By Jessica McLaughlin

Western Wayne student Kayla Peirce, won second place in the 9-12 grade category of the national 2020 National Chemistry Week (NCW) Illustrated Poem Contest pertaining to the theme, “Sticking with Chemistry.”

This is the first time in our section’s history that a student’s poem made it to the National level. Kayla is also the 2020 ACS Susquehanna Valley Section National Chemistry Week Poetry Contest 9^th-12th Grade Winner. Kayla’s poem was judged as being the best out of all 9th-12th grade entries received by our Section.

 Kayla will be honored at the annual May banquet with her parents and teacher Mrs. Maria Masankay. In light of the COVID pandemic, the ACS Susquehanna Valley Section has not yet decided on a format for the banquet. If they are unable to hold the banquet in person this year, Kayla will receive a $50 check and a certificate via mail in May.

In addition, Kayla’s winning poem entry is featured on the campaign’s website at www.acs.org/ncw, which receives over 25,000 unique visitors annually. Her poem will also appear in an upcoming issue of the Chemical and Engineering News (C&EN) magazine on December 21, which will be available to view  at cen.acs.org. Kayla will receive a cash prize, a certificate, and a letter of congratulations in the coming weeks.

Her winning poem is titled “A Gecko’s Grip.”  Kayla has always loved art almost as much as she enjoys creative writing.  This love of drawing influenced her to make a gecko the subject of her poem for the contest.

“I thought I could draw a gecko well,” Kayla explained.  “I did some research and then from there the poem just came to me.  I really enjoy writing.  I keep a journal where I practice my writing.”

Kayla’s favorite subject is English.  

“I really like the writing part,” Kayla, who wishes to study psychology in college, said.  “I like how you can do so much with words.  I also like looking back on my writing and thinking about how much fun I had making it.”  

Western Wayne music students auditioned virtually for District Band and District Chorus this year.  

The following students were accepted to District Band. They include:  Jenny Guadagno (Placed 5^th and is 1^st Alternate for District Orchestra), Madison Kammer, Ash Mangieri, Aidan Donnini (Placed 1^st and qualified for District Orchestra), Hudson Malinowski (Placed 4^th and qualified for District Orchestra), Alyssa Donnini, Madison Weinczyk (placed 2^nd), Nicholas Valentin (2^nd Alternate for District Orchestra), Maggie Nagle (1^st Alternate for District Band), and Bridgette Flannery (1^st Timpani Alternate for District Band).

These band students will be participating in the festival later this winter in a virtual format with nationally recognized clinicians and will have the opportunity to qualify for the All-State Festival.

Also, five chorus students auditioned for District Chorus and all five were accepted. They include: Rhonda Fenkner, Joanna Regalbuto, Rebecca Boots, Bridgette Flannery, and Alex Taylor.

The district is proud of the accomplishments of its music students and wish them the best at their respective upcoming festivals.

In photo:  Western Wayne seniors Alex Taylor and Rhonda Fenkner posing at a dress rehearsal for last year’s musical.

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.”