It was a beautiful night on Friday, Sept. 30, when the Homecoming Court took to the field before the home football game against West Scranton at Western Wayne’s Sharkey-Rossetti Stadium. The court crossed the field prior to the game escorted by their parents to be honored in front of their family and friends before hearing the winners. Seniors Luke Janiszewski and Cyrah Bihler were crowned Homecoming King and Queen respectively. Congratulations to all the members of our court this year! From left, Homecoming Court members: Lucas Putman, Faith Cavage, Kourtney Franklin, Kyle Guarino, Skylar Long, Luke Janiszewski, Homecoming King; Cyrah Bihler, Homecoming Queen; Dustin Ferraro, Niya Acosta, and Marshall Davis.
The Western Wayne Hot Rod Club partnered with the Drama Club hosted their 7th annual Car Show on Sunday, Oct. 2. Despite the brisk weather, the community came out to support the students. Cars filled the parking areas by the football stadium and Hot Rod Club members were able to interact with the owners of a variety of classic cars. In addition, Drama Club students dressed in 50s attire mingled with attendees as old-time music played. There was even an alumni section of cars to be seen. Prizes were awarded to the best in show and over twenty raffle baskets were given to their lucky winners. “I was thrilled to be able to have my truck in the car show,” Rebeccah King, Class of 2020 said, “I was a part of shop classes and the Drama Club when I was in school.” The Hot Rod and Drama Clubs look forward to hosting another car show next year and hope to hold it in September of 2023.
The entire Western Wayne Community joined together on Saturday, September 24, for a parade to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the school. A number of groups marched some of which included the Western Wayne faculty and staff, members of the chorus in the middle school, high school, and chorus alumni, the Wildcat Marching Band, some local fire house companies, the members of the 2022 Homecoming Court, the Wildcat Cheerleaders, members of Wildcat sports teams, the Spanish Club, and others. It was a beautiful day and community members lined up at the Western Wayne Middle and High School campuses to watch the parade that went around the school grounds. “It was awesome to be back to celebrate this event with my friends in the music community at school,” Nick DeCandis, Class of 2022, said. Western Wayne has a variety of other alumni events planned throughout the year and look forward to hosting more of our past students for these activities.
Pictured are members of the 2022 Western Wayne Homecoming Court (picture one), from left: Luke Janiszewski, Skylar Long, Marshall Davis, Niya Acosta, Dustin Ferraro, Cyrah Bihler, Kyle Guarino, Kourtney Franklin, Lucas Putman, and Catherine Cavage.Second photo from left: Kyle Guarino, Dustin Ferraro, Luke Janiszewski, Lucas Putman, Marshall Davis, Niya Acosta, Catherine Cavage, Skylar Long, Cyrah Bihler, and Kourtney Franklin.
The Western Wayne School District invites the community to attend its annual homecoming game this Friday, Sept. 30. The Western Wayne Homecoming Game against West Scranton will begin at 7 p.m. with the presentation of the Homecoming Court about a half hour before kick-off. The ten seniors on this year’s court feel extremely honored and excited to be a part of this ensemble. Members of the court include: Niya Acosta, Marshall Davis, Cyrah Bihler, Dustin Ferraro, Catherine Cavage, Lucas Putman, Kourtney Franklin, Kyle Guarino, Skylar Long, and Luke Janiszewski. All of our senior court members have been highly involved during their time at Western Wayne in a variety of clubs, sports, and other activities. Senior Niya Acosta has done Future Business Leaders of America (FBLA) for three years; girls varsity tennis for two years, and National Art Honor Society (NAHS) for three years. Niya plans to attend a community college under a liberal arts program to pursue a degree in computer programming. Next, Marshall Davis has played soccer since childhood; has been a member of Boy Scout Troop 102 for six years; National Honor Society (NHS) for three years; and absolutely loved his experience with Ultimate Frisbee when he was an underclassmen. Marshall plans to go to college for environmental studies and then attend law school to become an environmental lawyer. Marshall really enjoyed his high school years at Western Wayne. “I will remember most being part of an amazing group of people who manage to keep me in a good mood everyday,” he said. Fellow senior Cyrah Bihler will also cherish the memories she made in school especially with her soccer teammates. Cyrah is a varsity soccer player for four years; FBLA for four years; NHS for three years (held the position of secretary), CATS Club for two years; wrestling manager for two years; Western Wayne Advisory Board Representative for CYS; and Lackawanna Student Athlete Leadership Program. Cyrah plans to attend college and major in physical therapy and continue her soccer career. Also, highly involved in sports, senior Dustin Ferraro will remember the time he spent with his teammates the most fondly. Dustin is a triple-sport athlete who played baseball, soccer, and basketball for four years; FBLA for three years; and NHS for three years. Dustin plans to major in business in college. Another senior also interested in a business-related career field after graduation is Catherine Cavage. Catherine has done FBLA for four years; NHS for three years; and is a member of Student Council. Catherine plans to attend a four-year university to major in fashion merchandising. Next, senior Lucas Putman had done FBLA for four years; volleyball for three years; NHS for three years; Gold for two years; and Spanish Club for two years. He aspires to attend college and study abroad in the future. Fellow senior Kourtney Franklin has been on Student Council for three years; NAHS for three years; and CATS Club for one year. She wants to attend Penn State for nursing and become a midwife. In addition, senior Kyle Guarino has many fun memories of his time in school, especially when he was playing basketball in gym class with his friends. Kyle had played football for four years; basketball for three years; FBLA for four years; and Family, Career, Community Leaders of America (FCCLA) for three years. Kyle plans to attend a four-year university to major in early education. Fellow athlete, senior Skylar Long is also excited to be on the Homecoming Court. Skylar has done volleyball, basketball, track, FBLA, and has been a student ambassador all for four years; NHS for three years; Student Council and FCCLA for two years; and has been involved in Tomorrow’s Leaders Today. Skylar plans to attend college and major in either finance or statistics and continue with track and field. Skylar discussed her favorite high school memory. “It was having the opportunity to see a women’s Penn State volleyball game my freshman year with the whole volleyball team and getting to experience the main campus,” she fondly recalled. Finally, senior Luke Janiszewski can’t wait to take the field on Friday night for the football game and Homecoming. Luke has been in varsity baseball for four years; varsity wrestling for three years; varsity football for three years; varsity basketball for one year; FBLA; and FCCLA. Luke plans to join the Marine Corp. “I am glad to get to have the experience of being on the Homecoming Court with my friends for my senior year,” Luke said. Luke and all of the members of the Homecoming Court look forward to bonding with each other and making memories during homecoming at Friday’s game. The court along with the rest of the Western Wayne community invite the public to join them on Friday, Sept. 30 at 6:30 p.m. for the homecoming festivities followed by the game.
As of October 1, 2022 and through the end of the 2022 – 2023 school year, schools participating in the School Breakfast Program will be able to serve students a school breakfast at no charge as per the plan announced back on September 9, 2022 by Governor Wolf.
This change only applies to the School Breakfast Program in the 2022 – 2023 school year and does not affect a student’s eligibility status for lunch (free, reduced, and paid respectively).
Any family who is experiencing economic hardships and would like to apply for the free/reduced school lunch program, please contact the Food Service Office at (570) 937-3085.
By Kristin Hauenstein, Western Wayne Band Senior Public Relations Officer
The Western Wayne Marching Band invited the 8th grader band members interested in doing band for the upcoming school year to be a part of it with them under the lights Friday, Sept. 16. After the school day ended, high school students made signs for the middle schoolers, showed them how to march, hold their instruments, and the basics of being a high school band member.
In addition, 8th graders watched the band practice their field show and fix anything needed before heading into the building for a team dinner. Sitting next to these wonderful 8th graders and learning a lot about them and what made them try band was an amazing experience for all involved.
Marching down with the group of kids in the big block reminded a lot of current high school band members what it was like when they did 8th grade band night.
“It was scary because everyone was grown up, but then I got used to it. It was very exciting and made me want to join. I started off with a mellophone,” said senior and section leader Aidan Donnini.
Senior Danny Merone has similar memories, “ Going into it I was very skeptical. Concert band is boring for me, but then I get to marching season and it’s so much fun!”
Senior Ash Mangieri added, “I started off with Color Guard then I played flute, and I already knew the basics because of guard. It opened my eyes to what I actually wanted to continue with.”
Having experience with 8th grade band night made it a lot easier for everyone else as well. It wasn’t a stressful night and, as the night ended, the band congratulated the 8th graders and wished them all the best of luck if they choose to be part of this wonderful band next year. Make us proud on that field and continue to do what you love!
Western Wayne Senior Evan Peirce has been named a Commended Student in the 2023 National Merit Scholarship Program. A Letter of Commendation from the school and National Merit Scholarship Corporation (NMSC®), which conducts the program, was presented by the principal to this scholastically talented senior. About 34,000 Commended Students throughout the nation are being recognized for their exceptional academic promise. Although they will not continue in the 2023 competition for National Merit Scholarship awards, Commended Students placed among the top 50,000 students who entered the 2023 competition by taking the 2021 Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test (PSAT/NMSQT®).
“Those being named Commended Students have demonstrated outstanding potential for academic success,” commented a spokesperson for NMSC. “These students represent a valuable national resource; recognizing their accomplishments, as well as the key role their schools play in their academic development, is vital to the advancement of educational excellence in our nation. We hope that this recognition will help broaden their educational opportunities and encourage them as they continue their pursuit of academic success.”
Evan is a member of the student council and NHS. In addition, he is one of the drum majors for the Western Wayne Wildcat Marching Band and is incredibly proud of the work he does with the band and of all of the band students he works with. He also is a tutor through Khan Academy. Evan plans to join the Naval Academy upon graduation.
The Western Wayne School District congratulates Evan on his latest accomplishment.
The Western Wayne Drama Club will host a Cabaret Night the evening of Saturday, January 7, in the high school auditorium in celebration of Western Wayne’s 50th Anniversary. Any alumni who participated in musicals at Western Wayne is invited to participate in the event. You can sing a song from one of your favorite shows or help our stage crew. The community is invited to the event as well! If you are interested in participating, please use the following link to register for the event. https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1mHgN-uSGv3zLyWFpRJNhOz93Ww8tcwGflmxKA_dXSik/edit
We would like to have registration complete to help us further plan by November 18. Any questions, please email Mrs. Jessica McLaughlin at jmclau@wwsd.io We look forward to seeing you back up on stage in 2023!
Members of the class of 2023 gathered on the football field on the first day of school to reminisce while the sun rose on the start of their senior year. Senior class advisors Ms. Helene Tscheschlog and Ms. Carrie Wittenbrader worked to plan the event. Seniors Evan Peirce, Tommi Vizcaino, and Ava Daniels made the senior class banner that was displayed at the field for the event which made a perfect place to take pictures. The idea of the event is to symbolize a good start to the school year with all of the seniors who wanted to participate together at the beginning of the first day. Following the sunrise, students enjoyed a pancake and sausage breakfast. Most of the breakfast was graciously donated by Weis Markets, Hamlin. In addition, a coffee bar was donated by the High School PBIS team. A great time was had by all!
It’s never too early to try out a future Wildcat activity. Western Wayne cheerleaders, football players, and the band showed their Wildcat Pride through hosting young Wildcats at the home game on Friday, Sept. 16, versus Abington Heights at the Sharkey Rosetti Stadium. Junior Wildcat players and cheerleaders got a taste of what it is like to play and perform under the Friday night lights. In addition, the band hosted students from 8th grade considering joining the high school marching band. They got to play stand tune music with their assigned band buddies during the game. All of the young cheerleaders, football players, and band students had an excellent experience and look forward to possibly participating in their respective activities in high school.
ALL NEWS
Students Present 4th Grade Watershed Field Trip Project at Regional BanquetMay 9, 2025On May 6, 2025, students from Western Wayne High School proudly presented their student-led environmental education project at the Community Connections to Our Watershed banquet, held at Montage Mountain. Their project—a hands-on ecology field trip to Varden Conservation Area for Western Wayne’s 4th grade students—was designed, researched, and organized entirely by the high school team.
This presentation was the culmination of months of work as part of the Community Connections to Our Watershed program, a regional environmental initiative that began over 20 years ago. Each year, groups of five students and one teacher from schools across Lackawanna and Luzerne Counties participate in the program, which is coordinated by the education teams at Lackawanna and Nescopeck State Parks. The goal is to engage students in meaningful learning about watershed science and conservation through outdoor field experiences and professional mentorship.
Western Wayne students applied their knowledge by creating an original educational experience for younger learners. They began by researching costs for transportation and supplies, identifying local agencies that could provide environmental programming, and crafting a detailed plan for the trip. The students collaborated with representatives from Lacawac Sanctuary, the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR), the National Park Service, and the Wayne County Conservation District to develop engaging, standards-based ecology activities. They then proposed the idea to their principal and worked with school administrators to schedule the trip, which will take place later this month.
To fund the initiative, the students successfully applied for a mini grant from the Wayne County Community Foundation. Their proposal was approved by the Youth Advisory Committee (YAC) and presented to the Foundation’s Board for final approval. The grant provides funding for transportation and program costs to make the field trip possible for all 4th grade students at Western Wayne Elementary.
During their presentation at the banquet, the Western Wayne team shared how their participation in field trips to Keystone College, Lackawanna State Park, the Old Forge borehole, Alliance Landfill, the University of Scranton, Pennsylvania American Water Treatment and Sewage Treatment Facilities, and the Lackawanna River Heritage Trail shaped their understanding of watershed science. They explained how those experiences informed their vision for teaching younger students about local water ecosystems.
This year’s Community Connections to Our Watershed program included schools from across the region: Carbondale, Forest City, Lakeland, Mountain View, Old Forge, Riverside, Western Wayne, and Wayne Highlands in Lackawanna County; and Crestwood, Hanover, HAAS, HACC, Hazleton, Northwest, Tunkhannock, and Wyoming Area in Luzerne County.
The program is made possible with the support of Pennsylvania American Water Company, DCNR, and the DCNR Watershed Education Program.
To learn more and view highlights from the 2023–2024 program, visit: https://tinyurl.com/CCTW2025
From left: Mark Nebzydoski Ph.D. advisor; Jerrah-Ann DeBree, Kyleigh Turner, Aliyah Gregory, Dakota Douglas, and Giuliana Velazquez. [...]
Ms. Siena Cardamone honored as NEPA’s Outstanding TeacherMay 9, 2025PA Live (WBRE) — Congratulations to Western Wayne School District’s Ms. Siena Cardamone with being honored as NEPA’s Most Deserving Teacher. “Ms. C” as her students know her as is a Skill-Based Learning Support Teacher for grades Kindergarten through 2nd grade.
Walmart loves to support the communities where it does business, and with this being Teacher Appreciation Week, local Walmart store at Wilkes-Barre Township Marketplace – the closest Walmart to our 28/22 PA Live studio – reached out to ask for our help surprising Ms. C as the outstanding teacher in northeast and central Pennsylvania!
To celebrate the contributions of Ms. C – and to further their good work – Walmart committed to gifting $500 worth of classroom supplies and other essentials. <Read More> [...]
Junior Leadership Northern Poconos Graduation 2025May 8, 2025Congratulations to our Junior Leadership Northern Poconos graduates:
Ciarra Kidder
Phoebe Schmitt
Madison Trapanese
Graysen Valinski
Logan Vinton
The Chamber of the Northern Poconos is pleased to present the Junior Leadership Northern Poconos program. Our goal is to develop mutual understanding, respect, civic engagement, leadership and the interpersonal skills of high school juniors by proving real-world experiences. In addition to the skills learned and topics explored, the opportunities and challenges of the region are discussed as participants network with community leaders and other high school students. This program is for high school juniors from Forest City Regional, Wallenpaupack, Wayne Highlands and Western Wayne School Districts. [...]
Tomorrow’s Leaders Today Graduation – 2025May 2, 2025Congratulations go out to our two Tomorrow’s Leaders Today graduates… Audrey Agnello and Khloe Mistishin.
Tomorrow’s Leaders Today Program:
Leadership Lackawanna’s seven-month Tomorrow’s Leaders Today program develops the leadership, interpersonal and managerial skills of high school juniors and provides real-world experiences in the areas of health care, STEAM, history and heritage, crime and corrections, financial literacy, philanthropy, non-profit organizations, and community service.
Each year, a class of approximately 60 students, representing various geographic areas and schools, is selected to participate. The program runs from October through May. Sessions are held one full weekday each month from 8:30 a.m. until 2:30 p.m. A graduation ceremony is held in the Spring. Upon completion of the program, participants will have the necessary skills to become concerned and committed citizens who participate and invest in our community. Tomorrow’s Leaders Today turns aspiring teens into future adult leaders. [...]
Safe2Say Something is a youth violence prevention
program run by the Pennsylvania Office of Attorney General.
The program teaches youth and adults how to recognize
warning signs and signals, especially within social media,
from individuals who may be a threat to themselves or others
and to “say something” BEFORE it is too late.
