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!
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.
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 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.
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
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.
Calling all students grades 9-12. We are looking for athletes and partners to join our team.
Our club promotes a fun, competitive, and inclusive environment for students withand without disabilities.
Interested students, please sign the sign up sheet located in the high school office or contact Coach Cardamone by 2/28/2022.
For more information contact Coach Cardamone. Contact information is listed below.
Siena Cardamone
Dr. Mark Nebzydoski’s and Mrs. Maria Phillip’s classes participated in the rEV electrifying educational experience program this fall. Four students were chosen by the National Energy Foundation (NEF) to receive a pair of Beats Wireless headphones for their online share form submission evaluating the program. The winners included Mallory McCarthy, Aubrey Nixon, Sean Galliford, and Daniel Hall.
rEV is an electrifying educational experience driving electric vehicle (EV) adoption through an interactive presentation for students. Awareness of the benefits of EVs remains a significant barrier to mass-market adoption and rEV’s curriculum aims to dispel common misconceptions and promote future EV advocacy. The program is designed to educate students on the benefits of EVs through a STEM-based multimedia curriculum. After the experience, students and parents alike will understand the economic, environmental, and societal benefits of buying an EV. Students will have the opportunity to participate in the national level rEV Challenge, creating a video to compel their friends and family to learn more about the benefits and technology of EVs.
The school-to-home approach will bring this knowledge and awareness into students’ households to accelerate market transformation. EVs are an integral part of the future of energy and the ongoing transformation of the smart grid with high school students as the next generation of vehicle owners.
After a successful spring launch, NEF expanded the program further to reach 49 states, 500 schools and 44,000 students in the fall of 2021. The fall expansion also included the rEV Interactive Experience being presented in classrooms by our Energy Educators. Returning to the classroom has allowed us to further connect with students and see their excitement to take an active role in shaping their energy future.
NEF is putting middle and high school students in the driver’s seat by dispelling the myths surrounding EVs and giving students the opportunity to look into the future of transportation. With engaging program materials and a school-to-home connection, rEV is already making its mark in schools across the nation.
We’re excited to continue cultivating an energy literate society through EV education. Want to join our mission? Contact Chris Reilly at chris@nef1.org or 847-514-7626 to learn more!
The Youth Advisory Committee (YAC) students approved and proposed to the Board of the Wayne County Community Foundation (WCCF) a mini grant application for the purchase of a chiller for Dr. Mark Nebzydoski’s Pennsylvania Trout in the Classroom (PATIC) program. The chiller is a necessary component for raising trout in the classroom as it maintains the proper temperature for egg hatching and fry development of trout. Dr. Nebzydoski’s science classes are engaged in the PA Fish Commission’s Trout in Classroom Program and had gathered most of the components necessary to raise trout from eggs for release in the spring but needed a chiller. This mini grant fulfils that final component.
The Wayne County Community Foundation is a nonprofit foundation whose primary goal is to build a charitable reserve of funds for the current and future needs of Wayne County. The Foundation uses grant resources to support a wide variety of community organizations, empowering them where possible to thrive, grow, and become self-sustaining. The Wayne County Community Foundation, 214 Ninth Street, Honesdale, PA 18431, Phone: 570-251-9993, Email: info@waynefoundation.org https://www.waynefoundation.org/
The 2021-2022 Region 22 FBLA Virtual Regional Conference was held in January. Western Wayne FBLA had 58 members place in the top 5 at the conference. Of those 58 members 51 are eligible to compete at the State Leadership Conference in Hershey in April. Jared Goldman was also elected as Region 22 Secretary for the 2022-2023 school year.
| 2021-2022 FBLA Regional Conference Results | |||
| Name | Place | Event | |
| Skylar Long* | Second Place | Accounting I | |
| Laynee Nugent | Fifth Place | Accounting I | |
| Emilie McAllister* | Second Place | Advertising | |
| Kylie Merring* | Third Place | Business Calculations | |
| Eleanor Black* | Fourth Place | Business Communication | |
| Catherine Cavage | Fifth Place | Business Communication | |
| Alexandra Butler* Sarah Collins* Morgan Heenan* | First Place | Business Management | |
| Ella Dougher* Audrey Lawlor* Lucas Putman* | Third Place | Business Management | |
| Bernard Roedel* | First Place | Computer Applications | |
| Joseph Skirpan | Fifth Place | Computer Problem Solving | |
| Rachel Tuman* | First Place | Entrepreneurship | |
| Ava Compton* Kayla Stokesberry* | Second Place | Entrepreneurship | |
| Hunter Schmitt* Katherine Shepherd* | Fourth Place | Entrepreneurship | |
| Gabby Tetreault* | First Place | Future Business Leader | |
| Xenia Vivona* | First Place | Help Desk | |
| Mackenzie Adams* | Third Place | Hospitality & Event Management | |
| Jayden Kellachow* | Fourth Place | Introduction to Business Communication | |
| Adrian Agnello* Weston Nugent* | First Place | Introduction to Business Presentation | |
| Raegan Palmer* Colette Schmitt* | Second Place | Introduction to Business Presentation | |
| Addison Griffin* Allyson Irvine* Grace Lidy* | Fourth Place | Introduction to Event Planning | |
| Allie Pauler* | First Place | Introduction to FBLA | |
| Jamie Chapman* | Second Place | Introduction to FBLA | |
| Hunter Smith* | Third Place | Introduction to FBLA | |
| Rhayni Carroll* | First Place | Introduction to Parliamentary Procedure | |
| Taylor Maiocco* | Second Place | Introduction to Parliamentary Procedure | |
| Emily Romanowski* | Third Place | Introduction to Parliamentary Procedure | |
| Zoe Albitz* | First Place | Introduction to Public Speaking | |
| Ethan Lamberton* | Second Place | Introduction to Public Speaking | |
| Connor Bryant* Anthony Donnini* David Elias* | First Place | Introduction to Social Media Strategy | |
| Jared Goldman* Mason Rush* | Second Place | Introduction to Social Media Strategy | |
| Rylee Sheehan* | Third Place | Marketing | |
| Brandon Cleveland | Fifth Place | Marketing | |
| Ashton Fitzsimmons* | Fourth Place | Organizational Leadership | |
| Alex Chapman* Allison McCarthy* Rachel Hoch* Jenna Kwiatkowski* Kaeli Romanowski* | First Place | Parliamentary Procedure | |
| Adelaide Treibley* | First Place | Public Speaking | |
| Morgan Coccodrilli* Gavin Murphy* | Second Place | Sales Presentation | |
| Lillian Maros | Third Place | Sales Presentation | |
| Lucius Richner Alex Enslin | Fifth Place | Sports & Entertainment Management | |
| Marshall Davis* | First Place | Word Processing | |
| Jared Goldman | 2022-2023 Region 22 Secretary |
*Eligible to compete at the State Leadership Conference in Hershey.
Scholarships & Career Opportunities – May EditionMay 4, 2026The May edition of Scholarships & Career Opportunities is now available. All grades should read this document to get information on college, careers, important dates, SAT/ACT exams and of course…scholarships!
Click here: https://ww3.westernwayne.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Scholarships-and-Career-Opportunities-May-2026.pdf [...]
Western Wayne Annual Art Exhibit & Spring Concerts on May 9May 4, 2026Western Wayne’s annual art exhibit and spring concerts will take place on Saturday, May 9.
The art exhibit will run in the high school gymnasium from 2 to 5 p.m. It will mainly feature high school artwork with special displays by our seniors. In addition, a select sample of middle and elementary student artwork will be on display.
The concert schedule is as follows: the sixth-grade concert will begin at 11 a.m.; the seventh- grade concert will begin at 1 p.m., the eighth- grade concert will begin at 3 p.m.; and the high school concert will begin at 5 p.m. with all concerts in the Veterans Memorial Auditorium at the high school.
There will be concessions for sale in the high school cafeteria throughout the day. All events are free of charge. Please join us in the celebrating the arts in our school. [...]
Two Western Wayne Students Place at All-State BandMay 4, 2026 Western Wayne senior percussionists Antonio Fisichella and Nicholas Fisichella placed second and third respectively at PMEA’s All-State Band event this past weekend of April 24. It is a great accomplishment to place at All-State Band, which is very competitive. The district congratulates these students and their director, Mrs. Elaine Ort.
Picture one, from left: Antonio Fisichella and Nicholas Fisichella. Picture two, from left: Nicholas Fisichella, Mrs. Elaine Ort, and Antonio Fisichella. [...]
Western Wayne Represented at Scholar-Athlete BreakfastMay 4, 2026 Western Wayne seniors Khloe Mistishin and Paul Borowski recently represented Western Wayne at the annual Ann Marie Simons Scholar-Athlete Breakfast this spring. The annual Ann Marie Simons Scholar-Athlete Breakfast, hosted by the Lackawanna Interscholastic Athletic Association (LIAA) at Montdale Country Club, honors top senior student-athletes from a variety of districts for academic and athletic excellence. The event commemorates Ann Marie Simons, a former teacher and pioneering female athletic director at Wallenpaupack Area. From left: Khloe Mistishin and Paul Borowski. [...]
National Speech-Language-Hearing Month at EverGreenMay 4, 2026May is National Speech-Language-Hearing Month, a time to raise awareness of communication and hearing disorders and to highlight the important role communication skills play in student success.
Speech and language disorders are among the most common disabilities, with over 1 million school-aged children in the United States receiving school-based speech and language services each year (ASHA, 2026). School-based Speech-Language Pathologists (SLPs) support students in grades K-12, as well as children ages 3 to 5 years, in developing and improving communication skills to promote success in school.
Teachers are at higher risk for voice disorders due to frequent speaking and projecting over classroom noise. Staying hydrated is one of the simplest ways to protect vocal health. In recognition of the month, EverGreen’s school-aged SLP, Alyssa Wesley, and Early Intervention SLP, Julie Conklin, provided teachers with water and mints to encourage hydration and healthy voice habits.
Hearing is an important part of learning. Even temporary hearing loss from colds, allergies, or ear infections can impact a student’s ability to follow directions, participate in class, and engage in instruction. Mild hearing loss may also affect comprehension, speech clarity, language development, the ability to distinguish speech sounds, and overall academic progress.
Sarah Taylor, one of Western Wayne’s Teachers of the Deaf & Hard of Hearing, created an ASL Nook at EverGreen, made possible through a Youth Advisory Committee Mini-Grant from the Wayne County Community Foundation. The ASL Nook is a mobile cart that includes sign language books, flashcards, games, and a rotating “ASL Challenge”. The goal is to allow students to explore American Sign Language in a fun, hands-on way while also building awareness of Deaf culture and encouraging inclusive communication. [...]
