Western Wayne sophomores Bridget Oppelt and Rachel Tuman have been chosen to present Western Wayne at the 2020 Central Pennsylvania HOBY Leadership Seminar at Shippensburg University in Shippensburg, Pennsylvania, from May 14 through May 17.

Both young ladies are very accomplished at Western Wayne. Bridget is an honor roll student who enjoys being a part of the Western Wayne Marching Band where she plays the alto saxophone. She also does baton with the Double R Twirlettes and likes to ride horses in her spare time.

Like her classmate, Rachel also is highly involved in academics and activities. Rachel is a member of the Mock Trial Team, PJAS, Science Olympiad, FBLA, Spanish Club, and is the vice president of the sophomore class.
The girls were chosen for HOBY through essays they submitted about what leadership means to them.
“I wrote about how leadership is a role that you can use to guide and help others,” Bridget said.
Rachel agreed that helping others is a large part of leadership.
“I wrote about how there are two types of leaders: positive and negative ones,” Rachel explained. “Positive leaders help to develop tomorrow’s leaders.”
Both girls are very excited to attend the HOBY Leadership Seminar.
“I look forward to hearing what is said about leadership and meeting other students and hearing their experiences,” Rachel said.

Local students had the chance to work hands-on with a 3D-printing machine, robots, and dissection tools among many other things at the 5^th annual Women in Science Symposium hosted by the Wayne Pike Workforce Alliance and the Lacawac Sanctuary& Biological Field Station on September 17 at the Woodloch Pines Resort.

       Western Wayne was one of the schools present at the event along with Delaware Valley, Wayne Highlands, Valley View, MMI Preparatory School, and Wallenpaupack Area.  Over 300 students attended the event. The keynote speaker this year was Dr. Katie Leonard, president of Johnson College. 

       The purpose of the event was to give students, like women, minorities and other underdeveloped groups, information on STEM career paths, which stands for Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics education. Students met with representatives from local colleges to discuss career options, hear presentations from female, working professionals and had the opportunity to speak with these professionals after the presentations finished. 

       Female students from both the Western Wayne middle and high schools had the chance to attend the event.

       The high school students from Western Wayne in attendance who have attended the event for multiple years prior said this was the best symposium yet.

       “It was all very interactive and hands-on,” Alexandria Bien-Aime, a sophomore at Western Wayne, explained.  “I want to be a surgeon so I was particularly interested in the station where I got to use tools to dissect animals.”

       Alexandria’s classmate Hudson Malinowski also liked the unique hands-on stations at the symposium.

       “I got to work with a robot and program it to play music,” Hudson, who wishes to pursue a career in music, said.

       The students explained how there were many different colleges represented at the event and that they were able to explore different majors.

       Sophomore Mia Rovinsky especially enjoyed the college fair portion of the event.

       “It was good to hear other students’ questions and concerns about the STEM field in the question and answer sessions,” Mia, who wants to be a doctor, said.

       Mia’s classmate sophomore Rachel Tuman also enjoyed taking advantage of all of the information about colleges and STEM at the symposium.

       “I think the experience helped us all to refine our knowledge,” Rachel, who wishes to pursue a career in forensic science, said.  “I enjoyed seeing all of the people there willing to help propel us into a science career.”

From left:  Western Wayne sophomores Hudson Malinowski, Alexandria Bien-Aime, Rachel Tuman, and Mia Rovinsky.

Western Wayne students learned about the physics, artistic qualities, and chemical properties of glass among many other things when the mobile glass studio based out of Keystone College visited on Thursday, Sept. 26 and Friday, Sept. 27.  Approximately 678 middle and high school students viewed the mobile glass laboratory, and 49 students had the unique opportunity of taking part in an individual hands-on demonstration.

The mobile glass studio is the only one of its kind in the region and is sponsored by the Dorflinger Glass Museum and Keystone College.  Funding for the mobile glass laboratory comes from donations to the Dorflinger Glass Museum by corporations under the Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development EITC program. The companies get tax credits for donations that support innovative educational programs such as the glass studio.

The glass studio last visited Western Wayne in November of 2017 and the district was thrilled to host this experience for its students again.  Mark Nebzydoski, high school science teacher at Western Wayne, played a key role in planning this event.  He believes that Western Wayne science students greatly benefit from unique educational opportunities such as this.

          “It’s meaningful for students to learn about glass through these visual and hands-on demonstrations,” Nebzydoski said.  “They get to have an educational experience that they wouldn’t have anywhere else.”

 Keystone faculty member Brandon Smith, an advanced glass instructor and studio technician from Factoryville, was one of the teachers from the college that led the Western Wayne students through their experience with the mobile glass lab.

Smith explained how this glass lab is a part of Keystone’s STEAM project and that he helped to build the lab with various students from different parts of the world.

“The main goal of this project is to present information to students,” Smith said.  “We want to show kids that with a single material you can drive yourself into many different careers.”

Smith explained that students who study glass can go into fields such as museum archaeology, architecture, chemical laboratory work, laser technology work, and so many other areas.

Seniors Cooper Mistishin, Matt Rosengrant, and Max Phillips had the opportunity to learn from Smith and Michael Swanson, who teaches an introduction to glass course at Keystone College.  The boys participated in the individual hands-on glass demonstrations.

Cooper was surprised at the intensity of the heat used to mold the glass.

“It was interesting to see the differences in the glass from when it was really hot to when it cooled,” Cooper explained.  “When it was warm it looked like all of the glass was blended together and when it cooled you could see its shape better.”

Cooper, who plans to study computer science in college, was glad to have this experience and especially liked molding the glass.

His classmate Matt Rosengrant also had fun molding glass during the demonstration.

“I liked how hands on the demonstration was and how they allowed us to shape the glass,” Matt, who plans to study electrical construction after graduation, said.

Senior Max Phillips agreed that having this experience was particularly helpful for him as a student because of everything he was able to see and do.

“I’ve never done anything like this before,” Max, who plans to study computer science in college, said.  “I enjoyed learning about the properties of glass and how it works.”

In addition, Keystone College admissions counselor Colin Dempsey admitted three Western Wayne students to Keystone during the glass blowing event at the school.  He read their transcripts and gave them admissions letters on the spot.

Nebzydoski and the Western Wayne community are excited for the prospects of having the mobile glass lab return for future learning events at Western Wayne.

In the meantime, Keystone College invites the public to their Keystone College Glass Harvest Sale and Glass Pumpkin Patch event from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on October 12 at their campus lawn.  There will be live glass blowing at this event.

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The Western Wayne School District hosted a very successful 12th Bi-Annual Cavalcade of Bands on the evening of Wednesday, Sept. 25.  The stadium was standing room only.  A total of eleven schools participated including:  Dallas, Dunmore, Delaware Valley, Honesdale, Mid Valley, North Pocono, Northwest Area, Valley View, Wallenpaupack, West Scranton, and Western Wayne.  Many coats also were donated at the event for “Warming Up Wilson.”  Western Wayne would like to thank all schools who participated and all in the community who came out to support our local marching bands.

The Western Wayne School District will host a cavalcade of bands on the evening of Wednesday, September 25 at our football stadium.  The National Anthem will be played at 6:10 p.m. followed by the first band performance at 6:15 p.m. A total of eleven schools will participate including:  Dallas, Dunmore, Delaware Valley, Honesdale, Mid Valley, North Pocono, Northwest Area, Valley View, Wallenpaupack, West Scranton, and Western Wayne who will be the closing performance.  Admission is $3 for adults, $1 for students and senior citizens, or free with the donation of a new or gently used winter coat for “Warming Up Wilson.” In addition, concessions will be sold with all proceeds benefiting Western Wayne band and color guard students.  Come out and enjoy a great night of music and fun.

Following in a tradition that has been established over the past few years, the Western Wayne School District invites the community to attend to its annual homecoming game this Friday, September 13 and accept the challenge of helping others.  Along with coming to cheer on the students, they ask that spectators bring donations of canned goods and other nonperishable food items for a drive that will benefit those in need in Wayne County.

The Western Wayne Homecoming Game against Montrose will begin at 7 p.m. with the presentation of the Homecoming Court about a half hour before kick-off. The ten seniors on this year’s court feel extremely honored and excited to be a part of this ensemble.

Members of the court include:  Rebecca Klemovitch, Kristi Kromko, Trina Barcarola, Sinaea Buford, Noelle Orehek, Derek Mason, Jack McAllister, Ezra Tetreault, Hunter Frable, and Gevin Coccodrilli.

This year’s three Western Wayne football senior captains, Derek Mason, Jack McAllister, and Ezra Tetreault, also have the honor of taking part in homecoming together through being members of the court.

As a part of homecoming week the students have the opportunity to visit with Western Wayne elementary and middle school students in addition to other typical homecoming traditions like themed dress-up days throughout the week, a high school pep rally, a school-run tailgate party before the game, and the homecoming festivities at the football game.  Jack, who is also a part of the wrestling and tracks teams along with being a member of FBLA, said he was most looking forward to interacting with younger students this homecoming week.

“I want to be a role model for younger students and get them excited about homecoming and things they will be able to do at Western Wayne when they are older,” Jack, who plans to go to college and complete an ROTC program, explained.

Fellow football captain Ezra said he also looks forward to visiting with elementary students as a part of his homecoming responsibilities.

“I like socializing with younger kids and answering their questions,” Ezra said.

Ezra certainly can discuss many clubs and sports at Western Wayne since he has been highly involved in after- school activities throughout his high school career. 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.

Ezra, who plans to attend the Coast Guard Academy in Connecticut upon graduation, is happy to have some time this week to spend on the homecoming court with his best friends.

“It’s great to be on it with Derek and Jack and other people we have grown up with,” Ezra said.

Derek agrees with Ezra and explains that all three football captains are just as excited about the homecoming game as they are about being on the homecoming court.

“We went into this season feeling we have something to prove,” Derek explained.  “Each one of us captains has a different way of leading the younger players.  I lead by example and others follow.”

The boys explained that Jack is a more vocal leader whereas Ezra leads by communicating with his teammates on a personal level.

The boys look forward to all of the support of the community at the annual homecoming game.

Fellow homecoming court member Rebecca Klemovitch also looks forward to seeing the crowd at homecoming when she is dressed in her formal wear.

“My favorite part of homecoming is being able to associate with my classmates all dressed up,” she said.

Rebecca, who aspires to study art after graduation, felt shocked to be chosen for the court.  Rebecca’s senior project was creating a mural that was donated to the high school of an abstract cityscape.

“I love being about to create what I envision into my actual artwork,” she said.

In addition Rebecca is a member of the National Art Honor Society, volleyball team, where she has been a starter for four years, and plans to join the political science club this year.

Rebecca’s volleyball teammate Sinaea Buford also serves with her as part of the homecoming court. Sinaea like Rebecca felt surprised to be chosen for homecoming.

She also plays basketball and is in the Spanish club, NHS, FBLA, and FCCLA.

Sinaea can’t wait to meet with younger students as one of her homecoming duties.

“I like answering their questions and talking to them about how high school is,” she explained.

Kristi Kromko agrees with Sinaea that talking to younger students will be a high-light of her homecoming experience. Kristi, who serves as one of this year’s Wildcat Marching Band drum majors, plans to focus on promoting the high school band program when she visits the elementary schools.

“It’s an honor representing the band,” she said.  Kristi, who has already enlisted in the Army National Guard, has played softball for four years and is a part of NHS. She participates in student council along with having been the junior class president. She has qualified for District Band two years and has held various leadership positions in the Western Wayne Band.

Another member of the homecoming court Gevin Coccodrilli also has military plans for after graduation. He wishes to do an ROTC program and join the Marines. 

“I’ve always wanted to be in the military since I was younger,” Gevin explained. 

Gevin has played basketball and baseball for Western Wayne and looks forward to having fun at homecoming.

“It’s exciting.  I didn’t know I’d make it,” Gevin said.

Hunter Frable also felt surprised to be named to the court and looks forward to being with his friends at the game.

Hunter is a four-year member of the Western Wayne golf team and enjoys being a part of the Hot Rod Club.  He plans to attend a two-year trade school to be an auto mechanic.

Two additional members of the court are Trina Barcarola and Noelle Orehek both girls are highly involved in fashion classes at Western Wayne.  They are both looking forward to the honor of displaying their senior collections in the fall at the school’s annual fashion show.  Noelle’s collection has a wildflower theme and Trina’s is striped-themed and titled “Between the Lines.”

The girls also participate in track together.  Noelle, in addition, plays soccer, and Trina plays volleyball.  This year Trina also had the honor of being named Athlete of the Year for the Scranton Times. She was state champion in two track events last season and made second team all- star for volleyball.

Noelle and Trina are also members of NHS and the Fellowship of Christian Athletes.  Noelle plans to study biology and environmental science in college. Trina plans to attend college as well with a potential major in business marketing and minor in psychology.  In addition, Trina aspires to continue her track career after high school.

Both Trina and Noelle feel very excited for the homecoming game.

“I can’t wait to get dressed up and see everyone.  I also hope the court brings more spirit to the school,” Noelle said.

Trina agrees.

“I love getting dressed up and feel very honored to represent the school at such a fun event.”

Trina and all of the members of the homecoming court look forward to bonding with each other and making memories during homecoming at Friday’s game. The court along with the rest of the Western Wayne community invite the public to join them on Friday, Sept. 13 at 6:30 p.m. for the homecoming festivities followed by the game.

 Bring some canned goods to donate and contribute to the positive atmosphere of Western Wayne Homecoming.