This December 13th the Western Wayne High School Band and Chorus held their annual holiday concert. The night opened with the High School Chorus under the direction of Mr. Taber Starnes singing a variety of holiday songs. Then the High School Band performed under the direction of Mrs. Elaine Ort and entertained the audience with many holiday classics.  As an added treat, the closing numbers of the show included band and chorus alumni who were invited to the stage and welcomed to join the current students in making music.  This tradition started a few years ago to honor the Western Wayne School District’s 50th Anniversary, and it was so popular that alumni look forward to it each year.  The current students and alumni loved making music together and can’t wait to do it again next year.  The High School Chorus, Band, and Western Wayne music programs alumni wish the community the happiest of holidays this season!

Row Four, back, alumni in attendance, from left: Hope Jezorwski, class of 1997; Connor Michaud,; class of 2024; Caden Wilson, class of 2024; Joey Regalbuto, class of 2024; Logan Jerzorski, class of 2024; Seth Lamberton, class of 2018; and Damon Martzen, class of 2020. Row Three: Phil Erb, class of 2001; Mason Coccodrilli, class of 2018; and Thomas Roberts, class of 2017. Row Two:  Candice Zeiler, WW alumni; Alecks Fullone, class of 2022; Amanda David, class of 2023; Jennifer Hall, class of 2023; Kristin Shandor, class of 2015; Noah Shandor, class of 2015; and Kat Moore, class of 2019. Row One: Kathy Schaffer, class of 1974; Erica Arre, class of 2003; Becky Rinella, WW band parent; Mrs. Elaine Ort, band director; Tyler Velez, class of 2018; and Alana Lamberton, class of 2022.

On Saturday, December 14th nearly 300 members of the Western Wayne High School community including students, advisors, chaperones, administration, and SROs gathered to celebrate the 2024 Semi Formal at Camp Ladore in Waymart.

This year’s theme elected by Student Council was Disney’s Tangled and included decor complete with elements of long Rapunzel hair, frying pans, illuminated lanterns, and even a castle backdrop adorned with Pascal.

Students spent the time dining and dancing with opportunities to capture memories in the professional photo booth. Students received picture frames as favors to memorialize the event.

As is tradition, attendees voted sophomores Cole Combs and Makenzie Chearney as Price and Princess of the magical occasion.

Pictured (left to right): 

Mr. Paul Gregorski (Principal), Cole Combs (Prince),  Makenzie Chearney (Princess), and Mr. Robert Black (Vice Principal)

The following students were recognized by the Student Council as students of the month for December. Their teachers and administrators weighed in on the decisions.  All of the students chosen hold a high standard of academic and personal excellence. They are true examples of the P.R.I.D.E. standards for PBIS at our school. 

 First, Abigail Wasman is our selected freshman.  In school, she loves her art class having a special interest in drawing still life. Her other favorite class is Spanish.  Abigail is highly involved in her local 4-H Club for many years. She shows pigs, goats, and cows. Working with and showing animals is her passion.

 “I love working with and preparing animals for show and seeing how they turn out in the end,” she said.  

 Next, Olivia Haines is our chosen sophomore this month. Olivia is a dual sport athlete participating in both track and volleyball at Western Wayne.  In the classroom, she enjoys studying history most.  In addition, she absolutely loves animals and has ridden horses since she was young.  She aspires to be a veterinarian upon graduation.

“I want to study veterinary medicine because of how much I enjoy animals,” she said.

 In addition, Lauren Beamer is this month’s featured junior. She is extremely involved in volleyball being both a part of the Western Wayne team and a club volleyball team out of Allentown.  Her favorite class is English. In addition, she aspires to go into the nursing field.

“I feel that the competitive environment that I thrive on being a part of through my volleyball experiences will help to prepare me for college,” she said.

 Finally,  Lance Maiocco is our senior spotlight this month.   Lance is also a dual sport athlete having played football and baseball at Western Wayne throughout his high school career.  In football, he primarily plays the positions of wide receiver and cornerback.  In baseball, he plays pitcher and outfield.  In addition, he is a member of FBLA and National Honor Society.  

Lance will attend Marywood University upon graduation with a scholarship to play baseball. He plans to study health and exercise science.

“I think that being a part of a team and facing adversity through that experience has helped to better prepare me for the future,” he said.

The Western Wayne School District congratulates these December students of the month and wishes them the best in their future endeavors.

From left: Olivia Haines, Lauren Beamer, Abigail Wasman, Lance Maiocco, and Mr. Paul Gregorski, high school principal.

The following students were recognized by the Student Council as students of the month for November. Their teachers and administrators weighed in on the decisions.  All of the students chosen hold a high standard of academic and personal excellence. They are true examples of the P.R.I.D.E. standards for PBIS at our school. 

 First, Maha Tanveer is our selected freshman.  Maha is new to the district and has been really enjoying her academic and extracurricular experiences here. She tried out a few after school activities so far including the Drama Club, and she can’t wait to continue the rest of her high school career at Western Wayne.

 Next, Gavin Morcom is our chosen sophomore this month.  Gavin is a triple sport athlete who also values academic excellence.  He plays golf and volleyball along with being a member of the wrestling team.

His favorite subject in school is math, because he has a natural aptitude for it. After high school, he aspires to follow in the footsteps of his father and join the Air Force.

“I think the discipline I am learning in all of my experiences in sports is helping to prepare me to enter the military,” he explained.

  In addition, Audrey Agnello is this month’s featured junior. She is an exceptional student involved in numerous sports, clubs, and activities.

She has participated in competitive swimming from a young age. She is currently an athlete with Pacers Aquatic Club out of Marywood University. Also, she has done track since seventh grade and cross country since 8th grade at Western Wayne. Her other activities include: PJAS, FBLA, Student Ambassador, CATS Club, Tomorrow’s Leaders Today, Youth Advisory Committee, National Honor Society, Yearbook Club, and Scholastic Team.   In addition, she has the honor of being the elected President of the Class of 2026 through Student Council.

Her favorite class this year is anatomy, and she wishes to pursue a career related to the sciences through studying nursing in college.

“I think that the multitude of experiences I have had in my high school career so far working with various groups of people is preparing me to be a strong leader both now and after graduation,” Audrey said.

  Finally, Julia Wehrmann is our senior spotlight this month. Julis is also involved in many activities at Western Wayne including: Student Council, Engineering Competition, Envirothon, and Science Olympiad.  Julia enjoys her biology class the most this year.  She wishes to pursue a career in Environmental Science upon graduation.

“I want my future career path to involve me helping to make the environment better for everyone,” she explained.

The Western Wayne School District congratulates these November students of the month and wishes them the best in their future endeavors.

From left: Gavin Morcom, Audrey Agnello, Julia Wehrmann, and Mr. Paul Gregorski, high school principal. Absent from photo: Maha Tanveer.

Please visit the following link to view the latest Happenings Magazine!

https://issuu.com/happeningsmagazinepa/docs/dec_2024_issuu/14

As a tradition for many years, Western Wayne administration, faculty, staff, and students joined together on Friday, Nov. 8, to celebrate veterans in the community with a special in-school event that featured music from the high school band and chorus, a presentation by a keynote speaker, and a question and answer session with the veterans.

Many local veterans attended the presentation at Western Wayne, some of which had special connections to district faculty and students. 

One such veteran at the assembly who has a connection to the district is Western Wayne coach Josh Harrison, Army.  Harrison served ten years in the army, nine of which were active duty.  He served in Afghanistan and one year in the Army National Guard.  He is a Western Wayne graduate who left the service in 2021.  Currently he works at Signode for his day job and, in addition, coaches a variety of athletics at Western Wayne including:  head junior varsity football coach for grades 7 through 9 as well as helping with varsity football; head wrestling coach for boys varsity, girls varsity, and junior high girls.  

Harrison graduated from Mansfield University where he played football.  When Harrison was younger he never imagined himself being in the military or coaching, but now that he has been on this path he truly believes that it is a life course that was meant for him.

“Coming back to Western Wayne and coaching now feels really great,” Harrison said.  “My first time at the Western Wayne Veterans Day assembly was last year.  I didn’t realize how many students didn’t know I was a veteran and was glad I could make an even further connection with some of them through their new knowledge about my background.  I feel that I use my military background in coaching to teach the kids discipline and organization, but I also want to make sure that they are having fun.  I love coaching,” Harrison said.

Fellow school employee and Navy veteran John VanLeuven also enjoys attending the Veterans Day assembly to show the students that people which they see everyday made sacrifices for their country.  VanLeuven fondly remembers his experiences in the service as a time when as a young man he had dreamed of leaving his hometown to do something more with his life.

“I grew up on a dairy farm, and I just wanted to see the world,” he said, recalling that during three and a half years in the service he went to 17 countries and 21 cities.

“I think Norway was a favorite place in my military travels,” he explained.  “I remember volunteering to give a ladies auxiliary a tour in that country with a number of other soldiers.  We learned a lot about the history of the country and had a lot of fun.”

Another veteran in attendance at this assembly who originated the Veterans Day Program at Western Wayne in 1982 is Mr. John Gaudenzi, Sergeant First Class Army and 39 year educator of the Western Wayne School District.  Gaudenzi originated the Veterans Day festivities at Western Wayne with fellow teacher Marie Casper.  

Gaudenzi knows many veterans throughout the local community and says that many of them tell him that the quality of the Western Wayne Veterans Day Program is one of the best they have ever attended.  

Gaudenzi was hired in 1974 to teach at the district and recalls vividly being asked in his interview if he would move to the district he teaches in.

Now for many years not only does Gaudenzi and his wife live in the district but they also get the pleasure of watching so many students Gaudenzi taught grow up and continue to shine as adults.

“We live in the district and have seen former students grow up to be great parents, teachers, and people,” Gaudenzi said.  “We are proud of them all, and I’m most proud of having been a Western Wayne teacher.”

The keynote speaker of the assembly this year was Melissa McWilliams, Army Sergeant and bronze star medal recipient from Lake Wallenpaupack, who served five years as a paratrooper.  Before she joined the military and spent time in Afghanistan, McWilliams started her nursing degree at Old Dominion University and then would go on to finish it after she served at Texas A&M University being the first person in her family to earn a college degree.

She decided to join the service because her family life was challenging growing up, and she was looking for a sense of purpose in a close knit community.

McWilliams worked in nursing in Texas after her time in the service being the first person in her family to earn a college degree.  She later in 2017 started working for Wayne County Drug and Alcohol and has spent the past six years working with students in the Western Wayne School District offering services in prevention education.  In addition, she coaches cheerleading at Wallenpaupack School District.

“I like to make an impact on others,” she said.  “Even the smallest impact matters.”

McWilliams is grateful for her time in the service and how it shaped both her as a person and the course of her life, and she challenged the students in attendance to think about considering the military as an option for their futures.

“Your future is yours,” she said.  “It doesn’t matter where you came from.  You can make your future what you want it to be. The military gave me a family for the first time.  My experience there was the most powerful change in my life.”

McWilliams continued imparting more strong advice to the entire middle and high school student bodies, “ You have the opportunity in front of you to choose what path you want to take, and I challenge you to listen to the stories of veterans.  A life in military service can push you to do things you never thought you were capable of doing before,” she said. “ I’m grateful for all of the values the military instilled in me.  That is why I am the person who I am today.”

McWilliams is currently pursuing her second degree through the military to follow a further path to work in the field of psychology/ psychiatry and help others facing many challenges in their lives just as she faced challenges in her young life.

One of the final parts of the assembly after the beautiful music provided by the Western Wayne Band and Chorus was the annual Veterans Question and Answer Session.

A variety of veterans including McWilliams continued to impart their wisdom and past experiences to the students in attendance.  A new addition to both the panel and the Western Wayne School District this year is our new Middle School principal Casey Newcomer, Army National Guard.

He encouraged the students to pursue whatever mission in life personally calls to them whether it is to military service or another path.

“Be humble,” Newcomer told the students.  “The room is always smaller than the individual.  It is important to lean on your team and trust the people around you.  Keep the mission first.”

Picture One:  Back row, from left:  Mr. Paul Gregorski, high school principal; Jared Goldman, Madison Trapanese, Makenzie Chearney, Sofia Ochlan, Mr. John Gaudenzi, Sergeant First Class Army; Aiden Van Orden, Cameron Press, Danika Duffy, Audrey McHugh, and Major Shane Grodack, USMC retired.  First row:  Madison Forgione, Bryn Vinton, and keynote speaker Melissa McWilliams, Army sergeant. All students pictured are part of Western Wayne’s Student Ambassador Program and helped at the Veterans Day event.

Picture Two:  Mr. Taber Starnes, high school chorus teacher, conducts his singers at the Veterans Day assembly.

Picture Three:  Mrs. Elaine Ort, high school band director, conducts her band at the Veterans Day assembly.

Picture Four:  Senior Lilly Maros plays “Taps” to close out the assembly with senior Kaleb Franko, not pictured.