Around the Schools

Western Wayne School District Celebrates Retirees 

Michele Rosko and Bridgit Erb take the “Final Walk” with this year’s 8th grade class through the hallways of the Middle School on the last day of school and receive flowers from students to celebrate their retirements.
from left, Michele Rosko, retiring Middle School secretary; Jennifer Bradley, Middle School principal; and Bridgit Erb, retiring Middle School secretary.
from left, retiring Western Wayne secretaries: Michele Rosko, Middle School; Sue Romanski, District Office; Bridgit Erb, Middle School; and Paula Herzog, High School, at the reception held for them on June 9 at the Middle School.
retiring secretary Denise Kromko, R.D.W.
pictured is the retirement display for retiring secretaries Sue Romanski, District Office; Paula Herzog, High School; Bridgit Erb, Middle School; and Michele Rosko, Middle School.
from left, retiring Western Wayne secretaries: Michele Rosko, Middle School; Sue Romanski, District Office; Bridgit Erb, Middle School; and Paula Herzog, High School, are seen holding the special gift they received at their retirement reception, hand-painted pictures with WW on them with the grass at the bottom of the pictures done in the finger prints of all of the guests at their celebration.

This year five Western Wayne secretaries with many years of service will leave the district starting on their journeys into retirement. The retiring secretaries include: Denise Kromko, R.D.W. secretary; Sue Romanski, District Office secretary; Paula Herzog, High School secretary; Bridgit Erb, Middle School secretary; and Michele Rosko, Middle School secretary.
Kromko has worked as a secretary for 40 years. She graduated from Western Wayne in 1977. She started as a secretary to Don Shaffer when he was the Dean of Students at the High School and was then hired as the secretary at R.D.W. the year the school opened.
Kromko, who resides in Steene with her husband Ed, reflected fondly on her time with the district.
“What I enjoyed the most about my time at R.D.W. was getting to know the students and their families and watching them evolve from babies to young teens,” Kromko said.
She has three sons and daughters-in-law and eight grandchildren.
“I look forward to spending more time with family and friends and can’t wait until I never have to grocery shop on the weekend again.”
District Office secretary Sue Romanski is also greatly looking forward to her retirement, especially a special beach trip she has planned for the fall.
Romanski has worked for the district for 41 years. She graduated from Western Wayne in 1974. When she was in high school, she participated in a program called office practice at Western Wayne High School and worked with some of the secretaries to get career ready before her graduation.
Upon her graduation, she was called in to interview to be the superintendent’s secretary, and she was hired.
Romanski has worked in a variety of Western Wayne buildings including the District Office, Hamlin Elementary, the Middle School, and the High School.
“Having started my career in the District Office and now ending it here, I feel as though I have come full circle,” Romanski said.
Romanski remembers fondly all of her time in the district, especially the 18 years she spent in the high school. She especially enjoyed her time working with the students there. She served as a class advisor and chaperoned many trips and events.
“I really enjoyed spending time with the students,” Romanski said. “I made a lot of great friends over the years as well.”
Romanski resides in Moscow with her husband. She has two sons and two grandchildren who are the pride of her life. She grew up in Lake Ariel.
“I am completely a product of my environment,” Romanski said.
Next, High School secretary Paul Herzog retires after 20 and a half years of service to the district. She is a 1977 Western Wayne graduate. She started her career at R.D.W. and has also worked at EverGreen.
She resides in South Canaan with her husband and has four children, five grandchildren, and one on the way.
She looks forward to having more time to spend with her family and to work on her flowers in her garden. She also is excited to travel in her retirement.
“I most fondly remember my time working with students at graduation,” Herzog recalled. “It is a rite of passage for them that is special to be a part of.”
In addition, the Western Wayne Middle school loses two very special parts of their office staff this year to their much deserved retirements: Bridgit Erb and Michele Rosko.
Erb has worked for the district for 25 years along with volunteering for the district for five years before that. She is originally from New Jersey and had planned to move to this area for work with her best friend.
“My friend ended up staying in New Jersey,” Erb said. “I have been here for 30 years, and she is thinking of moving here now.”
Erb graduated from Hawthorne High School, New Jersey, in 1978. She has worked at the Hamlin school, Lake school, Middle School, High School, and Evergreen in her career at the district.
She resides in Lake Ariel with her husband and has two daughters.
“I have enjoyed all of my years at Western Wayne,” Erb said.
Finally, Middle School secretary Michele Rosko is retiring after 26 years with the district.
She is a 1983 graduate of Scranton Central High School who resides in Lake Ariel with her husband. She has two children and one granddaughter.
“I love seeing Middle School students go on a journey from their sixth grade to eighth grade years,” Rosko said. “By the time they are in eighth grade, they are ready to roll!”
Also, the district’s Special Education Secretary Alene Olsommer is leaving the district this year after 16 years.
Olsommer graduated from North Pocono High School in 1986. She resides in Sterling with her husband and has one son, one daughter, and two granddaughters. She now will work full-time in her family’s business Olsommer Clarke Insurance Group, Hamlin, and reflects fondly on her time at Western Wayne.
“I liked being able to keep the Special Education Department organized so those in charge could better help our students,” Olsommer said.
The retiring Middle School secretaries had a special send off being the honored guests at the Middle School Final Walk on the last day of school, Friday, June 9.
This is a yearly tradition in which 8th grade students, as a final activity in their Middle School careers, take a final walk through the hallways led this year by retirees Erb and Rosko.
The ladies led the procession through the hallways of the Middle School and received flowers from 6th, 7th, and 8th grade students along the way. The two women ended up with bouquets at the end along with many well wishes from students, faculty, and staff who lined the hallways and met them outside of the building to celebrate.
The celebration continued with a special reception for Romanski, Herzog, Erb, and Rosko at the school.
Many high school teachers, middle school teachers, administrators, staff, and Western Wayne retirees came to honor them.
In addition, high school retiree Lori Lucchesi attended the reception and received many congratulations on her retirement this year. Lucchesi has served the district for 23 years as a family consumer science teacher. She also taught at Blue Ridge and Forest City before working at Western Wayne. Lucchesi is a 1984 Western Wayne graduate
She started working at the high school in 1999. She also worked in the Middle School and ended up back in the High School to end her career at the district.
She was the moderator of the school’s FCCLA Club for nine years and worked closely with volunteer Paula Lamberton on many club projects.
Lucchesi resides in Browndale with her husband. She has two children.
“It was an honor and privilege to have the seniors I taught this year also in sixth grade in the middle school,” Lucchesi explained. “It was magical to have been able to see their entire journey from the start of their middle school careers to the end of their high school careers. I got to see them go from shy sixth graders to confident seniors ready to launch into the world. They are so lucky to have such fantastic teachers at Western Wayne who have guided them along the way, and I am so happy I could be a part of that journey.”
The District wishes all of the ladies the best in their future endeavors and are grateful for their many years of service.
Picture One, from left, retiring Western Wayne secretaries: Michele Rosko, Middle School; Sue Romanski, District Office; Bridgit Erb, Middle School; and Paula Herzog, High School, at the reception held for them on June 9 at the Middle School.
Picture Two: retiring secretary Denise Kromko, R.D.W.
Picture Three, from left, retiring Western Wayne secretaries: Michele Rosko, Middle School; Sue Romanski, District Office; Bridgit Erb, Middle School; and Paula Herzog, High School, are seen holding the special gift they received at their retirement reception, hand-painted pictures with WW on them with the grass at the bottom of the pictures done in the finger prints of all of the guests at their celebration.

High School Hosts Graduation for Class of 2023

The Class of 2023 take their seats at graduation on Friday, June 9.
The Class of 2023 celebrate at the end of their graduation ceremony.
President of the Class of 2023 Evan Peirce makes a speech at graduation.
Western Wayne Class of 2023 Salutatorian Jenna Kwiatkowski
Western Wayne Class of 2023 Valedictorian Kylie Merring

Wildcat Pride was bursting from the audience at Western Wayne’s Veterans Memorial Auditorium on the evening of Friday, June 9, for the graduation of the class of 2023.
Senior Evan Peirce, president of the class of 2023, gave the welcome address. He reminded his fellow classmates how unique they are.
“The 23 in 2023 is a prime number, meaning it’s a product of itself unable to be found anywhere else,” Peirce, who has joined the Navy, explained. “Always remember that each of you is a product of your own actions. I challenge you to remember where you came from, remember your definition of success, and enjoy the journey as well as the destination and, above all, once a Wildcat always a Wildcat.”
Later, Evan presented the Class Mantel to Taylor Maiocco, junior class president.
Following the presentation of the mantle, the class salutatorian and valedictorian gave speeches.
Senior Jenna Kwiatkowski, Waymart, was named the salutatorian of the class of 2023. Jenna is the daughter of Christine and Anthony Kwiatkowski.
Along with being an excellent academic student, Jenna was involved in many Western Wayne clubs and activities. She has been in FBLA for four years. She was in Nationals for FBLA last year and won States for FBLA in her junior and senior years as well as attending the state competition for four years. She also won an FBLA scholarship this year.
In addition, she has been on Envirothon for three years and placed second overall this year for the region with her group as well as placing first for forestry with her group. Also, she has done the Science Olympiad Team for two years. As well for her senior year she was a part of the Western Wayne Student Ambassador Program. She was on the Scholastic Team her junior year, NHS for three years, and NHAS for her senior year.
Jenna will attend Bucknell University to study cell biology and biochemistry. She aspires to be an epidemiologist and study infectious diseases. She also wishes to pursue a master’s degree.
Her favorite school memory is when her beloved science teacher Ms. Masankay allowed their AP Chem class to have funerals for their class fish who died. She also, of course, values all of the academic knowledge she has gained at Western Wayne, especially from her science classes.

“Western Wayne has taught me how to persevere and keep going through the hard times,” Jenna said. “I feel very ready to move on to college to study science more intensely due to the rigor of my courses at Western Wayne especially in my advanced classes with Ms. Masankay.”
In her salutatorian speech, Jenna reminded her classmates of the importance of never giving up. She quoted the poem “Keep Going” by Edgar Guest and ended her speech by saying the following.
“Always pick yourself back up and keep trudging along,” Jenna told her fellow 2023 graduates encouraging them to always pursue their dreams no matter what closed doors they may face in their lives.
Fellow classmate Kylie Merring, Lake Ariel, was named valedictorian of the class of 2023. Kylie is the daughter of Jacqueline and Ronald Merring.
Kylie also has done numerous activities both inside and outside of the classroom at Western Wayne. She has participated in FBLA, FCCLA, NHS, Spanish Club, Scholastic Team – Vice President, STEAM Program Volunteer, Breakfast with Santa Volunteer, and was a Breakfast with the Easter Bunny Volunteer.
Kylie’s favorite school memory is more than one singular moment.
“I would say it is a combination of each of the valuable friendships I have formed over the years,” Kylie explained. “I have multiple friendships that have lasted numerous years and hopefully will continue after graduation. These friendships hold a special place in my heart. I am eternally grateful for the memories that have been made throughout these friendships.”
She will attend The University of Scranton for a bachelor’s degree in business administration. She also has been accepted into an accelerated master’s degree program for health administration.
“My time at Western Wayne has already helped me plan my future,” she said. “It has helped me discover my passion for business and mathematics, allowing me to settle on my major of business administration. I have also been greatly inspired by numerous teachers. They have taught me to always pursue my dreams no matter how many challenges I have encountered along the way. My time at Western Wayne has been extremely valuable and will continue to assist me throughout the next journeys of my life.”
Kylie echoed her classmate Evan Peirce in her graduation speech saying, “We have made it this far and will continue to be successful; the Wildcat way is success nothing less.”
Following the speeches, all graduates received their diplomas and were presented as the Class of 2023 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.

RDW Buddy Bench Gets a Facelift

Lleft to right: Maria Shemanski, Coltan Davitt-Hillemann, Annabelle Decker, Makayla Franckowiak, Lylah Semon, and TJ McClure)

Nationwide, buddy benches are used at playgrounds as a place where students can go when they have no one to play with. When other students notice someone sitting on the buddy bench, they are encouraged to ask that student to join them. The RDW buddy bench was established by a group of kindness club students years ago. The bench has since been worn down, and the current group of kindness club students decided that it needed a facelift. Their goal was for it to represent Wildcat PRIDE and inclusion. We are very proud of their work, and they certainly captured what it means to be a student here at Western Wayne.

High School Students Explore Varden Conservation Area

Left to Right: Western Wayne High School, Dr. Mark Nebzydoski, Doug Posten, Lacawac Sanctuary instructors Jamie Reeger, Environmental Educational Manager and Natalie Wasilchek, Environmental Educator, Wayne Chapter #462 Trout Unlimited, Youth Advisor, Don Stathy, Lacawac Sanctuary instructor Jamie Bryan, Environmental Educator and Western Wayne Alumni.

On May 31, 2023, Western Wayne 9th grade High School 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, a fishing demonstration with practice casting, and chemical water testing and pollution.
Students also released rainbow trout as a conclusion of the Pennsylvania Trout in the classroom (PA-TIC) program. The Pennsylvania Fish Commission provided rainbow trout eggs that were hatched and raised by Dr. Mark Nebzydoski and his classes this school year. The trout release was assisted by the Pike – Wayne Chapter #462 Trout Unlimited, President, Paul Ranello and Youth Advisor, Don Stathy.
Lacawac Sanctuary instructors included Jamie Reeger, Environmental Educational Manager, who explained water quality health through identification of macroinvertebrates found at the pond. Natalie Wasilchek, Environmental Educator, explained fishing techniques which included casting a rod and bait type based on the environmental conditions. Jamie Bryan, Environmental Educator, explained chemical testing and water quality at the stream.
Prior to the field trip students engaged in a classroom presentation on water quality and the environment. Students participated in activities that model groundwater and surface water and how they fit into a concept of a watershed. These activities 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 Doug Posten, Helene Tscheschlog, and Michael Bershefsky. 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

Middle School Holds Annual 8th Grade Moving-Up Ceremony

The Western Wayne 8th grade class, the class of 2027, sit together as a class after having received their awards and honors.
: Madelyn McClure, winner of The Daughters of the American Revolution Award; Grady Farley, winner of the American Legion Award; and Dr. Matthew Barrett, Western Wayne School District Superintendent.

Western Wayne Middle School Principal Mrs. Jennifer Bradley
reminded eighth grade students of the importance of completing small tasks so as not to become overwhelmed by large tasks as they prepare to head to high school. Bradley reflected on a speech that retired United States Navy Four-Star Admiral William Harry McRaven made by suggesting students “make their bed” in the morning to be able to then start a day with already one task accomplished.
Bradley reminisced about how middle schoolers, when they first enter sixth grade, have many anxieties about the small task of opening their lockers. She reminded the students about how far they have come and told them to continue to rely on their family and friends for support and guidance as they prepare to move on to high school.
Eighth grader Dakota Douglas, Middle School Student Council president, proudly led her classmates and all in attendance in the pledge of allegiance.
Dakota said she truly enjoyed her time in the Western Wayne Middle School. She looks forward to all she will learn in high school. She is especially excited for her high school chorus class and aspires to become a chorus teacher.
“I love singing and working together with my classmates,” she said.
The featured event of the Moving-Up Ceremony was all 8th grade students receiving awards in various categories for excellence or improvement in all academic and unified arts classes. In addition, students received awards for good citizenship, excellent work habits, and for a variety of high academic achievements such as making the honor roll for 11 quarters in middle school from 6th through 8th grade.
It is also a Western Wayne Middle School tradition for many years that two outstanding students, one male and one female, are recognized for their patriotism and leadership among other qualities. The local chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution and the local American Legion present these awards.
The Daughters of the American Revolution Award was presented to 8th grader Madelyn McClure.
Madelyn received the good citizenship medal from the Daughters of the American Revolution for being an outstanding student in the 8th grade class who exhibits the qualities of honor and honesty, service, courage, leadership, and patriotism.
George Schaffer presented the American Legion Award to 8th grader Grady Farley.
Grady received this annual award for being an outstanding student in the 8th grade class who exhibits the qualities of honor, scholarship, Americanism, leadership, and courage.
Both Madelyn and Grady felt extremely honored to receive their respective awards. They also both, at first, felt shocked to learn the Daughters of the American Revolution and the American Legion had chosen them for these high honors.
Madelyn is a hard-working young woman who especially loves to study science and who loves to work with her horses in her spare time.
She has done excellent work for her Pennsylvania Junior Academy of Science competitions throughout her middle school career and plans to continue her involvement in high school.
In addition, she is an avid member of her local 4-H Club and Pony Club having rode horses since she was a young girl.
She is an honor roll student who looks forward to her academic experiences in high school. “I am excited for my upper level math classes,” Madelyn said.
Fellow classmate Grady is also a hard-working individual and honor roll student. He most enjoys his science classes in middle school. In addition, he enjoys sporting activities in his free time including both boating and skiing.
“I am most looking forward to experiencing new classes and learning new things next year,” Grady said.
Another special part of this year’s Moving-Up Ceremony was a special recognition given by Mrs. Bradley to retiring secretaries Bridgit Erb and Michele Rosko, who both work in the middle school office. Between the two of them, they have a combined 51 years of service to the district. Both Erb and Rosko have worked for many years to plan and organize the moving up ceremony among doing so many other tasks. Bradley had the community, faculty, staff, and students give the ladies a well-deserved round of applause.
In her closing remarks, Mrs. Bradley reminded students again to not forget “to make their bed” as they get ready to enter high school letting them know that taking the first step in a new journey is quite an accomplishment in itself.
On the way out and into the stadium, guests and others in attendance were treated to seeing a gallery of posters that students and their families made of favorite memories of their students to add a personal touch of their memories throughout the year to the event.
Western Wayne faculty, administration, and staff wish the class of 2027 best wishes for their high school experience.

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Western Wayne CATS Club Donates to Project Linus

The Western Wayne High School CATS Club donated 50 blankets to the Project Linus Organization. Project Linus provides blankets to children 0-18 who are seriously ill, traumatized, or in need of a handmade blanket. These fleece blankets will be completed by Project Linus blanketeers. In photo: Western Wayne senior Alyson Buchinski with the blankets she helped to prepare.

Middle School Holds Spirit Week

Middle School students participate in minute-to-win-it spirit games.
Western Wayne High School students who helped during the spirit games: Robert Scramuzza, who served as master of ceremonies; Lillian Maros, who served as master of ceremonies; Kallie Wehrmann, who helped set up games; and Julia Wehrmann, who helped set up games.
Middle School students participate in spirit games.
Western Wayne Middle School Student Council officers Laila Rainford, secretary; Emma DeNunzio, vice president; Dakota Douglas, president; and Olivia Black, treasurer.

Western Wayne Middle School students couldn’t hide that Wildcat Pride during the week of May 8 through May 12.  They had a variety of dress-up days such as character day and decades day to show their school spirit throughout the week ending with the school’s traditional spirit games celebration for students in grades 6 through 12.  Students enjoyed playing a variety of games including dodgeball, minute-to-win-it games, and musical chairs, among others.  All of the students enjoyed this bonding exercise with their classmates and look forward to the rest of their end-of-year activities.

Save the Date: Western Wayne to Host Annual Car Show

The Western Wayne Hot Rod Club and Drama Club will host their 2023 Car Show on Saturday, September 9, 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 Nate Conway is excited to partner with the Hot Rod Club for the fourth time for the Car Show. He 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,” Nate 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 gather 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,” senior member Robert Scramuzza, club co-vice president, 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, Sept. 9 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. Rain date is Sunday, September 10.