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High School October Students of the Month

The following students were recognized by the Student Council as students of the month for October. 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, Ayvari Ford-Rakosnik, freshman, is extremely creative and insightful.  She goes above and beyond with her creative writing assignments.  Also, her teachers say she is passionate and courteous.

“I love challenging myself to read, write, and express myself through performance art,” Ayvari, color guard and drama club member, said.

 Next, Grace Owens, sophomore, is helpful, friendly, and pleasant.  Her teachers note how she includes others with a genuine heart and does needed classroom tasks without being asked. She actively participates in her classes and helps her teachers keep their rooms tidy.  Also, Grace is very active in her church.

  In addition, Cameron Press, junior, always volunteers to help in class, works hard, and his teachers say he is easy-going and empathetic.  In addition, Cameron recently earned the prestigious rank of Eagle Scout.

  Lastly, senior Braden Laity is hard-working and juggles many activities and academic goals.  His teachers say that he doesn’t stop until the work is done. In addition, he is respectful, polite, and cares about his grades.

The Western Wayne School District congratulates these October students of the month and wishes them the best in their future endeavors.

From left,  Braden Laity, Cameron Press, Grace Owens, and Ayvari Ford-Rakosnik.

Western Wayne Hosts Semi with Candyland Theme

The Western Wayne High School Semi Formal was held on Saturday, Nov. 22, from 4 to 8 p.m. at Ladore, Waymart.  Approximately 300 students, faculty, and security team were in attendance.

Students nominated sophomores Frederick Lauemoeller and Myla Smith as Semi Prince and Princess.  Everyone in attendance enjoyed a beautiful Candyland theme for their special evening.  

“I had a wonderful experience as Semi Princess,” Myla said.

From left:  Paul B. Gregorski, high school principal; Frederick Lauemoeller, Semi Prince; Myla Smith, Semi Princess; and Robert Black, high school assistant principal.

Mystery Dinner Ticket Sales EXTENDED

The Western Wayne Drama Club’s Mystery Dinner and Show will take place on Saturday, December 6, from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. in the Western Wayne High School Cafeteria. This event is for students grades 8 and up and adults ONLY. Ticket sales EXTENDED until Tuesday, November 25.

The show has an original script written by our very own Western Wayne Drama Club historian Molly French, high school junior. The club is excited to debut their completely student-created show for the community.

This year’s mystery centers around an art gala in which the million- dollar art piece is stolen. Join us for a fun-filled evening and try to figure out who the thief could be. The event will also feature art pieces by Western Wayne alumni and current students.

The public is encouraged to dress in formal wear. Gowns for ladies. Suits and ties or tuxedos for men. There will be many audience prizes given including one for best dressed! Additional prizes for audience participation and the team that solves the mystery with the most details given in their report.

Tickets for adults are $25 and students grades 8th and up along with senior citizens are $20. Cost includes appetizers, soda and water, buffet dinner from RPlace, dessert, and interactive dinner show. Buffet includes: beef, chicken, penne and meatballs, roasted red potatoes, California vegetable medley, salad, and rolls.

Checks may be dropped off at the Middle School or High School main office during regular school hours. Checks should be made payable to WWDP. Checks can also be sent in with any Drama Club student. Please put your returns in a sealed envelope. Any questions, please email jmclaughlin@westernwayne.org Deadline for ticket orders is TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 25. Payments can be made in advance or at the door the day of the event.

Payments also with Venmo: @WesternWayneDramaClub

If paying Venmo please clearly state your name, mystery dinner, and how many tickets you are paying for and whether they are for adults and/ or senior citizens.

We hope to see you for this unique evening which is perfect for a date night or night out with friends. Dress up and join the Western Wayne Drama Club on December 6!

Ticket reservation link below for your convenience

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1yUiChXBAyHi_Pp9bogDTZxrh_ryZPJvy-IHlptYeQkM/edit

Mental-Health Awareness Speaker Presents to Middle School Students

Tacos and bananas  don’t necessarily go together at mealtime, but they do connect to an initiative for mental health awareness at the Western Wayne Middle School through their involvement in the Avedium program called the “Wear Your Care” campaign.  Avedium is a US-based, student-led mental health awareness and suicide prevention program active in schools across the country. Created by students for students, its mission is to “shatter the silence” surrounding depression, suicide, and other youth issues. The name Aevidum means “I’ve got your back”. 

As a follow-up to mental health awareness month students are “wearing their care” in the month of November to provoke discussion about emotional well-being.  Members of the middle school Avedium group wore taco costumes to gather data on how many people who interacted with them during the day would sincerely check in on their mental state.  Of the over one hundred interactions the students recorded, they reported only two remarks of genuine concern.

Western Wayne Middle School principal Casey Newcomer introduced the guest speaker at the Avedium mental-health awareness assembly on Thursday, November 20, and encouraged the student body to continue to strive to care about others in the school community as a priority.

Dr. Matthew Spott, local entrepreneur and suicide prevention counselor with the Crisis Line, Scranton, spoke to the students about his personal journey through mental health struggles.  He is the Vice President of U.S. Sales for Uniphar, a global healthcare company that helps pharmaceutical and biotech manufacturers connect with patients and healthcare professionals through education, medical information, and digital engagement. 

Over his 17-year career in the pharmaceutical industry, Spott has worked with some of the world’s leading life science companies.  In addition, he owns The Lovelton Hotel, a family-friendly sportsman bar, hotel and restaurant in Wyoming County; leads SpoSho Investments, a real estate company with more than 80 residential units and several community redevelopment projects; and through Spott Inc., he’s opening three new Capriotti’s Sandwich Shop locations throughout Northeast Pennsylvania. 

Spott also has several ongoing development projects focused on repurposing abandoned and historic buildings across NEPA into modern, luxury condominiums.

He serves on the Board of Directors for NAMI — the National Alliance on Mental Illness — the nation’s largest grassroots mental health organization dedicated to building better lives for millions of Americans affected by mental health conditions. 

Furthermore, he is the founder of Total Game Changer (TGC) — a mindset and motivation platform that challenges people to take control of their lives and reach their potential. Through TGC, he authored his first book, Game Changer: The Seven Mindsets of Solution-Based Selling for Life-Changing Results, which explores how adopting the right mindset can transform not just how you sell, but how you live. 

He earned his Bachelor of Science in Management and Marketing from The Pennsylvania State University (Penn State), an MBA in Strategy and International Business from Wilkes University, and a Doctorate in Organizational Development from the University of Southern California (USC). 

Above all, Spott is a husband and father first. He lives in the Scranton area with his wife, DeAnna, and their three children, Matthew, Gianni, and Sicilia.

Spott started his presentation by telling a story about a seventeen-year-old young man who one day stood on a bridge contemplating suicide because he felt that his home situation was so terrible.  Spott explained how the teenager decided to flip a coin to decide his fate.  He later revealed that the struggling teen was himself.

Due to his own battle with mental health issues, Spott decided to dedicate his life to helping others who also struggle and face situations that he did as a teen.  He explained that at sixteen he was diagnosed with bipolar disorder.  After his almost suicide attempt, he coped by being a bully to others until he was 23 years old.  At 25 he had to enter a program for substance abuse, and he states that the experience saved his life. 

“My life has turned around,” he explained.  “It wasn’t easy.  When I was younger, I didn’t know how to receive love and kindness.  It felt better to make someone else feel horrible.”

After going to therapy for many years, Spott better understands how to handle his anxiety and other emotions.  He explained revelations he had in therapy to the students.

“Everyone needs to find coping mechanisms,” he explained.  “Talking is the number one thing we can do.”

He encouraged students to find positive outlets for their emotions.  Spott recognized that the modern day is an incredibly difficult time in history for teens with the age of social media.  He discussed how dopamine rushes are everywhere in the form of short videos, text messages, etc.

“The biggest joy I get right now is giving back,” he explained, encouraging the students to find outlets not connected to the internet to help make their lives more meaningful as his closing remarks.  “There are resources all around if you need help.  Be kind to each other.  It costs nothing to be nice or to just not be mean to others.  Be kind to yourselves first then you can be kind to others.”

Pictured is Dr. Matthew Spott speaking to the Western Wayne Middle School student body on Thursday, November 20.

Western Wayne Celebrates Veterans Day 

As a tradition for many years, Western Wayne administration, faculty, staff, and students joined together on Monday, Nov. 10, to celebrate veterans in the community with a special in-school event that featured music from the high school band and chorus, a presentation by a keynote speaker, and a question and answer symposium.

Many local veterans attended the presentation at Western Wayne, some of which had special connections to district faculty and students. 

Western Wayne teacher and veteran Shane Grodack, USMC retired, acknowledged the Marines 250th birthday in his opening remarks and introduced the Western Wayne High School chorus and band.

One of the band’s musical selections this year featured Western Wayne senior Scott Kurent playing the role of Abraham Lincoln and reading parts of the Gettysburg address.  Scott has played many roles in Western Wayne musical productions over the years and was glad to take on this new role for the Veterans Day assembly.

“I was glad to get to relive history for my classmates in this unique way,” Scott said.

After the musical performances, Grodack introduced this year’s keynote speaker, Casey Newcomer, Western Wayne Middle School principal.  

Newcomer served for six years in the United States military–four years with the Army National Guard and two years on active duty.  His service included an 18-month deployment as an infantry soldier in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom.

After returning home, Newcomer continued to serve others– this time in the field of education.  He graduated from West Chester University, taught biology for several years at a large school outside of Philadelphia, and later earned his master’s degree in Educational Leadership from Immaculata University.

Seeing a need in his district, Newcomer worked to open and lead an alternative school for underserved students. After a decade of service there, he returned with his family to Wayne County where he now serves as the principal of the Western Wayne Middle School.

In his speech, Newcomer called the Western Wayne High School and Middle School study body to action.

“Real strength isn’t about what you achieve yourself, but what you give of yourself to others,” he explained.

Newcomer described a time in his service where he provided food and other necessary goods to a family in need in a developing country.  That moment was an eye-opening experience for him in which he realized just how powerful the work of the military is for others in need and what a military presence means in the lives of those struggling in countries greatly affected by war.

“Veterans are living examples of service, sacrifice, and something bigger than themselves,” he said.

In his speech, he challenged the students to live like soldiers no matter what path they choose to take in their lives.

“Choose respect over disrespect.  Stand up for what is right,” he encouraged the students. “Your life has purpose when you live it for others.”

Following Newcomer’s address, the annual Veterans symposium took place on stage.  The following veterans took part in this year’s panel:  Shane Grodack, USMC retired; Gary Sereno, sergeant Army; Robert Smerdon, United States Air Force; Josh Harrison, United States Army; the late George Schaffer, Air Force; Clay Cole, United States Air Force; John Gaudenzi, Sergeant First Class Army, 39-year educator of the Western Wayne School District, who originated the Veterans Day festivities at Western Wayne in 1982 with fellow teacher Marie Casper;  Michael Urban, Army CSM retired; Casey Newcomer, Army National Guard; and Kent Swartz, United States Air Force.  

Questions were read by Grodack and created by Western Wayne High School history class students.

The veterans discussed how difficult it is to leave family and friends behind to serve along with discussing the many highs and lows of their experiences in various branches of the military.

One of the final questions asked was if the veterans would advise students in the audience to join the service.

Michael Urban, Army CSM retired and father of Western Wayne foreign language teacher Melissa Urban, commented, “The military is a good career, but you really have to prepare yourself mentally and physically for it.”

  “There are a lot of advantages to being in the military like seeing and doing things other people would only read about in books,” Urban continued. “ It is a decision you have to make in your heart.  Your heart is going to be the key to your success.”

Picture one, kneeling, from left:  Mia Arcadipane, Ella Kieva, Kaelyn Chearney, Kamila Rivera, and Bella Kolp.  Standing, from left:  Shane Grodack, Western Wayne history teacher, USMC retired; Cameron Press, Madison Trapanese, Sydney Sosa, Olivia McGlone, Leah Reeger, Audrey McHugh, Makenzie Chearney, Meghan Rath, Alicia Wertman, Emma Spewak, and Casey Newcomer, Western Wayne Middle School principal, Army National Guard.  All students pictured as members of Western Wayne’s Student Ambassador Program who help to serve the community at events such as the Veterans Day Assembly.

Picture two, from left:  Shane Grodack, USMC retired; Gary Sereno, sergeant Army; Robert Smerdon, United States Air Force; Josh Harrison, United States Army; the late George Schaffer, Air Force; Clay Cole, United States Air Force; John Gaudenzi, Sergeant First Class Army;  Michael Urban, Army CSM retired; Casey Newcomer, Army National Guard; and Kent Swartz, United States Air Force.  

Picture Three:  Scott Kurent, senior, reads the part of Abraham Lincoln.

Picture Four:  Senior Antonio Fisichella plays “Taps” to close out the assembly with junior Jason Vass, not pictured.

Public Welcome to Attend Spanish Dance Performance on Thursday, Nov. 20

Learning rhythms, beats, steps, and choreography isn’t just work for the Rockettes and Broadway stars, Western Wayne High School foreign language students have a yearly tradition of learning Spanish dancing as a part of their curriculum each fall.  

Local dance instructor and studio owner Vince Brust works with the Western Wayne students to teach a variety of traditional Spanish dances such as tango, merengue, mambo, and salsa among others. Brust does this as a part of the Artist in Residence Program through NEIU-19.

The students have a few weeks of sessions with Mr.  Brust in the fall leading up to a performance for the community this Thursday, November 20, at 7 p.m. in the Western Wayne High School Veterans Memorial Auditorium. Admission is FREE for everyone.

The high school students were thrilled to learn how to dance and get to meet and work more closely with their fellow classmates in the process.

“I am so excited that our students can continue this tradition of sharing their experience of learning Spanish dancing with the community,” Elizabeth Sandrowicz, Western Wayne Spanish teacher said.

There will be about 30 students participating in the Spanish Dance Performance for the local community at 7 p.m. on Thursday, November 20, in the High School Veterans Memorial Auditorium. Again, admission is FREE for all.

The students and staff involved hope to see you there for what will be about an hour of performance fun.

Western Wayne cares about our students!!

The Western Wayne Education Association and Western Wayne Administration will be providing a bag filled with supplemental meals & snacks for the winter break.

If your family would benefit from these supplemental meals, please sign up via the QR code below.

Deadline for submission is December 3, 2025.

Distribution will take place at the Western Wayne Middle School main office entrance on Monday, December 22nd from 3:30pm-6:30pm.

If you have any questions, please feel free to email Helene Tscheschlog at tscheschlog@westernwayne.org

Creative Writers Compete with “Strange” Sagas

As an annual Creative Writing 1 tradition at Western Wayne High School in Mrs. Amanda Jenkins’s class, student writers in the elective course competed to give Mrs. Jessica Fullwood’s readers in Multicultural Literature a “strange” thrill by composing a 100-word saga. 

This year’s winners were all members of the freshman class! Honorable mention went to Ayden Warner’s “The School” and Tori Dougherty’s  “Piercing Eyes.” 

Audrey Fitzmorris took the first place “boo-bucket” prize for her eerie saga “Lucky Blood.”

Writers in the course have opted to submit their sagas to a national level competition via the 2025 Young Writers “Stranger Saga” contest with a chance to be accepted for publication.

Winners (pictured left to right): Tori Dougherty, Audrey Fitzmorris, and Ayden Warner.