wmchc.net – We help enroll uninsured children in CHIP, Medicaid & WMCHC’s Sliding Fee Scale!
Contact WMCHC’s Outreach and Enrollment office at 570-251-6569 or 570-251-6554 to discuss options for your child’s healthcare coverage. Convenient appointments between 7 am and 6 pm at 630 Park Street, Honesdale, PA.
Row 1 L to R: Julie Bryan, Rhayni Carroll, Marshall Davis, and Taylor Maiocco. Row 2: Laynee Nugent, Jared Goldman, Alex Chapman, Khloe Mistishin, and Mackenzie Adams.
Officers and members of Western Wayne FBLA recently attended the Region 22 FBLA Regional Leadership Workshop at Woodloch Resort. Members of Region 22 FBLA began the day ice skating and playing ice hockey at the rink at Woodloch. After ice skating, members attended the opening session of the workshop. Employees from Woodloch Resorts spoke about the history of Woodloch and careers in the hospitality industry. The Region 22 FBLA officer team then conducted the business session of the workshop. Jared Goldman, Region 22 FBLA Secretary, read the minutes from the previous meeting, took roll of all chapters in attendance and took minutes of the meeting. At the end of the business session a gift card raffle was held with all of the proceeds going to Make-A-Wish, this year’s state project.
The Western Wayne Drama Club will host a Cabaret Night at 7 p.m. Saturday, January 7, in the high school auditorium in celebration of Western Wayne’s 50th Anniversary. Admission is free! Light refreshments will be available for purchase along with basket raffles. The community is invited to attend. We are still accepting alumni registration to perform in the event. If you are interested in participating, please use the following link to register. https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1mHgN-uSGv3zLyWFpRJNhOz93Ww8tcwGflmxKA_dXSik/edit
Any questions, please email Mrs. Jessica McLaughlin at jmclau@wwsd.io
From left: Keystone Mission client, Karina Booths, Ryleigh Mahon, McKenzie Laity, Alyson Buchinski, Alexandra Rodriguez, Rylee Reynolds, and Keystone Mission client.
Members of the Western Wayne CATS Club volunteered at the Keystone Mission in Scranton on December 2 by serving lunch and providing a bagged supper for the homeless shelter. They also volunteered their time by helping sort clothing and helping in any other needed way.
It has been reported to Western Wayne that several members of the public have received phone calls from a caller identifying themselves as Cheryl from the Western Wayne High School and have asked for money. Please know that these fraudulent communications are the unauthorized actions of third parties not associated with the Western Wayne School District. Awareness and recognition of a phishing attempt is vital to protecting yourself against theft and other related crimes. Please remain cautious this holiday season as these attempts may escalate or change in message.
Western Wayne’s CATS Club on, Wednesday, November 30, 2022, presented Anna Semler from Victims Intervention in Honesdale, PA, – 25 snap bags filled with supplies for women in domestic violence situations or sexual assault. The bags were donated by Amy Dunn of Mountain Quiltworks, Honesdale. Pictured from left are: McKenzie Laity, Anna Semler – VIP; Ava Daniels, and Analise DeLeon-Bello.
Join Western Wayne as they receive a special group offer to our game against the Wolfpack, affiliate of the NHL’s New York Rangers! Each ticket sold generates $4 back to Western Wayne as a fundraiser!
PENGUINS VS. HARTFORD WOLF PACK SATURDAY, JANUARY 7th, 2023 – 6:05 PM
Join Western Wayne as they receive a special group offer to our game against the Wolfpack, affiliate of the NHL’s New York Rangers! Each ticket sold generates $4 back to Western Wayne as a fundraiser!
Pricing: Red Zone Lower Level – $24
$4 add on for a hot dog, chips & soda voucher available!
Please return orders to: WBS Penguins | ATTN: David Casey | 40 Coal Street | Wilkes-Barre, PA 18702 or Call 570-208-5419 to order over phone, or e-mail scanned flier to dcasey@wbspenguins.com
Questions about tickets, seating or the arena? E-mail Dave Casey at dcasey@wbspenguins.com or call 570-208-5419
Pictured are the winners of the Turkey Trot held at Western Wayne Middle School on November 22. From left 8th Grade: Eric McGrath, Makenzie Chearney; 7th Grade: Ben McCleland, Sadie Booths; and 6th Grade: Andraye Agnello, Maci Lazorchak.
The Western Wayne Drama Club will host a Cabaret Night the evening of Saturday, January 7, in the high school auditorium in celebration of Western Wayne’s 50th Anniversary. Any alumni who participated in musicals at Western Wayne is invited to participate in the event. You can sing a song from one of your favorite shows or help our stage crew. The community is invited to the event as well! If you are interested in participating, please use the following link to register for the event. We would like to have registration complete to help us further plan by DECEMBER 16. Any questions, please email Mrs. Jessica McLaughlin at jmclau@wwsd.io We look forward to seeing you back up on stage in 2023!
ALL NEWS
Students Present Aquaponics Challenge Project at Regional BanquetMay 7, 2026On May 5, 2026, students from Western Wayne High School proudly presented their student-led environmental education project at the Community Connections to Our Watershed banquet, held at Montage Mountain. Their project, an Aquaponics Challenge System, was designed, researched, and implemented entirely by the student team.Aquaponics is a sustainable food production system that combines aquaculture (raising fish) with hydroponics (growing plants without soil). In this balanced system, fish waste provides essential nutrients for plant growth, while the plants naturally filter and clean the water for the fish. The Western Wayne team developed their system to demonstrate how this closed-loop approach can support both food production and water quality.As part of their project, the students raised trout from eggs to approximately three to four months old before preparing them for release into a local stream. A major focus of their work involved addressing water quality challenges, particularly nitrate buildup from fish waste. Through research and problem-solving, the team explored ways to improve natural filtration within their system, including redesigning components and upgrading equipment such as water pumps to maintain optimal conditions.The project also emphasized key components of the Aquaponics Challenge, including system design, environmental monitoring, and community outreach. Students utilized technology such as climate control tools and irrigation systems while also connecting with local organizations and professionals for support. In addition, they worked to share their knowledge beyond the classroom by engaging others in understanding sustainable practices and watershed stewardship.This presentation was the culmination of months of work as part of the Community Connections to Our Watershed program, a regional environmental initiative that has been in place for over 20 years. Each year, teams of five students and one teacher from schools across Lackawanna and Luzerne Counties participate in the program. Coordinated by the education teams at Lackawanna and Nescopeck State Parks, the program immerses students in watershed science through field experiences and collaboration with environmental professionals.Throughout the year, the Western Wayne students participated in field trips to Keystone College, Lackawanna State Park, the Old Forge borehole, the Anthracite Heritage Museum, Lacawac Sanctuary, Pennsylvania American Water treatment facilities, and the Lackawanna River Heritage Trail. These experiences deepened their understanding of how human activities impact local watersheds and helped inform their aquaponics system design, particularly in understanding the relationships between aquatic organisms, plants, and water quality.This year’s Community Connections to Our Watershed program included schools from across the region: Carbondale, Forest City, Lakeland, Mountain View, Old Forge, Riverside, Western Wayne, and Wayne Highlands in Lackawanna County; and Crestwood, Hanover Area, HAAS, HACC, Hazleton Area, Northwest, Tunkhannock, and Wyoming Area in Luzerne County.The program is made possible through the support of Pennsylvania American Water Company, the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR), and the DCNRWatershed Education Program.Picture one, from left: Mark Nebzydoski Ph.D., advisor; Rhys Locklin, Noah Benson, Aidyn Graci, Aliyah Gregory, and Giana Graci.Picture two, the group from Western Wayne making their presentation, from left: Aliyah Gregory, Giana Graci, Rhys Locklin, Noah Benson, and Aidyn Graci. [...]
Science meets nature: Students release trout at Varden Conservation AreaMay 6, 2026Students in Wayne County are getting an up-close look at nature with an opportunity to study what’s right in their backyard.
https://www.wnep.com/video/news/local/wayne-county/science-meets-nature-students-release-trout-at-varden-conservation-area/523-3cf2ef49-624d-4f00-95cd-f2573064bf60 [...]
Western Wayne Hosts Prom with Support of Local BusinessesMay 6, 2026Western Wayne hosted their annual prom with “A Starry Night” theme at a new venue this year New Leaf Farm in Waymart on Saturday, May 2. The event focussed around local community businesses who hosted food trucks for the event including: Lupo Russo, 2 Ways One Passions, and Pop-Pop’s Grill and Catering. The students also enjoyed gourmet cupcakes from Ms. Michele Dugan along with cotton candy donated by Mrs. Paula Lamberton
There were 225 students and guests in attendance. Event sponsors included: Ariel View Inn (AVI), Leeward, Waymart Hotel, Iron Hill at 1940,and Meadowbrook Stables, and For the Birds, who provided flowers.
The students in attendance enjoyed this new experience. Senior Maggie Kotchessa thought this unique prom experience was a great idea.
“I really loved all of the food choices,” Maggie, who decided on a pulled pork sandwich from Pop-Pop’s, said.
Her classmate Norman Phillips’ grandfather owns Pop-Pop’s, and he was excited his family business could be a part of the event.
“It was really neat having my grandfather there doing what he loves,” Norman said. “He usually travels around to do a number of different gigs, and it was really neat having him at our prom.”
In addition to the variety of food items at the event, the students also were treated to a mocktail bar. Junior Madelyn McClure wrote a grant through the Wayne County Community Youth Advisory Committee and the district used the money to fund the mocktails for prom.
Also, the community donated a variety of gift cards for the students as prizes. Each student in attendance got a raffle ticket for a chance to win.
The 2026 Prom Court included: Vinny Baldini, King; Audrey Agnello, Queen; and
Mia Gifford, Hannah DeStefano, Olivia Haines, and Sofia Ochlan served as attendants.
The students enjoyed this unique prom experience and thank the district for their continued support of student events.
Picture one: Mr. Paul Gregorski, high school principal; Vinny Baldini, King; and Audrey Agnello, Queen.
Picture two:: Olivia Haines, Hannah DeStefano, Vinny Baldini, Audrey Agnello, Mia Gifford, and Sophia Ochlan. [...]
Scholarships & Career Opportunities – May EditionMay 4, 2026The May edition of Scholarships & Career Opportunities is now available. All grades should read this document to get information on college, careers, important dates, SAT/ACT exams and of course…scholarships!
Click here: https://ww3.westernwayne.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Scholarships-and-Career-Opportunities-May-2026.pdf [...]
Western Wayne Annual Art Exhibit & Spring Concerts on May 9May 4, 2026Western Wayne’s annual art exhibit and spring concerts will take place on Saturday, May 9.
The art exhibit will run in the high school gymnasium from 2 to 5 p.m. It will mainly feature high school artwork with special displays by our seniors. In addition, a select sample of middle and elementary student artwork will be on display.
The concert schedule is as follows: the sixth-grade concert will begin at 11 a.m.; the seventh- grade concert will begin at 1 p.m., the eighth- grade concert will begin at 3 p.m.; and the high school concert will begin at 5 p.m. with all concerts in the Veterans Memorial Auditorium at the high school.
There will be concessions for sale in the high school cafeteria throughout the day. All events are free of charge. Please join us in the celebrating the arts in our school. [...]
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.