Jonatan Stanley (2nd award), Diala Hassan (2nd award), Cadence Faatz (1st award), Jaime Bryan (1st award), Haley Estus (3rd award), Samantha Killian (2nd award)
Around the Schools
Wayne County Community Foundation Donates Dictionaries
Monetary donations are given to the Wayne County Community Foundation from people throughout Wayne County to purchase the dictionaries. The Wayne County Community Foundation has been giving dictionaries to all of the 3rd grade students throughout Wayne County for the past 14 years.
Students pictured:
Hailey Wasman, Dominic DeSiato, Brody Estock, Mia Gifford, Maggie Kotchessa, Alexzander DeCandis, Joshua Reingold, Anthony Zoppi, and Joey Tickner
Teacher’s pictured:
Stacy Box, Grace Clauss, Brenda Queipo, Sara Sepelyak, Christin Driscoll, and Mark James from the Wayne County Community Foundation
High School Students Participate in Career Day at Highlights
Students from Honesdale High School, Wallenpaupack High School, and Forest City Regional attended a career day at Highlights in Honesdale on Thursday, February 23. The students heard from multiple people in the Highlights organization on their own personal career journeys and how they came to their job at Highlights. The students also toured Highlights and learned about the different aspects of producing the publication. From left: Aileanna Hutchins, Emily Garcia, Brooke Hedden, Miriam Sheehan, and Lilli Millon.
Western Wayne Students Participate in PMEA Regional IV Chorus Festival
Five Western Wayne High School students participated in the PMEA Regional IV Chorus Festival which took place February 22 and February 23. Dominic Corma placed as first alternate for the upcoming PMEA All-State Chorus Festival to take place from April 19-22 in Erie, PA. He came in fifth out of twenty students who auditioned in the tenor 1 part. From left: Ellie Motichka, Brady McElheny, Samantha Pritzlaff, Dominic Corma, and Julianna Cruz.
Mock Trial Team Participates in Region 10 District 1 Mock Trial Competition
A case involving an accused arsonist was the challenge local mock trial teams faced at the recent Region 10 District 1 Mock Trial Competition which recently was held at the Scranton courthouse. The Western Wayne Mock Trial Team participated in this event which took place on February 8th for the defense and on February 16th for the prosecution. Western Wayne competed against Holy Cross for the defense round and Dunmore for the prosecution/ plaintiff round.
The students from the Western Wayne team learned a lot from their experience about preparing and presenting a trial. All of the eight students on the Western Wayne team believe that in some way this opportunity will help them in the pursuit of their future goals. The members of the Western Wayne Mock Trial team are pictured with their adviser. From left, in front: Lindsey Karwacki, Samantha Pritzlaff, and Holly Oppelt. From left, behind: Mr. Jared Hayden, Vidya Vanyo, Amanda Herold, Emily Garcia, Nadia Vanyo, and Martin Spewak.
RDW Kindness Club Inspires Community
Students in the RDW Kindness Club got straight to work planning another project. This time, their club advisor, Ms. Booth, challenged them to come up with something that would expand into the community. The students decided on a very simple but meaningful way to do so. A new message can be found on the RDW electronic sign: “One kind word can warm three winter months”. This will be just one of many kind/inspirational quotes that will become part of the announcement rotation. In photo from left to right: Allie Pauler, Cianna Tyler, Jacob Schott, Sean Bosshard, Carter Mistishin, and Emily Dickson.
Girls Lead Club Members Raise Awareness for Women’s Rights at Western Wayne High School
It is statistically shown that women make about 76 cents per every dollar that a man makes. This fact was one of the many statistics, about the struggles women face in society, that members of the Girls Lead club at Western Wayne High School shared with fellow students during a recent event at school.
Marianne Morgan, English teacher, decided to start the club last year as a result of discussions she had with her college-age daughter about a class her daughter was taking on women and economics. This inspired Morgan to help young women at Western Wayne raise awareness about women’s rights.
She began by sharing the idea with students she thought would want to join the cause and the organization grew from there. In the club’s two year history, one male student has joined. Morgan and the other members feel very open to any Western Wayne student taking part in the organization.
This year the group consists of ten members. Officers are Mallory Jablon, president; Julianna Cruz, vice president, Jenae Martinkovitch, treasurer; Sam Pritzlaff, public relations; Gabby McFey, art director; and members, Ty Alpaugh, Zoe Dilatush, Amanda Herald, Lauren Loscig, and Kayla Fitzpatrick.
An event the members did in the first half of the year involved them spreading awareness about the importance of feminism. The club had a table outside of the cafeteria where interested students would come over and read a handout with some facts about why feminism is important. Then if they wanted to participate further they wrote their own reasons for why feminism is important on an index card. The club members then made a display of the index cards. Students who participated received a free tote bag. Each contained a Girls Lead pencil, a flyer about some women with notable accomplishments, and a card stamped with an empowering message such as “She believed she could, so she did!” with a Lifesaver attached and the handwritten message, “You can be your own lifesaver!”.
Pictured are members of the Girls Lead club in front of the display about feminism which was created at their tote bag give away event. From left: Amanda Herald; Mallory Jablon, president; Sam Pritzlaff, public relations; Ty Alpaugh; Jenae Martinkovitch, treasurer; and Zoe Dilatush.
Western Wayne High School Students Participate in PMEA District 9 Band Festival
Western Wayne High School students recently participated in the PMEA District 9 Band Festival. From left: Elaine Ort, Western Wayne Band director; John Kear, Ellie Motichka, Korianna Burgerhoff, and Molly Nagle. Pictured behind row one: Amanda Herald, Mason Coccodrilli, Keith Franc, Seth Lamberton, Samantha Davis, and Katherine Moore, all Western Wayne students who participated in the event. The following Western Wayne students will move on to Region Band which will be held this year at Central Columbia High School from March 23-25 with a concert open to the public on Saturday, March 25 at 1 p.m. at Central Columbia. The students who placed include: Katherine Moore, first place on Oboe 2; John Kear, third place on Clarinet 2; Korianna Burgerhoff fifth place on Clarinet 3; Molly Nagle second place on Trombone 2; and Mason Coccodrilli, second place on Percussion. Ellie Motichka, Seth Lamberton, Amanda Herold, and Samantha Davis are all alternates.
WW Middle School Students of the Month
From Left: Ms. Elizabeth Watson, Assistant Principal, Anna Mangieri, Grade 6, Richie Reed, Grade 7, Maggie Millon, Grade 8, Mrs. Kristen Donohue, Principal.
Western Wayne High School Fashion Design and Technology Team Places Fifth at TSA Region 9 Leadership Conference
Western Wayne Middle and High School students participated in the Technology Student Association Region 9 Leadership Conference that was held on Saturday, February 4, at Stroudsburg High School. Pictured are the four seniors who made up Western Wayne’s Fashion Design and Technology team. From left: Gina Infante, Rachel Roberts, Emily Shaffer, and Madison Kornutiak.The team faced the task of creating clothes made of recyclable materials that would fit a person comfortably. The girls made a top out of a Victoria’s Secret Bag, a skirt out of newspaper, and a dress from the shiny silver side of chip bags.
“It was a lot of trial and error,” Gina said. “It was one of the hardest things we have ever done.”
Her and Rachel explained how the girls had to sometimes sew in a zig-zag pattern to work with their recycled materials. They also described how they used electrical tape as a seam for their chip bag dress.
The girls said the process was tedious and many times they had to collaborate to produce new ideas to make their nonconventional materials fit together.
“We learned how to voice our ideas without putting down someone else’s,” Rachel explained.
The girls in the group are used to sharing ideas because they also worked together last year in the same event and went on to the national competition for their creation of garments that could be worn for the opening ceremony of an Olympic Games.
The young designers feel proud of all of the work they have done involving fashion design at Western Wayne. They believe their hard work in developing garments for TSA competitions will benefit them in their future career paths.
Rachel explained how it will help her as a future nurse practitioner.
“I think a lot of it has to do with last-minute thinking in the moment,” she said. “I’m much more calm in high-pressure situations now. I can think of things without panicking.”
Pictured are the garments the Western Wayne High School Fashion Design and Technology Team created for the TSA Region 9 Leadership Conference. They created a dress made of the shiny silver side of chip bags, a top from a Victoria’s Secret bag, and a skirt from newspaper.
ALL NEWS
Students Present Aquaponics Challenge Project at Regional BanquetMay 7, 2026On May 5, 2026, students from Western Wayne High School proudly presented their student-led environmental education project at the Community Connections to Our Watershed banquet, held at Montage Mountain. Their project, an Aquaponics Challenge System, was designed, researched, and implemented entirely by the student team.Aquaponics is a sustainable food production system that combines aquaculture (raising fish) with hydroponics (growing plants without soil). In this balanced system, fish waste provides essential nutrients for plant growth, while the plants naturally filter and clean the water for the fish. The Western Wayne team developed their system to demonstrate how this closed-loop approach can support both food production and water quality.As part of their project, the students raised trout from eggs to approximately three to four months old before preparing them for release into a local stream. A major focus of their work involved addressing water quality challenges, particularly nitrate buildup from fish waste. Through research and problem-solving, the team explored ways to improve natural filtration within their system, including redesigning components and upgrading equipment such as water pumps to maintain optimal conditions.The project also emphasized key components of the Aquaponics Challenge, including system design, environmental monitoring, and community outreach. Students utilized technology such as climate control tools and irrigation systems while also connecting with local organizations and professionals for support. In addition, they worked to share their knowledge beyond the classroom by engaging others in understanding sustainable practices and watershed stewardship.This presentation was the culmination of months of work as part of the Community Connections to Our Watershed program, a regional environmental initiative that has been in place for over 20 years. Each year, teams of five students and one teacher from schools across Lackawanna and Luzerne Counties participate in the program. Coordinated by the education teams at Lackawanna and Nescopeck State Parks, the program immerses students in watershed science through field experiences and collaboration with environmental professionals.Throughout the year, the Western Wayne students participated in field trips to Keystone College, Lackawanna State Park, the Old Forge borehole, the Anthracite Heritage Museum, Lacawac Sanctuary, Pennsylvania American Water treatment facilities, and the Lackawanna River Heritage Trail. These experiences deepened their understanding of how human activities impact local watersheds and helped inform their aquaponics system design, particularly in understanding the relationships between aquatic organisms, plants, and water quality.This year’s Community Connections to Our Watershed program included schools from across the region: Carbondale, Forest City, Lakeland, Mountain View, Old Forge, Riverside, Western Wayne, and Wayne Highlands in Lackawanna County; and Crestwood, Hanover Area, HAAS, HACC, Hazleton Area, Northwest, Tunkhannock, and Wyoming Area in Luzerne County.The program is made possible through the support of Pennsylvania American Water Company, the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR), and the DCNRWatershed Education Program.Picture one, from left: Mark Nebzydoski Ph.D., advisor; Rhys Locklin, Noah Benson, Aidyn Graci, Aliyah Gregory, and Giana Graci.Picture two, the group from Western Wayne making their presentation, from left: Aliyah Gregory, Giana Graci, Rhys Locklin, Noah Benson, and Aidyn Graci. [...]
Science meets nature: Students release trout at Varden Conservation AreaMay 6, 2026Students in Wayne County are getting an up-close look at nature with an opportunity to study what’s right in their backyard.
https://www.wnep.com/video/news/local/wayne-county/science-meets-nature-students-release-trout-at-varden-conservation-area/523-3cf2ef49-624d-4f00-95cd-f2573064bf60 [...]
Western Wayne Hosts Prom with Support of Local BusinessesMay 6, 2026Western Wayne hosted their annual prom with “A Starry Night” theme at a new venue this year New Leaf Farm in Waymart on Saturday, May 2. The event focussed around local community businesses who hosted food trucks for the event including: Lupo Russo, 2 Ways One Passions, and Pop-Pop’s Grill and Catering. The students also enjoyed gourmet cupcakes from Ms. Michele Dugan along with cotton candy donated by Mrs. Paula Lamberton
There were 225 students and guests in attendance. Event sponsors included: Ariel View Inn (AVI), Leeward, Waymart Hotel, Iron Hill at 1940,and Meadowbrook Stables, and For the Birds, who provided flowers.
The students in attendance enjoyed this new experience. Senior Maggie Kotchessa thought this unique prom experience was a great idea.
“I really loved all of the food choices,” Maggie, who decided on a pulled pork sandwich from Pop-Pop’s, said.
Her classmate Norman Phillips’ grandfather owns Pop-Pop’s, and he was excited his family business could be a part of the event.
“It was really neat having my grandfather there doing what he loves,” Norman said. “He usually travels around to do a number of different gigs, and it was really neat having him at our prom.”
In addition to the variety of food items at the event, the students also were treated to a mocktail bar. Junior Madelyn McClure wrote a grant through the Wayne County Community Youth Advisory Committee and the district used the money to fund the mocktails for prom.
Also, the community donated a variety of gift cards for the students as prizes. Each student in attendance got a raffle ticket for a chance to win.
The 2026 Prom Court included: Vinny Baldini, King; Audrey Agnello, Queen; and
Mia Gifford, Hannah DeStefano, Olivia Haines, and Sofia Ochlan served as attendants.
The students enjoyed this unique prom experience and thank the district for their continued support of student events.
Picture one: Mr. Paul Gregorski, high school principal; Vinny Baldini, King; and Audrey Agnello, Queen.
Picture two:: Olivia Haines, Hannah DeStefano, Vinny Baldini, Audrey Agnello, Mia Gifford, and Sophia Ochlan. [...]
Scholarships & Career Opportunities – May EditionMay 4, 2026The May edition of Scholarships & Career Opportunities is now available. All grades should read this document to get information on college, careers, important dates, SAT/ACT exams and of course…scholarships!
Click here: https://ww3.westernwayne.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Scholarships-and-Career-Opportunities-May-2026.pdf [...]
Western Wayne Annual Art Exhibit & Spring Concerts on May 9May 4, 2026Western Wayne’s annual art exhibit and spring concerts will take place on Saturday, May 9.
The art exhibit will run in the high school gymnasium from 2 to 5 p.m. It will mainly feature high school artwork with special displays by our seniors. In addition, a select sample of middle and elementary student artwork will be on display.
The concert schedule is as follows: the sixth-grade concert will begin at 11 a.m.; the seventh- grade concert will begin at 1 p.m., the eighth- grade concert will begin at 3 p.m.; and the high school concert will begin at 5 p.m. with all concerts in the Veterans Memorial Auditorium at the high school.
There will be concessions for sale in the high school cafeteria throughout the day. All events are free of charge. Please join us in the celebrating the arts in our school. [...]
