On May 31, 2023, Western Wayne 9th grade High School Students visited the Varden Conservation Area and participated in ecology activities presented by Lacawac Sanctuary. Students participated in three different activities, which involved the topics of macroinvertebrates in a pond environment, a fishing demonstration with practice casting, and chemical water testing and pollution.
Students also released rainbow trout as a conclusion of the Pennsylvania Trout in the classroom (PA-TIC) program. The Pennsylvania Fish Commission provided rainbow trout eggs that were hatched and raised by Dr. Mark Nebzydoski and his classes this school year. The trout release was assisted by the Pike – Wayne Chapter #462 Trout Unlimited, President, Paul Ranello and Youth Advisor, Don Stathy.
Lacawac Sanctuary instructors included Jamie Reeger, Environmental Educational Manager, who explained water quality health through identification of macroinvertebrates found at the pond. Natalie Wasilchek, Environmental Educator, explained fishing techniques which included casting a rod and bait type based on the environmental conditions. Jamie Bryan, Environmental Educator, explained chemical testing and water quality at the stream.
Prior to the field trip students engaged in a classroom presentation on water quality and the environment. Students participated in activities that model groundwater and surface water and how they fit into a concept of a watershed. These activities lead to discussions about the local area and incorporate the concept of a water table and common water resources shared by all.
Funding for the Varden classroom education as well the field trip was provided through an Educational Improvement Tax Credit (EITC) grant from the nonprofit Western Wayne Education Foundation. Christine McClure, President, 1970C Easton Turnpike, Western Wayne School District, Lake Ariel, PA 18436
Accompanying the students were instructors Dr. Mark Nebzydoski and Doug Posten, Helene Tscheschlog, and Michael Bershefsky. For more information on
Varden Conservation area
http://www.vardenconservationarea.com/
https://www.facebook.com/FriendsofVCA/
http://www.dcnr.pa.gov/StateParks/FindAPark/VardenConservationArea/Pages/default.aspx

The Western Wayne High School CATS Club donated 50 blankets to the Project Linus Organization. Project Linus provides blankets to children 0-18 who are seriously ill, traumatized, or in need of a handmade blanket. These fleece blankets will be completed by Project Linus blanketeers. In photo: Western Wayne senior Alyson Buchinski with the blankets she helped to prepare.

The Western Wayne Hot Rod Club and Drama Club will host their 2023 Car Show on Saturday, September 9, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. in the high school parking lot, 1970A Easton Turnpike, Lake Ariel, PA, near the football stadium. Food to be sold at the concession stand. Registration fee is $10. Spectators are free. The Hot Rod Club will give prizes for best car, truck, tractor, motorcycle, and best in show.
In addition, the Drama group will sell a variety of concessions. There will also be a raffle of baskets and gift certificates generously donated by businesses and families in the local community.
Drama Club president Nate Conway is excited to partner with the Hot Rod Club for the fourth time for the Car Show. He explained how the Drama Club students will be dressed in 50s attire for the event.
“We wanted our presence at the event to go along with the variety of cars from the past that surely will be there,” Nate said. “We hope that the public comes out to enjoy the cars and to have some good food and purchase some chances to win baskets and gift certificates.”
Members of the Drama Parents Club are working to gather a variety of items for the raffle at the Car Show from many very generous businesses and families in our Wildcat community. The students involved in the Hot Rod Club and Drama Club can use the funds raised from this event for their club activities.
The Hot Rod Club meets on a regular basis to work on a variety of automotive projects after school and can use the funds for their projects among other activities.
The Drama Club meets on a regular basis after school to work on a variety of projects and activities.
“Drama Club gives students a place where they can express themselves,” senior member Robert Scramuzza, club co-vice president, explained. “We are like one big family in our club and really enjoy coming together to work as a team on events such as the Car Show.”
All of the members of the Hot Rod Club, Drama Club, and Drama Parents Club cordially invite the public to attend this fun-filled event on Saturday, Sept. 9 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. in the High School parking lot near the stadium. Come out and see some great vehicles, take some chances on our basket raffle, enjoy some food, and enjoy some time socializing. Rain date is Sunday, September 10.

The Western Wayne Drama Club rounded out their 2022-23 season with a field trip to The Scranton Cultural Center to see Disney’s The Little Mermaid. It was a great experience for the students because they recently put on their own production of the same show this past April. The students look forward to their next season, and the club wishes it’s seniors the best in all of their future endeavors!

Western Wayne hosted their annual spring Art Show on Saturday, May 13, for the community with a special section of pieces from Western Wayne alumni this year in honor of Western Wayne’s 50th Anniversary celebration.  The show featured art from students in grades 8 through 12 and art from graduating seniors.  The following list of nine seniors exhibited their portfolios at the art show: Eleanor Black, Emily Brophy, Alice Davis, Anjali de Leon-Bello, Eriana Figueroa, Kourtney Franklin, Lillian Morcom, Angelina Salvatore, and Alex Wallace.  Their displays represented an accumulation of up to four years of artwork. 

Senior Eleanor Black’s senior exhibit was titled “Our Past.” 

“My portfolio theme centers around the concept of childhood,” Eleanor explained.  “I wanted to convey senses of uneasiness and sadness within youthful and vibrant images.”

Eleanor plans to attend Vassar College and major in English.

Fellow senior Emily Brophy also had her display in the art show titled “Garden Party”.

She particularly likes drawing insects.

“I believe my specialty has become creating Greek and Roman statues as well as insects,” Emily said.  “I enjoy more than just drawing insects, but also pinning and displaying them.”

Emily plans to attend Delaware Valley University to major in botany.  She would like to have a future career working in environmental conservation at a local national park or for an agricultural business.

Another featured senior is Alice Davis who titled her display “Ghost Town.”  

“In truth, I’ve always thought how fun it would be to be a ghost, to be so free and to not worry about the consequences of my actions, to just be able to have fun and to enjoy life to the fullest,” Alice explained.  “I think I’ve shown my desire to be free and to be able to have that fun within my pieces.”

Alice plans to attend Lackawanna College this fall to study culinary arts.

Senior Anjali de Leon-Bello also had a featured display centered around the concept of “Change.”

Anjali doesn’t particularly like change and wanted to represent that concept in her senior collection.

“Change has always made me uneasy,” she said.  “I don’t like surprises and I don’t like not knowing things.  I’m at the part of my life where everything is a gigantic unanswered question and it drives me crazy.  I wanted to represent that hardness of letting go, but keeping the constants in my life.”

Anjali will pursue a degree in art education at Kutztown University after graduation.

Fellow senior Eriana Figueroa’s senior collection was centered around animals.

“I like to explore various subject matter forms, but my favorite art is that which enhances the beauty of animals,” she explained.  “I love all the details animals possess; therefore, I enjoy the challenge of trying to paint them, and it is why I chose this theme for my exhibit.”

Eriana believes her art is like a “form of medicine” which is fitting since she plans to attend Penn State in the fall to study nursing.

Senior Kourtney Franklin’s collection was titled “Enchanted Garden.”

“I enjoy doing mostly colored pencil, for I have always loved the outcome of it,” Kourtney explained.  “I chose to base my portfolio around flowers and plants because the colors are beautiful and it is unique.”

Kourtney currently works as a CNA and plans to achieve a nursing degree at Penn State.  

Senior Lillian Morcom also had a featured display titled “Me.”  

“I want to convey to my viewers my life through all of my pieces,” Lillian said.  “The theme I chose reflects the things I like and the things I enjoy.  I chose my room as my display because I feel it reflects me the most.  I can’t control everything in my life, but I can control how my room looks.”

Lillian plans to attend East Stroudsburg University with a major in English.

In addition, senior Angelina Salvatore had a display centered around people’s insecurities and things that people see as weird or unconventional.

Angelina has been very inspired by her family to pursue art.

“I want people to look at my art and feel it,” she said.  “I want to capture emotions in my art and immortalize them.”

She plans to attend Albright University to pursue a degree for fashion and costume design.

Finally, senior Alex Wallace had a very unique senior display titled “Mind on a Permanent Vacation.”

“I chose this theme because my thoughts are literally everywhere,” he explained.  “Throughout senior year, there were a lot of things going on and being able to mentally check out and work on my art provided me with an outlet.  I want to convey to my viewers a sense of calmness and peace.  I believe it’s okay to be busy and have a lot of things going on, but it’s important to reign it in and be proud of how far you have come.”

Alex plans to attend East Stroudsburg University in the fall with a major in integrated arts.

Many of the seniors plan to pursue art as a hobby if it is not part of their chosen career field. They 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. 

Forty members of Western Wayne FBLA attended the 72nd Annual PA FBLA State Leadership Conference in Hershey April 17-April 19.
At the Awards of Excellence Session held at the Giant Center the following members placed in the top 10: Adrian Agnello and Weston Nugent, 2nd place, Business Ethics; Raegan Palmer and Colette Schmitt, 8th place, Introduction to Business Presentation; Introduction to FBLA, Maggie Kotchessa, 4th place and Khloe Mistishin, 6th place; Introduction to Parliamentary Procedure, Maddie Vinton 4th place and Raeleigh Kromko, 10th place; Rhayni Carroll, Alex Chapman, Jenna Kwiatkowski, Taylor Maiocco, and Emily Romanowski, 1st place Parliamentary Procedure; Allie Pauler, 2nd place, Word Processing, and Alex Chapman, 7th place, Who’s Who in PA FBLA.
Alex Chapman and Jenna Kwiatkowski each received a William Selden Scholarship award. Alex placed 7th and received $750, and Jenna was an honorable mention and received $350.
Western Wayne FBLA placed 6th in Outstanding Chapter.
Ten members are eligible to compete at the FBLA National Leadership Conference this summer in Atlanta, GA.