This program brings the opportunity for college education closer to home without the long drive and time to campus. Both high school and adult students will have interactive, two-way access to Johnson College faculty and will participate in remote education, discussions, testing, and skill demonstrations. The program will create a direct route to career technology education (CTE), a college degree, and ultimately a fulfilling career with family-sustaining wages for students in rural Northeastern Pennsylvania. See the attached flyer for details.
The Western Wayne High School CATS club recently raised money for Ukraine children. The group sold t-shirts with the saying “Children Helping the Children of Ukraine”. With the help of the whole district, the club was able to raise $400. The CATS Club is sending a check to Unicef and the money will be targeted for the children in Ukraine. Pictured are Western Wayne High School CATS Club members from left Zoey Goldman, president of CATS Club; Madison Kammer, secretary of CATS Club; and Kaitlyn McDermott, vice president of CATS club.
The Western Wayne School District applied for and was granted a $250,000 RACP State grant in 2009 to do construction at the High School/Middle School site. Then Governor Rendell, approved the funding and ear marked the monies for Western Wayne School District, through the Wayne County Redevelopment Authority, to complete the project. The project was completed and documents were submitted to have the State Funding released. The funding did not arrive, modifications were made, yet the funding never came through.
Fast forward to 2016, Mike Peifer, PA House State Representative of the 139th district, called Superintendent Joseph Adams to let him know that the RACP $250,000 Grant was still on the books at the Department of Community and Economic Development (DCED) to be funded, but the window to submit was closing in 2019. Mr. Adams retired, but agreed to continue, with the help of Western Wayne Superintendent Matt Barrett, Western Wayne Business Manager Rose Emmett, the Wayne County Redevelopment Authority Director Robbin Morgan and DCED, to pursue this approved grant to provide $250,000 of State money for capital projects and savings to the Western Wayne local taxpayers.
Since 2017, this team of professionals submitted and re-submitted plans, drawings and documents and worked with the consultants from the State DCED office, until the Fall of 2021. Finally, after 13 years, Western Wayne’s grant was funded and received in January 2022.
Superintendent Matt Barrett said, “It paid off to keep grinding for this pre-approved grant funded project and I would like to thank Mike Peifer, Joe Adams, Rose Emmett, Robbin Morgan and Paul Macknosky of DCED for working so diligently for the past five years in delivering this $250,000 RACP Grant. It is a $250,000 savings to our Western Wayne taxpayers and reimburses the District for capital projects completed.”
Western Wayne Middle School Students enjoyed a treat of activities with their classmates including listening to songs from the high school band and middle school chorus and a treat from the ice cream truck among other activities on April 14 as a part of the school PBIS initiative. The PBIS initiative involves successfully creating a proactive positive school environment in which students are demonstrating their Wildcat PRIDE daily.
PBIS is an ongoing effort of the Western Wayne School District to guide students in behaving and interacting with others in such a way as to promote an effective learning community.
Pictures are members of the Pride of Western Wayne, the High School Marching Band, under the direction of Mrs. Elaine Ort, as they perform for the middle school in the gym.
R.D. Wilson’s Kindness Club started a neat project and introduced some new members this week. Our winter group did some research and chose to do a “Kindness Tree” to display in our cafeteria. When students or staff are observed doing exceptional acts of kindness, their name gets put on a leaf or flower which is then hung up on the tree. Our hope is that the tree is in full bloom by the end of the year!
Mrs. Germani also inducted four students to serve as new Kindness Club members for the remainder of the year: Keira Sic, Robert Bronson, Kenzie Gregory, and Evan Davitt. We are excited to see all of the ways that these students can promote kindness in our school!
The Western Wayne Middle School Select Chorus (grades 6, 7, 8) under the director of Joyce Covaleski will perform at the Penn State Scranton Spring Concert at 4 p.m. on Saturday, April 23, at The Theater at North. The public is welcome to attend.
The Western Wayne Drama Club will present “Little Shop of Horrors” this weekend on Friday, April 1, and Saturday, April 2, 7 p.m.; Sunday, April 3, 2 p.m. at the Western Wayne High School Veterans Memorial Auditorium, 1970A Easton Turnpike, Lake Ariel. Tickets available at the door. Tickets cost $5 for adults and $3 for students and seniors. Western Wayne students get in free with a student ID. The public is welcome!
ALL NEWS
Junior Information Night – May 13th – 6:00 PMApril 30, 2026On Wednesday, May 13th, 2026, at 6:00 p.m. the Guidance Department will be conducting JuniorInformation Night in the LGI. The purpose of this evening is to inform parents/guardians about:selecting a college/trade school/training program, college cost, the college admissions process,registration and deadlines for the SAT/ACT, general financial aid information, Maia, SmartFutures,military and job opportunities and other important information.
https://ww3.westernwayne.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/Junior-Information-Night-letter-to-parents-2026-1.pdf [...]
Student Council Attend Pennsylvania Association of Student Council Regional ConferenceApril 23, 2026Members of Western Wayne High School Student Council attended the Pennsylvania Association of Student Council Region H’s Annual Conference on Friday, April 17, hosted by Wyoming Valley West. There were hundreds of middle and high school students from area schools in the region in attendance.
Mr. Mason Wooldridge gave a presentation. Wooldridge encouraged students to remember that “things don’t happen to you; they happen for you” and encouraged them to take on challenges in life and know that everything is an opportunity for learning and growth.
In addition, Pennsylvania State Representative Mr. Alec Ryncavage, who represents the 119th Legislative District in the Pennsylvania House of Representatives, serving parts of Luzerne County, also gave a presentation. He was a WVW graduate who spoke about feeling called to public service at a young age and the responsibility he holds for representing 65k residents and encouraged students to follow their calling.
Another part of the experience involved students attending three different workshops of their choice. The workshops all focused on student leadership, teamwork, mental health, fundraising, and making connections with a fun twist. For example, they were able to make slime, friendship bracelets, and participate in breakout rooms.
Finally, there was a College/Vendor Fair that had 44 tables at the event.
Front row, from left: Evan Davitt, Ava Fiorella, Layla Persaud, Leah Reeger, Raelyn Simpson, and Meghan Rath. Back row, from left: Haley McGuire, Lillian Gilchrist, Olivia McGlone, Jailah McRae, Mackenzie Wehrmann, and Alexis Gill. [...]
High School March Students of the MonthApril 23, 2026The following students were recognized by the Student Council as students of the month for March. 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, is our selected freshman Xavier James. He’s a hard worker who actively participates in class and is extremely polite and respectful. He always strives to push himself to be his best. He is described as respectful, polite, hardworking, and all-around great young man, strong athlete with a commitment to his academics, kind, gets along well with both classmates and teachers, and diligent. It is also noted that he works hard to stay on top of his sports and classes.
Next, Leah Reeger is our chosen sophomore this month. She always participates during class, does her own work, and wants to learn. She is described as polite, hardworking, dependable, a stand-out amongst her peers, helps others, kind, a role model, and has integrity. In addition, it is noted that she is creative, insightful, dedicated, mature, hard-working, and courteous.
In addition, Makenzie Chearney is this month’s featured junior. She is noted as hard-working, completes all assignments on time, helps her peers, intelligent, friendly, determined and caring.
Finally, Katarina Shumski is our senior spotlight this month. Katarina’s teachers say she quietly goes about her business and is impeccable with her organization, school work, and time management. In addition, they note she is hard-working, dependable, considerate, reliable, and dependable because she is always on task.
The Western Wayne School District congratulates these March students of the month and wishes them the best in their future endeavors.
From left: Katarina Shumski, Leah Reeger, Makenzie Chearney, and Xavier James. [...]
FBLA Students Shine at PA State Leadership Conference in HersheyApril 23, 2026HERSHEY, PA — Students from Western Wayne High School’s Future Business Leaders of America (FBLA) chapter demonstrated outstanding achievement, leadership, and professionalism at the Pennsylvania FBLA State Leadership Conference held this week in Hershey.
Throughout the multi-day conference, students participated in a wide range of enriching experiences designed to build career readiness and leadership skills. Attendees engaged in competitive events, attended dynamic leadership workshops, explored career pathways at the expo, and collaborated with peers from across the state. These sessions provided students with opportunities to strengthen their communication, critical thinking, and problem-solving skills, hallmarks of FBLA’s mission to prepare students for success in business and beyond.
Western Wayne proudly celebrates Grady Farley, who earned an impressive 4th-place finish in the event of Agribusiness, qualifying him for the FBLA National Leadership Conference in San Antonio, Texas, in June. This exceptional accomplishment reflects his dedication and expertise.
The chapter also congratulates Kaelyn Chearney for her 10th-place finish in Introduction to FBLA, showcasing her strong foundational knowledge and competitive spirit.
In the Business Ethics event, the team of Khloe Mistishin, Maggie Kotchessa, and Grace Moser advanced to the final round, demonstrating excellence in ethical reasoning, teamwork, and presentation skills at a highly competitive level.
Western Wayne FBLA members competed across a wide range of events, including:
Abigail Bell – Member at Large/Voting Delegate
Eli Bilski – Human Resource Management
Paul Borowski – Banking and Financial Systems
Julia Burry – Introduction to Parliamentary Procedure
Robert Carrelle – Banking and Financial Systems
Kaelyn Chearney – Introduction to FBLA
Makenzie Chearney – Journalism
Roxanne Dugan – Healthcare Administration
Paityn Duprey – Business Communication
Grady Farley – Agribusiness
Madison Forgione – Future Business Educator
Raegan Fox – Member at Large/Voting Delegate
Lillian Gilchrist – Introduction to Supply Chain Management
Charlianne Hachikian – Business Law
Justin Jimenez – Real Estate
Madison Kizer – Advertising
Kaitlyn Kloss – Introduction to FBLA
Maggie Kotchessa – Business Ethics
Raeleigh Kromko- Computer Applications
Kelsey Lokuta – Introduction to Parliamentary Procedure
Aiden Matthews – Banking and Financial Systems
Kyle Matthews – Introduction to Information Technology
Madelyn McClure – Organizational Leadership
Khloe Mistishin – Business Ethics
Grace Moser – Business Ethics
Madison Trapanese – Hospitality and Event Management
Graysen Valinski – Networking Infrastructure
Avery Vinton – Introduction to Parliamentary Procedure
Bryn Vinton – Business Communication
Madelyn Vinton – Computer Applications
Annie Williams – Job Interview
In addition to competitive success, several students were recognized for their leadership contributions at the regional level. Madelyn McClure was honored for her service as the 2025–2026 Region 22 Treasurer and was officially welcomed into her new role as the 2026–2027 Region 22 President, a testament to her leadership and commitment to FBLA.
The chapter also recognizes Raegan Fox and Abigail Bell, who served as Members-at-Large and voting delegates, representing Western Wayne in important conference decisions and leadership proceedings.
The State Leadership Conference is an incredible opportunity for our students to grow as leaders, connect with peers, and apply their skills in real-world scenarios. As their adviser, I am extremely proud of their hard work, accomplishments, and the way they represented Western Wayne. Students were also accompanied by Mrs. Megan Rush and Mr. Tim McClure, who are themselves WW FBLA Alumni.
The Western Wayne FBLA chapter looks forward to continuing its tradition of excellence and wishes Grady Farley the best of luck as he prepares to compete on the national stage this summer.
Picture one, front row, from left: Lillian Gilchrist, Madison Kizer, Kaelyn Chearney, Madison Trapanese, Khloe Mistishin, Grace Moser, and Maggie Kotchessa. Second row, from left: Madison Forgione, Madelyn McClure, Makenzie Chearney, Bryn Vinton, Annie Williams, Paityn Duprey, Madelyn Vinton, Julia Burry, Kaitlyn Kloss, and Avery Vinton. Third row, from left: Raegan Fox, Grady Farley, Abigail Bell, Eli Bilski, Kyle Matthews, Paul Borowski, Graysen Valinski, Robbie Carrelle, and Aiden Matthews.
Picture two, from left: Kaelyn Chearney, 10th-place finish in Introduction to FBLA; and Grady Farley, 4th-place finish in the event of Agribusiness. [...]
JA Inspire – Career Exploration Experience – 2026April 15, 2026JA Inspire – Career Exploration Experience – 2026 Western Wayne Juniors were able to attend Junior Achievement’s interactive career fair with over 80 different presenting organizations! [...]
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.
