By Jenny Guadagno

The Western Wayne Music Department  is thrilled to announce the release of Christmas concert recordings for the community. 

The High School Band, High School Chorus, 7th/ 8th Grade Band, 8th Grade Chorus, and 7th Grade Chorus, all worked with their teachers to create concert recordings for the holiday season.

After a year away from the stage, these music groups have returned in full swing to spread some holiday cheer via video performances. 

Although the virtual nature of the concerts are certainly different from previous years, the band and chorus is growing accustomed to it, especially the high school band. Having already published a Halloween recording during the High School band’s marching season, they came prepared to make a video in the concert season.

Students in all Western Wayne musical groups were  spaced out and utilized personal protective equipment based on their instrument, ranging from face shields and instrument bags to bell covers, special player’s masks, and face masks for chorus students.  

Equipped with this gear and decked out in festive sweaters, the band and chorus students performed a variety of fun holiday songs for all to enjoy.

In a truly wild year, it is reassuring to have a holiday concert remain constant. As low brass section leader Madison Weinczyk of the High School Band puts it, “It’s definitely a different experience, but I’m glad to still have this opportunity”. 

The concerts can be found at the following links:

High School Band https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3vS8GbhT-aQ&t=10s

High School Chorus https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xa6rHfhYhtg

7^th/8^th Grade Band https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cyIwzkirX2w

8^th Grade Chorus https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kXTiT0XF0V0&feature=youtu.be

7^th Grade Chorus https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M-yU7J6BaPA&feature=youtu.be

The Western Wayne Music Department in both the high school and middle school hope all enjoy this holiday treat!

In photo:  Senior Drum Major Alyssa Donnini directs the high school band at their community day held this past fall.

Western Wayne FCCLA presented a check to The Wayne County Children’s Christmas Bureau in the amount of $455.09.  The money was raised at the recent FCCLA Drive Through Breakfast with Santa which was planned by students Kennedy Mistishin and Zoey Goldman as part of FCCLA’s STAR EVENT participation (Student’s Taking Action for Recognition).  Kennedy and Zoey will be presenting on the topic of Community Service at the virtual FCCLA State Leadership Conference this spring.

From left: Western Wayne high school principal Paul Gregorski; Western Wayne FCCLA Members and event Co- Chairs Zoey Goldman, Kennedy Mistishin; and a representative from the Wayne County Children’s Christmas Bureau Mr. John Carmody.

By: Jenny Guadagno

In a typical school year, the Western Wayne Marching Band would don their costumes and travel to three different nursing homes to perform several songs and spread Halloween cheer. Steampunk flute players, superhero horn players, and banana-suit trumpet players would march through the hallways of Julia Ribaudo, Ellen Memorial, and Wayne Woodlands. But in the age of COVID-19, this annual trip is not a possibility. 

Instead, the Wildcat Band found a new way to share their music and spooky spirits: Members of the band showed up after school to dress in their costumes and make a video recording some spectacular tunes in October prior to Halloween. Featured were songs from this year’s “Hot and Cold” field show, including the Ice Castles theme and “Hot Hot Hot”, as well as old favorites and Halloween classics like “Thriller” and “When I’m Sixty-Four”. Once the songs were recorded, the clips were compiled and shipped off to local nursing homes as well as to eager teachers, parents, and community members throughout the district. 

While video viewers may not quite experience the magic of a live performance, this medium came with the potential for added flair. Prerecording outside meant players had space to march and show off fun visuals, from doing a dainty step-touch to letting loose and jamming out to their sound.

“It was fun to put together, and I think the video turned out good,” says sophomore Ash Mangieri, a flute player and former Color Guard member who is in their third year with the marching band. “I’m happy we were able to do this for the community.”

The video is accessible by the public and can be found on Youtube under the title “Western Wayne Wildcat Marching Band Halloween 2020.” The band is already anticipating the release of more recordings for future events and looks forward to further exploring alternate performance mediums like this. The conclusion? No matter the circumstances, the band will continue to find ways to do what it does best… perform. 

Any high school student interested in joining Drama Club this year for the first time can email Mrs. McLaughlin at jmclau@wwsd.io for more information.  

We are looking for new members interested in acting, singing, and dancing.  No previous experience is required.

Western Wayne senior Celeste Orchard graduated from the Tomorrow’s Leaders Today 2019-2020 program over the summer. She was one of several local students who had this experience.  Celeste feels grateful for the opportunity she had through Leadership Lackawanna’s Tomorrow’s Leaders Today.

“My experience from Leadership Lackawanna had been memorable. I learned the different aspects of being a leader in numerous career environments such as medical personnel and the police force,” Celeste said. “Through different workshops we had been privileged with attending, I was able to discover the finer details of leadership while demonstrating the philanthropic aspects as a group.”

            Celeste has been highly involved in high school throughout her four years.  Her freshman year, she participated in girl’s JV soccer and art club. Also, she has been a member of the Varsity Track team since she was a freshman. She participates in the throwing events. Celeste qualified for districts her sophomore year as a thrower.  Accompanying her participation in track, she was often in the weight room. 

“My junior [track] season had been cut short due to the pandemic, however it looked like it would have been a good season,” Celeste explained.  “I am optimistic for my upcoming senior season in the Spring.”

 In addition, she participated in Student Council and SAAD for the past three years. She also joined National Honors Society her sophomore year and participated in much volunteering. Then she became a member of Leadership Lackawanna her junior year, and she also became a student ambassador for Western Wayne.

            Along with her many extra-curricular accomplishments, Celeste has many academic achievements in school.  She has been rewarded with Principal’s List countless times through her high school career at the conclusion of marking periods. Her Principal’s List awards include having a class rank in the top two spots. In addition, she won second runner up in the American Chemical Society’s exam for first year high school chemistry. This past year in FBLA, she placed third in the Accounting I event.

            After high school, she plans on pursuing a Doctorate in Medicine degree. She wants to major in Biology in her undergraduate studies. She is interested in neonatology. For her educational career, she intends to stay in Pennsylvania, but upon graduation she would like to travel and perhaps live elsewhere.

            Celeste believes that her many experiences both inside and outside of the classroom at Western Wayne have prepared her for her future.

“Western Wayne has prepared me for these plans by teaching me to be an independent individual. I gained a work ethic that I am proud of,” Celeste explained. “Western Wayne taught me this principle of pride in my work, and I have the academic confidence to do my best on any task.”

            Celeste feels grateful to have made so many great memories at Western Wayne and looks forward to the rest of her senior year.

“My favorite memory from WW was being a part of the girls track team and forming friendships with members of the team. The atmosphere of the track team had friendly competition that helped me to build my character and athletic work ethic,” Celeste said.  “I was able to discover my love and passion for weight training through the track team. I went on to join a CrossFit gym, and I lift every day. I favor my memories from the track team because it helped pave the way to me discovering my passions.”

Despite the pandemic, students in Future Business Leaders of America across the state of Pennsylvania continue to join and participate in this organization in the safest ways they possibly can.

          Western Wayne Senior Lenny Maiocco was appointed FBLA State Parliamentarian at the Virtual FBLA State Leadership Conference held this past May.  Subsequently, the first PA FBLA Executive Committee meeting was held this past August at the Kalahari Resort.  Lenny achieved his position of Parliamentarian by attaining the highest score on the FBLA State Parliamentary Procedure Test.  Lenny explained that the test covered tasks like how to run a meeting effectively by making motions, speaking at certain times, etc. At the PA FBLA Executive Committee meeting, he received his state officer medal.

          Lenny feels excited to be able to work with state level FBLA officers and advisers.  At the meeting in August, the state officer team formed their plans of action for this year.

          “Our main goals right now are recruitment, maintaining membership, fundraising, and community service,” Lenny explained.  “Our top goal is maintaining membership, and we are doing this by having a social media presence, having give-aways, and creating a membership video.”

          No matter the format that Lenny participates in FBLA events, whether in-person or virtual, he most enjoys his interactions with other students.

          “My favorite part of my FBLA experiences is meeting new people, working with new people, and seeing their ideas and what they bring to the table,” Lenny, who aspires to major in business and minor in Spanish in college, said.

          “My experiences in FBLA have taught me more responsibility, how to balance school and sports, and how to prioritize PA FBLA ahead of my needs,” Lenny, who was ranked third in the state for tennis his sophomore year, explained.  “I have learned a lot about time management, collaboration, and being places on time.”

          Lenny believes he will put these skills to use in college and law school in the future.  He is also a member of National Honor Society, the Western Wayne Student Ambassador Program, and served as vice president of Western Wayne’s FBLA last year.  He also hopes to run for student council in his senior year.

          One of Lenny’s main priorities is his commitment to PA FBLA. He encourages students across the state of Pennsylvania to join or maintain their membership in FBLA. 

          “Students can search PA FBLA on social media to find more information about membership in the program this challenging year,” Lenny explained.  He noted that the organization’s presence is on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook.

• 

• 

On September 17^th Western Wayne High School Students in grade nine 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 September 17.   The kits included two faucet aerators, a water conserving shower head as well an advanced smart energy power strip.  206 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. 

Western Wayne freshman Ireland Swingle said she has used the showerhead, faucet, and power strip.

“The showerhead gave a lot more power than my old one,” Ireland explained.  “It feels good to help the environment by using these things.”

Fellow classmate Kevin Marcinkevich agrees on both counts.

“I noticed an improvement with water flow when using the showerhead,” Kevin said.  “It is nice to help the environment by making simple changes.”

Another classmate Frankie Leyshon has really been enjoying using the power strip. 

“You can plug in an Xbox, iPhone charger, television, and computer all in at once,” Frankie explained.  “It is neat to watch the strip conserve energy when certain parts of it are not in use.”

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.