The Western Wayne School District invites the community to attend its annual homecoming game on Friday, Oct. 6th. The Western Wayne Homecoming Game against Mid Valley will begin at 7 p.m. with the presentation of the Homecoming Court about a half hour before kick-off. Western Wayne High School’s senior class nominated this year’s Homecoming Court and the whole student body is eagerly awaiting Homecoming Night to see who wins the title of Homecoming King and Queen!
This year’s court is composed of Rhayni Carroll, Lexi DeSiato, Brooke Kellogg, Taylor Maiocco, Allie Pauler, Ethan Grodack, Frankie Leyshon, Gunnar Minor, Carter Mistishin, and Vinny Tomasetti.
All of our senior court members have been highly involved during their time at Western Wayne in a variety of clubs, sports, and other activities.
Senior Brooke Kellogg has been on Varsity Soccer for four years, Varsity Basketball for four years; track and field for one year; National Honor Society for three years and served as treasurer, and Student Council for three years and served as Student Body President. In addition, she has done 4-H for nine years and served as treasurer for the 4-H Club along with being a member of CATS Club for three years, and Pennsylvania Junior Academy of Science for two years. Brooke plans to attend college to pursue a degree as a large animal vet tech.
She will always cherish her memories at Western Wayne, especially her time in sports. “ My favorite school memory was in 7th grade at track practice when I jumped over a hurdle,” Brooke said, recalling how fellow Homecoming Court member Lexi DeSiato thought it was hysterical.
Fellow senior Taylor Maiocco will also cherish the memories she made in school, especially her time participating in sports. Taylor has been a member of Varsity Volleyball for four years; Varsity Softball for two years; National Honor Society for three years and served as president; Student Council for four years and served as treasurer, vice president, and president; and FBLA for four years where she was a national qualifier. In addition, she serves as Student Ambassador along with being a member of the Prom Committee, Yearbook Committee, Scholastic Team, and PBIS. She also participated in the Advanced Medicine and Healthcare program at Johns Hopkins University. Upon graduation, Taylor plans to further her education to become a nurse anesthetist.
Taylor remembers having many fun times in her sporting activities. “My favorite member is when When Mr. Butler was trying to throw a ball to Rhayni but ended up hitting me directly in the forehead,” she said.
Fellow Homecoming Court member Rhayni Carroll agrees that this is a moment both of the girls will never forget. Rhayni has been involved in many of the same activities as Taylor. She has been involved in Soccer for four years and serves as a Captain; Softball for four years; FBLA for four years with 3 years as a national qualifier; three years as vice president of National Honor Society; and she is Junior Class Secretary and Senior Class Vice President. In addition, she has been involved as Student Ambassador for two years; PBIS for three years; along with serving on the Youth Advisory Committee; Tomorrow’s Leaders Today, and the Scholastic Team. Rhayni plans to further her education at a four- year university in health sciences and eventually become an optometrist. Her favorite memory is with her friend fellow Homecoming Court member Taylor Maiocco in her statistics class.
Senior Allie Pauler also plans to further her education upon graduation in a science field. She has been a member of Volleyball, Basketball, and Track & Field for four years; FBLA for four years; and National Honor Society for three years. In addition, she has worked as a member of PBIS and the Coaches Alliance Program. She plans to pursue a degree in psychology at a four year college. She fondly remembers her time in FBLA, especially going to Hershey with her friends in that organization.
Next, another highly involved student athlete is Lexi DeSiato. Lexi has been a member of Varsity Wrestling for four years with one year as Captain; Varsity Soccer for three years; and Track & Field for three years. In addition, she was on the National Honor Society for two years and served on the Prom Committee and was a Co-Organizer of 2023 Powder Puff. For her future plans, Lexi plans to further her academics and athletics at a collegiate level. She will always remember her time in Western Wayne sports especially when she wrestled her way through every soccer game.
The five gentlemen on this year’s Homecoming Court also have been involved in a variety of extra-curricular activities and sports.
Senior Vincent Tomasetti is a member of Varsity Wrestling for four years and a three-year National Honor Society member. Upon graduation, he plans to attend Johnson College and expand his knowledge in HVAC and electrical. His favorite senior memory was competing in the regional wrestling tournament as a freshman.
Fellow senior Carter Mistishin also wants to study HVAC and electrical upon graduation at Johnson College. Carter is a member of Varsity Football for three years; National Honor Society for three years; Varsity Wrestling for two years; and FBLA for two years. He most enjoyed his time playing football at Western Wayne.
Senior football player Frankie Leyshon is also a part of this year’s Homecoming Court. He is a four-year Varsity Football team member along with being a Captain; Varsity Basketball for three years; Varsity Baseball for three years; and he earned an honorable mention for quarterback in All-League All Stars. In addition, he is a first honors student and a member of FCS. Upon graduation, Frankie plans to attend a four-year college and hopefully play football. He will always remember the fun memories he made with his coaches and teammates on and off the field.
Another fellow football player on the court is Ethan Grodack. Ethan is a four year Varsity Baseball player; Varsity Football for three years; National Honor Society for three years; and Student Council for one year. In addition, he is a volunteer with the Varden Conservation Area. Ethan plans to pursue a dual major in history and secondary education and play baseball at Wilkes University.
“My favorite high school memory is playing football under the lights with the whole town supporting the team,” Ethan said.
Our final member of the court is senior Gunnar Minor. Gunnar spends his time after school hours working hard to earn money. His future plans include going into the workforce or going to a trade school for welding.
Gunnar and all of the members of the Homecoming Court look forward to bonding with each other and making memories during Homecoming at Friday’s game. The court along with the rest of the Western Wayne community invite the public to join them on Friday, Oct. 6 at 6:30 p.m. for the Homecoming festivities followed by the game.

The Western Wayne School District will host a cavalcade of bands on the evening of Wednesday, Sept. 27,  at our football stadium.  A total of eight schools will participate including: Abington Heights, GNA, Carbondale Area, Delaware Valley, North Pocono, North-West Area, Honesdale, and, of course, Western Wayne will close out the show.  

“It is exciting to perform for a home cavalcade crowd,” senior, drum major Caden Wilson said.  “I hope everyone comes out to enjoy our show!”

  The public may start arriving at the stadium as early as 5:45 p.m.  Abington Heights will be the first school to perform starting at  6:30 p.m. with the National Anthem being played shortly beforehand. 

Admission is $3 for adults, $1 for children under 12 and senior citizens, a portion of this cost will be donated to a local charity.

In addition, concessions will be sold with all proceeds benefiting Western Wayne band and color guard students.  

Western Wayne’s field show this season is a Spy-Themed Show with the selections of “Men in Black,” “Soul Bossa Nova,” “Skyfall,” and “Mission Impossible,”  Come out and enjoy the hard work of all of the local school bands participating in this event.  

Eight members of Western Wayne High School’s Future Business Leaders of America chapter (FBLA) were among the 13,000 members and advisers who traveled to Atlanta, Georgia, for the organization’s annual National Leadership Conference.  The students were accompanied by their local adviser, Theresa Lubash, and former adviser, Fran Vitovsky.

         During the Awards of Excellence program, the students captured two important awards:  The team of Adrian Agnello and Weston Nugent placed fifth nationally in Business Ethics.  Also placing fifth were the members of the Parliamentary Procedure team comprised of Alex Chapman, Rhayni Carroll, Taylor Maiocco, and Emily Romanowski.

         Khloe Mistishin competed in Introduction to FBLA and Maddie Vinton competed in Introduction to Parliamentary Procedure.

         While in Atlanta, the students had the opportunity to see some of the sights including the College Football Hall of Fame, the World of Coca-Cola, the Georgia Aquarium, the Mercedes-Benz Football Stadium, and an evening at the Atlanta Braves baseball game.

         Besides competing, a variety of workshops were offered to develop the students’ leadership qualities. 

In August 2023, Colleen Carmody, FCS Department Chair and Fashion teacher, made a monetary donation to Ann Siebecker, Wayne County Food Pantry Aging Case Aid. Monies for this donation were generated during our WW CAT WALK, and annual Spring Fashion Show, showcasing students’ yearly work and senior collections.

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.