WVIA presented PBS Kids in the Classroom on at EverGreen Elementary on May 11, 12 and 17 to students in grades kindergarten through second grade. This program offered allows an educator from WVIA to come into the classroom and present a lesson about a PBS kids show. The lessons this year were based on animal habitats. Students picture here at from Miss Getz’s kindergarten class.
Western Wayne High School visual artists and musicians are coming together this Saturday, May 14th in an exhibition of the arts. The annual art show exhibit will start at 1 p.m. in the Western Wayne High School gym. This will be followed by the High School Chorus and Band concert beginning at 3 p.m. in the Veteran’s Memorial Auditorium. All of Saturday’s events are free to the public.
EverGreen Elementary hosted this year’s Title I Awards Night for our students from Robert D. Wilson Elementary and EverGreen Elementary who completed the Title 1 program. Dinner was served while our amazing speaker, Betty Lawson read a book aloud. “Ms. Betty” is the librarian at the Honesdale Library in Honesdale and became famous for her bedtime stories she read, virtually, during Covid. She also gave our families tips and tricks to get our children to talk about their day in a meaningful way that builds connections in our brains. We also learned when a child is born, they have as many brain cells as stars in the Milky Way. We had a great turnout, and the night ran smoothly thanks to our energetic, caring, and motivated Title I teachers who organized the entire event. Thank you to Mrs. Malec, Mrs. Daniels, and Mrs. Vinton for a very special evening.
Western Wayne Drama Club students saw The Ritz Theater in Scranton’s production of Little Women the musical on the evening of Saturday, May 7. The students enjoyed the musical rendition of this well-known classic. Row one, from left: Becca Boots, Kenzie Kennedy, Phoebe Schmitt, Luis Appollonio, and Mikayla Fullone. Row two, from left: Haley Strocchia, club secretary; Madison Trapanese, Colette Schmitt, and Kat Shumski. Row three, from left: Liv Benson, Hayley Cordero, Brynn Mazurick, Alex Fullone, and Rae Christopher.. Row four, from left: Nate Conway, club president; Robert Scramuzza, club public relations; B. Flannery, club treasurer; Jocilyn Brungard, and Amanda David.
Let’s TACO ‘bout the amazing teachers at Robert D. Wilson Elementary School! The RDW PTA treated the teachers to breakfast and lunch for Teacher Appreciation Week. Monday was a continental breakfast of bagels, muffins, danish, and a make your own yogurt parfait bar. Thursday’s lunch was a fiesta with an assorted taco bar with all the trimmings. Thank you for all you do for our children everyday!
The following Western Wayne students presented scientific research at the Virtual Pennsylvania Junior Academy of Science. These students investigated a scientific question, carried out controlled scientific research and presented their findings to a panel of professionals in the scientific fields. The Pennsylvania Junior Academy of Science (PJAS) is a statewide organization of middle and high school students designed to stimulate and promote interest in science among its members through the development of research projects and investigations. Team advisors are Christine McClure and Maria Masankay.
From Western Wayne High School: Adrian Agnello (10th grade) received a second place award for his work in chemistry while researching “Does SPF Clothing Really Work?.” Alex Chapman (11th grade) received a third place for his work in Ecology while studying “The Effects of Winter Road Treatment on Plant Growth.” Kailey Tickner (11th grade) received a second place award for her work in Behavioral Science studying “The Effects of a Pandemic on Behavior.” Bridget Oppelt (12th grade) received a second place while studying Behavioral Science in the area of “The Effects of Color on Student Learning.” Kailey Tickner was awarded a scholarship to continue her education by taking courses through Lackawanna College in the fall during her senior year of high school.From Western Wayne Middle School: Madelyn McClure (7th grade) received a first place award and a perfect score for her research in Ecology studying “The Effects of Tree Species on Heat Production.” Annie Williams (7th grade) received a third place award for her research in chemistry studying “Does the density of a liquid affect it’s sinking rate?”. Audrey Agnello (8th grade) received a second place award for her research in biology while studying Extraction of DNA. Madelyn McClure will be presenting her research at the PJAS State Competition in May at Penn State
Western Wayne Middle School Select Chorus, under the direction of Mrs. Joyce Covaleski, will be performing at the 73rd Annual Spring Concert of Scranton’s Catholic Choral Society at Holy Rosary Church, 316 William Street in Scranton, on Sunday, May 22, at 7 p.m. All are invited to this FREE concert! Please note that in spite of the Chorale’s name and the venue, this is not a religious concert but an eclectic concert of spring and patriotic music. Pictured are members of the Western Wayne Middle School Select Chorus.
Western Wayne freshman Rebekah Palko placed third in the walk/ jog intermediate competition at the Interscholastic Equestrian Association National Competition on April 30 in Harrisburg. Palko looks forward to next year’s competition season. Any other local middle and high school riders can join IEA. Students do not need to own their own horse in order to be a part of a team. The link for more information is https://www.rideiea.org/
For the first time since 2019, the PA FBLA State Leadership Conference was held in-person at the Hershey Lodge and Convention Center. The 50 members of the Western Wayne delegation were among the more than 2,900 members and advisers in attendance.
During the conference, 25 WW students were recognized on stage for excellence in various competitive events. Seniors Gabby Tetreault and Morgan Coccodrilli, PA FBLA state officers, along with the other state officers, conducted the sessions. Theresa Lubash, local chapter adviser, was honored during the Opening Session as the Outstanding Adviser of the Year.
The chapter garnered two first-place awards and four second-place awards as well as many more. Those students recognized included: Rhayni Carroll, first-place, Intro to Parliamentary Procedure, the team of Rachel Hoch, Kaeli Romanowski, Jenna Kwiatkowski, Aly McCarthy, and Alex Chapman, first-place, Parliamentary Procedure; Adelaide Treibley, second-place, Public Speaking; the team of Adrian Agnello and Weston Nugent, second place, Intro to Business Presentation; the team of Gavin Murphy and Morgan Coccodrilli, second-place, Sales Presentation; Emily Romanowski, second-place, Intro to Parliamentary Procedure; the team of Lou Azzato, Stevie Wilkinson, and Alex Iovacchini, third-place, Public Service Announcement. Also winning awards were the team of Julie Bryan, Niya Acosta, and Anjali DeLeon Bello, fifth-place, Digital Video Production; Rachel Tuman, sixth place, Entrepreneurship; Taylor Maiocco, sixth-place, Intro to Parliamentary Procedure; Xenia Vivona, sixth-place, Help Desk; Gabby Tetreault, eighth-place, Future Business Leader; Allie Pauler, ninth place, Introduction to FBLA; and the team of Raegan Palmer and Colette Schmitt, tenth-place, Intro to Business Presentation.
In Who’s Who in PA FBLA, Kaeli Romanowski and Rachel Hoch placed fourth and fifth, respectively. These two seniors also placed fourth and fifth in the William Selden Scholarship Award receiving each $1,000 scholarships. They will receive the money after successfully completing one semester of college.
Finally, the Western Wayne chapter received a fifth-place award in the Outstanding Chapter event and seventh place for the Local Market Share Award.
Also attending the conference were Mackenzie Adams, Zoe Albitz, Connor Bryant, Jamie Chapman, Brandon Cleveland, Sarah Collins, Ava Compton, Marshall Davis, Anthony Donnini, Ella Dougher, David Elias, Ashton Fitzsimmons, Jared Goldman, Addison Griffin, Morgan Heenan, Allyson Irvine, Audrey Lawlor, Grace Lidy, Laynee Nugent, Lucas Putman, Mason Rush, Hunter Schmitt, Kathy Shepherd, Hunter Smith, and Kayla Stokesberry.
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. [...]
