extra time I can get some more quality training in,” senior indoor track runner Zachary Campana said. “I think that it makes me more excited to compete in the upcoming spring track season with a brand new track to run on, [and I will have] a lot of time to perfect my form and abilities in the 110m hurdles, my event.”](https://waylandstudentpress.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/LhdlNQkrC38bacjCayjIM8RGeB3kN2IrGubw3pOl-900x600.jpeg)
![Girls varsity basketball head coach Amanda Rukstalis prepares to end a huddle before the Warrior's game against Boston Latin on Feb. 5th. The Warriors were unsuccessful in their attempt to beat the Wolfpack, but the impact of the game - a Coaches vs. Cancer event - extended far beyond the team's record. "It is about raising money for the American Cancer Society through the Coaches vs. Cancer program," Rukstalis said. "We have been doing it for eight years now and each year [the team] has the initials 'JG' on their sleeves in memory of Jim Griffin, former Wayland High School guidance counselor and freshman girls basketball coach."](https://waylandstudentpress.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/Nvk1XWi5iKlKOXdLEB8vukksmmH4Y0Zijyy0mYoF.png)
![Junior cross-country skier Andrew Zhao surges forward, attempting to catch up with his opponent. This year, winter athletes have been forced to reckon with the presence of the COVID-19 virus. "My biggest concern going into the [winter] season was how safe [cross-country skiing] would be," Zhao said. "However, I probably shouldn't have been so worried given that the point of cross-country skiing is to distance yourself from others."](https://waylandstudentpress.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/uhTqPffllMxEqeG4KrXxxfxGnQkkYF5I4UXNvDef-900x600.jpeg)