High School

Western Wayne Art Students Recognized in Artist of the Month Contest

Western Wayne High School had four seniors recognized as winners of the Artist of the Month Contest for this year by the Scranton Times: Sadie Nahman, January; Shailyn Pugh, May; Allison McDermott, August; and Abby Wilcox, November.
In addition, Shailyn’s art was featured on the cover of Happenings Magazine for December. She explained how she created a holiday-themed picture for Happenings with a train, Santa, and presents done in colored pencil and acrylic.
“I was happy to have my work chosen for Happenings,” Shailyn said. “I love making art because you can create what you want and make it your own in different mediums.”
The piece Shailyn created for the Artist of the Month Contest is a piece titled “Nest.”
She explained how “Nest” has many details. Shailyn crafted a nature scene with a bird’s nest in an apple tree with eggs in it.
“I like to challenge myself with the pieces I make,” she explained.
Shailyn will next challenge herself with envisioning her senior collection for Western Wayne’s annual spring art show. She explained that her collection has a Hollywood theme because she enjoys making portraits of famous people.
Fellow senior Sadie Nahman also appreciates drawing people in her art work. She explained how her art for the Artist of the Month Contest involves children playing hockey in a winter scene.
“When I create art, I like that I can change the picture to be whatever I want it to be,” Sadie explained.
Fellow Scranton Times Artist of the Month Contest winner Abby Wilcox also designed art with a winter theme. One of her pieces is a scene with winter frost on the ground surrounded by birds and rabbits.
Abby also looks forward to creating her senior collection for the spring art show at Western Wayne. Her collection has a fantasy theme with many unrealistic colors.
“I chose this theme because I like using colors and exploring what it looks like to create images that don’t have to look realistic,” she explained.
Western Wayne faculty, staff, and administration are proud of the accomplishments of these aspiring young artists and encourage the community to look for their work in the Scranton Times to celebrate their accomplishments.

Barcarola Inks with UVA

Western Wayne senior Trina Barcarola recently inked with The University of Virginia because of her vast track accomplishments.  Trina is a Scranton Times Athlete of the Year for her numerous athletic achievements in track.  She also was a member of the All-State Track Team last year.  She won two gold medals in one day at the State Championship for pole vault and 100 hurdles. 

                Trina believes that many factors contribute to her success. 

                “My coaches and all of the support I receive from my family and friends is important,” Trina explained.  “I also rely on hard work, and my center, above all else, is my faith.”

                Trina belongs to multiple clubs such as National Honor Society, Fellowship of Christian Athletes, Youth Advisory Committee, and is the president of her church youth group.  Along with her athletic work with the track team, Trina has played volley ball on the Western Wayne team for three years.  When she isn’t working on her athletic craft, she can be found creating designs in her Fashion II class at Western Wayne.  As a senior in this course, she will design a collection for the school’s annual spring fashion show.  Trina has titled her collection “Between the Lines.”

                Western Wayne faculty and staff are thrilled for Trina to have received such a significant scholarship from VCA.  Trina feels very excited to begin her college career.

                “I’m most looking forward to taking the next steps in my life and growing as a person, student, and athlete.”

                From left, standing: Justin Collins, head Western Wayne track coach; and Robert Amos, Western Wayne pole vault coach.  From left, sitting, are members of the Barcarola family: Adriana Barcarola, John Barcarola, Trina Barcarola, Victoria Barcarola, Bernice Maiocco, and Johnny Barcarola.

Tetreault Accepted to United States Coast Guard Academy

Western Wayne senior Ezra Tetreault recently was accepted to the prestigious United States Coast Guard Academy.

Ezra is highly involved in the Western Wayne school community. He serves as president of the National Honor Society and is also student body president this year.  In addition, he is greatly involved in FBLA serving as first vice president of this organization for the state of Pennsylvania.  Along with playing football in the fall, Ezra is a member of both indoor and outdoor track with hurdling as his main event.

Western Wayne faculty, administration, and staff are proud of Ezra’s acceptance and all of his accomplishments.  They wish him the best with the rest of his senior year and in the future.

Western Wayne Celebrates the Season with Holiday Concerts

                   Western Wayne music students in both band and chorus have been busy performing holiday concerts for their friends, family, and the community in the Veterans Memorial Auditorium at the high school. In the month of December, the 7th and 8th grade chorus and band had separate concerts. In addition, the high school chorus and band held a concert on the same evening.  The community has another chance to see some holiday music from Western Wayne students at the joint sixth grade chorus and band concert on Thursday, January 9 at 7 pm. in the high school auditorium. Pictured is Elaine Ort conducting middle school band members at their recent holiday concert.

Western Wayne FCCLA Breakfast With Santa a Success


Western Wayne’s Family, Career, and Community Leaders of America (FCCLA) hosted a very successful Breakfast with Santa at the high school on Saturday, Dec. 14. Over 100 people were in attendance and along with having a delicious breakfast, they got to experience a variety of other activities at the event including picture time with Santa. All proceeds from the event will benefit FCCLA members. Members are currently working on projects for the State Leadership Conference to be held in the spring at Penn State Main Campus. From left, FCCLA members: Amelia Bosshard and Sadie Nahman.
From left, FCCLA members: Kailey Tickner and Katarina Wood.

Western Wayne to Host Breakfast and Gift-Wrapping Event on Saturday, Dec. 14

        Students in the Western Wayne Drama Club will be wrapping holiday gifts for people in the community on Saturday, Dec. 14 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. in the High School LGI.  The public may enter through the auditorium entrance.

        All wrapping supplies will be provided.  Cost is by the donation of your choice.  All proceeds from the event will benefit Drama Club students.  If you plan to attend to have gifts wrapped, please email Mrs. Jessica McLaughlin at jmclaughlin@westernwayne.org prior to Saturday.

        On the same day, the Western Wayne FCCLA club will host a breakfast with Santa event to benefit all FCCLA students, and any patrons of that event, who have already bought tickets, may participate in the gift-wrapping event.  There will be no walk-ins for the breakfast.

        Both the FCCLA members and Drama Club members are very excited for these holiday fundraising events on Saturday, Dec. 14, and look forward to making the season bright for members of the Western Wayne Community.

        “We look forward to wrapping gifts to make the holiday a little easier for people,” Sydney Peet, Drama Club president, said.  “It will be one less thing they have to do, because we can help with it.”

        FCCLA member and Drama Club member Becca Boots agrees.

        “I’m excited to interact with the children who attend the breakfast,” Becca explained.  “I know they will be thrilled to meet Santa. I, also, look forward to wrapping gifts for people after I serve them food at the breakfast.  I will be multi-tasking that day.”

From left, drama club officers: Julia Phillips, treasurer; Lily Visceglia, public relations; Rhonda Fenkner, secretary; Sydney Peet, president; and Honour Shaffer, vice president.  Absent from photo: Rebeccah King, historian.

From left, FCCLA members: Paige Bell, Zoey Goldman, Kennedy Mistishin, Jaquelyn Morris, and Jaden Gregory.

Western Wayne Crowns 2019 Semi Prince and Princess

This year’s Semi was themed, “Harvest Ball” and was held on Saturday, November 23, from 4 to 9 p.m.  at Ladore, Waymart. There were over 250 students in attendance and several faculty members helped the Western Wayne security team chaperone the event. The  2019 Semi Prince is Lou Azzato and the Semi Princess is Rylee Sheehan.  From left: Western Wayne High School Principal Paul Gregorski, Lou Azzato, Rylee Sheehan; and Vice Principal Matt  Barr.

Second pic: Lou Azzato and Rylee Sheehan pose as 2019 Semi Prince and Princess.

Western Wayne High School Receives 2019 ExxonMobil Grant

The Western Wayne High School received a 500 dollar 2019 ExxonMobil Educational Alliance Grant for their math and science departments. ExxonMobil and Liberty Petroleum present these grants to various area schools each year. The check was presented to Western Wayne on Thursday, Nov. 21. Western Wayne Administration and staff are excited to use these funds to better the educational experiences of their students. From left: Mr. Matthew Barr, high school vice principal; David Stinson, district manager; and Mr. Paul Gregorski, high school principal.