Western Wayne High School students participated in the Engineering Competition at Wallenpaupack High School on Friday, October 25. The team of Lia Hartman, Colette Schmitt, Kayla Walton, Julia Wehrmann, and Robert Scramuzza earned the Innovator Award for “most ingenious use of materials” during the competition. This is the second year in a row that a team from Western Wayne has won this award. From left: Julia Wehrmann, Robert Scramuzza, Colette Schmitt, Kayla Walton, and Lia Hartman.
Members of the Hamlin Rotary Club were at EverGreen Elementary on Thursday, October 24th to participate in in Apple Crunch Day. They read Andy and Elmer’s Apple Dumpling Adventure to the second grade classes. This is a day for learning about local farms and where food comes from, and to celebrate local produce while supporting local farmers. We appreciate the individuals from the Hamlin Rotary Club for taking the time to visit our second grade classes!
[wpfd_single_file id=”25298″ catid=”316″ name=”MHFA Wayne Co Flyer November 2024″]
Mental Health First Aid training is an 8-hour evidence-based curriculum created by the National Council for Mental Well-being. This course helps adults working with youth ages 12-18 to identify, understand, and respond to the early signs of mental health and substance use challenges using the ALGEE action plan.
Download the full flyer for details.
The following students were recognized by the Student Council as students of the month for September. Their teachers and administrators weighed in on the decisions. All of the students chosen hold a high standard of academic and personal excellence. They are true examples of the P.R.I.D.E. standards for PBIS at our school.
First, Olivia MacCollum is our selected freshman. Olivia has been on the Western Wayne Color Guard team for two years and is a member of the National Art Honor Society. Olivia enjoys making ceramic art.
“I love being able to share my personal experiences, emotions and activities through my art,” Olivia said.
In addition, Olivia enjoys being in a creative writing class at school and sharing all of her original ideas there.
Next, Kaylee Heise is our chosen sophomore this month. Kaylee loves her ELA class, because it is a calm place where she can practice her writing.
“Writing helps to calm me down,” she said. “I really like journaling.”
Her hobbies include: listening to a wide variety of music from rock to rap and going for walks. She aspires to study psychology in college and pursue a career as a psychiatrist.
In addition, Logan Pauler is this month’s featured junior. He is a member of the National Honor Society, the Robotics Team, the soccer team, and the volleyball team. His favorite class is pre-calculus, and he plans to study mechanical engineering in college with his preferred school being Penn State.
“All of my teachers at Western Wayne have been a great help in leading me to figure out my path and to learn problem-solving skills,” he explained.
Finally, Makayla Walton is our senior spotlight this month. Makayla enjoys most her advanced placement government and psychology classes this year. She aspires to be a forensic psychologist. She is involved in many activities including: band for four years, where she plays both the flute and piccolo. She also serves as a woodwind section leader and band librarian. In addition, she is Student Council secretary, a member of National Honor Society, Science Olympiad, and Envirothon. She thinks she learned the most about leadership skills from her experience in the Tomorrow’s Leaders Today program her junior year.
“I learned how to be able to better communicate with others through confidence in my leadership skills,” she explained.
The Western Wayne School District congratulates these September students of the month and wishes them the best in their future endeavors.
From left: Olivia MacCollum, Logan Pauler, Mr. Paul Gregorski, high school principal; Kaylee Heise, and Makayla Walton.
NEIU 19, Arts in Education Northeast Pennsylvania, The Ritz Theater, and the Pennsylvania Council on the Arts hosted a special program entitled “The Convening” on Wednesday, Oct. 16. It was a Day of Art Workshops based on Academic Standards taught by Nationally Recognized Artists. Students and teachers from a variety of local districts including Western Wayne experienced art workshops in visual arts, theater and music contingent on their respective areas of teaching/ study.
The four senior students who participated from Western Wayne included: Lillian Maros, Colette Schmitt, Stephanie Maxwell, and Robert Scramuzza. They did a variety of workshop sessions. One was with Tara Middleton, Grammy nominee vocalist, who worked with the students in a jazz vocals session. She explained to students that along with the technical aspects of learning music that they have to be present in their performance as well. “You have to be free enough to be in the moment when you are performing,” she explained to the students.
For another session, the performance arts students worked with Conor McGuigan, an actor and writer from Scranton who performs throughout the area and off-Broadway. He helped the students tap into a variety of characters from Italian theater in his workshop with a focus on comedic timing. Also, the students got to end their day with the Kofi and Sankofa Drum & Dance Ensemble in which they were fully immersed in learning about culture, musical instruments, and dance.
In addition, there were a variety of raffle prizes given out at this event and Western Wayne was the only school to win a raffle drawing for a five-day Artist in Residence Program for their Drama Club. The prize is a 1,000 dollar value. They will have the opportunity to work with a professional artist to help them further develop their performance arts skills. The Artist in Residence Program will be scheduled in correspondence with the school’s musical director and the NEIU.
The Western Wayne Drama Club is extremely thankful to have won this experience and look forward to learning even more about their craft through it. “We were really excited for all of the classes we took at the Convening,” Lillian Maros, Drama Club president, said. “It was an added special bonus to know that we have won, through luck of the draw, five more hours of experience with a talented local artist of our choosing.” From left: Conor McGuigan, Lillian Maros, Stephanie Maxwell, Colette Schmitt, and Robert Scramuzza.
At the Western Wayne Varsity Football Game against Lakeland on Friday, October 11, the Homecoming Court was honored, and this year’s winners were announced. They are Madison Stiffler, Lake Ariel, as Queen, and Mason Rush, Waymart, as King. Madison, our Queen, has played both varsity volleyball and varsity indoor & outdoor track for four years, along with being in the National Honor Society for two years. She plans to go to Empire Beauty School upon graduation to get the remaining hours needed for her cosmetology license. Mason Rush, our King, has participated in varsity football and student council throughout his high school career. He plans to attend a 4-year college for criminal justice and criminal psychology. The District congratulates the entire Homecoming Court and looks forward to seeing what they will accomplish in the future. Picture one, from left, members of the 2024 Western Wayne
Homecoming Court: Grace Lidy, Raegan Palmer, Ally Irvine, Mackenzie Adams, Mason Rush, King; Madison Stiffler, Queen; Evan Dean, Sean Owens, Lance Maiocco, and Josh Vinton.
Picture two, from left: Madison Stiffler, Queen, and Mason Rush, King at the Homecoming dance.
Fire Safety was held at EverGreen on Friday, October 11th. EverGreen Elementary hosted Hamlin Fire & Rescue, Lake Ariel Volunteer Fire Company, Maplewood Volunteer Fire Department, and Ledgedale Volunteer Fire Company where local emergency personnel presented students with life saving strategies and showed different pieces of equipment that they use. Students also were able to tour apparatus that local companies had on hand that day. The fire companies presented winter hats to all students. We would like to thank these fire companies for coming to EverGreen for the presentation and helping our students understand ways to be safe.
The Western Wayne School District invites the community to attend its annual homecoming varsity football game this coming Friday, Oct. 11. The public is encouraged to bring a donation for our Food Drive to the game and will gain free admission for doing so. The donation truck will be near the gate of the Sharkey Rosetti Stadium.
The Western Wayne Homecoming Game against Lakeland will begin at 7 p.m. with the presentation of the Homecoming Court at 6:30 p.m.. The ten seniors on this year’s court feel extremely honored and excited to be a part of this ensemble.
Members of the court include: Josh Vinton, Raegan Palmer, Mackenzie Adams, Sean Owens, Ally Irvine, Lance Maiocco, Grace Lidy, Mason Rush, Madison Stiffler, and Evan Dean.
All of our senior court members have been highly involved during their time at Western Wayne in a variety of clubs, sports, and other activities.
All of the members of our Homecoming Court look forward to bonding with each other and making memories during homecoming at Friday’s game. The court along with the rest of the Western Wayne community invite the public to join them on Friday, Oct. 11 at 6:30 p.m. for the homecoming festivities followed by the game.
The District also wants to invite our Western Wayne alumni and Western Wayne School Community to attend all of our home athletic events scheduled during Homecoming Week! Please come out and support our varsity athletic match-ups all week long by showing up and cheering for the Wildcats!
Pictured are members of the 2024 Western Wayne Homecoming Court, from left: Josh Vinton, Raegan Palmer, Mackenzie Adams, Sean Owens, Ally Irvine, Lance Maiocco, Grace Lidy, Mason Rush, Madison Stiffler, and Evan Dean.
First and second grade students in EverGreen Elementary School received book bags from Reading is Fundamental and Amazon Volunteers on Monday, September 23.
Reading Is Fundamental, Inc. is the oldest and largest non-profit children’s literacy organization in the United States. RIF provides books and reading resources to children nationwide with supporting literacy resources for educators, families, and community volunteers. Mr. Greg Martin from the Amazon Jessup Distribution Center delivered the books to the students.
Pictured from left to right.
Sitting: Matthew Patuto, Tyler Trevor, Lucas Convery, Evelyn Rosengrant, Kaylee Edwards, Florence Neagu, and Rayanne Worzel.
Standing: Mr. Greg Martin, Piper Fontana, Jasmyne Hollister, Noah Courtright, Bryson Pauselli, Rylee Long, Michael DiPierro, Brooks Warholic, Eloise Dolph, and Jasmine Gravell.
On September 23rd Western Wayne High School Students in grade 9 experienced the THINK! ENERGY Innovation Program. This program is an interactive, hands-on presentation with a take home energy efficiency kit for each participating student and teacher. The program teaches the importance of energy, natural resources and environmental resources, and gives each participating student’s family energy-efficient technologies to install at home. Students and Staff in the high school received innovation kits on September 23rd. The kits included faucet aerators, a furnace filter whistle, a water conserving shower head, three LED light bulbs as well an advanced smart energy power strip. 176 innovation kits were distributed overall. This comes to 5758 new LED bulbs distributed to the Western Wayne School District since the program’s launch in 2015. This program will also result in a number of mini grants for the teachers in the high school as well. The Think Energy Innovation Program has been brought to the schools by the National Energy Foundation, PPL Electric Utilities and the Pennsylvania Department of Education. For more information or questions, please contact National Energy Foundation at 1-855-494-2942 or email amy.lamielle@nef1.org
BOOK A SESSION NOW! Senior portraits will be taken July 9th, 10th, and 11th.June 30, 2025We are excited to announce that Upstate Images has been chosen as the official senior photographer for the Class of 2026.
Senior portraits will be taken at the Western Wayne High School July 9th, 10th, and 11th. The location is tbd due to construction in the school. Scheduling a portrait session with Upstate Images is essential to ensure your child’s inclusion in the yearbook.
To book a portrait session, scan the QR code or visit the Upstate Images website: https://www.upstate-images.com/seniors. Select the Binghamton Southern Tier when booking your appointment.Yearbook Portrait Requirements: ● Select your favorite CAP AND GOWN photo by 11/20/25. ● Any images that do not follow these specs or are not selected by this deadline will be picked by the WWHS Yearbook team.
Sitting Options and Fees: (Sitting fees are prepaid online when the session is booked.)
● Platinum: $40 sitting fee includes 25-30 images (traditional yearbook attire, cap and gown, three casual outfits, multiple backgrounds)● Gold: $30 sitting fee includes up to 20 images (traditional yearbook attire, cap and gown, two casual outfits, multiple backgrounds)● Silver: $15 sitting fee includes up to 15 images (traditional yearbook attire, cap and gown, one casual outfit, multiple backgrounds)● Yearbook Only: Free session for those who need it. This includes four images in yearbook attire only.
Call 1-855-773-3321 to book this session. [...]
High School Hosts Graduation for Class of 2025June 13, 2025Wildcat Pride was bursting from the audience at Western Wayne’s Veterans Memorial Auditorium on the evening of Friday, June 6, for the graduation of the class of 2025. This is a bright class of students who have excelled in academics, athletics, and club activities having gained a total of $6,075,675 in college scholarships and grants at their recently held senior night. Student speakers at graduation gave their classmates advice for the exciting and new journey that lies ahead of them for their very bright futures.Senior Lillian Maros, president of the class of 2025, gave the welcome address.Lillian ended her speech in a unique way by having her class honor the many role models who have shaped their life journey thus far.“I was once told that everyone, at least once, deserves to be on the receiving end of a round of applause,” she said. “As a theater kid myself, I couldn’t agree more, and I ask any parents, guardians, siblings, teachers, and administrators to stand, and let our class applaud you for all of the opportunities you have given us.”Later, Lillian presented the Class Mantel to Audrey Agnello, junior class president.Following the presentation of the mantle, the class salutatorian and valedictorian gave speeches.Senior David Elias III, Hamlin, was named the salutatorian of the class of 2025 with a final overall GPA of 100.41.
David is the son of Carrie and David Elias.Along with being an excellent academic student, David was involved in Western Wayne clubs and activities including: FBLA, basketball, PBIS, and track and field.
In the future, he plans to attend Marywood University with an undecided major.
“My favorite memory from high school was attending the FBLA state conference as a freshman in Hershey,” David said. “While at Western Wayne, I’ve learned important skills such as critical thinking and time management that will help me through college and beyond.”In his salutatorian speech, David let his classmates know it is ok to be undecided about their futures as long as they follow their inner drive.“We have the ability to blaze our own paths different from what our parents did and what others expect of us,” he said. “As long as we follow what truly matters to us, we will get where we are supposed to go.”David summed up the evening with a quote from LeBron James, “Education is the most important thing in life. No matter what you do, you have to be educated, and you have to learn.”He then ended his speech with these encouraging words to his class, “We are closing a major chapter in our lives, but with the hope that we will be able to keep learning throughout whatever endeavors come next with the goal of reaching greatness.”Fellow classmate Lia Hartman, Lake Ariel, was named valedictorian of the class of 2025 with a GPA of 100.94.Lia is the daughter of Chad and Mayumi Hartman.Lia also has done numerous activities both inside and outside of the classroom at Western Wayne. She has participated in NHS, Student Council, Marching Band, serving as a drum major her junior and senior years; District and Region Band, Envirothon, Science Olympiad, and FBLA.In the future, she plans to attend The University of Scranton as a biochemistry major and then attend medical school to pursue pathology.“My favorite moment throughout high school was seeing the smile on people’s faces after having a good field show,” Lia said. “I believe the teachers at Western Wayne have pushed me to succeed and provided me with many meaningful opportunities.”
In her valedictorian speech, Lia reminisced about how in her freshman year when she saw that she was ranked first in her class that she had a fleeting thought about what it would be like to deliver a graduation speech. At that time, all she felt was anxiety, but now faced with the reality, she said she felt nothing but honor and pride to get to deliver this speech to her class.Her speech focused on the idea of how motivation is a key aspect in life especially when facing a milestone moment like graduation.“Motivation is a truly powerful force,” Lia said. “It is a psychological drive and combination of our values, goals, and beliefs. It pushes us toward success.”Lia said in preparation of her speech she asked many of her classmates to discuss with her their motivations and found them to be a variety of forces including God, drive for success in sports and academics, along with wanting to inspire others to work hard, and to make family proud.She quoted one of her favorite books, The Little Prince by Antoine de Saint-Exupéry, “What makes the desert beautiful is that somewhere it hides a well.”She told her classmates to not lose hope if they find themselves lost in their journey after high school at times, “As long as you latch onto your own motivations, you will continue to trek forward towards the future, and you will undoubtedly find your own well.”She then left her classmates with these words of advice, “Always remind yourself why you decided to go on this journey in the first place. Never let go of that initial spark. I encourage you to go out there and become the inspiration that gives others their sparks.”
Following the speeches, all graduates received their diplomas and were presented as the Class of 2025 to the audience. They then sang the school’s alma mater one last time as a class on stage. The Western Wayne School District wishes all the graduates the best in their bright futures.
Picture one: Senior Elizabeth Washine works on one of her many art projects at Western Wayne. After graduation, she will attend Duquesne University to study secondary education English and creative writing.
Picture two: from left: David Elias, salutatorian, and Lia Hartman, valedictorian, hard at work on a project after being named “most likely to be your boss” for their high school yearbook.
Picture three: from left: Allyson Irvine and Grace Lidy taping a segment for Western Wayne Broadcast which they both worked on this year.
Picture four: from left: high school English teacher Amanda Jenkins, student council co-advisor; Madison Stiffler, Prom Queen; and high school Spanish teacher Sara Orloski; student council co-advisor; at the Homecoming game this past fall when Stiffler was named queen.
Picture five: from left: High School Principal Paul B. Gregorski; senior Mason Rush, Prom King, and his mom Western Wayne high school English teacher Megan Rush. Mason will attend Juniata College this fall with a merit scholarship to study criminal justice and education.
Picture six: from left: Colette Schmitt, who played Sophie; and Lillian Maros, who played Donna; in Western Wayne’s production of Mamma Mia this past spring for their senior year. Lillian has won numerous creative writing and band awards over her time in high school. She plans to start her own business upon graduation and move to Texas with her family. Colette Schmitt will serve an 18 month mission trip for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints after graduation and plans to study to become a chiropractor as her career path.
Picture seven: from left: Stephanie Maxwell, who played Rosie; and Robert Scramuzza, who played Bill in Western Wayne’s production of Mamma Mia this past spring for their senior year. Stephanie will attend The University of Alabama in the fall to study pre-law and minor in theater. Robert will attend RIT in the fall to study engineering.
Picture eight: is senior Rebekah Palko on her horse Paxil at Salem View Farms She has done competitive equestrian for many years, and Paxil was her first horse.
Picture nine: Salutatorian, David Elias III
Picture ten: Valedictorian, Lia Hartman
Picture eleven: The class of 2025 after receiving their diplomas
Picture twelve: The class of 2025 celebrating
List of 2025 Graduates
Mackenzie Jean AdamsZoe Lorah AlbitzThomas John BainLily BarberJacob Alexander BarnaAlexis BarrVallita Princess BelinovaAubrey Shay BellJamal Lee BenedictKayne Michael BihlerTheodore Robert BlackNatalia Lydia BorrelliLillian Grace BronsonMatthew T. BrownConnor Howard BryantAnthony CanzanoDouglas Robert ChapmanJames Samuel ChapmanStacey ChristopherMadelyn Rose ChrobakRiver CollinsNikko CondiAngelina L. CorreaNicholas CotterAndrew CrisseyAddison Grace DanielsEvan Joseph DeanEmily Ann DicelloAnnaliese DickisonHannah Lee DockemeyerAnthony John DonniniLauren Letizia DramisinoMichael Samuel DursoJonathan Hunter DwyerZariah EdmundsDavid John Elias IIIJayla C. FiorellaJeffrey David Foote, Jr.Olivia Giovanna FordAiden Patrick ForneyKalob Alejandro FrankoJordan FrisbieSean James GallifordColton Michael GearyZachary Aiden GibbsCedar C. GilpinJared Joshua GoldmanAddison Lynn GriffinBryan James GuarnizDaniel HallDavid J. HallbergLia Mimi HartmanPaige Elizabeth HaswellJaden Desire HeadenChase HobgoodMaKennah Lynn HolbertColton J. HooseBrianna Michelle HoyerJak Michael HubingerAllyson Grace IrvineJames Ethan JimenezSydney Grace JusticeAlyssa Lynn Ellis KapalskiJayden KellachowAustin D. KenyonKendra May KeryloviczLily Patrice KievaNicole Marie KlimEthan Tyler LambertonGrace K. LangendoerferFrederick Frances Leonetti IIIGrace H. Murphy LidyTravis Mark LockerRyleigh Niccole MahonLance Maiocco, Jr.Matvey MamoshukLillian Grace MarosAddison Brooke MatthewsStephanie K. MaxwellDaymon Robert McGuireRobert William Mildner, Jr.Nelson Edgardo Miranda-MirandaSeth MontijoBryson MoscarelliHayden William MundrakeTeagan S. MurphyBrendan Joseph OlivoMichael Banavan OlivoTyler OvensSean Davon OwensRebekah Lane PalkoOwen S. PalkovicRaegan Alaina PalmerJessica Rose PalopoliNicholas Anthony PaneMercedes D. L. PedersenRobert F. Phillips, Jr.Addyson Bailey PrussJohn Patrick Pyatt IIIAliyah S. RatchfordAnthony Joseph RedmondHunter Baron ReichlingJayden Michael RiveraKarter M. RizziTimothy Richard Roberts, Jr.Noel Michael RodriguezHayden Timmy RomanaskasEvan John RonchiAyden K. RosengrantNikita RudMason Scott RushAbigail Faith SadowskiRyan Michael SchaneColette Ann SchmittKennedy Carolyn Ortman ScottRobert Nicholas ScramuzzaDavis M. SheppardVincent Charles SilonKathryn E. SkirpanThomas Joseph SmithNeima Marie Smith-HorstSienna Skye StevensMadison Naomi StifflerDylan David StookeyAshley Lynn ToscanoBella Marie TrumbullNoah VailJoshua Shawn VintonMakayla Marie WaltonAva Michell WardLandon R. WargoElizabeth Blaire WashineLogan WeaverJulia Ross WehrmannKallie May WehrmannCassidy Ann Zeiler [...]
Charlotte Nebzydoski, RDW Fourth Grade student achieves perfect attendanceJune 13, 2025Charlotte Nebzydoski, Fourth Grade student at Robert D. Wilson Elementary School, was the only RDW student to achieve perfect attendance for the 2024/2025 school year. Charlotte was present for every day of school and was never tardy or dismissed early. Charlotte is a bright light for everyone in the school. Her academics are top notch and the kindness and positivity that she shows daily is truly inspiring. Having Charlotte in the building every day made RDW a better place. Please congratulate Miss Charlotte Nebzydoski on this seemingly impossible accomplishment. RDW is so proud of you, Charlotte! [...]
Hot Rod Club and Drama Club Car Show on SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 6June 5, 2025The Western Wayne Hot Rod Club and Drama Club will host their 2025 Annual Car Show on SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 6, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. in the high school parking lot, 1970A Easton Turnpike, Lake Ariel, PA, near the football stadium.Food to be sold at the concession stand. Registration fee is $10. Spectators are free. The Hot Rod Club will give prizes for best car, truck, tractor, motorcycle, and best in show.In addition, the Drama group will sell a variety of concessions. There will also be a raffle of baskets and gift certificates generously donated by businesses and families in the local community.Drama Club President Dakota Douglas is excited to partner with the Hot Rod Club for the Car Show. She explained how the Drama Club students will be dressed in 50s attire for the event.“We wanted our presence at the event to go along with the variety of cars from the past that surely will be there,” Dakota said. “We hope that the public comes out to enjoy the cars and to have some good food and purchase some chances to win baskets and gift certificates.”Members of the Drama Parents Club are working to obtain a variety of items for the raffle at the Car Show from many very generous businesses and families in our Wildcat community. The students involved in the Hot Rod Club and Drama Club can use the funds raised from this event for their club activities.The Hot Rod Club meets on a regular basis to work on a variety of automotive projects after school and can use the funds for their projects among other activities.The Drama Club meets on a regular basis after school to work on a variety of projects and activities.“Drama Club gives students a place where they can express themselves,” club vice president, Jason Vass, explained. “We are like one big family in our club and really enjoy coming together to work as a team on events such as the Car Show.”All of the members of the Hot Rod Club, Drama Club, and Drama Parents Club cordially invite the public to attend this fun-filled event on SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 6, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. in the High School parking lot near the stadium. Come out and see some great vehicles, take some chances on our basket raffle, enjoy some food, and enjoy some time socializing. Hope to see you there! [...]
