Western Wayne sophomore Carly Schott recently had the opportunity to have her artwork published in a children’s book called A Butterfly Called Bennie. Carly is a member of Western Wayne’s National Art Honor Society and will donate any profits she makes from this project to a charity of her choosing.
Nichole Laub, Director of Nursing at Aventura at Creekside in Carbondale saw some of her artwork through Carly’s mother. Laub then asked if she would like to work on doing some illustrations for the book project. The theme of A Butterfly Called Bennie is accepting the differences of others.
Carly worked closely with the author in creating her illustrations. She was asked to create colorful images for the book. She used the medium of colored pencil to create her pictures.
Having really enjoyed working on her artwork since the sixth grade, Carly jumped at the chance to use her art skills in this new way.
“I enjoy the process of creating and being able to see the finished product that I create,” Carly explained. “ I want to be an artist someday.”
The book is currently available at all local bookstores and the publisher: Dorrance Publishing Co. In addition, it can be purchased at Amazon, Kindle, Barnes & Noble, and BAM. Copies of the book also will be donated to all the local libraries and to all buildings within the Western Wayne School District. Pictured is Carly with a copy of the book she illustrated.

Western Wayne Senior Jenny Guadago has been selected as a College Board National Recognition Program awardee for scoring well on several advanced placement exams.  Jenny explained that the rigorous courses she took at Western Wayne greatly prepared her to do well on these tests. She explained how she has taken and continues to take challenging science courses at Western Wayne.  “I have a lot of practice with problem solving from the courses I have taken,” Jenny explained.  “I have learned to question everything.”  In addition to her academic studies, Jenny loves to be a part of the Western Wayne Marching Band where she has served as a section leader.   “I like getting to know everyone and to connect with so many different people,” she said.  “Band attracts such a diverse group of students with the common interest of having a passion for music.”  Jenny aspires to study science in college upon graduation.  “I am so interested in science because the whole concept involves trying to figure out the world around you.”

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Western Wayne senior artists have been selected to be a part of the Scranton Times Artists of the Month Exhibit.  They include Carleigh Galliford, February artist; Adelaide Treibley, May artist; and Ella Dougher, November artist.

The students’ artwork will be featured in the Scranton Times for their designated month.  Carleigh’s acrylic painting titled “Beacon of Hope” will be featured for February.  The picture depicts a lighthouse by an ocean and a cabin.  Carleigh has been accepted at Marywood University for the fall.  She wishes to pursue an art therapy degree.  

She explained that most of her pieces are based on self expression.

“I enjoy art because it helps me to express things that can’t be expressed through words,”  Carleigh explained.

Fellow senior Adelaide Treibley also enjoys the aspect of creative expression in her art work.  Adelaide’s acrylic piece titled “ A Moment with Monet” will be featured for May.

She explained how her piece is a very detailed nature scene that took her a lot of time to work on all of the coloring throughout it.

In addition, Adelaide has artwork featured in the December  issue of Happenings Magazine.  The issue can be found at the following link:   https://issuu.com/happeningsmagazinepa/docs/dec_2021_issuu

“I like to create artwork with animals, wild life, and nature the most,” Adelaide explained.

Senior Ella Dougher’s artwork also features nature.  Her Scranton Times acrylic piece is called “Autumn’s Arrival.”  Ella is excited to have already received a scholarship to Mount Saint Mary’s.  She enjoys doing art and hopes to pursue it in some capacity in her college studies.

“I like having the freedom to create whatever I choose,” Ella said in regards to her art work.

The students look forward to having their pieces featured in the Scranton Times and are all currently working on creating more artwork for their upcoming spring art show which will be the culmination of their high school art careers.

Elaine Ort, band director for Western Wayne High School, will join band directors from across the country next January 1^st in the annual Pasadena Tournament of Roses® Rose Parade.

    A custom-designed animated float will lead a “marching band of band directors” up to 300 strong from across the country. The Michael D. Sewell Memorial Foundation, based in Pickerington, Ohio, is the sponsoring organization behind the project. The foundation was created to recognize and carry on the work of the late Mike Sewell, who dedicated his life to the school and community music programs in Pickerington and the Central Ohio area for more than 38 years.

    The parade entry will convey the theme, “We teach music. We teach life.” The extraordinary dedication and accomplishments of band directors are well known to their students, to parents and to school teachers and administrators. No matter where they teach and work—public and private schools, colleges and universities, the military, community bands—dedicated music educators and leaders work long hours to not only teach and direct music, but to teach life itself. Students’ lives in particular are positively changed by a motivational leader who taught, inspired and mentored them.

     “I am so incredibly excited for this experience, and so grateful to have had such wonderful colleagues and friends who have helped prepare me for this adventure,” Ort said. “ I hope that I will make all of you proud in Pasadena.  Go Wildcats, and Go Band!”

    Elaine Ort has devoted much of her life to the study and performance of music.  A native of New England and graduate of Marywood University, Elaine is a member of the Scranton Brass Orchestra, the Providence Brass, the Schützengiggles Oompah Band, the Marywood University Wind Symphony, and performs often in musical pit orchestras throughout the region.  As an educator, Elaine serves as the director of instrumental activities in the Western Wayne School District since 2014.  At Western Wayne, her teaching responsibilities include sixth grade brass instruction, eighth grade band instruction, and the Pride of Western Wayne, the Wildcat High School Band.  Under her direction and guidance the school continues to invest heavily in its music program, and was recently named a KHS America Academic Alliance Platinum school for its investment in instrumental education.  It is the only school in Pennsylvania, and one of only 39 in the United States to have received that honor.

     Complete details on the project are available on the Saluting America’s Band Directors website, BandDirectorSalute.org.

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The Western Wayne High School Chorus and Band  students performed their holiday concert on Friday, December 17,  for family, friends, and members of the community under the direction of Mr. Taber Starnes, chorus,  and Mrs. Elaine Ort, band.  A great time was had by all.

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The winners of this year’s Holiday Door Decorating Contest are as follows:
1st Place is Mrs. Jenkins Room 104 with her Buddy’s Starbucks Café!
2nd Place is Mr. Hayden Room 102 with the Polar Express.
3rd Place is Ms. Ferraro Room 101 with her Cozy Log Cabin.
4th Place is Mrs. Orloski and Mrs. Rush with their Cat Lady Meme.
Runners up are Mrs. Masankay with the Year without a Santa Claus AND Mr. McCaffery with Putting the Fro in Frozen.

Western Wayne High School Band students participated in the Junior Wind Band Celebration held at Marywood the first weekend in December. They joined students from a variety of local schools for this event that ended with a concert on December 4. From left are Western Wayne High School Band members who participated: Lillian Maros, Lia Hartman, and Robert Scramuzza.

Western Wayne High School students were thrilled to get to spend an evening together at this year’s Winter Wonderland Semi Formal, held at Ladore Conference Center in Waymart, PA on Saturday, December 4^th . Students enjoyed a dinner together before they danced the night away! Students also nominated their classmates, sophomores Frankie Leyshon and Rhayni Carroll, to be crowned Semi Prince and Princess!

Western Wayne Drama Club students were treated to a performance of the musical Annie at The Ritz Theater in Scranton on the evening of Friday, Dec. 3.  Nearly forty students went on the field trip, some of which had never seen a live show before.  The students were glad to have the opportunity to see the musical and will use what they learned from their experience as they work to prepare their spring musical Little Shop of Horrors.  Pictured are Western Wayne Drama Club members in grades 8 through 12.

Western Wayne Select Chorus students were thrilled to return to singing in the community this past Saturday, Dec. 4.  The students under the direction of Western Wayne choral teachers Joyce Covaleski and Taber Starnes sang at the Hideout’s Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony and welcomed Santa to town. Pictured are members of Western Wayne’s Select Chorus in grades 6 through 12.