On May 10th, students from the Western Wayne School District went to Delaware Valley High School stadium to compete in the 11th Annual Track and Field Area P Special Olympics. They competed in running events, such as the 100M dash, the 400M dash, and the mile run. They also competed in high jump, long jump, shot put, and softball throw. Our athletes brought home few gold medals and many silver and bronze. It was truly an incredible day for all! Click on any photo to enlarge!
On May 10th, students from the Western Wayne School District went to Delaware Valley High School stadium to compete in the 11th Annual Track and Field Area P Special Olympics. Before they left, they were sent off with a grand parade with the help of their fellow classmates at RDW. They then competed in running events, such as the 100M dash, the 400M dash, and the mile run. They also competed in high jump, long jump, shot put, and softball throw. Our athletes brought home few gold medals and many silver and bronze. It was truly an incredible day for all! Click on any picture to enlarge. View the special Olympic gallery at https://ww3.westernwayne.org/western-wayne-special-olympics/
Perhaps the most important rule students from local schools learned from the Manners Matter- Dining Etiquette Presentation held this past Friday, May 5, at Lackawanna College, Lake Region, Hawley, involved the importance of putting your highly valued cell phone away or even leaving it in your car when attending a business lunch or dinner.
The Wayne County School-to-Work Committee sponsored the event that students from Western Wayne, Forest City, Honesdale, and Wallenpaupack attended. The six Western Wayne High School students who attended are currently in business classes taught by Theresa Lubash, business department chair and advisor to FBLA, called Business Communications and Procedures, Entrepreneurship, and are members of FBLA. These students included Jack Tuman, Ethan Boots, James Kemmerer, John Kear, Jake Tinklepaugh, and Luai Hassan.
All of the students from local schools had the unique experience of hearing a presentation about dressing for an interview given by Ryan French and Jaime Padula from Wayne Bank and hearing a dining etiquette presentation given by Justin Genzlinger of the Settler’s Hospitality Group before enjoying a meal donated by the Lords Valley Country Club.
From left: Jack Tuman, Ethan Boots, James Kemmerer, John Kear, Jake Tinklepaugh, and Luai Hassan.
This past Saturday, May 6, Western Wayne Musical Theater Students had the opportunity to see the Broadway Show Pippin at the Scranton Cultural Center with complimentary tickets donated by Toyota of Scranton. Western Wayne was one of a few local schools Toyota gave these tickets too. The students who had just recently put on their spring musical Bye Bye Birdie the last weekend of April were thrilled to have this opportunity. From left: Hailey Robbins, Rebeccah King, R.J. Clemens, Lindsey Karwacki, and Emily Barone.
Western Wayne Middle School students recently competed in the TSA State Competition held from April 19 through April 22 at the Seven Springs Resort in Seven Springs, PA. Pictured are students who participated in the event. First row, from left: Julia Lamberton, Emma Pontosky, Paige Moore, Jaden Gregory, Haley Estus, Ivan Knecht, Ava Compton, Jenna Eldred, and Courtney Petrilak. Second row, from left: Justin Olson, Adelaide Treibley, Caydence Faatz, Ryan Vinton, Morgan Coccodrilli, Rachel Tuman, Alexandria Bien-Aime, and Lena Piccolino.
The following individuals and groups made it to the Semi-Finals in their events: Courtney Petrilak, Caydence Faatz, and Haley Estus for Biotechnology; Justin Olson, Jaden Gregory, and Ivan Knecht for Junior Solar Sprint.
Also, the following individuals and groups made it into the Finals (top 10) in their events: Rachel Tuman for Career Prep, 5th place overall; Adelaide Treibley, Ava Compton, Morgan Coccodrilli, Jenna Eldred, Caydence Faatz, and Julia Lamberton for Chapter Team, 6th place overall; Emma Pontosky and Paige Moore for Children’s Story, 3rd place overall; Ava Compton and Adelaide Treibley for Environmental Engineering, 10th place overall; Haley Estus, Caydence Faatz, and Julia Lamberton for Leadership Strategies, 9th place overall.
Western Wayne School District will present Bye Bye Birdie this weekend: Friday, April 28 at 7 p.m.; Saturday, April 29 at 7 p.m.; and Sunday, April 30 at 3 p.m. at the newly renovated Western Wayne High School Auditorium located at 1970A Easton Turnpike, Lake Ariel, PA 18436. Students and senior citizens $3 dollars for tickets and adults $5 for tickets. Pictured are lead cast members. From left: Maggie Podunajec, who plays Mrs. Mae Peterson and serves as student director; R.J. Clemens, who plays Albert Peterson; Ty Alpaugh, who plays Rose Alvarez; Honour Shaffer, who plays Conrad Birdie; Calla Shaffer, who plays Kim MacAfee; Marty Spewak, who plays Hugo Peabody; Brady McElheny, who plays Mr. Harry MacAfee; and Lindsey Karwacki, who plays Mrs. Doris MacAfee. Musical director is Jessica Grizzanti McLaughlin. Additional student director is Alivia DeLeon.
Designing outfits in a limited time frame to meet the challenge of creating clothes and overall looks that represent aspects of pop culture sounds like a task that professional designers would take on for a reality television show. Students in Western Wayne High School’s more advanced sewing classes took on this challenge for the school’s annual “CAT” Walk school-wide fashion show and competition. The week-long event took place from April 10 through April 13.
The event is called “CAT” Walk in honor of the school’s mascot the Western Wayne Wildcat. Mrs. Colleen Carmody, director of the “CAT” walk event, explained that she first began this type of student activity in a classroom with two students and two judges thirteen years ago.
Through the years the event has grown to a competition between student teams in her sewing classes that consist of four designers and three student models each. The teams were called Color Pop, POPKORN’EM, and Trending Now.
Color Pop consisted of the following student designers: Cailin Brown, Zoey Rosensweet, Kayla Fitzpatrick, and Abby Gogolski. Students models for Color Pop were Noelle Orehek, Rachel Roberts, and Bayly Williams. POPKORN’EM consisted of the following student designers: Madison Kornuitak, Emily Shaffer, Isabel Valentin, and Rebecca Saar. Student models for POPKORN’EM were Trina Barcorola, Caitlin Henneforth, and Scott Walck. Trending Now consisted of the following student designers: Gina Infante, Morgan Wagner, Bree Price, and Victoria Petrosky. Student models for Trending Now were Abby Black, Kallie Jones, and Matt Trygar.
Carmody presents the students with a theme to create their clothes around and five specific scenarios within this theme. Students have less than three days to create their clothes which are then judged in the school’s District Office and by the student body.
The Trending Now team won the competition overall.
This year’s theme was Pop Culture. One scenario the students had to create fashion for was called Pop News: Current Events in the News. They needed to create a two-piece outfit to represent a current news event within the year that dealt with weather, social issues, sports, celebrity, etc.
Their second scenario involved Pop Male Fashion. They designed a “summer suit” for guys that had a matching tie and shorts in bold prints. Another scenario involved Pop Female Fashion. They destructed and reconstructed a pair of jeans to wear in a fashionable and trendy way and redesigned a white tee shirt to match them.
For the fourth scenario called Pop: Food, Carmody challenged students to create an original outfit with textured fabric to capture a food, beverage, restaurant, or dining trend within the last year.
For the final scenario called Pop: Social Media, students created a dress with long sleeves and a large collar to represent a hot social media topic or event such as Instagram, Snap Chat, Twitter, Facebook, etc.
Pictured are student designers and models. From left, seated: Bayly Williams, Scott Walck, Andrew Iovachinni, Matt Trygar, and Mike Maguire. From left, row one: Mrs. Colleen Carmody, director; Abby Gogolski, Abby Black, Trina Barcorola, Noelle Orehek, Madison Kornuitak, Emily Shaffer, Rachel Roberts, Kallie Jones, Victoria Petrosky, and Isabel Valentin. From left, row two: Rebecca Saar, Caitlin Henneforth, Cailin Brown, Kayla Fitzpatrick, Morgan Wagner, Gina Infante, Zoey Rosensweet, and Bree Price.
Western Wayne High School students recently took a trip to Highland Associates in Clarks Summit. The students learned about architecture, engineering, and interior design. The employees at the firm went over their educational background and showed them current projects they are working on. From left: Vaeda Pontosky, R.J. Clemens, Bryce Urian, and Kurt Dietrich.
Cast members of Western Wayne School District’s upcoming production of Bye Bye Birdie recently recorded an interview at WVIA Studios in Pittston that will air at 4:30 p.m. on Sunday, April 23, as a part of the WVIA High School Musical Preview Show on 89.9 WVIA FM. From left: Mrs. Jessica Grizzanti McLaughlin, musical director; Samantha Pritzlaff, who plays Kim MacAfee; Ty Alpaugh, who plays Rose Alvarez; R.J. Clemens, who plays Albert Peterson; Maggie Podunajec who plays Mae Peterson and serves as student director; and Alivia DeLeon, who plays Gloria Rasputin and serves as student director. Bye Bye Birdie will be performed at Western Wayne High School in the newly renovated high school auditorium located at 1970A Easton Turnpike, Lake Ariel, PA 18436. Show dates and times are 7 p.m. on Friday, April 28; 7 p.m. on Saturday, April 29; and 3 p.m. on Sunday, April 30. Students and senior citizens $3 dollars for tickets and adults $5 for tickets.
BOOK A SESSION NOW! Senior portraits will be taken July 9th, 10th, and 11th.June 30, 2025We are excited to announce that Upstate Images has been chosen as the official senior photographer for the Class of 2026.
Senior portraits will be taken at the Western Wayne High School July 9th, 10th, and 11th. The location is tbd due to construction in the school. Scheduling a portrait session with Upstate Images is essential to ensure your child’s inclusion in the yearbook.
To book a portrait session, scan the QR code or visit the Upstate Images website: https://www.upstate-images.com/seniors. Select the Binghamton Southern Tier when booking your appointment.Yearbook Portrait Requirements: ● Select your favorite CAP AND GOWN photo by 11/20/25. ● Any images that do not follow these specs or are not selected by this deadline will be picked by the WWHS Yearbook team.
Sitting Options and Fees: (Sitting fees are prepaid online when the session is booked.)
● Platinum: $40 sitting fee includes 25-30 images (traditional yearbook attire, cap and gown, three casual outfits, multiple backgrounds)● Gold: $30 sitting fee includes up to 20 images (traditional yearbook attire, cap and gown, two casual outfits, multiple backgrounds)● Silver: $15 sitting fee includes up to 15 images (traditional yearbook attire, cap and gown, one casual outfit, multiple backgrounds)● Yearbook Only: Free session for those who need it. This includes four images in yearbook attire only.
Call 1-855-773-3321 to book this session. [...]
High School Hosts Graduation for Class of 2025June 13, 2025Wildcat Pride was bursting from the audience at Western Wayne’s Veterans Memorial Auditorium on the evening of Friday, June 6, for the graduation of the class of 2025. This is a bright class of students who have excelled in academics, athletics, and club activities having gained a total of $6,075,675 in college scholarships and grants at their recently held senior night. Student speakers at graduation gave their classmates advice for the exciting and new journey that lies ahead of them for their very bright futures.Senior Lillian Maros, president of the class of 2025, gave the welcome address.Lillian ended her speech in a unique way by having her class honor the many role models who have shaped their life journey thus far.“I was once told that everyone, at least once, deserves to be on the receiving end of a round of applause,” she said. “As a theater kid myself, I couldn’t agree more, and I ask any parents, guardians, siblings, teachers, and administrators to stand, and let our class applaud you for all of the opportunities you have given us.”Later, Lillian presented the Class Mantel to Audrey Agnello, junior class president.Following the presentation of the mantle, the class salutatorian and valedictorian gave speeches.Senior David Elias III, Hamlin, was named the salutatorian of the class of 2025 with a final overall GPA of 100.41.
David is the son of Carrie and David Elias.Along with being an excellent academic student, David was involved in Western Wayne clubs and activities including: FBLA, basketball, PBIS, and track and field.
In the future, he plans to attend Marywood University with an undecided major.
“My favorite memory from high school was attending the FBLA state conference as a freshman in Hershey,” David said. “While at Western Wayne, I’ve learned important skills such as critical thinking and time management that will help me through college and beyond.”In his salutatorian speech, David let his classmates know it is ok to be undecided about their futures as long as they follow their inner drive.“We have the ability to blaze our own paths different from what our parents did and what others expect of us,” he said. “As long as we follow what truly matters to us, we will get where we are supposed to go.”David summed up the evening with a quote from LeBron James, “Education is the most important thing in life. No matter what you do, you have to be educated, and you have to learn.”He then ended his speech with these encouraging words to his class, “We are closing a major chapter in our lives, but with the hope that we will be able to keep learning throughout whatever endeavors come next with the goal of reaching greatness.”Fellow classmate Lia Hartman, Lake Ariel, was named valedictorian of the class of 2025 with a GPA of 100.94.Lia is the daughter of Chad and Mayumi Hartman.Lia also has done numerous activities both inside and outside of the classroom at Western Wayne. She has participated in NHS, Student Council, Marching Band, serving as a drum major her junior and senior years; District and Region Band, Envirothon, Science Olympiad, and FBLA.In the future, she plans to attend The University of Scranton as a biochemistry major and then attend medical school to pursue pathology.“My favorite moment throughout high school was seeing the smile on people’s faces after having a good field show,” Lia said. “I believe the teachers at Western Wayne have pushed me to succeed and provided me with many meaningful opportunities.”
In her valedictorian speech, Lia reminisced about how in her freshman year when she saw that she was ranked first in her class that she had a fleeting thought about what it would be like to deliver a graduation speech. At that time, all she felt was anxiety, but now faced with the reality, she said she felt nothing but honor and pride to get to deliver this speech to her class.Her speech focused on the idea of how motivation is a key aspect in life especially when facing a milestone moment like graduation.“Motivation is a truly powerful force,” Lia said. “It is a psychological drive and combination of our values, goals, and beliefs. It pushes us toward success.”Lia said in preparation of her speech she asked many of her classmates to discuss with her their motivations and found them to be a variety of forces including God, drive for success in sports and academics, along with wanting to inspire others to work hard, and to make family proud.She quoted one of her favorite books, The Little Prince by Antoine de Saint-Exupéry, “What makes the desert beautiful is that somewhere it hides a well.”She told her classmates to not lose hope if they find themselves lost in their journey after high school at times, “As long as you latch onto your own motivations, you will continue to trek forward towards the future, and you will undoubtedly find your own well.”She then left her classmates with these words of advice, “Always remind yourself why you decided to go on this journey in the first place. Never let go of that initial spark. I encourage you to go out there and become the inspiration that gives others their sparks.”
Following the speeches, all graduates received their diplomas and were presented as the Class of 2025 to the audience. They then sang the school’s alma mater one last time as a class on stage. The Western Wayne School District wishes all the graduates the best in their bright futures.
Picture one: Senior Elizabeth Washine works on one of her many art projects at Western Wayne. After graduation, she will attend Duquesne University to study secondary education English and creative writing.
Picture two: from left: David Elias, salutatorian, and Lia Hartman, valedictorian, hard at work on a project after being named “most likely to be your boss” for their high school yearbook.
Picture three: from left: Allyson Irvine and Grace Lidy taping a segment for Western Wayne Broadcast which they both worked on this year.
Picture four: from left: high school English teacher Amanda Jenkins, student council co-advisor; Madison Stiffler, Prom Queen; and high school Spanish teacher Sara Orloski; student council co-advisor; at the Homecoming game this past fall when Stiffler was named queen.
Picture five: from left: High School Principal Paul B. Gregorski; senior Mason Rush, Prom King, and his mom Western Wayne high school English teacher Megan Rush. Mason will attend Juniata College this fall with a merit scholarship to study criminal justice and education.
Picture six: from left: Colette Schmitt, who played Sophie; and Lillian Maros, who played Donna; in Western Wayne’s production of Mamma Mia this past spring for their senior year. Lillian has won numerous creative writing and band awards over her time in high school. She plans to start her own business upon graduation and move to Texas with her family. Colette Schmitt will serve an 18 month mission trip for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints after graduation and plans to study to become a chiropractor as her career path.
Picture seven: from left: Stephanie Maxwell, who played Rosie; and Robert Scramuzza, who played Bill in Western Wayne’s production of Mamma Mia this past spring for their senior year. Stephanie will attend The University of Alabama in the fall to study pre-law and minor in theater. Robert will attend RIT in the fall to study engineering.
Picture eight: is senior Rebekah Palko on her horse Paxil at Salem View Farms She has done competitive equestrian for many years, and Paxil was her first horse.
Picture nine: Salutatorian, David Elias III
Picture ten: Valedictorian, Lia Hartman
Picture eleven: The class of 2025 after receiving their diplomas
Picture twelve: The class of 2025 celebrating
List of 2025 Graduates
Mackenzie Jean AdamsZoe Lorah AlbitzThomas John BainLily BarberJacob Alexander BarnaAlexis BarrVallita Princess BelinovaAubrey Shay BellJamal Lee BenedictKayne Michael BihlerTheodore Robert BlackNatalia Lydia BorrelliLillian Grace BronsonMatthew T. BrownConnor Howard BryantAnthony CanzanoDouglas Robert ChapmanJames Samuel ChapmanStacey ChristopherMadelyn Rose ChrobakRiver CollinsNikko CondiAngelina L. CorreaNicholas CotterAndrew CrisseyAddison Grace DanielsEvan Joseph DeanEmily Ann DicelloAnnaliese DickisonHannah Lee DockemeyerAnthony John DonniniLauren Letizia DramisinoMichael Samuel DursoJonathan Hunter DwyerZariah EdmundsDavid John Elias IIIJayla C. FiorellaJeffrey David Foote, Jr.Olivia Giovanna FordAiden Patrick ForneyKalob Alejandro FrankoJordan FrisbieSean James GallifordColton Michael GearyZachary Aiden GibbsCedar C. GilpinJared Joshua GoldmanAddison Lynn GriffinBryan James GuarnizDaniel HallDavid J. HallbergLia Mimi HartmanPaige Elizabeth HaswellJaden Desire HeadenChase HobgoodMaKennah Lynn HolbertColton J. HooseBrianna Michelle HoyerJak Michael HubingerAllyson Grace IrvineJames Ethan JimenezSydney Grace JusticeAlyssa Lynn Ellis KapalskiJayden KellachowAustin D. KenyonKendra May KeryloviczLily Patrice KievaNicole Marie KlimEthan Tyler LambertonGrace K. LangendoerferFrederick Frances Leonetti IIIGrace H. Murphy LidyTravis Mark LockerRyleigh Niccole MahonLance Maiocco, Jr.Matvey MamoshukLillian Grace MarosAddison Brooke MatthewsStephanie K. MaxwellDaymon Robert McGuireRobert William Mildner, Jr.Nelson Edgardo Miranda-MirandaSeth MontijoBryson MoscarelliHayden William MundrakeTeagan S. MurphyBrendan Joseph OlivoMichael Banavan OlivoTyler OvensSean Davon OwensRebekah Lane PalkoOwen S. PalkovicRaegan Alaina PalmerJessica Rose PalopoliNicholas Anthony PaneMercedes D. L. PedersenRobert F. Phillips, Jr.Addyson Bailey PrussJohn Patrick Pyatt IIIAliyah S. RatchfordAnthony Joseph RedmondHunter Baron ReichlingJayden Michael RiveraKarter M. RizziTimothy Richard Roberts, Jr.Noel Michael RodriguezHayden Timmy RomanaskasEvan John RonchiAyden K. RosengrantNikita RudMason Scott RushAbigail Faith SadowskiRyan Michael SchaneColette Ann SchmittKennedy Carolyn Ortman ScottRobert Nicholas ScramuzzaDavis M. SheppardVincent Charles SilonKathryn E. SkirpanThomas Joseph SmithNeima Marie Smith-HorstSienna Skye StevensMadison Naomi StifflerDylan David StookeyAshley Lynn ToscanoBella Marie TrumbullNoah VailJoshua Shawn VintonMakayla Marie WaltonAva Michell WardLandon R. WargoElizabeth Blaire WashineLogan WeaverJulia Ross WehrmannKallie May WehrmannCassidy Ann Zeiler [...]
Charlotte Nebzydoski, RDW Fourth Grade student achieves perfect attendanceJune 13, 2025Charlotte Nebzydoski, Fourth Grade student at Robert D. Wilson Elementary School, was the only RDW student to achieve perfect attendance for the 2024/2025 school year. Charlotte was present for every day of school and was never tardy or dismissed early. Charlotte is a bright light for everyone in the school. Her academics are top notch and the kindness and positivity that she shows daily is truly inspiring. Having Charlotte in the building every day made RDW a better place. Please congratulate Miss Charlotte Nebzydoski on this seemingly impossible accomplishment. RDW is so proud of you, Charlotte! [...]
Hot Rod Club and Drama Club Car Show on SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 6June 5, 2025The Western Wayne Hot Rod Club and Drama Club will host their 2025 Annual Car Show on SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 6, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. in the high school parking lot, 1970A Easton Turnpike, Lake Ariel, PA, near the football stadium.Food to be sold at the concession stand. Registration fee is $10. Spectators are free. The Hot Rod Club will give prizes for best car, truck, tractor, motorcycle, and best in show.In addition, the Drama group will sell a variety of concessions. There will also be a raffle of baskets and gift certificates generously donated by businesses and families in the local community.Drama Club President Dakota Douglas is excited to partner with the Hot Rod Club for the Car Show. She explained how the Drama Club students will be dressed in 50s attire for the event.“We wanted our presence at the event to go along with the variety of cars from the past that surely will be there,” Dakota said. “We hope that the public comes out to enjoy the cars and to have some good food and purchase some chances to win baskets and gift certificates.”Members of the Drama Parents Club are working to obtain a variety of items for the raffle at the Car Show from many very generous businesses and families in our Wildcat community. The students involved in the Hot Rod Club and Drama Club can use the funds raised from this event for their club activities.The Hot Rod Club meets on a regular basis to work on a variety of automotive projects after school and can use the funds for their projects among other activities.The Drama Club meets on a regular basis after school to work on a variety of projects and activities.“Drama Club gives students a place where they can express themselves,” club vice president, Jason Vass, explained. “We are like one big family in our club and really enjoy coming together to work as a team on events such as the Car Show.”All of the members of the Hot Rod Club, Drama Club, and Drama Parents Club cordially invite the public to attend this fun-filled event on SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 6, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. in the High School parking lot near the stadium. Come out and see some great vehicles, take some chances on our basket raffle, enjoy some food, and enjoy some time socializing. Hope to see you there! [...]
