Members of the Western Wayne High School Future Business Leaders of America (FBLA) chapter recently attended the Pennsylvania FBLA State Leadership Workshop held at Kalahari Resort in the Poconos. The three-day event brought together hundreds of student leaders from across the state for a weekend of professional development, networking, and leadership training.

Western Wayne FBLA members participated in a variety of interactive sessions focused on communication, teamwork, business ethics, and goal setting. Students also had the opportunity to meet with state officers, attend keynote presentations, and collaborate with peers from other chapters to strengthen their leadership skills.

FBLA adviser Mrs. Christine McClure said, “The workshop is a great experience for students to grow as leaders and prepare for success in future business and career opportunities.” 

The Western Wayne FBLA chapter looks forward to applying what they learned as they prepare for upcoming regional and state competitions later this school year.

Front row, kneeling, from left: Robbie Carrelle, Grace Moser, Khloe Mistishin, Clare Coccodrilli, and Olivia Gries.  Second row, from left: Paul Borowski, Christopher Pane, Vinny Baldini, Kyle Matthews, Graysen Valinski, Aiden Matthews, Madelyn McClure, Maggie Kotchessa, Phoebe Schmitt, Avery Ullner, and Abby Bell.

The Western Wayne High School Marching Band took their show on the road for Halloween festivities on Thursday, Oct. 30.

 First, the students gave a performance to elementary students in the district at the R.D. Wilson School and on the same day, they performed in the community at the Julia Ribaudo Nursing Home. They also included in their day a performance for the Western Wayne Middle School, Western Wayne District Office, and Evergreen Elementary School as well.

The band students were thrilled to be able to perform for these very special audiences.  All of the students and nursing home residents who got to see the performances felt a lot of Halloween spirit.

“I am so grateful to be able to go out and perform in the community,” senior Kayelin Martin, color guard captain said.  “It adds another layer to our performances, and we get to have such fun experiences with new audiences.”

Fellow senior color guard captain student Emma DeNunzio agreed.

“It was so wonderful to be able to go out into the community for our Halloween performances,” Emma said.  “I really enjoy performing for various audiences.”

Pictured is the Western Wayne Marching Band and Color Guard with director Elaine Ort and assistant director Maria Arneil posing after their performance in the Western Wayne District Office.

Western Wayne High School students — Aiden Burry, Cameron Press, Aiden VanOrden, Madelyn McClure, Abigail Bell, Raegan Fox, Alicia Wertman, Audrey Agnello, and Jade Wetherington — recently attended a World Polio Day event held at Geisinger Medical Center, sponsored by the Scranton Rotary Club.

The event brought together community members, students, and medical professionals to raise awareness about the global fight against polio and the importance of vaccination and education in eradicating infectious diseases.

Attendees heard from a variety of guest speakers, including a polio survivor, who shared a powerful firsthand account of living with the lasting effects of the disease. A medical student preparing for a missionary trip discussed the challenges of providing medical care in developing countries, while an individual from a third-world nation offered perspective on how limited access to healthcare affects entire communities. In addition, medical doctors from the Geisinger Commonwealth School of Medicine shared their expertise and experiences teaching future healthcare professionals about global health initiatives.

Following the presentations, Western Wayne students participated in a reflective session where they applied their new knowledge to answer thought-provoking questions, including:
“How does infectious disease impact the life of an individual, their family, and their community?”

Their discussions emphasized not only the physical and emotional toll of disease but also the importance of compassion, prevention, and global cooperation in building healthier communities.

The event served as both an educational opportunity and an inspiring reminder of how young people can contribute to creating a healthier, more informed world.

Left side, front to back:  Audrey Agnello, Alicia Wertman, Jade Wetherington, Raegan Fox, and Madelyn McClure.

Right side, front to back: Abigail Bell, Aiden Burry, Aiden VanOrden, and Cameron Press.

Two teams from Western Wayne High School showcased their creativity and technical skills at the annual Engineering Competition held at Wallenpaupack High School. The event brought together talented students from Western Wayne, Abington Heights, North Pocono, and Wallenpaupack to tackle a real-world engineering challenge centered on renewable energy and water management.

Team One—comprised of Aiden VanOrden, Aiden Matthews, Zachary Wilbur, Ethan Gillott, and Shin-Cheon Moon—and Team Two—consisting of Paul Borowski, Nick Fisichella, Antonio Fisichella, Kyle Matthews, and Logan Pauler—represented Western Wayne with pride and ingenuity.

The competition tasked students with constructing a water-powered device capable of generating enough energy to complete a mechanical task while safely controlling the downstream release of water. Each team’s design was tested by measuring how effectively their device could pull a weight across a testing table, simulating real-world applications of water-generated power.

To ensure safety and environmental responsibility, each device was also required to discharge into an outflow funnel that limited peak water flow—challenging students to balance power generation with safety and efficiency.

In recognition of their creativity and innovation, Western Wayne’s Team One earned the “Million Dollar Idea” Award, presented to the group with the most unique and forward-thinking design.

The event not only tested students’ problem-solving and engineering abilities but also encouraged collaboration, innovation, and practical application of scientific principles. Western Wayne’s success highlights the district’s continued commitment to STEM education and hands-on learning opportunities.

As the students reflected on their experience, they expressed excitement about applying what they learned to future engineering challenges—and perhaps, one day, to careers that help shape a more sustainable world.

From left:  Shin-Cheon Moon, Aiden VanOrden, Ethan Gillott, Aiden Matthews, and Zachary Wilbur.

Congratulations to Kaitlyn Kloss for qualifying for the PIAA Cross Country Championships.  Best of luck as you compete in Hershey on November 1st! 

Western Wayne sophomores Maha Tanveer and Abigail Washine have been chosen to represent Western Wayne at the 2026 Central Pennsylvania HOBY Leadership Seminar this June 2026.

   Maha is an accomplished Western Wayne honor roll student who enjoys being a part of a variety of sports and clubs at school including:  wrestling, softball, Student Council, Spanish Club, Literary Magazine, Student Ambassador Program, and FBLA

In Maha’s leadership essay for HOBY, she explained what leadership means to her by discussing how being a good leader is about showing kindness to others and influencing them to be better people.

“Courage is an important part of being a good leader,” Maha  said.  “It is important for courageous leaders to inspire others to have the courage to know how worthy they are.”

After high school, Maha aspires to study business and architecture in college.  She has a special needs sibling and wants to make sure that the world has more structures that are accessible for all people.

“I want to design homes and even hospitals to be more accessible,” she explained. “I know there are a lot of people in need of buildings that more suit their needs, and I want to use my skills that I will develop in college, possibly majoring in business and design, to make the world easier for them to live in.”

Maha’s classmate Abigail Washine, a sophomore honor roll student, also, is a Hoby winner for Western Wayne and has a strong vision of a good leader as well.

“Leadership plays such a huge role in my life, especially in sports,” Abigail explained.  “I think a good leader teaches others how to be responsible, and that is what I try to teach my teammates.”

Abigail participates in the following sports and activities:  volleyball, indoor and outdoor track, Electric City Volleyball travel team, PJAS, Science Olympiad, Envirothon, CATS Club, Student Council, served as president freshman year; and Student Ambassador Program.

After high school, Abigail aspires to be an orthopedic surgeon.

“The turning point for me wanting to pursue medicine as a career was when I had a knee surgery a few years ago,” she explained.  “I have always, since a young age, liked helping people in need, and once I needed that help during and after my surgery, I felt especially inspired to pursue this career path to care for others as a doctor.”

Both students look forward to attending the conference in the spring and meeting other student leaders from various districts.

The Western Wayne School District wishes them both much success at the conference and in their very bright futures.

From left: Abigail Washine, Maha Tanveer, and Mr. Paul Gregorski, high school principal.

Students from Western Wayne High School are taking part in an exciting regional environmental education initiative — the Community Connections to the Watersheds Forum — alongside peers from eight other local school districts. The program brings together student teams from Western Wayne, Carbondale Area, Forest City Regional, Lackawanna Trail, Lakeland, Mountain View, Old Forge, Riverside, and Wayne Highlands to explore the natural world and learn how human activity impacts local waterways and ecosystems.
Each participating school is represented by a team of five students and a teacher-advisor. Throughout the 2025–2026 school year, these teams will engage in place-based educational field experiences, hands-on investigations, and collaborative discussions centered around local watershed systems. The forum is coordinated by the educational staff from Lackawanna, Nescopeck, and Vosburg Neck State Parks.
The program began in September with a trip to Lackawanna State Park, where students were introduced to the concept of a watershed and the importance of water quality monitoring. Through field and lab activities, students learned to identify aquatic macroinvertebrates, practiced chemical water testing, and explored how geology and terrain define local watersheds.
In October, the forum continued at Keystone College, where students conducted a stream assessment of the South Branch of the Tunkhannock Creek. They expanded their understanding of stream ecosystems by studying tree identification, riparian buffer zones, and the effects of native and invasive insects on forest health.
Over the course of the school year, forum participants will visit additional study sites to meet conservation professionals, explore local land-use practices, and discover current environmental technologies being used to protect and restore natural resources. These experiences are designed to align with Pennsylvania’s STEELS (Science, Technology, Engineering, Environmental Literacy, and Sustainability) Standards and Social Studies standards, encouraging students to think critically about real-world environmental issues.
The yearlong program will culminate with a spring stewardship showcase, where each school team will present an environmental action project focused on improving their school campus or local community.
Western Wayne High School is proud of its student representatives for their enthusiasm, teamwork, and commitment to environmental stewardship. Their participation in the Community Connections to the Watersheds Forum reflects the district’s ongoing dedication to experiential learning and sustainability education.

Picture one, students on the Keystone College Trip, from left: Aidyn Graci, Giana Graci, Rhy Locklin, and Aliyah Greogry.

Picture two, students on the Lackawanna State Park trip, from left: Giana Graci, Aliyah Gregory, Dakota Douglas, Rhys Locklin, and Aidyn Graci.

Western Wayne High School’s ninth-grade students recently participated in the Think! Energy Innovation Program on October 14, a hands-on, interactive experience designed to educate students about energy efficiency, natural resources, and environmental stewardship.

The Think! Energy Innovation Program, presented by the National Energy Foundation (NEF) in partnership with PPL Electric Utilities and the Pennsylvania Department of Education, provides students and teachers with an opportunity to learn practical ways to save energy and protect the environment—both at school and at home. Each participant received an Innovation Kit containing energy-saving devices such as faucet aerators, a water-conserving shower head, a furnace filter whistle, three LED light bulbs, and an advanced smart power strip.

This year, 176 innovation kits were distributed at Western Wayne, continuing a tradition of energy education that has brought a total of 6,286 new LED bulbs to the Western Wayne School District since the program’s launch in 2015. The program also provides opportunities for mini-grants to teachers who participate, further supporting classroom-based energy education.

The Think! Energy Innovation Program emphasizes real-world applications of science and sustainability concepts that align with Pennsylvania’s STEELS standards. Students explore how their everyday actions impact the environment and discover ways to reduce “plug load” and wasted energy through simple behavioral and technological changes.

As a follow-up to the presentation, Western Wayne students will complete classroom activities to reinforce energy-saving concepts and will have the opportunity to enter the Think! Energy Innovation Challenge, a statewide contest that encourages creativity and problem-solving. Students can submit projects in a variety of formats—including artwork, videos, essays, or science projects—highlighting innovative ways to improve energy or water efficiency. Last year, Western Wayne students were among the contest winners.

Programs like Think! Energy empower students to “Think, Talk, and Take Action” about the importance of conserving natural resources and building a more sustainable future.

For more information about the Think! Energy Innovation Program, contact the National Energy Foundation at 1-855-494-2942 or email amy.lamielle@nef1.org.

From left:  Eugene Schultz, PPL presenter;  Dr. Mark Nebzydoski, Western Wayne High School Science Department; and John Castagna, PPL presenter; Brody Park, Western Wayne junior; and Andrew Locker, Western Wayne freshman.

By Dr. Mark Nebzydoski, Western Wayne High School Science Department