Around the Schools

2019 Western Wayne Prom King and Queen

Western Wayne recently held its annual high school prom in which senior Gianna DeBastiani was named prom queen and senior Austin Kidder was named prom  king.  From  left: Jennifer Bradley, high school assistant principal; DeBastiani, Kidder, and Paul Gregorski, high school principal.

Western Wayne Siblings Place at Mid Atlantic Wrestling Nationals

From left: Matt and Jacob Leslie.

        Both Matt Leslie, Western Wayne sophomore, and his brother, Jacob Leslie, 7th grade, placed well at the recent Mid Atlantic Wrestling Association’s Eastern Nationals.

        Jacob placed eighth and Matt won first place in their respective divisions.  Before placing eighth at Nationals, Jacob placed in the top four at Districts and was second place at Regionals in his division. Before winning the National competition, Matt placed third in Districts and first in Regionals.

        Both boys are a part of the Gracie NEPA Grappling Club in Olyphant which their father owns.  They participated in this recent competition with the Grappling Club.

        Jacob has been wrestling since he was in fourth grade and enjoys his training for the sport.

        “It’s all on you,” Jacob explained.  “It’s a lot of hard work that you have to do individually.”

        An inspiration for Jacob when it comes to wrestling is his older brother, Western Wayne sophomore Matt Leslie, who wrestles for both the Western Wayne team and the Grappling Club.

        “My brother helps me,” Jacob said.  “He teaches me a lot and motivates me to wrestle better.  I want to be like him and have success.”

        Matt is honored to be an inspiration for his younger brother.

        “It’s really cool to see someone grow and develop so much and know you served as a mentor for that person,” Matt explained.  “My goal is help my brother succeed and even to see him do things that I can’t. My brother really pushes me to be the best I can be.”

Western Wayne Hosts Annual Art Exhibit and Spring Concert Saturday, May 18

  • Pictured is featured Western Wayne senior artist Kat Moore.
  • Pictured is featured Western Wayne senior artist Dayla Jones.
  • Pictured is featured Western Wayne senior artist Melody Gershey.
  • Pictured is Western Wayne featured senior artist Rachel Butler.

A trip around the world, a mystical forest, an animal kingdom, and the 60s era are just a few of the adventures you can take through the senior art displays at Western Wayne’s Annual Art Exhibit starting at 1 p.m. on Saturday, May 18, at the high school gym.  The event is open to the public free of charge along with a free concert performed by the high school chorus and band at 3 p.m. in the Veterans Memorial Auditorium.

          The entire gym will be transformed into an art gallery featuring 13 senior art portfolios among many other pieces created by students in the high school program. The portfolios will be judged and winners will be posted along with awards given for best overall displays.

          One senior excited to have her portfolio displayed at the exhibit is Rachel Butler.  Her portfolio has the theme of traveling around the world.

          “My fascination with nature and cultures around the world has been my inspiration for my senior art display,” Rachel, who plans to study engineering at Penn State University next year, explained.  “I want to convey the feelings I get observing animals all over the world, along with each unique place.  For my senior display, I incorporated the places I have visited and the many destinations I hope to experience.”

          Her family has greatly influenced Rachel’s journey as an artist.

          “As I was growing up, my mother was always using her photographic and artistic skills around me.  This is where my inspiration to create arts had stemmed from,” Rachel explained.  “Over the years, I’ve realized I can use my creative side to bring happiness and joy to brighten someone’s day just by doing something I love.  My grandfather is one of my main supports of my art, he is always wondering what I’m working on and asking when the next art exhibition is so he can attend.”

          Rachel’s family members will be sure to enjoy her display along with that of many other talented seniors including Dayla Jones whose display features animals.

          “From domesticated to exotic, I have chosen a range of different animals for my portfolio. My love for animals does not just stop at your average pet,” Dayla, who plans to study conservation and wildlife management and minor in zoology at Delaware Valley College next year, explained.  “I wanted to bring my dream of becoming a wildlife rehabilitator and conservationist into each one of my pieces. Whether it be a regular, smelly skunk or the endangered snow leopard, all animals deserve the same compassion and care. I put this compassion and care into each of my works of art.”

          Dayla’s classmate, fellow senior, Kat Moore also puts a lot of passion into her love for the arts at Western Wayne.  She is an accomplished musician who served as one of this year’s Wildcat Marching Band drum majors and has won many awards for her music along with playing in music groups at Marywood University. 

          Kat explained that she likes to incorporate music into all of her artwork in some way or another.

          “It can be a song title, an instrument, or a musician,” Kat explained.  “My senior display revolves around music focused on the 60s era which I really enjoy.”

          Kat furthered described her inspirations for her artwork.

          “I wish to live a very colorful life, traveling and experiencing as much as I can. This is reflected in my art as I enjoy incorporating lots of vibrant colors into my pieces and/or focus on using a dominant color,” Kat, who plans to study music education at Ithaca College in the fall, said. “When deciding the theme of my display, I immediately thought of the heavy impact music has in my life. Music and art have the ability to convey a wide range of ideas and bring out a variety of emotions in everyone. This realization has forced me to continue to create art as it has the capability to bring out the best in me.”

          Another featured senior who believes that art has brought out the best of her in her life is Melody Gershey.  Melody’s senior display can be described as a mystical forest. Her mural which the display features is a mystical waterfall with a unicorn by it.

          “Ever since I was little, I have had a mystical view of the world. I have always wanted to believe that anything is possible, but as I grew older reality hit me, along with lots of working and bills,” Melody, who plans to study cosmetology at Empire Beauty School next year, explained.   “With art, I am able to keep my childish beliefs alive because with art, anything is possible. My portfolio consists of landscapes from summer, fall, and winter, then split into daytime and nighttime pieces. My daytime pieces are realistic. These pieces represent people who have drifted away from their imagination or artists who have lost their inspiration. Through my nighttime pieces, I explore surrealism. These pieces are for those few who still believe that anything is possible and haven’t been sucked into the drab of reality.”

          The entire Western Wayne community cordially invites the community to their annual Art Exhibit and Spring Concert.  It’s the perfect place to take your mind off reality for a bit and enjoy the work of these talented student artists starting at 1 p.m. in the high school gym along with enjoying music sung and played by our excellent chorus and band with a concert starting at 3 p.m. in the Veterans Memorial Auditorium.  Both events are free of charge.

Western Wayne Pride – Timothy Shaffer to complete F-35 Pilot Training

Timothy Shaffer is a 2015 graduate of Western Wayne High School.  He has been attending Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University in Daytona Beach, Florida and participating in Air Force ROTC Detachment 157 for the last four years.  He recently graduated as a Second Lieutenant in the United States Air Force with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Aeronautics.  He earned a pilot slot in his junior year and will be stationed at Columbus Air Force Base, Mississippi next year to begin pilot training.  Upon graduation of pilot training, he intends to fly the F-35.

Western Wayne Pride – Timothy Shaffer to complete F-35 Pilot Training

Timothy Shaffer is a 2015 graduate of Western Wayne High School.  He has been attending Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University in Daytona Beach, Florida and participating in Air Force ROTC Detachment 157 for the last four years.  He recently graduated as a Second Lieutenant in the United States Air Force with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Aeronautics.  He earned a pilot slot in his junior year and will be stationed at Columbus Air Force Base, Mississippi next year to begin pilot training.  Upon graduation of pilot training, he intends to fly the F-35.

Western Wayne School District Participates in Area P Special Olympics

Pictured is Western Wayne Special Olympics participant Kameron Sic, fifth grade, Evergreen Elementary School, with a look of pure joy on his face as he competes.
  • Pictured is Western Wayne Special Olympics participant Kameron Sic, fifth grade, Evergreen Elementary School, with a look of pure joy on his face as he competes.
  • Pictured is Western Wayne Senior Sebastian Tomasetti crossing the finish line at one of his races at Special Olympics.
  • Pictured is Western Wayne High School student Misty Rodriguez running in one of her events.
  • Pictured is Western Wayne Senior Michael Phillips jumping at Special Olympics.
  • Pictured is Western Wayne Senior Marisol Henkel jumping at Special Olympics.
  • Pictured is Western Wayne High School student Jordan Diaz running at Special Olympics.
  • Pictured is Western Wayne High School student Jared Loveland running at Special Olympics.
  • Pictured is Evergreen Elementary student Jake Hart running at Special Olympics.
  • Pictured is Western Wayne High School student Caleb Burns running at Special Olympics.

Western Wayne Special Olympians in the elementary, middle, and high schools had another successful year at the 13th Annual Track and Field Area P Special Olympics that took place on May 8 at the Delaware Valley High School stadium.
“It’s an incredible experience for our students,” special education teacher Mrs. Sarah Rickert explained. “They all take it very seriously. There is something magical about seeing the wheelchairs lined up and ready to go for some of the races.”
One such student who had the chance to participate in races at Special Olympics with his wheelchair was Western Wayne senior Sebastian Tomasetti. He competed in the 25 meter speed and 50 meter speed.
“I had fun,” Sebastian said.
Rickert explained that a lot of the other students had really nice wheelchairs in the race this year and that Sebastian was racing with a new chair as well.
Sebastian’s classmate ninth grader Michael Phillips participated in a variety of Special Olympics events including: shot put, 100M dash, and the long jump.
“I liked seeing old friends at the event,” Michael said.
Rickert explained that one highlight of Special Olympics for the students is to reconnect with former classmates who have since graduated from Western Wayne.
“Outside agencies bring people to the event, so it is nice to see the students have a reunion of sorts,” Rickert said.
A student who enjoyed reuniting with former classmates was senior Marisol Henkel. Along with having fun with friends that were both former and current classmates, Marisol participated in the softball throw, long jump, and 100M dash.
Rickert described the Special Olympics as having an open format in which parents can move about freely to support their children. Sebastian, Michael, and Marisol had parents in attendance.
Along with the support of parents, friends, and teachers, the students were treated to the support of the Delaware Valley Marching Band who came out to play some music for all to enjoy.
Rickert said her students really enjoyed the music along with the support of Delaware Valley Elementary students who spent some time in the stands cheering on all of the Special Olympians.
A great day was had by all involved. Western Wayne participated along with students from Wayne Highlands, Wallenpaupack, and Delaware Valley among other schools and local agencies.
This year, as a special treat, the Western Wayne students wore bright yellow t-shirts to show their Wildcat pride and pride for themselves as unique individuals.
“The shirts had the word ‘disability’ on them with the ‘dis’ crossed out,” Rickert explained. “I think the message was powerful.”

Western Wayne High School Students Explore Varden Conservation Area

On May 7, 2019, Western Wayne High School General Science Students visited the Varden Conservation Area and participated in ecology activities presented by Lacawac Sanctuary.  Students participated in three different activities, which involved the topics of macroinvertebrates in a pond environment, topographic mapping, and soil percolation and pollution.

Lacawac Sanctuary instructors included Jamie Reeger, Environmental Educational Manager, who presented the soil percolation studies and how they tied into the water table.   Devan George, Environmental Educator, explained water quality health through identification of macroinvertebrates found at the pond.  Bruce and Kathy Grandjean, Environmental Educators, explained topographic mapping and orienteering with compasses and maps of the area.

The field trip will be followed by a classroom presentation on water quality and the environment.  Students will participate in activities that model ground water and surface water and how they fit into a concept of a water shed.  These activities will lead to discussions about the local area and incorporate the concept of a water table and common water resources shared by all.

Funding for the Varden classroom education as well the field trip was provided through an Educational Improvement Tax Credit (EITC) grant from the nonprofit Western Wayne Education Foundation. Christine McClure, President, 1970C Easton Turnpike, Western Wayne School District, Lake Ariel, PA 18436

Accompanying the students were instructors Dr. Mark Nebzydoski and Mrs. Maria Phillips. For more information on:

Varden Conservation area

http://www.vardenconservationarea.com/

https://www.facebook.com/FriendsofVCA/

http://www.dcnr.pa.gov/StateParks/FindAPark/VardenConservationArea/Pages/default.aspx

Lacawac Sanctuary

https://www.lacawac.org/

https://www.facebook.com/Lacawac/

Western Wayne Band Learns from Marywood Professor

The Western Wayne High School Band was treated to some time with Marywood’s F. David Romines, Music Theater Department co-chair, associate professor of music education, and director of band activities, on Tuesday, May 7, during their band class.  The students were thrilled to expand their knowledge of music through working with Romines.