Western Wayne Sophomores Chosen to Attend HOBY Leadership Seminar

Western Wayne sophomores Grace Lidy and Cassidy Zeiler have been chosen to represent Western Wayne at the 2023 Central Pennsylvania HOBY Leadership Seminar to be held this spring.

The girls submitted essays on the topic of what leadership means to them and were chosen to represent Western Wayne at HOBY.

Grace and Cassidy are accomplished Western Wayne students who enjoy being a part of a variety of clubs and activities at school along with taking challenging courses.

In Grace’s essay, she discussed her views on leadership.

“Leadership isn’t about having control,” she explained. “Instead it is about letting others do what they excel at while keeping control as a leader.”

Grace is a member of FBLA, Cats Club, football cheerleading and basketball cheerleading. Her favorite classes are history and math.

“I feel my experiences at Western Wayne have taught me to always be open to others’ ideas and to not get discouraged by my mistakes but learn from them,” Grace explained.

Grace’s future plans are to attend a four-year college for psychology.

Both girls feel extremely grateful to have been recognized for their leadership essays.

Fellow classmate Cassidy Zeiler also believes that leadership isn’t about taking control.

“I think the most important part of leadership is including others’ ideas and making sure everyone is included,” Cassidy explained.

Cassidy is a member of the tennis team, CATS Club, student council, school newspaper, and NAHS. She enjoys her American Literature Honors Class this year the most.

Cassidy’s future plans are to attend nursing school. She aspires to be a traveling nurse and would like to specialize in labor and delivery.

Both Grace and Cassidy are looking forward to attending the Leadership Seminar for HOBY this spring. Everyone in the Western Wayne community wishes them well.

“I feel like I have learned a lot about leadership through my experiences at Western Wayne so far,” Cassidy said. “I have been included in a lot of activities and been allowed to contribute my ideas to make them better.”

From left: Grace Lidy and Cassidy Zeiler.

World Renowned Folk Band Performs at High School

On Saturday October 10th 2022, Shane Cook and the Woodchippers performed for a large crowd in the Western Wayne High School Auditorium. The group performed music from the folk genre known as Old Time Fiddle music and was hosted by Wayne County’s Old Time Fiddlers who joined them for a number. Some pieces also featured a step dancer whose tap shoes would echo through the auditorium as he danced on a wooden board. Shane Cook, a Canadian and U.S. National Fiddle Champion, led the band. The group is also nominated for two Canadian Folk Music Awards. Western Wayne Stage Crew students had a great learning experience setting up sound equipment and working with the band.

SHINE After-School Program Returns on Thursday, Oct. 20 Celebration of Lights-On!

Wayne and Pike County, PA
October 2022
WP Workforce Alliance SHINE After School Program is celebrating Lights-On Afterschool on October 20th. The WP SHINE afterschool program will sponsor its annual Lights On Afterschool rally on October 20th at the Hamlin Fire Depart. The event will be one of thousands across America as part of Lights On Afterschool, the annual nationwide rally for afterschool programs organized by the Afterschool Alliance. This year, Lights On Afterschool will highlight the vital importance of community collaboration in small, rural areas. While helping students recover academically and socially from the pandemic, our communities have worked hard to fill in the gaps. Hundreds of students, parents, business, and community leaders from around Wayne and Pike counties joined together for Lights On Afterschool, a rally to celebrate the achievements of afterschool students and draw attention to the need for more afterschool programs to serve the millions of children nationwide who are unsupervised and at risk each weekday afternoon. WP SHINE started in 2019 with a 21st Century Community Learning Centers grant from the U.S. Department of Education. It now serves 334 children, providing homework assistance, mentoring, and STEAM enrichment. The program focuses on hands-on, project-based learning that emphasizes technological literacy. Entering the 4th year of operations, SHINE is celebrating the importance of afterschool programs by teaming up with local emergency services. As part of the service-learning curriculum, all SHINE centers will visit the Hamlin Fire Department to learn about the importance of emergency services, particularly in rural areas. Our students have spent the month learning about emergency services technologies and careers and the importance of volunteer programs. SHINE is excited to share this event with the Hamlin Fire Department and highlight the important work they are doing to keep our communities safe. Please contact your local fire departments to find out more about the work they are doing and how to get involved. Workforce Alliance SHINE encourages everyone in Wayne and Pike County to celebrate this event with us by turning their porch lights on at 4pm.

Lights-On will take place on Thursday, October 20th at 4pm.

Bus Safety Week AT Evergreen Elementary

On Tuesday, October 18th, Officer Palmer from the Western Wayne School Police and Mr. Peet discussed school bus safety with kindergarten through fifth grade students. Mr. Peet and Officer Palmer discussed rules of the bus, flashing light functions/meanings, proper behavior while riding a bus, and correct procedures when boarding and exiting a bus safely. Thank you to Henwood Bussing for providing the bus for this presentation along with Mr. Peet and Officer Palmer for their time and expertise on bus safety during National School Bus Safety Week. It’s important to note the critical role that school bus transportation plays in education and the link between schools, classrooms, and neighborhoods.

Fall Sports Physicals

Evergreen Elementary celebrates Fire Prevention Week

To celebrate Fire Prevention Week, firefighters from Hamlin Fire & Rescue, Lake Ariel Fire Department and Ledgedale Fire Company were at EverGreen Elementary on Friday, October 14^th to discuss fire prevention and safety with all students. Students were able to see firefighters in their turn-out gear, see different tools used to fight fires, and the different pieces of equipment each fire department has along with having lunch with some of the firefighters. Students learned valuable lessons that they will be able use in the event of an emergency.

We would like to thank Hamlin Fire & Rescue, Lake Ariel Fire Department, and Ledgedale Fire Department for coming to EverGreen Elementary.

Coffee & Conversation – Community happens over coffee

Are you familiar with the phrase, “Community happens over coffee”?

If you are interested in learning more about our district, consider joining us for Coffee & Conversation. We hope you will stop by the District office on Friday, October 21, 2022 at 9:00 am – 10:00 am for a cup of coffee and engage in an informal conversation.

Kindly RSVP at the link below by Wednesday, October 19th. We hope to see you.

https://forms.gle/fNvyBDkAC4xdiT8R8

Western Wayne Crowns Homecoming King and Queen

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.

Western Wayne Hosts 7th Annual Car Show

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.

Western Wayne Hosts 50th Anniversary Parade

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.