Western Wayne High School’s Watershed Group is proud to announce the acceptance of a grant to sponsor a fourth-grade field trip to the Varden Conservation Area this spring. This initiative, led by students, exemplifies their commitment to fostering environmental stewardship and creating meaningful educational opportunities for younger learners.

      Sophomore Aliyah Gregory wrote the grant and is thrilled to have been given it to use to help the younger students at Western Wayne have this unique educational experience.

      “I really enjoy helping environmental causes,” Aliyah said.  “I also aspire to be a teacher one day and think that working with the fourth graders later this year will be a good experience in leading others.”

  The program, Community Connections to Our Watershed, has a legacy spanning over two decades. Each year, education staff from Lackawanna and Nescopeck State Parks collaborate with local schools to engage students and educators in an environmental forum. Participants explore local parks and public lands while learning from conservation professionals who work tirelessly to ensure equitable access to clean water—a resource vital for both human and ecological health. An overview of the 2023-2024 program, including information, pictures, and highlights from field trips, is available at https://tinyurl.com/CCTW2024

This year’s participating schools include:

Lackawanna County Teams: Carbondale, Forest City, Lackawanna Trail, Lakeland, Mountain View, Old Forge, Riverside, Western Wayne, and Wayne Highlands.

Luzerne County Teams: Crestwood, Hanover, HAAS, HACC, Hazleton, Northwest, Tunkhannock, and Wyoming Area.

Western Wayne High School students have already participated in enriching field trips to Lackawanna State Park, Keystone College, the Old Forge borehole, and the Alliance Landfill. These experiences provided hands-on lessons in understanding healthy watersheds, monitoring their condition, and implementing solutions to maintain water quality. These activities were made possible through support from Pennsylvania American Water Company, the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR), and DCNR’s Watershed Education Program.

Sophomore Dakota Douglas greatly enjoyed the trip to Keystone.  Part of the experience that day was the students doing a simulated bird watching activity where they used binoculars to look at pictures of birds on trails and then identify them.

“The bird watching activity was really fun,” she said.  “I love science and hope to study psychology one day in college.”

The program will culminate on May 6, 2025, with a student presentation banquet at Montage Mountain. Western Wayne students will present their project, which involves designing and implementing a field trip for fourth-grade elementary students to the Varden Conservation Area. Drawing from their own learning experiences, the high school students crafted ecology-based activities to inspire and educate their younger peers.

To fund this initiative, the students successfully applied for a grant through the Wayne County Community Foundation (WCCF). The Youth Advisory Committee (YAC) reviewed and approved their mini-grant application, which secured funding for transportation and programming costs.

The Wayne County Community Foundation is a nonprofit organization dedicated to building a charitable reserve for the current and future needs of Wayne County. Through its grant programs, the Foundation empowers community organizations to grow, thrive, and achieve sustainability. For more information about the Foundation, visit their office at 214 Ninth Street, Honesdale, PA 18431, call 570-251-9993, email info@waynefoundation.org, or visit https://www.waynefoundation.org.

Western Wayne High School is deeply grateful for the support that made this student-led program possible. This grant underscores the power of youth initiative and collaboration in promoting environmental awareness and education within our community.

From left, kneeling:  Aliyah Gregory and Kyleigh Turner.  From left, standing:  Dakota Douglas, Jerrah-Ann DeBree, Mark Nebzydoski Ph.D. advisor; and Giuliana Velazquez.

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