Author: Brian Seaman

Western Wayne students win Wayne Envirothon

Wayne County students from Honesdale High School and Western Wayne High School participated in the annual county-wide Envirothon competition during the last two weeks in April. The highest scoring team, Bonkers for Honkers of Western Wayne High School, will represent Wayne County in the state-wide Pennsylvania Envirothon event in May. While Wayne County station testing was administered in person at each school this year, PA Envirothon’s state competition will be a hybrid event consisting of a virtual oral component held between May 17th and 20th and field testing held in person at Camp Mount Luther on May 25th.
Envirothon is an educational competition designed to test the knowledge, skills, and problem solving capabilities of high school students regarding our earth’s natural resources. Each year, five-member teams work together to demonstrate their proficiency in subject areas including aquatic ecology, forestry, soils and land use, wildlife, and a current issue, which was “Waste to Resources” this year.
Each year, the Wayne Conservation District seeks financial contributions from local businesses and organizations to support this highly successful youth conservation program. Donations support the purchase of Envirothon T-shirts, educational materials and awards, lunch and snacks, and the registration fee for the winning team to attend the state competition. This year’s event would not be possible without the support of the following sponsors: PA Envirothon, PA Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, Camp Umpy’s Bagels and Stuff, Dirlam Brothers Lumber Company, Dyberry Sand and Gravel, Elegante’s Restaurant and Pizzeria, Himalayan Institute, Honesdale Agway, Jeff George Design and Salvage Company, New Wave Woodworking Inc., Northern Tier Hardwood Association, PA Trappers Association, Professional Forest Industry Association, the Hideout, Wayne Memorial Hospital, and the Wayne Conservation District.
For more information about PA Envirothon visit www.envirothonpa.org or contact your county conservation district.

Middle School Holds Annual 8th Grade Moving-Up Ceremony

Eighth grader Logan Pauler, who won the American Legion Award, with George Schaffer who had presented him with the award earlier at the ceremony
Logan Paul, winner of the American Legion Award; and Audrey Agnello, winner of The Daughters of the American Revolution Award.
The Western Wayne 8th grade class, the class of 2026, prepare to take their seats after processing into the annual Moving-Up Ceremony.
Western Wayne Middle School Student Council President Jade Wetherington poses with her memory board at the Moving-Up Ceremony.

Western Wayne Middle School Principal Mrs. Jennifer Bradley praised eighth graders for “staying the course” through all of the unforeseen circumstances and regular academic and extra-curricular challenges they faced during their time in the middle school.

This class is particularly special to Bradley because when they began sixth grade, Bradley started her first year as the principal of the Western Wayne Middle School.

To conclude her speech, Bradley wished the students well and asked their audience of family and friends to applaud them.

Eighth grader Jade Wetherington, Middle School Student Council president, proudly led her classmates and all in attendance in the pledge of allegiance.

Jade said she truly enjoyed her time in the Western Wayne Middle School.  She looks forward to all she will learn in high school.  She aspires to either work in theater as an actor or to be a cosmetologist.

“I enjoyed making everyone smile this year at all of the events the student council was able to hold,” she said.

The featured event of the Moving-Up Ceremony was all 8th grade students receiving awards in various categories for excellence or improvement in all academic and unified arts classes.  In addition, students received awards for good citizenship, excellent work habits, and for a variety of high academic achievements such as making the honor roll for 11 quarters in middle school from 6th through 8th grade.  After all of the students received their initial awards, the class of 2026 stood up, and the entire stadium filled with their family and friends gave them another round of applause.

It is also a Western Wayne Middle School tradition for many years that two outstanding students, one male and one female, are recognized for their patriotism and leadership among other qualities.  The local chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution and the local American Legion present these awards.   

The Daughters of the American Revolution Award was presented to 8th grader Audrey Agnello.   

Audrey received the good citizenship medal from the Daughters of the American Revolution for being an outstanding student in the 8th grade class who exhibits the qualities of honor and honesty, service, courage, leadership, and patriotism. 

George Schaffer presented the American Legion Award to 8th grader Logan Pauler.  

Logan received this annual award for being an outstanding student in the 8th grade class who exhibits the qualities of honor, scholarship, Americanism, leadership, and courage. 

Both Audrey and Logan felt extremely honored to receive their respective awards.  They also both, at first, felt shocked to learn the Daughters of the American Revolution and the American Legion had chosen them for these high honors. 

Audrey is a hard-working young woman who especially loves to study science and is highly involved in activities and sports at Western Wayne.

In addition, she is a long-time competitive swimmer who is a member of the Pacers at Marywood University.  She also plays soccer, runs track, and plans to join the tennis team for her freshman year.  In addition, she is an honor roll student who also participates in the PJAS club and was the captain of the Middle School Reading Relay Team this year.

She looks forward to her high school science classes the most. In the future, she is thinking about studying genetics or epidemiology.

“My experiences in middle school have helped me to learn how to work and achieve many things independently,” Audrey explained.  

Fellow classmate Logan Pauler is also a hard-working individual and honor roll student. He most enjoys his math classes because he likes problem solving.  

In addition, he is a triple-sport athlete who plays basketball, soccer, and track. 

“I am most looking forward to the seriousness of my high school classes,” Logan, who aspires to be an architect, said.

For the second year in a row, students and their families made poster boards of pictures of favorite memories of their students to add a personal touch of their memories throughout the year to the ceremony.  

Western Wayne faculty, administration, and staff wish the class of 2026 the best on their new journey to the high school.

High School Artist Featured in The Great Wall of Honesdale

Western Wayne senior Sarah Collins featured high school artist on the Great Wall.

The Wayne County Arts Alliance held the grand opening of the 2022 Edition of THE GREAT WALL OF HONESDALE on June 4.

2022 marks the 7th edition of The Great Wall of Honesdale, which called for a theme of “Illumination”. The following artists were chosen for the Great Wall, their work was chosen from over 120 entries: Trudessa Batzel, Deirdre Bishop, Jill Carletti, Barbara Carpenito, Sarah Collins (Western Wayne), Sarrah Dibble-Camburn, Erica Hart, Deborah L. Hussung, Lindsay Orlando, Paul Plumadore, Rachel Sebelist, and Sally Talaga. Their original art, which includes collage, digital drawing, hand-woven textile, paper montage, paintings, and photographs, were digitally reproduced on 11 x 17-foot panels of billboard vinyl and mounted on the side wall of Top Notch Industries at the south end of Main Street. The panels will be on display for a full year.

Details about the many area businesses and individuals who have donated to make The Great Wall of Honesdale possible are available on the website www.thegreatwallofhonesdale.com. The Wayne County Arts Alliance wants to thank their Patrons and Sponsors, including the Honesdale Area Jaycees, who have again sponsored a panel specifically for a student artist. Congratulations to our 2022 student artist Sarah Collins, a senior at Western Wayne High School.

Marguerite Fuller and Phyllis Chekenian, the new directors of The Great Wall of Honesdale, would like to thank past directors Paul Plumadore and Jim Tindell for their vision and hard work in making this beloved community project a great success. A special thank you goes to Glenn Khoury with Encore Outdoor Advertising, as well.

The Great Wall of Honesdale is a project of the Wayne County Arts Alliance and supported by local businesses who are credited on the website. It is estimated that 100,000 vehicles per week pass and view The Wall. Also on the website, view images from our previous six editions – 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020 and 2021.

The Great Wall of Honesdale’s accompanying exhibit “Off the Wall” is free and open to the public, located at The Bodhi Tree Gallery & Studios, 214 6th Street, Suite B in Honesdale, PA. The exhibit opened on June 4. It runs until July 1, 2022. Open gallery hours are Tuesdays 6:30- 8:30 PM, Fridays 5-7 PM, and Saturdays 3-7 PM, or by appointment.

EverGreen beekeeper presentation from Dr. Jim Tickner

EverGreen’s first grade was buzzing with excitement when we had our beekeeper presentation from Dr. Jim Tickner. He not only showed photos from his own hives, but he also brought in a real hive for students to see, along with other beekeeping materials. He encouraged the students to follow paths that they are interested in and maybe even one day become a beekeeper!

High School Students Explore Varden Conservation Area.

Picture Caption for PICTURE ONE: From left: Wayne Chapter #462 Trout Unlimited, President, Paul Ranello; Western Wayne High School, Dr. Mark Nebzydoski; and Wayne Chapter #462 Trout Unlimited, Youth Advisor, Don Stathy.

On May 26, 2022, Western Wayne 9th grade High School Students visited the Varden Conservation Area and participated in ecology activities presented by Lacawac Sanctuary. Students participated in three different activities, which involved the topics of macroinvertebrates in a pond environment, topographic mapping, and chemical water testing and pollution.
Students also released rainbow trout as a conclusion of the Pennsylvania Trout in the classroom (PA-TIC) program. The Pennsylvania Fish Commission provided rainbow trout eggs that were hatched and raised by Dr. Mark Nebzydoski and his classes this school year. The trout release was assisted by the Pike – Wayne Chapter #462 Trout Unlimited, President, Paul Ranello and Youth Advisor, Don Stathy.
Lacawac Sanctuary instructors included, Jamie Reeger, Environmental Educational Manager, who explained water quality health through identification of macroinvertebrates found at the pond. Natalie Wasilchek, Environmental Educator, explained topographic mapping and orienteering with compasses and maps of the area. Jamie Bryan, Environmental Educator, explained chemical testing and water quality at the stream.
Prior to the field trip students engaged in a classroom presentation on water quality and the environment. Students participated in activities that model ground water and surface water and how they fit into a concept of a water shed. These activities lead to discussions about the local area and incorporate the concept of a water table and common water resources shared by all.
Funding for the Varden classroom education as well the field trip was provided through an Educational Improvement Tax Credit (EITC) grant from the nonprofit Western Wayne Education Foundation. Christine McClure, President, 1970C Easton Turnpike, Western Wayne School District, Lake Ariel, PA 18436
Accompanying the students were instructors Dr. Mark Nebzydoski and Mrs. Maria Phillips, Helene Tscheschlog, and Michael Bershefsky. For more information on
Varden Conservation area
http://www.vardenconservationarea.com/
https://www.facebook.com/FriendsofVCA/
http://www.dcnr.pa.gov/StateParks/FindAPark/VardenConservationArea/Pages/default.aspx
Lacawac Sanctuary
https://www.lacawac.org/
https://www.facebook.com/Lacawac/
Pennsylvania Trout in the Classroom (PA-TIC)
https://www.patroutintheclassroom.org/
Pike – Wayne Chapter #462 Trout Unlimited
https://pwtu.org/

Middle School Chorus Performs in Catholic Choral

Western Wayne Middle School Chorus, under the direction of Mrs. Joyce Covaleski, performed in the Catholic Choral Society’s annual Spring Concert in Scranton on May 22, 2022. Students received a standing ovation for their performance!

Annual Catwalk Fashion Show with Video Clips!

CLIP 1 -The Making of the Clothes

CLIP 2 – Full Fashion Show

Western Wayne Fashion students were thrilled to return to the Western Wayne stage this year for their annual Catwalk Fashion Show. They were unable to host their show in 2020 and produced a successful fashion show video in 2021. This year the students held their annual show titled “Rhythm is Fashion” for an audience of their peers by hosting the high school student body along with some select family and friends of senior fashion students on May 20.
Students in grades 9 through 12 had their pieces featured in the show. The students also worked in two teams led by senior fashion students Rylee Sheehan and Kathy Shepherd. The feature fashions of the Catwalk came from an inspiration of “A few of my favorite things,” flowers, diamonds, mansions, and fine dining.
The students worked on a set timeline to design a series of pieces for the competition portion of the show. Their ensembles were judged by members of the Western Wayne District Office, former Western Wayne Fashion Student Alumni, and a few select members of the student body. Both teams did an amazing job. The FABilicious team led by senior Kathy Shepherd ended up as this year’s winner.
Colleen Carmody, show director and fashion teacher, was so proud of both of her senior students who had their collections featured in the show.
Senior Rylee Sheehan’s collection had the theme street wear in New York City. The name of her collection is She.
“I felt inspired to name my collection in reference to New York City, because I will be attending PACE University in New York City this fall to study business management,” she explained.
“I have always dreamed of managing my own boutique one day.”
One of Rylee’s favorite pieces in the show is an accordion pleated skirt she made.
“It was a process,” Rylee said. “I had to figure out its dimensions mathematically.”
Fellow senior Kathy Shepherd also enjoyed the challenge of creating her collection for the fashion show.
Her collection had the theme Swooshion. Kathy wanted to incorporate her love of basketball and fashion together in her designs.
“I designed pieces that could capture the kind of fashion that WNBA players would wear before a game,” she explained.
Kathy also designed an accordion skirt that she was proud of for her collection that incorporated a variety of dressy, yet casual, pieces perfect for athletes to wear.
Kathy plans to attend King’s College in the fall to become a physician’s assistant.
“I love wearing fashionable things and being comfortable at the same time,” she explained.
Carmody and her students felt so grateful to be able to have their show for a live audience again this year and look forward to creating more designs to share with the Western Wayne community in the future.