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.
TODAY WE RECOGNIZE THE HARDWORKING PROFESSIONALS IN OUR SCHOOL CAFETERIAS AND THOSE WHO HAVE BEEN SERVING MEALS AT LOCATIONS THROUGHOUT THE WESTERN WAYNE SCHOOL DISTRICT DURING THESE DIFFICULT TIMES.
The Western Wayne School District is again extending the deadline for our surplus supplies, furniture, vehicles and equipment sale. This is due to the current school closure! A complete list of items and a Bid Form can be obtained by contacting the District Office at 1970C Easton Turnpike, Lake Ariel, PA 18436 or by calling 800-321-9973 option #5 and leaving a message. We will have one additional review day, May 22 from 11 am until 2 pm at the High School and Robert D. Wilson Elementary, provided the state’s current stay at home order is lifted by that date. Any questions regarding the items or to arrange an appointment, contact Joseph Dunda, Director of Buildings and Grounds, at 570-647-6241. A bid form must be mailed to Rose E. Emmett, Business Manager at the Western Wayne School District, 1970C Easton Turnpike, Lake Ariel, PA 18436 by 1 PM, Friday, May 29, 2020. The envelope should be sealed and marked “BID”.
Pictured is the cast of Western Wayne School District’s Once Upon a Mattress. From left, row one, seated: Angelina Tornillo, Brenna McGlone, Rebeccah King, Adriana Barcarola, Julia Phillps, Becca Boots, and Ava Compton. From left, row two, standing: Jenna Frable, Lilly Morcom, Gavin Toy, Brandon Davis, Nate Conway, Anthony Martin, Juliana Kurent, and Ashley Marsh. From left, third row, standing: Chanya Graham, Larissa Ellsworth, Joanna Regalbuto, Amanda David, Karina Booths, Haley Strocchia, Alyssa Donnini, and Mrs. Jessica McLaughlin, director. From fourth row, standing: Alex Fullone, Cassia Sheehan, Lily Visceglia, Andie Solimine, Honour Shaffer, Sydney Peet, Alex Taylor, and Rhonda Fenkner. Absent from photo: Joseph McNeill and Jacob Jones.
Western Wayne Musical Drama Club students had the opportunity to perform pieces from their 2020 musical Once Upon a Mattress at Western Wayne RDW’s Read Across America Night on Thursday, March 5. The Drama Club presentation was one of a variety of experiences available for the children that evening.
The students entertained children and their families with a few scenes. Senior Honour Shaffer served as Master of Ceremonies for the event and also plays lead role Prince Dauntless the Drab.
The musical Once Upon a Mattress is a retelling of the classic tale of the princess and the pea. However, in the musical version, there is much humor added to the tale revolving around how Queen Aggravain has set a decree in the kingdom that no one will wed until her son Prince Dauntless does.
The catch is that the Queen does not wish her son to marry and will stop at nothing to come up with impossible tests for each princess suing for his hand in marriage. However, throughout the course of the musical, the unique Princess Winnifred the Woebegone, played by senior Andie Solimine, proves she is more than ready to pass the Queen’s test.
At Read Across America Night, the cast first previewed the Prologue scene with the musical number “Many Moons Ago” sung by Cassia Sheehan, minstrel. In “Many Moons Ago,” the minstrel tells a beautiful rendition of the princess and the pea tale. Ava Compton, prologue queen; Haley Strocchia, prologue princess; and Gavin Toy, prologue prince, reenacted the minstrel’s song in a ballet for the audience.
Next, Alex Taylor, Sir Harry, and Rhonda Fenkner, Lady Larken, performed “In a Little While.” Harry and Larken dream of getting married and starting a family, but have to wait for Dauntless to find a bride first. Harry vows to Larken that he will help to find the perfect princess for Dauntless, so that then they may be married.
The crowd was then entertained by the song “The Minstrel, The Jester And I” performed by Cassia Sheehan, minstrel; Lily Visceglia, jester; and senior Joseph McNeill, the king. In the song, the group reflects on some fond memories they have had together getting into a variety of mischief. Their song is told in a unique way because only the Minstrel and Jester can speak. The King has lost his voice due to a curse, but he pantomimes his thoughts in this song and throughout the show in a very comical way.
The fourth number performed for the RDW audience, was “Sensitivity” by Senior Sydney Peet who plays Queen Aggravain and her trusty side-kick the Wizard played by Alex Fullone. In the song, the Queen comes up with the plan to test Princess Winnifred for sensitivity by placing a pea under twenty mattresses. Sydney and Alex bantered about their plan throughout the song to entertain the audience.
The audience was also treated to the musical number “Normandy.” In this piece, Larken, Minstrel, Jester, and King returned to the stage. Larken is trying to flee from the kingdom alone. Her friends the Minstrel, Jester, and King offer her assistance to get to Normandy where she can be safe and taken care of.
Finally, the cast performed “The Swamps of Home.” In this comical piece, Fred tells Dauntless and her ladies in waiting played by Julia Phillips, Amanda David, Haley Strocchia, Adriana Barcarola, Alyssa Donnini, Joanna Regalbuto, Karina Booths, and Ava Compton, about what it was like to grow up in a swamp kingdom. At first, the group is unsure of their opinions on Fred, but as the song continues the ladies, Dauntless, and the audience fall in love with Fred and her quirky ways.
The crowd enjoyed the musical preview at the Annual Read Across America Night, and the Western Wayne Drama Club is grateful to RDW for inviting them to perform at this annual event for the past several years. The directors of the show are very proud of the entire cast, crew, and pit band of Once Upon A Mattress and especially wish to acknowledge the years served in drama club and future plans of senior members. Senior Dakota Beavers, Senior Head Stage Crew/Lights, has been a member of drama club for three years. After graduation, Dakota is considering college, and would like to work in music or theater production. Senior Brandon Davis, knight, has been in drama club for three years. Upon graduation, Brandon plans to attend Johnson College for carpentry.
Senior Victoria Davis, stage crew, has been on crew for one year but has also assisted in set production for other Western Wayne plays. After graduation, Victoria plans to become a dog trainer at Star Mark in Texas. Senior Allison King, Senior Head Stage Crew, has been a five-year drama club, stage crew member. After graduation, Ally plans to begin her own photography business.
Senior Rebeccah King, ensemble, has been a five-year drama club member, serving as the club’s historian for three years. Upon graduation, Becca has plans to study massage therapy.
Senior Joseph McNeill, who plays the King, came to Western Wayne this year. This is Joseph’s second time playing The King in Once Upon a Mattress, having also played this role at his previous school. After graduation, Joseph would like to enter the Air Force and then plans to enter a law enforcement program to become a game warden.
Senior Abygaile Milewski, stage crew, is a two-year drama club member. After graduation, Abygaile will attend Wilkes University and study communications.
Senior Andrew Oudshoorn, pit band, trumpet, has been in the pit for two years among many other band accomplishments and positions. After high school, Andrew has been accepted to Penn State Scranton for their undergraduate pre-med program.
Senior Sydney Peet, the Queen, is in her third year in drama club, currently serving as the club’s president. After high school, Sydney plans to major in economics in college.
Senior Honour Shaffer, Dauntless the Drab, is in his fourth year in drama club. He serves as the vice president of the club. Upon graduation, Honour plans to join the United States Coast Guard Reserves.
Senior Andie Solimine, Winnifred, has been acting since the third grade. Andie came to Western Wayne as a sophomore and has been in drama club ever since. Andie is planning to pursue a degree in music education at Marywood University.
Senior Nathan Taggart, pit band, trumpet, has been in the pit band for four years among many other band accomplishments and positions. Upon graduation, Nathan will attend Penn State University Park for chemical engineering.
Senior Brad Wood, pit band, trumpet ¬, is a first year pit band member, although he has been in band throughout high school and has many music accomplishments. After graduation, Brad plans to attend Mansfield University to pursue a bachelors’ degree in history, with a goal of earning a Ph.D. in history.
The directors of the Western Wayne Musical Drama Club are proud of the performance done by cast members at RDW as well as the many accomplishments of all of their students, especially the seniors, and would like to thank the district and community for their continued and consistent support of performance arts.
Pictured is the cast of Western Wayne School District’s Once Upon a Mattress. From left, row one, seated: Angelina Tornillo, Brenna McGlone, Rebeccah King, Adriana Barcarola, Julia Phillps, Becca Boots, and Ava Compton. From left, row two, standing: Jenna Frable, Lilly Morcom, Gavin Toy, Brandon Davis, Nate Conway, Anthony Martin, Juliana Kurent, and Ashley Marsh. From left, third row, standing: Chanya Graham, Larissa Ellsworth, Joanna Regalbuto, Amanda David, Karina Booths, Haley Strocchia, Alyssa Donnini, and Mrs. Jessica McLaughlin, director. From fourth row, standing: Alex Fullone, Cassia Sheehan, Lily Visceglia, Andie Solimine, Honour Shaffer, Sydney Peet, Alex Taylor, and Rhonda Fenkner. Absent from photo: Joseph McNeill and Jacob Jones.From left, first row: Allison King, Emily Brophy, Abygaile Milewski, Abby Lopez, and Hailey Robbins. From left, second row: Ash Mangieri, Damon Martzen, Jonatan Stanley, Nate McCollum, and Logan Smith. Absent from photo: Taylor Altenhofen, Jake Beavers, Olivia McCue, Estevan Mendoza, Darrell Schramm, Kiersten McDonald, Jocilyn Brungard, Asia Mendoza, and Olivianna Dendy.Seniors Honour Shaffer and Andie Solimine play lead roles Prince Dauntless the Drab and Princess Winnifred the Woebegone in Once Upon a Mattress. During this scene, Winnifred studies for a test that Dauntless’ overbearing mother wants her to fail. Dauntless offers Winnifred encouragement that she will indeed pass and be his bride one day.From left: Lily Visceglia, jester; Honour Shaffer; Prince Dauntless; and Andie Solimine, Princess Winnifred. In this moment, the Jester gives the shy Dauntless a push in the right direction to interact with Princess Winnifred who could be his future wife.From left: Lily Visceglia, jester; Rhonda Fenkner, Larke;, and Cassia Sheehan, minstrel. At this point, Lady Larken wants to leave the Kingdom because she fears she will never be able to marry Sir Harry. The Jester, Minstrel, and King try to convince her to not leave alone. They promise to help her get to Normandy where she will be taken care of.Sir Harry played by Alex Taylor and Lady Larken played by Rhonda Fenkner. Harry and Larken dream of getting married and starting a life together after Princess Winnifred passes Queen Aggravain’s test. The Queen will not allow anyone in the Kingdom to be married until her son is. Harry and Larken pose by lattice panels that they dance amongst in the number “Yesterday I loved You.”From left: Cassia Sheehan, minstrel; Alex Fullone, wizard; and Lily Visceglia, jester. The Minstrel and Wizard engage in an elaborate handshake ritual because they both belong to the same performers’ guild that their fathers once belonged to as well. The Jester looks on pleased that the two are getting along.From left: Ava Compton, prologue queen; Haley Strocchia, prologue princess; Gavin Toy, prologue prince; and Cassia Sheehan, minstrel. During the Prologue, the Minstrel sings the story of the Princess and the Pea while the dancers act it out in a beautiful ballet. However, the Minstrel tells the audience that the actual story in the play is not as pretty but still highly interesting to hear.Queen Aggravain Sydney Peet and Prince Dauntless Honour Shaffer. The brash Queen scolds her son throughout the play. She very much wants to be in charge of his life and will do anything to make sure he does not find a suitable princess to marry. In this scene, the Queen delivers an elaborate monologue in which she gives Dauntless a lot of advice.Wizard Alex Fullone and Queen Sydney Peet pose in the musical number “Sensitivity.” The Queen during this song must come up with a seemingly fair test for Princess Winnifred. She decides to test Fred for sensitivity by placing a pea under twenty mattresses. The Wizard, of course, agrees and wants to help his Queen achieve her goal.From left: Brandon Davis, Gavin Toy, Andie Solimine, Nate Conway, and Anthony Martin. In this photo, knights pose around Princess Winnifred who has just swam the moat to get to the castle to meet Prince Dauntless because she was very anxious to meet him. Winnifred is like no princess the kingdom has ever seen.From left: Gavin Toy, jester’s father; and Lily Visceglia, jester, pose in the musical number “Soft Shoes.” During the song, the Jester remembers how her father would entertain the court and dreams of following in his footsteps. The two dance a tap number together in a dream-like sequence with many fun props including canes and a never-ending handkerchief.From left, row one: Honour Shaffer. From left, row two: Julia Phillips, Andie Solimine, and Amanda David. From left, row three: Haley Strocchia, Adriana Barcarola, Alyssa Donnini, Joanna Regalbuto, Karina Booths, and Ava Compton. During the song “The Swamps of Home,” Fred tells the story of her life in a kingdom that is within a swamp. In the picture, they all listen for sounds of the swamp after Fred has thrown Dauntless to the ground to hear it. The number is quite comical.
ALL NEWS
Students Present Aquaponics Challenge Project at Regional BanquetMay 7, 2026On May 5, 2026, 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, an Aquaponics Challenge System, was designed, researched, and implemented entirely by the student team.Aquaponics is a sustainable food production system that combines aquaculture (raising fish) with hydroponics (growing plants without soil). In this balanced system, fish waste provides essential nutrients for plant growth, while the plants naturally filter and clean the water for the fish. The Western Wayne team developed their system to demonstrate how this closed-loop approach can support both food production and water quality.As part of their project, the students raised trout from eggs to approximately three to four months old before preparing them for release into a local stream. A major focus of their work involved addressing water quality challenges, particularly nitrate buildup from fish waste. Through research and problem-solving, the team explored ways to improve natural filtration within their system, including redesigning components and upgrading equipment such as water pumps to maintain optimal conditions.The project also emphasized key components of the Aquaponics Challenge, including system design, environmental monitoring, and community outreach. Students utilized technology such as climate control tools and irrigation systems while also connecting with local organizations and professionals for support. In addition, they worked to share their knowledge beyond the classroom by engaging others in understanding sustainable practices and watershed stewardship.This presentation was the culmination of months of work as part of the Community Connections to Our Watershed program, a regional environmental initiative that has been in place for over 20 years. Each year, teams of five students and one teacher from schools across Lackawanna and Luzerne Counties participate in the program. Coordinated by the education teams at Lackawanna and Nescopeck State Parks, the program immerses students in watershed science through field experiences and collaboration with environmental professionals.Throughout the year, the Western Wayne students participated in field trips to Keystone College, Lackawanna State Park, the Old Forge borehole, the Anthracite Heritage Museum, Lacawac Sanctuary, Pennsylvania American Water treatment facilities, and the Lackawanna River Heritage Trail. These experiences deepened their understanding of how human activities impact local watersheds and helped inform their aquaponics system design, particularly in understanding the relationships between aquatic organisms, plants, and water quality.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 Area, HAAS, HACC, Hazleton Area, Northwest, Tunkhannock, and Wyoming Area in Luzerne County.The program is made possible through the support of Pennsylvania American Water Company, the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR), and the DCNRWatershed Education Program.Picture one, from left: Mark Nebzydoski Ph.D., advisor; Rhys Locklin, Noah Benson, Aidyn Graci, Aliyah Gregory, and Giana Graci.Picture two, the group from Western Wayne making their presentation, from left: Aliyah Gregory, Giana Graci, Rhys Locklin, Noah Benson, and Aidyn Graci. [...]
Science meets nature: Students release trout at Varden Conservation AreaMay 6, 2026Students in Wayne County are getting an up-close look at nature with an opportunity to study what’s right in their backyard.
https://www.wnep.com/video/news/local/wayne-county/science-meets-nature-students-release-trout-at-varden-conservation-area/523-3cf2ef49-624d-4f00-95cd-f2573064bf60 [...]
Western Wayne Hosts Prom with Support of Local BusinessesMay 6, 2026Western Wayne hosted their annual prom with “A Starry Night” theme at a new venue this year New Leaf Farm in Waymart on Saturday, May 2. The event focussed around local community businesses who hosted food trucks for the event including: Lupo Russo, 2 Ways One Passions, and Pop-Pop’s Grill and Catering. The students also enjoyed gourmet cupcakes from Ms. Michele Dugan along with cotton candy donated by Mrs. Paula Lamberton
There were 225 students and guests in attendance. Event sponsors included: Ariel View Inn (AVI), Leeward, Waymart Hotel, Iron Hill at 1940,and Meadowbrook Stables, and For the Birds, who provided flowers.
The students in attendance enjoyed this new experience. Senior Maggie Kotchessa thought this unique prom experience was a great idea.
“I really loved all of the food choices,” Maggie, who decided on a pulled pork sandwich from Pop-Pop’s, said.
Her classmate Norman Phillips’ grandfather owns Pop-Pop’s, and he was excited his family business could be a part of the event.
“It was really neat having my grandfather there doing what he loves,” Norman said. “He usually travels around to do a number of different gigs, and it was really neat having him at our prom.”
In addition to the variety of food items at the event, the students also were treated to a mocktail bar. Junior Madelyn McClure wrote a grant through the Wayne County Community Youth Advisory Committee and the district used the money to fund the mocktails for prom.
Also, the community donated a variety of gift cards for the students as prizes. Each student in attendance got a raffle ticket for a chance to win.
The 2026 Prom Court included: Vinny Baldini, King; Audrey Agnello, Queen; and
Mia Gifford, Hannah DeStefano, Olivia Haines, and Sofia Ochlan served as attendants.
The students enjoyed this unique prom experience and thank the district for their continued support of student events.
Picture one: Mr. Paul Gregorski, high school principal; Vinny Baldini, King; and Audrey Agnello, Queen.
Picture two:: Olivia Haines, Hannah DeStefano, Vinny Baldini, Audrey Agnello, Mia Gifford, and Sophia Ochlan. [...]
Scholarships & Career Opportunities – May EditionMay 4, 2026The 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/2026/05/Scholarships-and-Career-Opportunities-May-2026.pdf [...]
Western Wayne Annual Art Exhibit & Spring Concerts on May 9May 4, 2026Western Wayne’s annual art exhibit and spring concerts will take place on Saturday, May 9.
The art exhibit will run in the high school gymnasium from 2 to 5 p.m. It will mainly feature high school artwork with special displays by our seniors. In addition, a select sample of middle and elementary student artwork will be on display.
The concert schedule is as follows: the sixth-grade concert will begin at 11 a.m.; the seventh- grade concert will begin at 1 p.m., the eighth- grade concert will begin at 3 p.m.; and the high school concert will begin at 5 p.m. with all concerts in the Veterans Memorial Auditorium at the high school.
There will be concessions for sale in the high school cafeteria throughout the day. All events are free of charge. Please join us in the celebrating the arts in our school. [...]
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.
