Mrs. Ort and the Pride of Western Wayne, the Wildcat Marching Band will appear on WBRE television tomorrow, Wednesday, Nov. 15. The group will have a live spot at 5 a.m., 5:30 a.m., 6 a.m., and 6:30 a.m. that will be broadcast from our high school. The station will interview Mrs. Ort about her upcoming performance with the Saluting America’s Band Directors project in this year’s Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade. Both Mrs. Ort and the band will be featured in this broadcast. Be sure to tune in to watch them shine TOMORROW, WED. NOV. 15, starting at 5 a.m.
Kindergarten through fifth grade students attended a bullying prevention assembly on Thursday, November 9th. Students were presented with tips to be helpful in the event they are being bullied or if they are a by stander to a bullying situation. Students were deterred of being a bully throughout the presentation by having kindness and teamwork being the central theme. All students were instructed to do the RIGHT thing in all situations. The topic was presented through music and a laser light show that allowed students to interact with the presenter while learning. The EverGreen Elementary PTA and administration coordinated the event for EverGreen Elementary students.
Winners pictured (left to right): Olivia Ford (junior), Melinda Kopcza (senior), and Laylah Epstein (sophomore).
In the month of October, students in the inaugural Creative Writing elective at Western Wayne High School were challenged with the task of composing a 100-word or less mini saga with the purpose of evoking suspense and intrigue. While students had the option to submit their sagas to a national level competition via the Young Writers 2023 “SOS Saga: Hunted” contest, their pieces were entered in to the class contest evaluated by a variety staff and students.
Runners up were Olivia Ford’s “Inner Demons” and Laylah Epstein’s “The Wake.”
The first place “boo-basket” prize was awarded to Melinda Kopcza for her thrilling saga, “Mama’s Boy.”
Western Wayne sophomores Cassidy Levens and Laylah Epstein have been chosen to represent Western Wayne at the 2024 Central Pennsylvania HOBY Leadership Seminar this June 2024.
Cassidy is an accomplished Western Wayne honor roll sophomore student who enjoys being a part of a variety of clubs at school including: football cheerleading, basketball cheerleading, political science club, softball, and drama club.
In Cassidy’s leadership essay for HOBY, she explained what leadership meant to her by discussing strong leadership role models she has worked with.
“I think that a good leader influences people around them in a positive way,” Cassidy said. “Leaders I have worked with have not tried to boss me around, instead they have made me want to become a leader as well. These leaders have truly cared about me and other members of my teams and have inspired me.”
After high school, Cassidy aspires to study political science in college and go on to pursue a career as a lawyer and/ or a legislator.
Cassidy’s classmate Laylah Epstein, a sophomore honor roll student, also is a Hoby winner for Western Wayne and shares a similar view on leadership as Cassidy.
“I think a good leader leads by example,” Laylah explained. “Good leaders I have worked with want to see others succeed.”
Laylah is a member of both football and basketball cheerleading.
After high school, Laylah plans to major in nursing and become an ER nurse.
Both girls look forward to attending the conference in the spring and meeting other student leaders from various districts.
“I hope to learn about their different outlooks on life and leadership at the conference,” Cassidy explained.
Elaine Ort, band director for Western Wayne High School, will join band directors from across the country to march in the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade on Thursday, November 23.
The Saluting America’s Band Directors™ project has assembled over 400 band directors confirmed to march in the Band Directors Marching Band’s Macy’s appearance. This group was first seen performing together in the Rose Parade in January of 2022. This time the organization has planned an exciting five-day New York City experience for the Band Directors Marching Band culminating with a performance in the world-famous Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade®. The trip will run from Sunday, November 19, through Thursday, November 23. The Band Directors will have a variety of experiences in New York City leading up to the parade. They will be a part of the first division of the parade and are set to perform at the famous Macy’s star on the live NBC television broadcast at about 8:30 a.m. on parade day.
“I am so incredibly excited for this experience, and so grateful to have had such wonderful colleagues and friends who have helped prepare me for this adventure,” Ort said. “ I hope that I will make all of you proud in New York City. Go Wildcats, and Go Band!”
Elaine Ort has devoted much of her life to the study and performance of music. A native of New England and graduate of Marywood University, Elaine is a member of the Scranton Brass Orchestra, the Providence Brass, the Schützengiggles Oompah Band, the Marywood University Wind Symphony, and performs often in musical pit orchestras throughout the region. As an educator, Elaine serves as the director of instrumental activities in the Western Wayne School District since 2014. At Western Wayne, her teaching responsibilities include sixth grade brass instruction, eighth grade band instruction, and the Pride of Western Wayne, the Wildcat High School Band. Under her direction and guidance the school continues to invest heavily in its music program, and was recently named a KHS America Academic Alliance Platinum school for its investment in instrumental education. It is the only school in Pennsylvania, and one of only 39 in the United States to have received that honor.
Complete details on the project are available on the Saluting America’s Band Directors website,https://banddirectorsalute.org/2023-macys-parade%C2%AE
Instructor Vince Brust demonstrates some dance steps for the class with freshman Peyton DeRosa.Instructor Vince Brust dances with freshman Jennifer Stump during a circle dance.
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 9, 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. Freshman Jennifer Stump said she had never danced before this fall, but that once she got started with the classes she really enjoyed them and realized how dance is directly connected to her color guard performances. Jennifer has been on color guard for two years being inspired to join by her aunt who was a part of a team in her youth. “Once we started counting out the steps in the Spanish dance lessons, I realized that this is just like color guard,” Jennifer said. “I am always counting to be in time for my guard performances and the same skill helps me stay on time for all of the dances we are learning in class.” Fellow freshman Kendall Murray said she is happy to expand her growing knowledge of dance through the classes offered through the school and taught by local professional dancer Mr. Brust. “I really have been enjoying learning Spanish dance from an experienced teacher,” Kendall said. “I got to do a lot of different dance styles in our school’s musical last year and really think that my experience with Spanish dance is helping me to learn more styles and gain knowledge about a different culture at the same time.” There will be about 30 students participating in the Spanish Dance Performance for the local community at 7 p.m. on Thursday, November 3, 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.
From left: Ryleigh Mahon and Madelyn McClure explore Tunkhannock Creek as a part of their experience with the Watershed Program earlier this month.Madelyn McClure studying a frog at Tunkhannock Creek.Ryleigh Mahon studying a frog at Tunkhannock Creek.
Students from a variety of local schools have the opportunity to participate in an educational forum in which they can learn about the environment and collaborate with each other throughout the 2023-24 school year. Students from Western Wayne, Carbondale Area, Forest City, Lackawanna Trail, Lakeland, Mountain View, Old Forge, Riverside, and Wayne Highlands have already started their journey in this exciting, educational experience. Each school will have a team of five students and a teacher-advisor. The forum will engage students through place-based educational field experiences and hands-on investigations. Earlier this month the students involved in the Watershed Program explored the Tunkhannock Creek Watershed as a part of their adventures in environmental studies. The five Western Wayne students who participated in this and will continue to learn from it throughout the school year include: Audrey Agnello, sophomore; Abigail Bell, freshman; Ryleigh Mahon, senior; Madelyn McClure; freshman; and Sofia Ochlan, freshman. The girls enjoyed their opening experience with the program. Abigail explained how the students had the opportunity to learn about mushroom fungi, caught fish and identified them, and also learned about trees in the surrounding area during their trip to Tunkhannock Creek. “I thought it was really interesting how we learned how to put a frog to sleep by rubbing its belly,” Abigail, who is an honor roll student, said when discussing the students’ experiences in the creek learning about the different amphibians that make it their home. The students’ teacher who is moderating their participation in the program Dr. Mark Nebzydoski explained how the students will use the knowledge they gain from their excursions with the Watershed Program to develop a presentation about environmental issues on their school campus or in their community and this project will then help them serve as stewards of natural resources. “The students have already started to work on developing notes from their experiences with the program to guide them towards their culmination project,” he explained. Nebzydoski explained how Western Wayne had participated in this program in the distant past and are now very eager this year to be able to have this experience again with a new generation of students. The students will continue their learning experiences in November, January, March, April, and May, with their culminating project presentations scheduled for the end of May. The projects are called MWEE stewardship projects and they address the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) and PA Science and Environmental Standards. “I’m looking forward to more unique experiences in the outdoors to help my understanding of science and the environment,” Abigail Bell, freshman Western Wayne program participant, said.
Please be advised that the kickoff time for the varsity football game between Lakeland and Western Wayne scheduled for this Friday, October 20, 2023, has been changed to 4 PM. The reason for this change is a Lackawanna Interscholastic Athletic Association (LIAA) league-wide shortage of PIAA football officials. The shortage of officials forced the LIAA to change kickoff times and/or dates to ensure that all games scheduled would be fully staffed with officials. We understand the logistical difficulty for parents and community members resulting from this change, but we ask for your patience and understanding.
The Western Wayne High School Spanish Club will sell handmade bracelets and bags as a part of the Pulsera Project, a non-profit organization that benefits artisans in Guatemala and Nicaragua. Each bracelet, or pulsera, comes tagged with the name of the artist who created it. Students enjoyed participating in the sale last year in both the middle and high school. This year, the club had the opportunity to interview Chris Howell, the co-founder of the Pulsera Project, and hear more about how these sales improve the lives of those artisans. The Pulsera Project will take place in the high school from Monday, October 23, to Friday, November 3. Items will also be on sale during the club’s annual Dance Showcase, which is open to the public, on Thursday, November 2 at 7pm in the high school auditorium. Pictured are the beautiful bracelets the club will sell.
K-12 students in all Wayne County schools are invited to bring their artistic talents and enter the Wayne County Drug and Alcohol Prevention “Red Ribbon Week” contest. Wayne County has declared October 23-31 2023 “Red Ribbon Week”, which is a national campaign to raiseawareness and prevent drug use/abuse and violence among youth and adults. We are asking students to design a picture around this year’s theme, “Be Kind to Your Mind. Live Drug Free.”
The student’s submissions will be posted anonymously on social media and voted for by the public. We will have two 1st place winners, one in grades K-5 and one in grades 6-12 whose designs will be placed on a billboard in Wayne County generously donated by Lamar Advertising. The 2nd and 3rd place winners from each age group will receive a prize as well.
Contest submissions will be accepted through November 3rd, voting will take place from November 6-10 and the winner will be announced November 13th 2023. For more information or questions please contact Wayne County Drug and Alcohol Commission at (570) 253-6022.
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! [...]
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.
