Students competed in the 2nd Annual Food Truck Wars

Students in Mrs. Jenkins’s Honors American Literature class planned, designed, created, and presented professional Food Truck Companies based on characters of Ray Bradbury’s novel Fahrenheit 451. Students competed in the 2nd Annual Food Truck Wars for ‘Best Food Truck’ based on originality, creativity, novel connection, and professionalism. Juniors and fellow sophomores who studied the book previously served as judges.

Congratulations to ‘Beatty’s Bussin Bytes’ created by Nathan Conway and Gabe Treibley based on the character of Captain Beatty. Honorable mention goes to runners-up Lila Rusin and Kiersten McDonald for their company “Are You Happy” and Taylor Maiocco and Rhayni Carroll for their company “Sips of Serenity.”

Western Wayne School District Participates in Virtual Reading Relay 

Western Wayne High School and Middle School students participated in the NEIU-19’s Virtual Reading Relay this past May. The students got the chance to virtually participate. Students read books from a shared list and competed in rounds on their knowledge of the stories. The students were thrilled to share their love of reading in this virtual format and look forward to many reading competitions in the future. There were two high school teams and one middle school team this year.

Tomorrow’s Leaders Today Graduation 2022

Western Wayne’s Tomorrow’s Leaders Today Graduating Class of 2022 included Skylar Long, Marshall Davis and Evan Peirce.

Leadership Lackawanna’s seven-month Tomorrow’s Leaders Today program develops the leadership, interpersonal and managerial skills of high school juniors and provides real-world experiences in the areas of health care, STEAM, history and heritage, crime and corrections, financial literacy, philanthropy, non-profit organizations and community service. Sessions are held one full weekday each month.

EverGreen PreK Bus Safety

On May 25th the Pre-Kindergarten classes at EverGreen Elementary had a bus safety presentation. Students learned about safety while boarding and exiting the bus along with proper behavior while being on the bus. Students picture are from Mrs. Hoch’s morning and afternoon classes and Miss Sposto’s morning class. The presentation was by WW School Police Officer Marty Robbins and bus driver Mark Peet. Thank you to Officer Robbins, Mr. Peet and Mr. Henwood from Henwood Bussing for allowing the use of one of his buses.

Western Wayne Hosts Annual Art Exhibit

From left, standing, seniors:  Audrey Lawlor, Rebecca Boots, Ella Dougher, Vince Cistulli, Adelaide Treibley, and B. Flannery.  From left, sitting, seniors:  Carleigh Galliford and Delaney Valinski. Absent from photo: Lowen Weber.

Western Wayne High School artists were thrilled to host their annual art show in the High School Gym on Saturday, May 14, after two years.  The students were unable to have their show in 2020, and they held a modified version of it in 2021 in the high school library.

This year the students brought out all of their best work to showcase for their family, friends, and the community.  Students in grades 9 through 12 had their artwork featured along with a few pieces from select 8th grade artists.

In addition, nine seniors had their artwork showcased in special displays of their own creation.  

Senior Rebecca Boots’ exhibit theme was “Many Dreams, Little Nightmares.”

“This exhibit displays the mind of a teenage girl and her feelings that make no sense and have no correlation,” she explained.  “My theme reflects my personal thoughts and feelings growing up as a teenager which is reflected in my work.”

Becca plans to attend Lackawanna College for nursing.

Fellow senior Vince Cistulli’s exhibit theme was “Horror.”

“I have pieces that are inspired from the typical horror clichés and stereotypes painted with a colorful twist,” he said.  “Fear has been around since the dawn of time and it’ll never go away and the fact  I can convey that in a particular style represents me.”

Vince’s goals post graduation are to either go to college for psychology or to work in the film industry.

Senior Ella Dougher has loved art since she was very young.

“Ever since I was younger, I always loved to draw and paint,” she explained.  “Whenever I had free time, I would get my hands on something.  My passion for art came from my mother and brother who are both talented artists.”

The theme of her senior exhibit was dreamlike and surrealistic.

Fellow senior B. Flannery has enjoyed art from a young age as well.

“My earliest art-making memory is drawing a pastel portrait of my sister and I in my 8th-grade art class,” B. explained.  “I became interested in the arts because it helped me with my mental health.  I was at a really low part of my life and I turned to music and art as an outlet.”

B.’s senior exhibit was based on fears.

Post graduation, B. will attend Marywood University to study vocal music therapy.

Senior Carleigh Galliford is another one of our artists who was inspired by her family. 

“My mother is an artist and inspired me to become interested in the arts,” Carleigh explained.  “I am also inspired by the emotions I feel dealing with mental health, leaving behind childhood and friendships, and being in nature.

The theme of Carleigh’s exhibit was “Self-Expression.”

After graduation, she will attend Marywood University to study music therapy.

Fellow senior Adelaide Treibley, like some of her classmates, was inspired to enjoy art in her younger years.

“My love for art began in elementary school,” Adelaide said.  “Art was my favorite class, and I enjoyed the creative challenge of each new assignment.”

Her senior art exhibit theme was “Life and Nature.”

She will attend Moravian University majoring in chemistry in the fall.

Soon-to-be graduate Audrey Lawlor also had her creativity sparked for art as a child.

“My grandmother and my father have inspired me to pursue art as a subject of study in high school because they are both very talented and artistic,” she explained.  “Growing up, my father was always sketching and drawing.”

Audrey’s post-graduation plans are to attend Duquesne University and study business.

Another one of our seniors also planning to attend Marywood University in the fall, is Delaney Valinski.  She plans to study psychology. 

One way she keeps down her stress level is through art.

“I enjoy creating and the stress relief it provides,” she explained.  I also enjoy how creating helps bring me joy but what I create provides joy for others.”

Her senior collection was inspired by nature.

Finally, senior Lowen Weber’s display had the theme “Habits and Dependency.”

“My inspiration comes from allegorical stories, true crime, and personal life experiences,” Lowen explained.  

Lowen’s goals after graduation are to take a gap year and save up to go to York College to study acting and illustration.

The Western Wayne School District congratulates all of the artists involved in this year’s art exhibit and wishes the seniors the best with their future plans.

Western Wayne Hosts Annual Spring High School Band and Chorus Concert

Western Wayne High School musicians came together on Saturday, May 14th, in an exhibition of the arts in the Veteran’s Memorial Auditorium for their annual spring concert for both band and chorus students.

The concerts showcased the groups’ musical abilities honed after months of hard work. Both the band and choir have faced challenges, again, this school year, but put on a great show for the community. Pictured are Western Wayne High School chorus students under the direction of Mr. Taber Starnes and band students under the direction of Mrs. Elaine Ort.

Cat Pack Games Held at Sharkey Rosetti Stadium

The Cat Pack Games were held on Tuesday, May 24 at Sharkey Rosetti Stadium. Students from EverGreen, RDW and Middle and High Schools were greeted by the Western Wayne Marching Band. Student volunteers from the Middle and High Schools assisted in the games. The day was a perfect highlight of some of the many talents of our students-running, jumping, throwing, and playing! Thank you to everyone who helped make it a great day!

Middle School Holds Spirit Week

Western Wayne Middle School students couldn’t hide that Wildcat Pride during the week of May 9 through May 13.  They had a variety of dress-up days such as character day and Rockstar 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.

LifeNet of New York Visits Western Wayne Students

On May 20, 2022 students at the Western Wayne High School and Middle School complex were visited by the LifeNet of New York Helicopter crew. Students had the opportunity to watch the helicopter land on campus and then were greeted by the crew members. Two life flight nurses and the helicopter pilot spent time with the kids describing the educational pathway that led them to a career in life flight. Students then had the opportunity to tour the helicopter, learn about the care that can be administered in flight, the mechanics of the helicopter and the logistics of life flight. This invaluable experience allowed students to see potential careers in medicine and aviation. Students used their scientific background knowledge to ask great questions and learn more about this life saving career. Students then enjoyed lunch sponsored by the WW Science Club and watched the helicopter take off. The experience was organized and presented by the Western Wayne Education Foundation which is supported financially by local business EITC donations. For more information about the Western Wayne Education Foundation please email wweducationfoundation@gmail.com. For more information about LifeNet of New York please visit https://lifenetny.com/index.html
Thank you to all of the faculty and staff who made this visit possible.