By: Jenny Guadagno

In a typical school year, the Western Wayne Marching Band would don their costumes and travel to three different nursing homes to perform several songs and spread Halloween cheer. Steampunk flute players, superhero horn players, and banana-suit trumpet players would march through the hallways of Julia Ribaudo, Ellen Memorial, and Wayne Woodlands. But in the age of COVID-19, this annual trip is not a possibility. 

Instead, the Wildcat Band found a new way to share their music and spooky spirits: Members of the band showed up after school to dress in their costumes and make a video recording some spectacular tunes in October prior to Halloween. Featured were songs from this year’s “Hot and Cold” field show, including the Ice Castles theme and “Hot Hot Hot”, as well as old favorites and Halloween classics like “Thriller” and “When I’m Sixty-Four”. Once the songs were recorded, the clips were compiled and shipped off to local nursing homes as well as to eager teachers, parents, and community members throughout the district. 

While video viewers may not quite experience the magic of a live performance, this medium came with the potential for added flair. Prerecording outside meant players had space to march and show off fun visuals, from doing a dainty step-touch to letting loose and jamming out to their sound.

“It was fun to put together, and I think the video turned out good,” says sophomore Ash Mangieri, a flute player and former Color Guard member who is in their third year with the marching band. “I’m happy we were able to do this for the community.”

The video is accessible by the public and can be found on Youtube under the title “Western Wayne Wildcat Marching Band Halloween 2020.” The band is already anticipating the release of more recordings for future events and looks forward to further exploring alternate performance mediums like this. The conclusion? No matter the circumstances, the band will continue to find ways to do what it does best… perform. 

Any high school student interested in joining Drama Club this year for the first time can email Mrs. McLaughlin at jmclau@wwsd.io for more information.  

We are looking for new members interested in acting, singing, and dancing.  No previous experience is required.

Western Wayne senior Celeste Orchard graduated from the Tomorrow’s Leaders Today 2019-2020 program over the summer. She was one of several local students who had this experience.  Celeste feels grateful for the opportunity she had through Leadership Lackawanna’s Tomorrow’s Leaders Today.

“My experience from Leadership Lackawanna had been memorable. I learned the different aspects of being a leader in numerous career environments such as medical personnel and the police force,” Celeste said. “Through different workshops we had been privileged with attending, I was able to discover the finer details of leadership while demonstrating the philanthropic aspects as a group.”

            Celeste has been highly involved in high school throughout her four years.  Her freshman year, she participated in girl’s JV soccer and art club. Also, she has been a member of the Varsity Track team since she was a freshman. She participates in the throwing events. Celeste qualified for districts her sophomore year as a thrower.  Accompanying her participation in track, she was often in the weight room. 

“My junior [track] season had been cut short due to the pandemic, however it looked like it would have been a good season,” Celeste explained.  “I am optimistic for my upcoming senior season in the Spring.”

 In addition, she participated in Student Council and SAAD for the past three years. She also joined National Honors Society her sophomore year and participated in much volunteering. Then she became a member of Leadership Lackawanna her junior year, and she also became a student ambassador for Western Wayne.

            Along with her many extra-curricular accomplishments, Celeste has many academic achievements in school.  She has been rewarded with Principal’s List countless times through her high school career at the conclusion of marking periods. Her Principal’s List awards include having a class rank in the top two spots. In addition, she won second runner up in the American Chemical Society’s exam for first year high school chemistry. This past year in FBLA, she placed third in the Accounting I event.

            After high school, she plans on pursuing a Doctorate in Medicine degree. She wants to major in Biology in her undergraduate studies. She is interested in neonatology. For her educational career, she intends to stay in Pennsylvania, but upon graduation she would like to travel and perhaps live elsewhere.

            Celeste believes that her many experiences both inside and outside of the classroom at Western Wayne have prepared her for her future.

“Western Wayne has prepared me for these plans by teaching me to be an independent individual. I gained a work ethic that I am proud of,” Celeste explained. “Western Wayne taught me this principle of pride in my work, and I have the academic confidence to do my best on any task.”

            Celeste feels grateful to have made so many great memories at Western Wayne and looks forward to the rest of her senior year.

“My favorite memory from WW was being a part of the girls track team and forming friendships with members of the team. The atmosphere of the track team had friendly competition that helped me to build my character and athletic work ethic,” Celeste said.  “I was able to discover my love and passion for weight training through the track team. I went on to join a CrossFit gym, and I lift every day. I favor my memories from the track team because it helped pave the way to me discovering my passions.”

Despite the pandemic, students in Future Business Leaders of America across the state of Pennsylvania continue to join and participate in this organization in the safest ways they possibly can.

          Western Wayne Senior Lenny Maiocco was appointed FBLA State Parliamentarian at the Virtual FBLA State Leadership Conference held this past May.  Subsequently, the first PA FBLA Executive Committee meeting was held this past August at the Kalahari Resort.  Lenny achieved his position of Parliamentarian by attaining the highest score on the FBLA State Parliamentary Procedure Test.  Lenny explained that the test covered tasks like how to run a meeting effectively by making motions, speaking at certain times, etc. At the PA FBLA Executive Committee meeting, he received his state officer medal.

          Lenny feels excited to be able to work with state level FBLA officers and advisers.  At the meeting in August, the state officer team formed their plans of action for this year.

          “Our main goals right now are recruitment, maintaining membership, fundraising, and community service,” Lenny explained.  “Our top goal is maintaining membership, and we are doing this by having a social media presence, having give-aways, and creating a membership video.”

          No matter the format that Lenny participates in FBLA events, whether in-person or virtual, he most enjoys his interactions with other students.

          “My favorite part of my FBLA experiences is meeting new people, working with new people, and seeing their ideas and what they bring to the table,” Lenny, who aspires to major in business and minor in Spanish in college, said.

          “My experiences in FBLA have taught me more responsibility, how to balance school and sports, and how to prioritize PA FBLA ahead of my needs,” Lenny, who was ranked third in the state for tennis his sophomore year, explained.  “I have learned a lot about time management, collaboration, and being places on time.”

          Lenny believes he will put these skills to use in college and law school in the future.  He is also a member of National Honor Society, the Western Wayne Student Ambassador Program, and served as vice president of Western Wayne’s FBLA last year.  He also hopes to run for student council in his senior year.

          One of Lenny’s main priorities is his commitment to PA FBLA. He encourages students across the state of Pennsylvania to join or maintain their membership in FBLA. 

          “Students can search PA FBLA on social media to find more information about membership in the program this challenging year,” Lenny explained.  He noted that the organization’s presence is on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook.

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On September 17^th Western Wayne High School Students in grade nine experienced the THINK! ENERGY Innovation Program. This program is an interactive, hands-on presentation with a take home energy efficiency kit for each participating student and teacher. The program teaches the importance of energy, natural resources, and environmental resources, and gives each participating student’s family energy-efficient technologies to install at home.

Students and staff in the high school received innovation kits on September 17.   The kits included two faucet aerators, a water conserving shower head as well an advanced smart energy power strip.  206 innovation kits were distributed overall.  This comes to 4,632 new LED bulbs distributed to the Western Wayne School District since the program’s launch in 2015.  This program will also result in a number of mini grants for the teachers in the high school as well. 

Western Wayne freshman Ireland Swingle said she has used the showerhead, faucet, and power strip.

“The showerhead gave a lot more power than my old one,” Ireland explained.  “It feels good to help the environment by using these things.”

Fellow classmate Kevin Marcinkevich agrees on both counts.

“I noticed an improvement with water flow when using the showerhead,” Kevin said.  “It is nice to help the environment by making simple changes.”

Another classmate Frankie Leyshon has really been enjoying using the power strip. 

“You can plug in an Xbox, iPhone charger, television, and computer all in at once,” Frankie explained.  “It is neat to watch the strip conserve energy when certain parts of it are not in use.”

The Think Energy Innovation Program has been brought to the schools by the National Energy Foundation, PPL Electric Utilities and the Pennsylvania Department of Education.  For more information or questions, please contact National Energy Foundation at 1-855-494-2942 or email  stephanie.dorman@nef1.org.

In a world full of uncertainty, it was clear on Thursday, Oct. 1, at Western Wayne’s Sharkey Rosetti Memorial Stadium on the campus of Western Wayne High School that it was certain that the students and families of Western Wayne are the best.  Western Wayne senior band members were honored at this event that a limited amount of family members and friends were able to attend in accordance to CDC guidelines.

            All of the students felt extremely grateful for this opportunity.

            “I am so excited to get to go out there and perform for my family and friends,” Senior Alex Taylor, who aspires to attend The University of Scranton next year, said.  “We are all so glad that this night could be possible.”

            The Western Wayne Music Department would like to publicly recognize the district administration, specifically Dr. Matthew Barrett, superintendent; Mr. Paul Gregorski, high school principal; Mr. Matthew Barr, assistant high school principal; Mr. Robert Black, athletic director; and members of the board of education who constantly support our music students for allowing this night to be possible.  They also wish to thank the families of band members who have been so flexible during this time.

            Band students were first honored before the 7 p.m. event at the stadium by Band Director Elaine Ort and the Band Parent’s Association.  Per tradition the student received senior gifts and flowers before proceeding to the stadium to be recognized with their parents. 

            It was a beautiful night outside for these students to be honored and you could feel the love and support in the air as their names were called and they walked out onto the football team for the first time in many months to be recognized for their senior year.

            A dozen band seniors were recognized.  They included Taylor Altenhofen, a band member for four years, stage crew for three, and martial arts for six years.  Taylor plans to attend Marywood University to study criminal justice and then enroll in the police academy.

            Nickolas Curtis is a four-year band member who also plays soccer, wrestling, and volleyball.  He plans to attend college upon graduation.

            Alyssa Donnini is a four-year band member and serves this year as a Drum Major.  She had done stage crew for four years, drama club for one year, chorus for two years, jazz band for two years, pit band for two years, and district band for two years.   She plans to attend a four-year college and major in criminology.

            Haley Estus is a four-year band member who also participates in cross country, basketball, track and field, FBLA and is in NHS. She plans to attend college for criminal justice and criminology.

            Rhonda Fenkner is one of this year’s Drum Majors.  She is also a member of Drama Club and musical for five years along with also having participated in choir, and pep band. Rhonda plans to attend Marywood University with a major in musical therapy.

            Cheyenne Haney is new to the Western Wayne Band this year. She also participates in track and field. She wishes to attend college upon graduation to become a psychologist or forensic scientist.

            Stephanie Knecht, a four-year marching band member, plans to attend college for veterinarian technology.

            Julia Lamberton is a member of band, cheer, FBLA, and NHS. She aspires to go into the medical imaging field.

             Abby Lopez is a four-year band member, color guard for one year, and Ultimate Frisbee team for three years.  She plans to attend Mansfield University for graphic design.

            Hailey Robbins is a four- year band member, pep band for one year, concert band for four years, and stage crew for two years.  She wishes to study criminology at Mansfield University and then go on to become an FBI Agent.

            Alex Taylor is a four-year band member, choir for three years, Ultimate Frisbee for three years, and Drama Club for three years. He plans to attend The University of Scranton for communications.

            Lily Visceglia is a four-year band member, five-year drama club and musical member, and, also, participates in FBLA, student council, and Varsity cheerleading. She wishes to attend college to pursue a career in fashion merchandising and design while minoring in performing arts.

            After all senior names were called and the students walked across the football field with their parents for pictures, the band seniors took to the floor to perform the “Star-Spangled Banner”.

            “It was a special moment to get to play with all of the seniors in the band,” Senior Lily Visceglia said.  “I have made a lot of beautiful memories in the Western Wayne Band over the years starting during my freshman year when I went on my first band trip to New York City.”

            The seniors and all members of the Western Wayne Band and Color Guard then continued to make more special memories for both themselves and their families and friends in attendance on Thursday, Oct. 1.  They presented to the audience a mash-up of their favorite senior class stand tunes, greatest hits, and songs from their 2020-21 Field Show: Hot and Cold.  This year’s Field Show songs include “Hot Stuff,” “Ice Castles,” “Hot n Cold,” and “Hot, Hot, Hot.”

            The students worked to put the show together during distanced rehearsals this summer and fall. 

            “Our rehearsals were very different this year,” Senior Alex Taylor, who plays a solo in “Ice Castles,” said.  “But it was worth it in the end to get to put together another great show for our senior year.  It really is a show we will never forget.”

            Finally, per Western Wayne tradition, always to show school pride, the band closed the show with the Western Wayne Alma Mater.              “Alyssa and I felt honored to have the chance to serve as Drum Majors tonight and for this truly historic marching band season,” Rhonda Fenkner, drum major, said about conducting the performance with fellow senior Drum Major Alyssa Donnini.