High School

Military Academy Event

April 13th

5:00 to 7:00 PM

Mid Valley Secondary Center Auditorium

Grades 9th through 12th

Drama Club to Present Little Shop of Horrors April 1, 2, 3

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

High School Receives 2022 ExxonMobil Grant

. 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.

Student Advances to IEA National Competition

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/

Celebrating Music in Our Schools Month

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!

FBLA Members Speak at Wayne County Commissioners Meeting

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.

School Police Officer Has a Gift for Reaching Students

Robert “Marty” Robbins didn’t spend a lot of time playing sports as a kid. However, he was definitely a fan and really enjoyed listening to the announcers on TV and radio.

As a result, Marty began dabbling in a bit of PA work whenever the opportunity arose. Mostly though, he was just having a bit of fun amusing himself and those around him.

“I started fooling around calling the games from the stands when my children played,” Marty said. “Eventually, I began announcing Little League Baseball and then became the voice of Stingers Football.”

Marty’s efforts were well-received. His sense of humor, unique style and dedication to the job made him a fan favorite all over Wayne County.

Then, just a few years ago, Marty landed a job at Western Wayne as a member of the district’s very first School Police Force.

One day he was asked to act as emcee at a pep rally, a gig that led to an invitation to call boys varsity basketball games. Before long, Marty was behind the mike for girls basketball and football too.

“Besides working with the kids in the classrooms and hallways I get my most joy from announcing,” Marty said. “I try to make it fun for all the spectators.”

And while Marty is undoubtedly one of the most popular public address announcers in the Lackawanna League, he’s more than that … so much more.

Setting the Stage

Marty is the son of Alberta and the late Robert Robbins, Honesdale.

He attended Wayne Highlands schools, graduating from HHS in the spring of 1985. Marty was very active in extracurricular activities during his high school years, participating in everything from rifle club and cheerleading to chorus and theatre.

After graduation, Marty enlisted in the US Army where he became a light wheel vehicle mechanic, serving with the 101st Airborne Division at Fort Campbell, Kentucky.

When Marty’s hitch was up, he returned to Honesdale and pondered his next move. He worked as an orderly at Wayne Memorial Hospital and seriously considered a career in nursing. However, he eventually decided to become a Pennsylvania State Trooper, entering the Academy in January 1990.

Six months later, Marty graduated and was assigned to the Bethlehem area where he served the citizens of at Dublin and Trevose.

In 1993, he was transferred to Dunmore. After that, there were stints in Susquehanna, Pike and Wayne counties.

Marty was promoted to corporal in 1999 and retired in 2013 after serving a total of 23 years. It’s at this point in the story that Marty arrives on the scene at Western Wayne.

“I joined the newly-formed school district police working with three fellow retired troopers: Paul Semler, Danny Martin, and Wayne Thomas,” he said.

“We all take the safety of our students, faculty and staff very seriously. Each of us brings a different aspect to the table, so to speak, connecting with different students.”

On a typical day, Marty and his fellow officers patrol the parking lot, bus drop and cafeteria. They’re also a constant presence in the hallways and all over the the grounds, working hard to ensure that students, faculty and staff all remain safe.

“The Western Wayne school district is truly a second family,” he said. “Everyone here is involved and invested in the students’ lives. I enjoy being proactive and helping kids in their career development and avoiding trouble.”

Marty and his colleagues are frequently invited into the classroom to speak on a wide range of topics.

Last week, Officer Robbins accepted just such an invitation. This one was extended by RD Wilson Elementary School Counselor Erica Germani, who asked him to come and talk to a large group of students.

Marty happily complied, drawing from his experience as a sports announcer to win over a gym filled with first and fourth graders.

“Officer Robbins had a meaningful discussion with students about his career journey,” Erica said. “He surprised many by saying he got into the profession because he wanted to help people.

“Overall, I feel like he transformed students’ perception of the law enforcement field. He even spoke one-on-one with a student who was upset.”

Marty has a genuine way with children. It’s nothing less than a gift. When he speaks, he’s able to gain their trust, make them relax, and also communicate truly important information.

These traits proved crucial in helping students deal with the disruption caused by COVID.

“Kids in general are very resilient,” he said. “Especially our younger students seem to have adapted well to all the challenging circumstances of the past two years.

“They’re happy just to be back to in-person learning. Judging from the excitement I see, I don’t believe that events of the past two years have slowed them down any.”

Rave Reviews

Matt Fitzsimmons has been a fixture at Western Wayne for 23 years now.

He grew up in Forest City, but has played many roles during his tenure at Western Wayne including teacher, coach and guidance counselor. It’s in his capacity as a counselor that he helped arrange Officer Robbins’ visit with the RD Wilson students.

“Marty is fully part of the Western Wayne community,” Matt said. “He identifies with the students and they know he truly cares about them. Plus, his announcing at sporting events is the best!”

Paul Gregorski concurs.

Western Wayne’s High School Principal has nothing but praise for Marty’s role in the district.

“Officer Marty Robbins is an integral member of our school community,” Paul said. “He is caring and compassionate individual who truly cares about students.

“He’s also the best PA announcer in the area. We appreciate Officer Robbins everyday, and we thank him for his ongoing service to the students and staff at Western Wayne.”

Germani agrees whole-heartedly.

Continue reading the full article here.

2022 Yearbook Order Information

2022 Yearbooks can be purchased in Mrs. Piconi-Augelli’s room 105 for $65 using cash or a check made payable to WWHS Yearbook.
Yearbooks can be purchased online by visiting www.yearbookordercenter.com and entering our school code: 15118
There is an additional $4.99 fee to pay with a credit card and purchase online.

Books will remain on sale until March 31, 2022.

High School Students THINK ENERGY!

On November 23rd Western Wayne High School Students in grade 9 experienced the THINK! ENERGY Innovation Program. This program is an interactive, hands-on presentation with a take home energy efficiency kit for each participating student and teacher. The program teaches the importance of energy, natural resources and environmental resources, and gives each participating student’s family energy-efficient technologies to install at home. Students and Staff in the high school received innovation kits on November 22nd. The kits included pipe insulation, weather stripping, outlet gaskets, a furnace filter whistle, a water conserving shower head as well an advanced smart energy power strip. 214 innovation kits were distributed overall. This comes to 4,632 new LED bulbs distributed to the Western Wayne School District since the program’s launch in 2015. This program will also result in a number of mini grants for the teachers in the high school as well. The Think Energy Innovation Program has been brought to the schools by the National Energy Foundation, PPL Electric Utilities and the Pennsylvania Department of Education. For more information or questions, please contact National Energy Foundation at 1-855-494-2942 or email stephanie.dorman@nef1.org From left: Gene Shultz of PPL and Dr. Nebzydoski, Western Wayne science teacher

Students Place at Regional Chorus

From left: Amanda David, Joanna Regalbuto, and chorus teacher Mr. Taber Starnes.
Group photograph of the honor ensemble that performed at PMEA District 9 Chorus.
From left: Amanda David and Joanna Regalbuto.

Western Wayne students Joanna Regalbuto, senior, and Amanda David, junior, attended PMEA District 9 Chorus on Thursday, Feb. 10, and Friday, Feb. 11, at Pittston Area High School for two full days of rehearsing and performing in an honor ensemble. Both Western Wayne students placed in their auditions and will represent Western Wayne at Region IV Chorus.