A local organization, School Counselors of NEPA, hosted a one-day conference at the University of Scranton. Erica Germani, RDW School Counselor, and Lisa Jacques, Middles School Counselor, presented a workshop as part of the day’s events. Their presentation was titled “The Advisory Council: Collaboration together towards a better tomorrow.” Mrs. Germani and Mrs. Jacques shared their experience of hosting these stakeholder groups at both the district and school levels. They offered tips and strategies to local school counselors who were interested in starting their own advisory councils. “It is so important that we collaborate and form relationships with other school counselors in the area,” Mrs. Germani remarks. “We were proud to share some of the great things that are happening at Western Wayne, and we in turn learned a lot by attending the conference as well.”
The Western Wayne Drama Club will present “Little Shop of Horrors” on Friday, April 1, and Saturday, April 2, 7 p.m.; Sunday, April 3, 2 p.m. at the Western Wayne High School Veterans Memorial Auditorium, 1970A Easton Turnpike, Lake Ariel. Tickets available at the door. Tickets cost $5 for adults and $3 for students and seniors. Western Wayne students get in free with a student ID. The Western Wayne Drama Parents Club will also host a basket raffle with tickets available for purchase for all three performances with the drawings at intermission of the Sunday show. Per tradition, we will also have our musical bear as part of our raffle. This year’s bear is a little Seymour Krelborn with his very own tiny Audrey II. In addition, The Western Wayne Band Parents Association will also be selling refreshments at the show. The Drama Club has rented the Broadway-style plant props for the musical. Students have been rehearsing since December and are excited to put on the show for the community. Who’s who in the cast: Nick DeCandis as Seymour Krelborn; Joanna Regalbuto as Audrey; Robert Scramuzza as Mr. Mushnik; Colette Schmitt as the voice of Audrey II; Nathan Conway as Orin Scrivello, D.D.S.; Lilly Maros as Ronnette; Amanda David as Crystal; Julia Phillips as Chiffon; Owen Obloshny as Mr. Bernstein; Joey Regalbuto as Mrs. Luce; Gabe Treibley as Skip Snip; Alex Fullone as Patrick Martin; B. Flannery as customer; Haley Strocchia as interviewer; Becca Boots as dental patient. Ensemble cast: Stephanie Maxwell, Brenna McGlone, Luke Rusin, Bradley Miehle, Mikayla Fullone, Kenzie Kennedy, Juliana Kurent, Scott Kurent, Madison Trapanese, and Jade Wetherington. Stage Crew Members: Emily Brophy, Ash Mangieri, Luis Appollonio, Liv Benson, Jocilyn Brungard, Chad Burns, Rae Christopher, Hayley Cordero, Violet Gontkowski, Brynn Mazurick, Hunter Reichling, Darrell Schramm, Kat Shumski, Kallie Wehrmann, Jade Edwards, Izzy O’Donnell, Koda DeNunzio, Lowen Weber, Ethan Rutkowski. Details: Tickets cost $5 for adults and $3 for students and seniors. Western Wayne students get in free with a student ID. Book and Lyrics by Howard Ashman with musical staging by Edie Cowan. Music by Alan Menken. Based on the film by Roger Corman. Screenplay by Charles Griffith. Originally produced by the WPA Theatre (Kyle Renick, Producing Director). Originally produced at the Orpheum Theatre, New York City, by the WPA Theatre, David Geffen, Cameron Mackintosh and the Shubert Organization. Little Shop of Horrors is presented through special arrangement with Music Thearte International (MTI). All authorized performance materials are also supplied by MTI www.mtishows.com
. From left: Mr. Matthew Barr, high school vice principal; David Stinson, district manager; and Mr. Paul Gregorski, high school principal.
The Western Wayne High School received a 500 dollar 2022 ExxonMobil Educational Alliance Grant to support STEM education. ExxonMobil and Onvo present these grants to various area schools each year. The check was awarded to Western Wayne recently. Western Wayne Administration and staff are excited to use these funds to better the educational experiences of their students. The District intends to use these funds to enhance students’ experiences in STEM related studies. The following picture was taken during the 2019 school year.
Mrs. Thorpe, secretary at RDW, recently opened her own floral shop called “For the Birds: Floral and Gifts.” She spoke to second and fifth grade students about her experience of starting a business from scratch. She shared her exciting progress as well as the difficulties of being an entrepreneur (e.g. you don’t make much money in the beginning, you have no “sick” days, if there’s any problems you have to solve them on your own). Students also watched how a floral arrangement is created from start (flowers in boxes) to finish. They even got to take some flowers home!
Thank you Mrs. Thorpe for sharing your experience with our students!
Attention all Wildcats: Western Wayne High School CATS Club will be hosting a fundraiser to help the Children of Ukraine. We will be selling t-shirts and all proceeds will be donated to UNICEF targeted for the Children of Ukraine. You can order your t-shirts online by going to the Western Wayne website and click on the site or go to https://catsclub.itemorder.com/shop/sale/ . The t-shirts will be delivered to your school, or you can have them mailed directly to your home at an additional cost. The cost of the t-shirt will be $17.50. They will be available in either youth or adult sizes. Thank you.
The Art students at RDW celebrated St. Patrick’s Day by learning about ancient Celtic symbols. Kindergartners studied flags as symbols, then made their own Irish flag. 1st graders practiced the ancient craft of weaving and used ROY G BIV order to weave festive rainbows. 2nd Graders studied and created their own Irish Claddagh designs & 3rd graders painted Celtic Spiral Knots.
Western Wayne freshman Rebekah Palko recently placed second in the walk/ jog intermediate competition that was part of a regional competition hosted by the Interscholastic Equestrian Association that took place in Skippack, Pennsylvania, the weekend of March 12. Rebekah now will move on to the National Competition to be held in Harrisburg from April 28 through April 31. She will compete in her event on April 30.
Rebekah has been horseback riding since she was a young girl. She has always loved being around horses and riding them. She has been involved in the IEA program for the past three years. This is the furthest she has gotten in a competition of this nature.
“Competing has really helped me to grow,” Rebekah explained. “It has helped me to build confidence in myself as both a rider and person. I have more skills in riding and in life about opening up and not being afraid to take on new challenges.”
Rebekah works with local trainer Charlotte Walsh. Walsh helped to get Rebekah involved in the IEA competitions. Rebekah discussed how she really enjoys learning from Walsh, because each week they work on new skills to help her develop as a rider.
“Learning new skills helps me be prepared for what I could face when I ride in competition on any given day,” Rebekah explained. “I always feel prepared but am never totally sure what’ll happen in the moment due to the nature of riding an animal.” Rebekah is looking forward to the upcoming IEA National Competition. She aspires to work hard at her riding for the duration of her high school career in the hopes of earning a college scholarship for her equestrian work. Any other local middle and high school riders can join IEA. Students do not need to own a horse in order to be a part of a team. The link for more information is https://www.rideiea.org/
The week of March 14th is designated as AG Literacy Week in the state of Pennsylvania. The program focuses on connecting volunteers from the agricultural community to local classrooms to share the story of agriculture. Volunteer readers will have the opportunity to talk about farming and agriculture through the book they read as well as their own experiences with farming. Volunteers visited all kindergarten, first grade, and second grade classrooms at EverGreen Elementary on March 15th where they read My Family’s Soybean Farm to the students. Students pictured are from Ms. Hemmler’s first grade class.
March is nationally recognized as Music in Our Schools Month: a month where schools around the country celebrate the importance of music programs in children’s lives. Please enjoy a performance by the Western Wayne High School Chorus celebrating the value of music in our community!
From left, Row 1: Theresa Lubash, Gabby Tetreault, PA FBLA State Parliamentarian; and Morgan Coccodrilli, PA FBLA State Reporter. From left, Row 2: Jocelyn Cramer, Wayne County Commissioner; Brian Field, Wayne County Treasurer; Brian Smith, Wayne County Commissioner; and Joe Adams, Wayne County Commissioner.
Western Wayne FBLA members recently attended a recent Wayne County Commissioners meeting. At the meeting, Western Wayne FBLA officers Gabby Tetreault and Morgan Coccodrilli spoke about FBLA and accepted a proclamation declaring the week of February 13-19, 2022, FBLA Week in Wayne County.
ALL NEWS
Art Show a SuccessMay 16, 2025Western Wayne hosted their annual spring Art Show on Saturday, May 10, for the community. The show featured art from students in grades 8 through 12 and art from graduating seniors. The following list of seven seniors exhibited their portfolios at the art show: Aubrey Bell, Andy Dickison, Cedar Gilpin, Lillian Maros, Davis Sheppard, Neima Smith-Horst, and Lizzie Washine. Their displays represented an accumulation of up to four years of artwork.
Senior Aubrey Bell’s featured display focussed on contrast.
“In my senior display, I juxtaposed elements like skulls and flowers,” Aubrey explained. “To me, this pairing symbolizes the inherent beauty in contrast–how life and death are not opposites, but part of a shared, nature cycle. By combining them, I aim to present death not as an end, but as a meaningful and even peaceful transition.”
Aubrey said that Marvel and DC comics often influence her creative perspective as well.
She plans to attend Penn State University to pursue a four-year degree in nursing, with the ultimate goal of becoming a surgeon. In addition, she always plans to carry her artistic perspective with her.
Senior Andy Dickison’s artwork centers around the human form and all the ways it can be bent. Andy takes inspiration from artists who use “gross” color palettes and strange perspectives. In addition, drum-heavy grunge music has also been inspirational.
“A message I want to send through my pieces is that they can never be exactly replicated again,” Andy explained. “AI image generators cannot replace human creativity and artwork.”
Andy is proud of doing the artwork for the cover of the December issue for Happening Magazine this school year and for being Artist of the Week on WVIA.
Andy plans to attend Kutztown University and major in art.
Senior Cedar Gilpin feels that in her time taking art class throughout her high school career has really helped her expand her creative mind.
“A major source of inspiration for me is my mother,” Cedar said. “She’s always been incredibly creative and has encouraged me to express myself through drawing, painting and more. I’m genuinely proud of what I’ve accomplished so far, and I believe the skills I’ve developed will benefit me greatly in the future.”
Cedar will attend college in the fall with a major in art therapy.
Senior Lillian Maros’ display centered around art inspired by her family.
“My inspiration is my family and things I experience around me,” Lilly explained. “My father and brother are both cowboys. Yes, they still exist. They participate in rodeos around the country and are often far from home. My art is a way of connecting to them when I can’t see them, and showing my support for them as they have supported me. My mural is the centerpiece of my display, as is my art. It is the explanation of how my relationship with my brother works.”
Lilly is greatly inspired by all members of her family including her mother and grandparents as well as her father and brother. She is also strongly guided by her faith in God.
Lilly plans to move with her family to Texas after graduation where she intends to start her own mobile coffee truck.
Senior Davis Sheppard believes his artwork has helped him grow as a person.
“My artwork has profoundly shaped my life, giving me a more positive outlook and inspiring personal growth to elevate my creative expression,” Davis explained. “Through my work, I found meaning and a sense of identity–I became someone. It also helped me open up to others.”
Davis wants others to know how truly free art is.
Davis plans to attend Marywood University to earn a bachelor’s degree in graphic design.
Senior Neima Smith-Horst’s primary medium for art is mixed media, combining unexpected things together and creating peace, but also holding versatility.
“Everything comes from trusting the process, and I find peace in creating and trusting my own heart in making something,” she explained. “Art is an escape for me, something to do without pressure and insecurity. Being able to create different things allows me to capture what I wish was, what I fear, feel, love, enjoy, and even things I have no interest or control over.”
Neima plans to continue to work and also attend college for directing and filmmaking.
Finally, senior Lizzie Washine has always had a love for art.
Watercolor is her favored medium.
“I draw inspiration from everything around me: my personal experiences, the world I observe, the music I love, and the poetry and literature I read,” she explained. “Art surrounds us in so many forms. I see it in the lyrical depth of artists like Bob Dylan, The Doors, and even Noah Kahan, and Zach Bryan–where every word feels intentional and alive with meaning.”
Lizzie plans to attend Duquesne University to pursue a dual major in elementary and special education with a minor in creative writing.
All of the seniors are grateful for the experiences they had at Western Wayne in their art classes.
The District wishes them the best on their future endeavors and congratulates the Art Department on another successful Art Show.
From left: Aubrey Bell, Davis Sheppard, Cedar Gilpin, Neima Smith-Horst, Lizzie Washine, and Lilly Maros. Absent from photo: Andy Dickison. [...]
Community Invited to Annual CatWalk Fashion Show on May 22May 16, 2025Western Wayne Fashion students are thrilled to invite the community to their annual CatWalk Fashion Show on Thursday, May 22, at 7 p.m. in the high school auditorium. This year the show titled “Eco Floral Fusion” is focussed on the theme of eco- sustainability .Doors will open at 6:15 p.m. Free admission! The students will also host the show for an audience of their peers during the school day on Thursday, May 22.
Pieces made by students in grades 9 through 12 will be featured. The students also worked in teams that represent fashion collections based on the four seasons. The lead designers for the collections are senior Lily Kieva, spring collection, sophomore Bella Kolp, winter collection; sophomore Emma DeNunzio, summer collection; and sophomore Addriana Cangas, fall collection.
Show director and fashion teacher Andrea McCleland explained the way the students created their seasonalities collections to reflect the theme of the show.
“The designers thrifted what’s on stage,” she explained. “We studied in class how the fashion industry has been a burden on the environment, so for the seasonalities portion of our show, we have set an example of not burdening the environment for these collections.”
Senior Lily Kieva is excited to debut her Lily of the Valley collection for the spring portion of the competition.
“It is a perfect theme for me,” she explained. “It is an eccentric spring theme with a reference to my name and Pennsylvania flowers of the valley.”
Lily is a four-year fashion student at Western Wayne. Upon graduation, she will attend Marywood University with a major in secondary education history with the intention of also earning a special education certificate.
She is most fond of the memories she has made through creating fashion and plans to continue to create designs after graduation with her sewing machine at home.
Fellow designer Bella Kolp also owns a sewing machine and learned how to sew at a young age.
She is thrilled to debut her winter collection called Whispers of Winter and other pieces in the show.
Bella shared how she has tied in another meaningful part of her high school years to the fashion show.
For the past two years, she has been a part of a program called EF Language Abroad which has given her the opportunity to study Japanese language and culture abroad in Japan both last summer and again this upcoming summer.
“I got the opportunity to study the language for about four hours a day and then travel throughout Japan,” she explained.
She discussed how one of the pieces she created for the show was inspired by her time in Japan. Bella aspires to study business in college.
Fellow sophomore Emma DeNunzio, who was encouraged by her aunt to start sewing years ago, is also excited to share her summer collection.
Emma just played the supporting role of Ali in Western Wayne’s production of Mamma Mia!
“One of my more beach-themed pieces was influenced by the musical,” she explained.
Her fellow fashion classmate sophomore Addriana Cangas is also happy to debut her fall collection at the show. She has greatly enjoyed her experience creating fashion and can’t wait to present her work to the community with her classmates and teacher.
McCleland and her students feel so grateful to be able to invite the community to their evening show on Thursday, May 22, and they look forward to creating more designs to share with the Western Wayne community in the future.
From left, standing: Chloe Gilpin, model; Clare Coccodrilli, model; Avery Ullner, model; and Davis Sheppard, model. From left, kneeling: Lily Kieva, designer; and Bella Kolp, designer. [...]
Hartman Named NEIU 19 Scholar of the Year and Scholastic SuperstarMay 14, 2025Senior, Lia Hartman, was recently recognized as both the NEIU 19 Scholar of the Year and The Times-Tribune Scholastic Superstar. The Scholastic Superstar Ceremony was held on May 5th at Lackawanna College. NEIU Scholar of the Year Ceremony was held on May 6th at Carbondale Area Jr./Sr. High School.Lia is a highly involved student who is the president of the Science Club. She, also, is in Envirothon, National Honor Society, and is president of the Band. In addition, she served as a drum major for the past two years playing the flute and piccolo.“I have learned a lot about leadership in my time at Western Wayne,” she said. “I’ve come to embrace the fact that everyone I work with is unique and to have success leading them I have to adjust to their needs. I have become a more understanding and open-minded person through being a drum major.”Hartman will take the leadership skills she learned at Western Wayne to college next year. She will be attending The University of Scranton in the fall with a major in biochemistry.“The human body is really interesting,” she said. “I want to contribute to people’s health, and I enjoy lab work best, so pathology embodies what I see for my future.”From left: Western Wayne High School Principal Mr. Paul B. Gregorski and Lia Hartman. [...]
Kloss Sets Junior High School RecordMay 14, 2025Congratulations to Kaitlyn Kloss for setting the JH School Record in the 3200 with a time of 12:23.74 with a Gold Medal effort at Abington Heights tonight in a makeup event from the invitational two weeks ago. Garrett Malakin earned a Bronze Medal in the event with a time of 11:56.24. From left: Kloss and Malakin. [...]
Band Director Receives PMEA District 9 Citation of Excellence AwardMay 14, 2025Mrs. Elaine Ort formerly received thePennsylvania Music Educators Association District 9 Citation of Excellence award at the school board meeting on Wednesday, May 7. Mrs. Ort is the only band director in District 9 to be chosen for the award this year. This award is given to music educators who demonstrate high musical standards both inside and outside the classroom. She attended an awards banquet at the PMEA State Conference in April to receive recognition for this award as well.
In addition, Mrs. Ort has had the honor of being a member of America’s Bands Directors with her most recent appearance with this group at the 2023 Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade.
The district is proud of Mrs. Ort’s past and most recent accomplishments.
Pictured is Mrs. Ort, PMEA District 9 vice president, shaking hands with and receiving her framed award from PMEA District 9 President Dr. Thomas Bassett.
Second picture is of Mrs. Ort with her well-deserved award. [...]
Safe2Say Something is a youth violence prevention
program run by the Pennsylvania Office of Attorney General.
The program teaches youth and adults how to recognize
warning signs and signals, especially within social media,
from individuals who may be a threat to themselves or others
and to “say something” BEFORE it is too late.