Western Wayne High School artists were thrilled to host their annual art show in the High School Gym on Saturday, May 14, after two years.  The students were unable to have their show in 2020, and they held a modified version of it in 2021 in the high school library.

This year the students brought out all of their best work to showcase for their family, friends, and the community.  Students in grades 9 through 12 had their artwork featured along with a few pieces from select 8th grade artists.

In addition, nine seniors had their artwork showcased in special displays of their own creation.  

Senior Rebecca Boots’ exhibit theme was “Many Dreams, Little Nightmares.”

“This exhibit displays the mind of a teenage girl and her feelings that make no sense and have no correlation,” she explained.  “My theme reflects my personal thoughts and feelings growing up as a teenager which is reflected in my work.”

Becca plans to attend Lackawanna College for nursing.

Fellow senior Vince Cistulli’s exhibit theme was “Horror.”

“I have pieces that are inspired from the typical horror clichés and stereotypes painted with a colorful twist,” he said.  “Fear has been around since the dawn of time and it’ll never go away and the fact  I can convey that in a particular style represents me.”

Vince’s goals post graduation are to either go to college for psychology or to work in the film industry.

Senior Ella Dougher has loved art since she was very young.

“Ever since I was younger, I always loved to draw and paint,” she explained.  “Whenever I had free time, I would get my hands on something.  My passion for art came from my mother and brother who are both talented artists.”

The theme of her senior exhibit was dreamlike and surrealistic.

Fellow senior B. Flannery has enjoyed art from a young age as well.

“My earliest art-making memory is drawing a pastel portrait of my sister and I in my 8th-grade art class,” B. explained.  “I became interested in the arts because it helped me with my mental health.  I was at a really low part of my life and I turned to music and art as an outlet.”

B.’s senior exhibit was based on fears.

Post graduation, B. will attend Marywood University to study vocal music therapy.

Senior Carleigh Galliford is another one of our artists who was inspired by her family. 

“My mother is an artist and inspired me to become interested in the arts,” Carleigh explained.  “I am also inspired by the emotions I feel dealing with mental health, leaving behind childhood and friendships, and being in nature.

The theme of Carleigh’s exhibit was “Self-Expression.”

After graduation, she will attend Marywood University to study music therapy.

Fellow senior Adelaide Treibley, like some of her classmates, was inspired to enjoy art in her younger years.

“My love for art began in elementary school,” Adelaide said.  “Art was my favorite class, and I enjoyed the creative challenge of each new assignment.”

Her senior art exhibit theme was “Life and Nature.”

She will attend Moravian University majoring in chemistry in the fall.

Soon-to-be graduate Audrey Lawlor also had her creativity sparked for art as a child.

“My grandmother and my father have inspired me to pursue art as a subject of study in high school because they are both very talented and artistic,” she explained.  “Growing up, my father was always sketching and drawing.”

Audrey’s post-graduation plans are to attend Duquesne University and study business.

Another one of our seniors also planning to attend Marywood University in the fall, is Delaney Valinski.  She plans to study psychology. 

One way she keeps down her stress level is through art.

“I enjoy creating and the stress relief it provides,” she explained.  I also enjoy how creating helps bring me joy but what I create provides joy for others.”

Her senior collection was inspired by nature.

Finally, senior Lowen Weber’s display had the theme “Habits and Dependency.”

“My inspiration comes from allegorical stories, true crime, and personal life experiences,” Lowen explained.  

Lowen’s goals after graduation are to take a gap year and save up to go to York College to study acting and illustration.

The Western Wayne School District congratulates all of the artists involved in this year’s art exhibit and wishes the seniors the best with their future plans.

Western Wayne High School musicians came together on Saturday, May 14th, in an exhibition of the arts in the Veteran’s Memorial Auditorium for their annual spring concert for both band and chorus students.

The concerts showcased the groups’ musical abilities honed after months of hard work. Both the band and choir have faced challenges, again, this school year, but put on a great show for the community. Pictured are Western Wayne High School chorus students under the direction of Mr. Taber Starnes and band students under the direction of Mrs. Elaine Ort.

On May 20, 2022 students at the Western Wayne High School and Middle School complex were visited by the LifeNet of New York Helicopter crew. Students had the opportunity to watch the helicopter land on campus and then were greeted by the crew members. Two life flight nurses and the helicopter pilot spent time with the kids describing the educational pathway that led them to a career in life flight. Students then had the opportunity to tour the helicopter, learn about the care that can be administered in flight, the mechanics of the helicopter and the logistics of life flight. This invaluable experience allowed students to see potential careers in medicine and aviation. Students used their scientific background knowledge to ask great questions and learn more about this life saving career. Students then enjoyed lunch sponsored by the WW Science Club and watched the helicopter take off. The experience was organized and presented by the Western Wayne Education Foundation which is supported financially by local business EITC donations. For more information about the Western Wayne Education Foundation please email wweducationfoundation@gmail.com. For more information about LifeNet of New York please visit https://lifenetny.com/index.html
Thank you to all of the faculty and staff who made this visit possible.

This past April, seniors Hudson Malinowski and Jenny Guadagno represented Western Wayne at the PMEA All-State festival for exemplary high school musicians. Following a series of virtual auditions and progression through the District and Region festivals, the two clarinet players qualified to attend the first in-person All-State festival since 2019! Hudson was selected as one of only four clarinets to perform in the orchestra, while Jenny was selected as a member of the concert band. 

Both students have been heavily involved in music over the years. Hudson has previously been accepted to the NAfME All-Eastern Concert Band, an ensemble consisting of select students across eleven states, and has qualified for District and Region Band for three years and Orchestra for two years. She currently serves as one of the drum majors for the Western Wayne Marching Band and plans to attend Mount Holyoke College to study music education. Jenny has qualified for District and Region Band for one year on flute and for one year on clarinet. She is a section leader and an officer of the Western Wayne Marching Band and plans to attend Case Western Reserve University with a minor in music.  The two are proud to have performed in the All-State ensembles and are grateful for all of the support they have received throughout their musical careers to achieve this.

Western Wayne High School visual artists and  musicians are coming together this Saturday, May 14th in an exhibition of the arts.  The annual art show exhibit will start at 1 p.m. in the Western Wayne High School gym. This will be followed by the High School Chorus and Band concert beginning at 3 p.m. in the Veteran’s Memorial Auditorium. All of Saturday’s events are free to the public.  

Western Wayne Drama Club students saw The Ritz Theater in Scranton’s production of Little Women the musical on the evening of Saturday, May 7.  The students enjoyed the musical rendition of this well-known classic.  Row one, from left: Becca Boots, Kenzie Kennedy, Phoebe Schmitt, Luis Appollonio, and Mikayla Fullone.  Row two, from left:  Haley Strocchia, club secretary; Madison Trapanese, Colette Schmitt,  and Kat Shumski.  Row three, from left:  Liv Benson, Hayley Cordero, Brynn Mazurick, Alex Fullone, and Rae Christopher.. Row four, from left:  Nate Conway, club president; Robert Scramuzza, club public relations; B. Flannery, club treasurer; Jocilyn Brungard, and Amanda David.

Western Wayne freshman Rebekah Palko placed third in the walk/ jog intermediate competition at the Interscholastic Equestrian Association National Competition on April 30 in Harrisburg.  Palko looks forward to next year’s competition season.  Any other local middle and high school riders can join IEA. Students do not need to own their own horse in order to be a part of a team.  The link for more information is  https://www.rideiea.org/

For the first time since 2019, the PA FBLA State Leadership Conference was held in-person at the Hershey Lodge and Convention Center. The 50 members of the Western Wayne delegation were among the more than 2,900 members and advisers in attendance.
During the conference, 25 WW students were recognized on stage for excellence in various competitive events. Seniors Gabby Tetreault and Morgan Coccodrilli, PA FBLA state officers, along with the other state officers, conducted the sessions. Theresa Lubash, local chapter adviser, was honored during the Opening Session as the Outstanding Adviser of the Year.
The chapter garnered two first-place awards and four second-place awards as well as many more. Those students recognized included: Rhayni Carroll, first-place, Intro to Parliamentary Procedure, the team of Rachel Hoch, Kaeli Romanowski, Jenna Kwiatkowski, Aly McCarthy, and Alex Chapman, first-place, Parliamentary Procedure; Adelaide Treibley, second-place, Public Speaking; the team of Adrian Agnello and Weston Nugent, second place, Intro to Business Presentation; the team of Gavin Murphy and Morgan Coccodrilli, second-place, Sales Presentation; Emily Romanowski, second-place, Intro to Parliamentary Procedure; the team of Lou Azzato, Stevie Wilkinson, and Alex Iovacchini, third-place, Public Service Announcement. Also winning awards were the team of Julie Bryan, Niya Acosta, and Anjali DeLeon Bello, fifth-place, Digital Video Production; Rachel Tuman, sixth place, Entrepreneurship; Taylor Maiocco, sixth-place, Intro to Parliamentary Procedure; Xenia Vivona, sixth-place, Help Desk; Gabby Tetreault, eighth-place, Future Business Leader; Allie Pauler, ninth place, Introduction to FBLA; and the team of Raegan Palmer and Colette Schmitt, tenth-place, Intro to Business Presentation.
In Who’s Who in PA FBLA, Kaeli Romanowski and Rachel Hoch placed fourth and fifth, respectively. These two seniors also placed fourth and fifth in the William Selden Scholarship Award receiving each $1,000 scholarships. They will receive the money after successfully completing one semester of college.
Finally, the Western Wayne chapter received a fifth-place award in the Outstanding Chapter event and seventh place for the Local Market Share Award.
Also attending the conference were Mackenzie Adams, Zoe Albitz, Connor Bryant, Jamie Chapman, Brandon Cleveland, Sarah Collins, Ava Compton, Marshall Davis, Anthony Donnini, Ella Dougher, David Elias, Ashton Fitzsimmons, Jared Goldman, Addison Griffin, Morgan Heenan, Allyson Irvine, Audrey Lawlor, Grace Lidy, Laynee Nugent, Lucas Putman, Mason Rush, Hunter Schmitt, Kathy Shepherd, Hunter Smith, and Kayla Stokesberry.