Western Wayne teachers held a fundraiser for the Wayne County Food Bank during the school closure to give back to the community during the COVID-19 emergency. The teachers worked diligently to spread the word in the community to raise the funds through the selling of shirts that appropriately read “Wildcat Strong.” Because of the efforts of the teachers with the help of the Wildcat community, $1050 was raised for the Wayne County Emergency Food Relief Fund through the shirt sale. “We began this fundraiser in the midst of us learning a new way of teaching because the health and well-being of our students is at the forefront of our priorities,” Melissa Williams, Western Wayne Middle School teacher, said. “We are so grateful to the community for helping us in our efforts to raise these funds to help those in need.” In addition to the money raised from the t-shirt sale, WWEA, the teachers of the Western Wayne Education Association, also, donated $1,000 to the Wayne County Emergency Food Relief Fund making the combined donation total $2,050. The teachers of Western Wayne felt grateful about having the opportunity to give back to the community during this difficult time.
Pictured is the t-shirt that was sold in the fundraiser led by Western Wayne teachers for the Wayne County Food Bank.
The FCCLA Western Wayne Chapter received recognition at the Virtual State Leadership Conference held this past spring. Western Wayne FCCLA received three award certificates.
The club’s adviser Mrs. Lori Lucchesi was recognized for being a PA FCCLA Adviser for five years; Western Wayne High School was recognized for outstanding FCCLA Membership for being the largest high school; and Western Wayne student Kennedy Mistishin received the great honor of being recognized as Chapter Member of the year.
Lucchesi is extremely proud of all of the work done in Western Wayne’s FCCLA chapter this year. The students helped at Western Wayne’s annual Veterans Day assembly, held a very successful Breakfast with Santa community service project, and worked many hours to prepare their FCCLA State Leadership Conference projects, among many other events and activities that the club did together. Mrs. Paula Lamberton was a volunteer for the organization this year, and the Breakfast with Santa would not have happened without Paula’s hard work.
“I am proud of all of the efforts of Western Wayne FCCLA members,” Mrs. Lucchesi said. “I look forward to continuing to work with our students to do more great work for FCCLA in the future.”
Pictured are students in Western Wayne’s FCCLA Club helping to greet Veterans for Western Wayne’s annual Veterans Day Assembly this past November. From left: Paige Bell, Zoey Goldman, Kennedy Mistishin, Chapter Member of the year; Jaquelyn Morris, and Jaden Gregory.
Senior Western Wayne band student Kristoff Bien-Aime has received the Tim Bell Scholarship. It is a Fall Music Festival Scholarship awarded to the graduating senior who exhibits a passion for music and the ability to lead and inspire others with the power of music. The scholarship is given to a student who enhances and values their community by uniting others and creating an enriched environment with their love for music. Kristoff will use his scholarship at Widener University in the fall. In addition, Kristoff was recently awarded the Black and Gold Award by the Western Wayne Band. The Black and Gold Award is the only award that Western Wayne Band members themselves vote on for one of their own. Some of the qualities considered for this award are that it goes to the student who has the most spirit and school pride in the group.
The Awards of Excellence Program at the Pennsylvania FBLA State Leadership Conference (SLC) is a night many PA FBLA members wait for each year. With schools closed around the state members began to wonder if this night would ever happen.
On Friday, May 15, it did happen! The top 10 awards in competitive events and the PA FBLA State Officer Team for the 2020-2021 school year were announced virtually on the PA FBLA website. Trading their suits and dress for sweatpants and tee shirts, and the jumbo screens and large meeting hall for a computer screen and a couch in their living room, FBLA members from around the state were able to “attend” the Pennsylvania FBLA State Leadership Conference this year.
“The Awards Program was a shining light in what has been a really weird past two months. Seeing Pennsylvania FBLA come together as a membership, it spread a feeling of positivity we hadn’t felt in months. I am so proud of Western Wayne FBLA for still succeeding no matter the circumstances.” Western Wayne FBLA Chapter President and outgoing PA FBLA First Vice President, Ezra Tetreault said.
“We work extremely hard all year to experience the exhilaration of hearing our names called in front of 5,000 in Hershey. We have built a FBLA legacy here. It began way before my time and I am confident the classes down the road will keep pushing it forward. Winning is the culture and it was writing on the wall in 2020.” Said Tetreault.
Twenty-two of the forty members that competed at the SLC placed in the top 10 in their competitive events. Western Wayne FBLA swept 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place in three individual events. In Accounting I, Lacey Falloon placed 1st, Alex Hineline placed 2nd, and Celeste Orchard placed 3rd. Rach Hoch placed 1st, Kaeil Romanowski placed 2nd and Abby Kapschull placed 3rd in Introduction to FBLA. In Introduction to Parliamentary Procedure, Gabby Tetreault was the 1st place winner, Rachel Tuman was 2nd and Ashton Fitzsimmons was 3rd. Also, in individual events, Adelaide Treibley placed 8th in Impromptu Speaking.
Four teams also placed in the top 10. James Fryzel and Caden Slifko captured 8th placed in Emerging Business Issues. Skylar Long and Ella Pavlovich placed 5th in Introduction to Business Presentation. The team of Landon Firmstone, Julia Lamberton, and Collin Murry placed 3rd in Entrepreneurship. The Parliamentary Procedure team of Darlene Black, Lenny Maiocco, Kate Mattern, Lena Piccolino and Sydney Peet had a 1st place win.
Additional awards included an 8th and 3rd place win for Sydney Peet and Ezra Tetreault in Who’s Who in PA FBLA. Western Wayne FBLA received 8th place in Outstanding Chapter and 10th place in Local Market Share. Darlene Black, Sydney Peet, and Ezra Tetreault each received a William Seldon scholarship ranging from $250 to $750.
Lenny Maiocco was selected as the Pennsylvania FBLA State Parliamentarian for the 2020-2021 school year. The parliamentarian in not an elected position, the candidate with the highest score on the Parliamentary Procedure test is appointed to the position.
“Even though the Awards Ceremony was not what it usually is, it was really great to see how well everyone did,” Lenny Maiocco said. “It is easy to just say that I am not going to do anything because the State Leadership Conference was cancelled, but Western Wayne really excelled and the hard work that everyone put in paid off.”
The competition is not over yet. The FBLA members that placed in the top 4 in their respective events will have the opportunity to compete at the national level. FBLA will be hosting a virtual National Leadership Experience this year to members to engage in this June.
Caption: Pictured is Lenny Maiocco who was selected as the Pennsylvania FBLA State Parliamentarian for the 2020-2021 school year. The parliamentarian is not an elected position, the candidate with the highest score on the Parliamentary Procedure test is appointed to the position.
Wednesday, May 20, 3:15 p.m. Interested students who will be in grades 8 through 12 next year should email Mrs. McLaughlin at jmclaughlin@westernwayne.org for more information prior to the meeting.
We perform with the Marching Band along with participating in various trips and events throughout the school year. We are looking to recruit new members for this coming school year and hope to see you at our meet. Remember to email jmclaughlin@westernwayne.org prior to May 20 to get more information on this meeting.
Abby Black models one of her designs in last year’s Cat Walk.
Abby poses in front of her soon-to-be school after being accepted to the prestigious FIT in New York City.
Abby Black, center, is pictured here with members of her design team. (left Trina Barcarola and right Noelle Orehek.
Abby Black models her design using recycled materials during the 2019 Cat Walk.
This is just one of the fabulous creations by senior designer and seamstress Abby Black who has been accepted at FIT for the fall.
Choosing the right material is an integral step in fashion design. Here Abby chooses some fabric for her senior design class.
By Eleanor Black, Western Wayne freshman. Eleanor Black is a freshman attending WWHS. She’s active in FBLA, student council, track, and soccer.
As the school year dwindles to a close, high school seniors begin to file the first of their college applications. Several have their hearts set on the school of their dreams, picturing themselves walking across campus. For Western Wayne student Abby Black, this childhood dream became reality.
As a hesitant freshman, Abby was easily persuaded to join fashion. With a driving passion and a nervous heart, she did not know what to expect. “I didn’t even know how to sew properly,” she said with a laugh. Gaining some confidence, Abby volunteered to model in the yearly Catwalk held by the fashion department. She was filled with anxiety. Though, when stepping on stage, her fear dissolved, and a realization hit; this is where she belonged.
In her sophomore year, Abby brought the Catwalk to the public. She hosted the event to raise awareness and bring appreciation to the school’s fashion department. The community show gave acknowledgement to designers and allowed for them to proudly express their creations. It was a charity event, for all proceeds went to the food pantry in Honesdale. “It was stressful,” Abby admits.” But I still had a lot of fun.”
Throughout her high school career, Abby’s love for fashion only grew. She continued to design and create while taking inspiration from current trends and media, watching her sketches take life. “I love conceptualizing and portraying an importance message through fashion,” Abby said.
Wanting to pursue her dream, Abby applied to the Fashion Institute of Technology (FIT). The school’s selectiveness in design only pressed her to work harder. “I felt my work didn’t compare to the number of students who also wanted it,” Abby disclosed. Yet, despite these worries, Abby continued to perfect her portfolio, only wanting to exhibit her best work. “It was nerve-wracking because they don’t accept everyone,” she confesses. However, the days of hard labor worked! Upon getting her acceptance letter, Abby burst into tears, relieved. “It didn’t feel real.”
Abby will still go off to the college of her dreams but is stripped of her senior catwalk. The show, like other culminating events, is cancelled due to the closure of school amid the statewide COVID-19 shutdowns. Abby is saddened about the catwalk being cancelled. “I’ve looked forward to it every year,” she said. It’s understandably difficult for senior designers like her not to have this final moment to showcase their accomplishments. Abby was looking forward all year to creating the exciting stage she’s spent years planning and also to enjoying friendly competition with her peers. “I was excited about being the head designer and it is upsetting I won’t get that experience,” Abby said.
Still, despite a rough year to the school year, Abby plans to continue driving forward and eventually, make a name for herself in the fashion world.
Western Wayne High School sophomore Hudson Malinowski was accepted to PMEA All-State Concert Band via online audition. Although the festival won’t take place physically, she will still receive the honors from the state. In addition, she had one of the top six highest scores of students in the region. She now qualifies to audition for the All-Eastern Festival which will take place in Spring 2021.
Congratulations to sophomore Hudson Malinowski who was accepted to PMEA All-State Concert Band via online audition. Although the festival won’t take place physically, she will still receive the honors from the state. In addition, she had one of the top six highest scores of students in the region. She now qualifies to audition for the All-Eastern Festival which will take place in Spring 2021.
ALL NEWS
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. [...]
Scholarships & Career Opportunities – May EditionMay 1, 2025The May edition of Scholarships & Career Opportunities is now available. All grades should read this document to get information on college, careers, important dates, SAT/ACT exams and of course…scholarships!
Click here: https://ww3.westernwayne.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/Scholarships-and-Career-Opportunities-May-2025.pdf [...]
Dr. Mark Nebzydoski Receives Prestigious Charlie Bright Award from Wayne Pike Trout UnlimitedApril 15, 2025On Saturday, April 12, 2025, during the annual Wayne Pike Trout Unlimited Banquet and Fundraiser, Dr. Mark Nebzydoski—a science teacher at Western Wayne High School and passionate participant in the Trout in the Classroom (TIC) program—was honored with the 2025 Charlie Bright Award.Presented by the members of the Wayne Pike Trout Unlimited Chapter, the Charlie Bright Award recognizes individuals who demonstrate exceptional leadership, dedicated service, and meaningful contributions to cold-water conservation. The award is named in honor of Charlie Bright, a beloved long-time Trout Unlimited member and owner of the Charlie Bright Fly Fishing Shop in Rowland, located on the banks of the Lackawaxen River, which he operated for more than 40 years.“It was truly a humbling experience to be recognized for my work in watershed education and cold-water conservation,” Dr. Nebzydoski said. “I am deeply grateful for this kind gesture.”Dr. Nebzydoski leads the Trout in the Classroom (TIC) program at Western Wayne High School, where students raise rainbow trout from eggs provided by the Pennsylvania Fish Commission. Throughout the school year, students care for the trout and learn about aquatic ecosystems, biology, and the importance of clean, cold water for trout survival. The program culminates in a spring field trip to the Varden Conservation Area, where the trout—now fingerlings—are released into the wild. Wayne Pike Trout Unlimited proudly partners in this annual release, helping to connect students directly with conservation in action.This recognition highlights Dr. Nebzydoski’s commitment not only to science education but also to fostering environmental stewardship in the next generation.
Picture Caption: (Left to Right: Vice President Wayne Pike TU – Tony Capitano; President Wayne Pike TU- Paul Ranello; Western Wayne Science Teacher, Dr. Mark Nebzydoski; Wayne Pike TU Youth Advisor – Don Strathy) [...]
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.
