Junior Leadership Northern Poconos Graduation

On Thursday, June 1, 2017, graduation was held for the Junior Leadership Northern Poconos, Class of 2017. Representing Western Wayne High School were Morgan Amorine, Caitlin Falloon, Mallory Jablon, Lilli Millon, and Abigail Zeiler. These students, along with students from Forest City Regional, Wallenpaupack Area, and Wayne Highlands, met monthly and came up with a community project called L.E.A.D.S. (Leaders Educating Against Drugs & Substances) to combat drug and substance abuse.

Junior Leadership Northern Poconos - Class of 2017. Mallory Jablon, Abigail Zeiler, Caitlin Falloon, Lilli Millon and Mogan Amorine (l to r). — Junior Leadership Northern Poconos – Class of 2017. Mallory Jablon, Abigail Zeiler, Caitlin Falloon, Lilli Millon and Mogan Amorine (l to r).

Junior Leadership Northern Poconos - Class of 2017. Mallory Jablon, Abigail Zeiler, Caitlin Falloon, Lilli Millon, Mogan Amorine and Mr. Fitzsimmons (l to r). — Junior Leadership Northern Poconos – Class of 2017. Mallory Jablon, Abigail Zeiler, Caitlin Falloon, Lilli Millon, Mogan Amorine and Mr. Fitzsimmons (l to r).

The Junior Leadership Northern Poconos program is specific to high school juniors of Forest City, Wallenpaupack Area, Wayne Highlands and Western Wayne High Schools. The purpose of Leadership Northern Poconos is to educate a group of potential leaders residing or employed in Wayne or Pike Counties about all aspects of the community. Their education will allow them to gain a better, more in-depth knowledge of the community and thereby become better prepared to be our future leaders.

Student Versus Faculty Basketball Game D.J.s

Pictured are student council members who served as D.J.s and emcees for the event. From left Mrs. Kristen Donohue, Middle School principal; Courtney Petrilak, Anya Rusnak, student council members; and Celeste Orchard, student council president.

Western Wayne Middle School Holds Annual Student Versus Faculty Basketball Game

Western Wayne Middle School students and faculty participated in the annual Student versus Faculty Basketball Game in which an 8th grade team of students, who volunteer for the event, play against some of their middle school teachers. Ms. Elizabeth Watson, Middle School assistant principal, served as coach for the student team and Mrs. Kristen Donohue, Middle School principal, served as referee at this fun-filled event that took place on Friday, May 26, in the middle school gym. Student council students served as D.J.’s, middle school band students played in a pep band, and many students in grades 6 through 8 were able to try their luck at throwing a shot at half-court. Overall, it was a great day for students and faculty to gather to have some fun with each other and build morale before the end of the school year.

Pictured are members of the Middle School student team that was made up of a variety of 8th grade students who volunteered to play in the Student vs. Faculty game on Friday, May 26. From left, sitting: Joey Jara, Mike Miraih-DeVore, Lily Black, Cassidy Asinski, Diala Hassan, Haley Estus, and Harry Martinez. From left, kneeling: Hailey Robbins, George Johnson, Matt Stone, Timmy Smith, J.J. Murphy, Zane Janiszewski, Matt Leslie, Nick Curtis, and Jeremiah Pauler. From left, standing: Jeremy Schermerhorn, Jake Jones, Caleb Hoch, Matt Henneforth, Brett Schane, Kasen Taylor, Joe Smith, Jeremy Sekely, and Ms. Elizabeth Watson, Middle School assistant principal.

Western Wayne Middle School Holds Annual Student Versus Faculty Basketball Game

High School AP Biology students visited Lacawac Sanctuary and Biological Field Station

On May 22^nd the Western Wayne High School AP Biology students visited Lacawac Sanctuary and Biological Field Station. Students had the opportunity to engage in field research in the area of Aquatic Freshwater Ecosystems. During the course of the visit students collected and analyzed data from two aquatic ecosystems at the station, Lake Lacawac and a pond located in an adjacent watershed. Students collected data through various methods including collecting and analyzing macroinvertebrates, chemical testing of pH, dissolved oxygen, phosphates, and nitrates, measuring clarity of the water using a sechi disk, collecting zooplankton using nets and row boats, analyzing water temperature and observing natural habitats common to each aquatic ecosystem. Students then had an opportunity to analyze their samples. These rich field experiences allowed students to really understand the characteristics of a stable ecosystem.

In between research sessions students had an opportunity to hear from Dr. Sarah DeVaul Princiotta, the Director of Research and Education at The Lacawac Sanctuary and Biological Field Station. Dr. Princiotta shared her pathway to her degree and career as well as an overview of her research on protistan dynamics and diversity.

Please take a minute to view the attached PDF file with pictures and descriptions from our trip. We would like to thank Mrs. Jamie Reeger and her staff for organizing, coordinating and creating such rich learning opportunities at Lacawac for our students, Dr. Princiotta for sharing her research and her career pathway with our kids and PA Association of School Retirees for providing the grant opportunity which financed the field trip. We would also like to thank our administration for their support of this trip. We look forward to working with Lacawac in the future as we continue to promote scientific research and career pathways in our community. Download the formal presentation here with pictures.

Robert D. Wilson Elementary – Flag Assembly

Second Graders from Mrs.Curtis’s class at RDW received grant money from the Wayne County Community Foundation’s Youth Advisory Committee. The committee funds student projects at local schools. The money was used to purchase new classroom flags for the entire building, replacing those which were in use since RDW first opened. The students hosted a school assembly and invited local American Legion veterans to assist in collecting the old flags for proper disposal. Mr. John Gaudenzi, local veteran and former RDW teacher, instructed the student body in flag history and etiquette. New flags now proudly hang in all RDW classrooms.

WWMS Reading Competition

Front Row: Makayla Gregory, Grade 8, Hailey Robbins, Grade 8, Hunter Gebert, Grade 8, Maggie Millon, Grade 8, Haley Estus, Grade 8.

Second Row: Keyly-Shaye Robinson, Grade 8, Jonatan Stanley, Grade 8, Sydney Hutchinson, Grade 8, Brett Schaane, Grade 8, Loida Martinez, Grade 8, Caydence Faatz, Grade 8.

WWMS March Students of the Month

From Left: Miss Elizabeth Watson, Assistant Principal, Lucas Putman, Grade 6, Alex Hineline, Grade 8, Rachel Tuman, Grade 7

Tomorrow’s Leaders Today

Congratulations to Amanda Herold and Skye Smith upon their graduation from Tomorrow’s Leaders Today on May 18, 2017. Amanda and Skye were chosen for Tomorrow’s Leaders Today and worked with students from other area school districts on leadership and community projects. Thank you to these two fine young women for representing Western Wayne High School in such a positive way!

Tomorrow’s Leaders Today is a youth leadership development program sponsored by Leadership Lackawanna. It is designed to give high school juniors leadership, interpersonal and managerial skills, an enhanced understanding of northeastern Pennsylvania and the opportunity to explore teamwork. Each year, a class of approximately 35 students, representing various geographic areas and high schools, will be selected to participate. The program runs from October through April. Sessions are held one full weekday each month beginning at 8:30 a.m. and ending at 2:30 p.m. A graduation ceremony is held in May. More specifically, collaborative decision making, communication styles and problem solving techniques will be explored. The challenges and opportunities of northeastern Pennsylvania will be identified and discussed. And, participants will have the opportunity to meet community leaders, as well as students from other high schools. Ultimately, upon completion of the monthly sessions, participants will have the necessary skills to become concerned and committed citizens who participate and invest in our community. High school students of today are the community and business leaders of tomorrow. Tomorrow’s Leaders Today turns aspiring teens into future adult leaders.

Tomorrow's Leaders Today - Class of 2017 — Tomorrow’s Leaders Today – Class of 2017

Western Wayne – Senior Portfolio Artist

Peter Tomasetti exhibited a senior art portfolio display at Western Wayne’s annual art show on Saturday, May 13.

Peter wishes to start his journey to work in the human services field this fall when he will attend Penn State University main campus to study psychology. He aspires to be a child psychologist.

Peter’s senior portfolio featured many pieces that were of different animals. Peter has always enjoyed art as a hobby and felt he learned about using many different art mediums in his Western Wayne art classes.

“I enjoyed my time in art classes here learning about many different styles of art from my teachers and hope to continue to pursue art as a hobby,” he said.