Congratulations to our WW athletes on being selected for the Scranton Times All Region Team!! Trina Barcarola , Sophomore, Track and Field for Hurdles and Pole Vault. Also on Track and Field are Samantha Atcavage , Elizabeth Pulice, Anne Skirpan, all Juniors, and Trina Barcarola for the 4 x 400 Relay Team.
For Boys Tennis, freshan Lenny Maiocco. #wwproud
Imagine an individual sporting event where it is encouraged to help your fellow teammates and teammates from opposing schools. This unique, friendly atmosphere was the norm at the unified track meet held at Western Wayne High School on Thursday, May 24, in which both regular education and special education students participated together. The Western Wayne students played against and with students from Honesdale and Wallenpaupack.
This was part of three tri-meets held in May involving these three Wayne County schools. Honesdale and Wallenpaupack hosted the other events. The unified track meets are part of a program called Special Olympics Interscholastic Unified Sports (IUS). This is a fully-inclusive co-ed high school sports program which successfully brings together students with and without disabilities. The students train together, compete as equal teammates, and through this experience, become friends. IUS teams are regarded like every other interscholastic sports team at the high school level.
The IUS program was presented at a Local Education Agency meeting and Special Olympics was looking to pilot the program at Wayne County schools this year. Special Olympics graciously provides funding for this very important program for local students.
The Western Wayne Unified Track Team is composed of the following students: Coral Swoyer, Sinaea Buford, Schuyler Chumard, Shawn Dixon, Caleb Burns, Michael Phillips, Victoria Kroll, Sabrina Swoyer, Amy Newman, Jamie Newman, and Jared Loveland. The team is coached by Cynthia A. LaRosa, director of special education;
Jennifer DeNike, assistant director of special education; and Elizabeth Bellush-Moore, special education teacher.
All participants in the unified track meets participated in the following track events: 100 meters, 400 meters, 800 meters, 4×100 and 4×400 relays. They also competed in the following field events: shot put, running long jump, and mini-javelin.
For many members of the unified track team, this is their first after-school activity and sport. One such student is Western Wayne freshman Jared Loveland.
“It feels so great to be a part of a team,” Jared said. “I like cooperating with everyone and hanging out with them.”
Jared’s favorite part was throwing the javelin at the meet.
“My team gave me a lot of support,” Jared said.
Jared also said he greatly enjoyed the social aspect of the event.
“I love talking to new people,” Jared, who aspires to be an X-ray technician, said.
Jared’s teammate senior Schuyler Chumard also liked the atmosphere at the meet.
“I like seeing friends from other schools,” Schuyler explained.
Schuyler’s favorite event was a relay race he did with his Western Wayne teammates.
“I like to close the relay,” Schuyler, who runs the last leg, explained. “It’s easy to get to the finish line.”
Western Wayne sophomore Sabrina Swoyer said she most enjoyed helping other students like Schuyler cross the finish line or achieve a different goal at the event.
“This experience has helped me realize that I may want to become a special education teacher in the future,” Sabrina explained. “I realize just how much patience I have. I understand that the special education students go through a lot of challenges, but if they have a friend, like me, to help them then they won’t feel as challenged in a situation like the track meet and can feel more like everyone else.”
Fellow sophomore Jack McAllister, who assisted at the Western Wayne meet, also greatly enjoyed making all of the students feel welcome and good about themselves.
“I love watching the students achieve something and then seeing their smiles afterwards,” Jack explained.
Jack, who has an older brother who has autism, said he has always enjoyed working with other special education students at Western Wayne and hopes to continue doing so in the future.
Jack is in agreement with all Western Wayne administrators, teachers, and students who participated in the unified track events this year.
“We hope to continue the program next year,” Bellush-Moore said.
All Western Wayne participants in unified track were honored at a recent board meeting in the Western Wayne District Office and feel very excited to continue working together in the future.
Western Wayne freshman Jared Loveland throws the javelin at a recent unified track meet.
Western Wayne senior Schuyler Chumard races to the finish line.
Western Wayne sophomore siblings Sabrina and Coral Swoyer participate at the unified track meet recently hosted by Western Wayne.
Congratulations to Dylan Walck (Throws), Johnny Barcarola (Jumps), Trina Barcarola (Hurdles), Annie Skirpan (Mid-Distance), and Gianna DeBastiani (Jumps) for being named to the Lackawanna League Division 1-2 Lackawanna League Coaches’ All-Star Team.
Congratulations to Ben Burkhardt and Laura Booths, this years LIAA Scholar Athletes. They were honored at a breakfast on May 30, 2018 at Genetti’s in Dickson City. Ben, who is the son of Michael and Carol Burkhardt, participated in Football and Track and Field and will continue to play football while attending Susquehanna University in the Fall. Laura, daughter of Robert and Susan Booths, participated in Volleyball and will continue to play Volleyball while attending Chatham University in the Fall. Ben and Laura are pictured here with Dr. Matthew Barrett, Superintendent and Paul Gregorski, High School Principal. Both received hooded sweatshirts with their school logos indicating that they are scholar athletes. All 24 schools were represented from the Lackawanna League. each nominating a male and a female.
Congratulations to Cole Fuller and Trina Barcarola, this year’s Male and Female Athlete’s of the Year. Cole, who is a senior, participated in Football, Wrestling, and Track and Field, and will be attending Edinboro University in the fall. Cole received, in addition to a plaque, $250.00 worth of Edinboro University bookstore gift cards. Trina Barcarola, who is a sophomore participates in Track and Field and Volleyball. Trina received a plaque, and will also receive gift cards to wherever she decides to further her education when she graduates.
The Varsity Club Annual Sports Banquet was held on Tuesday evening, May 29th at Ladore Conference Center. The guest speaker this year was Mike Minor, Paralympian. Mike is pictured here with some of the WW Athletes.
Mr. and Mrs. Bill Hemmler volunteered their time and came with their BIG bus to teach the children about bus safety for next year when they are in Kindergarten! Here are some of the important safety tips the students learned:
Western Wayne High School Administration has recognized junior Paige Barillo as an outstanding student.
Paige recently completed an excellent senior project this spring in which she held a food collection drive for the St. Francis of Assisi Kitchen in Scranton. She worked with Western Wayne Administration in the high school, middle school, and both elementary schools to gather food in the district.
Paige said she gathered more than a truckload of food and estimated that to be over 1,000 pounds of items. She feels extremely grateful to the Western Wayne Community for giving so generously to her cause.
St. Francis of Assisi staff report that Paige’s donation was the largest food donation ever presented from a local school. Monsignor Joseph P. Kelly, executive director of St. Francis of Assisi Kitchen, personally thanked Paige for her efforts to help those in need.
Paige had volunteered at St. Francis in the past to help serve meals and felt strongly that she wanted her senior project to benefit a group that feels such a strong mission to help others.
“They strive to be of respect, dignity, and compassion when serving their patrons,” Paige explained. “That really stood out to me.”
Paige, a member of Western Wayne’s National Honor Society, plans to continue to volunteer at St. Francis next year.
“I enjoy the experience because I feel like I am helping others,” Paige said. “A little act of kindness can make their day.”
When Paige isn’t doing volunteer work she is highly involved at Western Wayne High School in sports, clubs, and her academic studies.
Paige is an avid athlete who is a part of the cross-country team, indoor track and field club, and outdoor track and field.
She also is a member of Pennsylvania Junior Academy of Science. This year she placed second in the state for her ecology project.
In addition, Paige finds time to dedicate her efforts to Future Business Leaders of America and the prom committee.
Paige also takes the time to work with others in the local community. She is a member of CAB which is Wayne Memorial Hospital’s Community Health Advisory Board. Paige became involved with this group through her high school guidance counselor. She explained how she gets to give input about events and projects regarding the hospital and the community at large.
Paige is especially excited about her opportunity to work with CAB because she plans to pursue a degree to become a physician assistant after graduating from Western Wayne.
“I love studying the sciences,” Paige said. “Physician assistant is such a growing field and I have so many options on what to do with my degree when I finish.”
High school principal Paul Gregorski is very proud of Paige’s accomplishments.
“Paige is a role model for other students at our district,” Gregorski said. “I hope both her efforts within the district and in the local community inspire other students to challenge themselves to take up similar endeavors.”
Spring Football will run Monday, JUNE 4th through Thursday June 14th
Sessions will be held MONDAY through THURSDAY from 3 to 5:30 PM on the Football Field.
All prospective Football Players CURRENTLY enrolled in grades 6 through 11 are encouraged to attend!
“Spring Ball is a great opportunity for students who are thinking of playing football in the Fall.” – HFC, Randy Wolff
PIAA Sports Physical is not required to participate in Spring Football Practice.
Dress for practice:
Shorts, T-shirt, Football Cleats (sneakers or turf shoes ok)
School Police Department participates in specialized, hands-on training.August 21, 2026This summer members of the Western Wayne School Police Department participated in specialized, hands-on training at the Pennsylvania School Safety Institute (PennSSI) to strengthen emergency readiness and threat response protocols.
Interactive Crisis Simulations: Officers engaged with PennSSI’s state-of-the-art multi-room simulator and 360-degree augmented reality technology, experiencing realistic emergency scenarios to test real-time decision-making and spatial awareness.
De-escalation & Tactical Response: The sessions emphasized practical de-escalation tactics, threat management, and building muscle memory for high-stress situations occurring on school grounds.
Crisis Communication & Incident Command: Training covered coordinated communication strategies within the Incident Command Structure, aligning police tactics with district administration and emergency management partners.
Behavioral Threat Assessment: Personnel expanded their knowledge on identifying concerning student behaviors, threat assessment frameworks, and applying trauma-informed protocols to keep schools secure without sacrificing a supportive environment.
This immersive training underscores Western Wayne’s ongoing commitment to proactive school safety, ensuring officers are equipped with the latest techniques to protect students, staff, and the surrounding school community. [...]
Senior Competes at FBLA National Leadership ConferenceJuly 6, 2026Western Wayne senior Grady Farley represented the school and the WW FBLA chapter at the FBLA National Leadership Conference in San Antonio, Texas, the week of June 29th.
Grady earned the opportunity to compete at the national level in the Agribusiness event, where he demonstrated his knowledge, preparation, and professionalism among FBLA students from across the country. Competing at nationals is an outstanding accomplishment, and the district is proud of Grady’s hard work and dedication.
Pictured is Grady Farley at the FBLA National Leadership Conference. [...]
High School Student Secures Spot on the Great Wall of HonesdaleJuly 6, 2026Western Wayne High School junior Archer Long has secured a coveted spot on the Great Wall of Honesdale with his painting entitled 250 Years Under One Flag.This year’s competition theme, 2026: American Perspective, inspired artists to explore the nation’s history, identity, and future through original works of art. Archer’s selected painting is an American depiction of our nation’s history, illustrating the symbolism of westward expansion and industrial progress. It reflects the idea that our country’s freedom was forged through sacrifice and hard work, honoring the generations whose perseverance helped shape the United States.Each selected piece is digitally reproduced on an impressive 11-by-17-foot billboard vinyl panel and exhibited for one year at the intersection of 4th and Main Streets in Honesdale, Pennsylvania.More than a decade after its inception, the Great Wall of Honesdale has evolved from showcasing primarily local artists into a juried international exhibition featuring entries from around the world. The installation is enjoyed by the occupants of more than 5 million vehicles that pass the site each year and has become a popular tourist destination. Both the exhibition theme and artwork change annually, while each year’s collection remains permanently accessible online through the Wayne County Arts Alliance, where visitors can also learn more about each exhibiting artist. Please visit the website for more information: https://waynecountyartsalliance.org/windows-on-the-wall/Congratulations to Archer Long on this outstanding artistic achievement and the opportunity to share his work with thousands of visitors throughout the coming year.Pictured is Archer Long, Western Wayne High School junior, who secured a coveted spot on the Great Wall of Honesdale and is shown standing below his painting 250 Years Under One Flag. [...]
