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!

Western Wayne High School students Eleanor Black, Evan Peirce, Jenna Kwiatkowski, and Kylie Merring have earned academic honors from the College Board National Recognition Programs. These National Recognition Programs grant underrepresented students with academic honors that can be included on college and scholarship applications and connect students with universities across the country, helping them meaningfully connect to colleges and stand out during the admissions process. Colleges and scholarship programs identify students awarded National African American, Hispanic, Indigenous and/or Rural/Small Town Recognition through College Board’s Student Search Service. All of the Western Wayne students who were recognized received the National Rural and Small Town Award.

The Western Wayne students who achieved this honor are excited to be recognized and are pleased to be back in school experiencing their senior year and look forward to attending college next fall.

Eleanor Black plays soccer and is a member of FBLA, student council, and the literary magazine.  She is also a member of NHS and NAHS.  She intends to study English or design in college.

Fellow senior Evan Peirce is also a member of the student council and NHS.  In addition, he is one of the drum majors for the Western Wayne Wildcat Marching Band.  He also is a tutor through Khan Academy.  He plans to join the Naval Academy upon graduation.

 In addition, Jenna Kwiatkowski is highly involved in school.  She is a member of FBLA, envirothon, science olympiad, and CATS Club, along with being a member of NHS.  She aspires to study biochemistry in college.

Finally, Kylie Merring also has many accomplishments.  She is a member of FBLA, FCCLA, and Spanish Club along with being a member of NHS. She hopes to attend Marywood University in the fall to study mathematics.

 “We’re thrilled that our students have earned this recognition. We are very proud of them for their achievements in their classrooms and on College Board assessments,” said Paul Gregorski, Western Wayne High School principal. “These programs help students from underrepresented backgrounds stand out to colleges during admissions.”

Students who may be eligible have a GPA of 3.5 or higher and have excelled on the PSAT/NMSQT or PSAT 10, or earned a score of 3 or higher on two or more AP Exams; and are African American or Black, Hispanic American or Latinx, Indigenous, and/or attend school in a rural area or small town.  

Eligible students will be invited to apply during their sophomore or junior year and will be awarded at the beginning of the next school year. Students will receive their awards in time to include them on their college and scholarship applications.

 “We want to honor the hard work of these students through the College Board National Recognition Programs. This program creates a way for colleges and scholarship programs to connect directly with underrepresented students who they are hoping to reach,” said Tarlin Ray, College Board senior vice president of BigFuture. “We hope the award winners and their families celebrate this prestigious honor and it helps them plan for their big future.”