LIAA Scholar Athletes Honored

Pictured L to R: Dr. Matthew Barrett, Superintendent, Paul Gregorski, High School Principal, Vaeda Pontosky, Robert Carey, and Bob Black, Athletic Director

Senior’s Vaeda Potosky and Robert Carey were honored on May 29, 2019 at the annual LIAA Scholar Athlete Breakfast, held at Genetti’s in Dickson City,

Vaeda Pontosky, is the daughter of Richard and Marnie Pontosky and resides in Lake Ariel. She has played soccer and softball for 4 years and has been a basketball cheerleader for 1 year. In soccer, she was a captain. She received the Hustle Award and was named an LIAA First Team All-Star in Soccer. Vaeda is a member of the National Honor Society, Girls Lead, the Pennsylvania Junior Academy of Sciences, Technology Student Association, and Student Council. She serves om the Wayne County Children and Youth Advisory Committee. She volunteers for the Steamtown Marathon, Santa’s Workshop, and assists elementary students in conducting science experiments. Vaeda has earned a Geisinger Commonwealth School of Medicine Research Fellowship and has participated in the Pennsylvania State Police Camp Cadet. She will attend DeSales University in the fall where she will begin Medical Studies.

Robert Carey, son of Eugene and Christine Carey and resides in Moscow. He has earned 10 varsity letters; 4 in baseball, 3 in golf, and 3 in basketball. He has served as one of his baseball team’s captains. Robert is a member of the National Honor Society, TSA, and Student Council. He will attend West Virginia University in the fall where he will major in Mechanical Engineering with a minor in Natural Gas.

Western Wayne Alumni Graduate from Prestigious Schools Prepared to Serve in Military

The Western Wayne School District is very proud of two of its 2015 alumni who soon will serve our country in the military.

Timothy Shaffer has been attending Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University in Daytona Beach, Florida and participating in Air Force ROTC Detachment 157 for the last four years.  He recently graduated as a Second Lieutenant in the United States Air Force with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Aeronautics.  He earned a pilot slot in his junior year and will be stationed at Columbus Air Force Base, Mississippi, next year to begin pilot training.  Upon graduation of pilot training, he intends to fly an F-35.

His former classmate Kyle Coons attended the Virginia Military Institute (VMI) for 4 years, graduating as a Second Lieutenant in the Army with a Bachelor of Arts degree in History. While at VMI, he marched in President Trump’s Inauguration Parade in Washington, DC along with the Governor of Virginia’s inaugural parade in Richmond, VA. He presented the colors at Martinsville Speedway for a NASCAR race and was part of a committee within the corps of cadets named the RDC, this group helps freshmen get accustomed to the VMI system.  He will be first stationed at Fort Sill, Oklahoma for training. His first duty station will be Fort Drum, New York.


Pictured is 2015 Western Wayne alumni Timothy Shaffer, who recently graduated from Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University as a Second Lieutenant in the United States Air Force with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Aeronautics.

Both recent graduates credit their time at Western Wayne as one of the reasons they found success in their four years at their respective institutions. 

“All of my teachers were great at Western Wayne,” Tim said.  “The math and science departments in the high school especially prepared me for school. I have done really well in math and science in college.”

Kyle agrees that his time at Western Wayne helped to prepare him for his time at VMI.

“I learned leadership skills from serving as the captain of both the football team and volleyball team,” Kyle explained.  “Also, my AP classes taught me good study habits.”

Tim and Kyle had different collegiate experiences but each have the same end result of being prepared and ready to enter the military in their respective branches.

Tim’s experience at Embry-Riddle allowed him to have a normal university experience of attending his classes and being involved in other on-campus school activities along with his military training three days a week. He explained how it was a very equal blend.

Kyle’s experience was different in the respect that his college experience was immersed in military training every day in various ways.  He explained how the students dressed in military attire at all times while on campus along with training each day and going to their college classes. 

Pictured is 2015 Western Wayne alumni Kyle Coons, who recently graduated from the Virginia Military Institute as a Second Lieutenant in the Army with a Bachelor of Arts degree in History.

These two, very accomplished, Western Wayne alumni have a great mutual respect for one another and are proud of each other’s college achievements.  They explained how they chose to pursue becoming service men through different avenues but that they both learned so much already and feel prepared to continue their military training.

Tim feels excited to start his journey at Columbus Air Force Base this spring.

“I am really proud to be able to do what I’m doing,” Tim said.  “I know a lot of other people would want to be doing it.”

He is eager to learn more about aviation and explained that the feeling he gets on a flight is incredibly exciting.

“I remember one solo flight I did in college that was special,” Tim explained.  “It was right before the sun came up.  I was flying from Daytona Beach south past Kennedy Space Center.”

In addition, Tim feels very excited to be able to use the skills he learned in college when he starts his pilot training for the Air Force.

“I have always had a love for aviation that I couldn’t explain,” Tim said.  “I have also always been fascinated, from when I was younger, with American history and events such as Pearl Harbor.”

Kyle also is eager to begin his field artillery training at Fort Sill, Oklahoma.  His first duty station will be in Fort Drum, New York.  He feels he has learned a lot about leadership from his time at VMI that he will use in the future.

“VMI taught me that good leaders are confident with their decisions,” Kyle explained.  “I have also learned to lead by example.”

Western Wayne, faculty, administration, and staff wish Tim and Kyle the best with their future endeavors along with thanking them for serving our country.

Western Wayne’s Road Trip to Fashion Show a Success

Pictured are the student designers and student models from Western Wayne’s Road Trip to Fashion Show. From left standing: Erin Murphy, Gabby Tetreault, Noelle Orehek, Lily Visceglia, Emily Pavlicek, Victoria Petrosky, Isabel Valentin, Gabby Ostolaza, Shauna McAndrew, Abby Black, Rachel Hoch, Trina Barcarola, Maggie Millon, and Meghann Clark. From left, sitting: Mitchell Herzog, Alex Kuha, Johnny Barcarola, Leonard Johnson, Kobe Sauter, Ed Sledzinski, and Mrs. Colleen Carmody, show director and fashion teacher.

Western Wayne hosted its second annual community fashion show on Friday, May 31, in the Veterans Memorial Auditorium at the high school.  Two hundred dollars was raised from the event to benefit local food pantries and the Dessin Animal Shelter.

          The show titled Road Trip to Fashion featured the senior collections of students Victoria Petrosky, whose collection was titled “Elegance,” and Isabel Valentin, whose collection was titled “Inspiring Vintage.”

The show also featured pieces from students in textile, fashion I, and fashion II classes at Western Wayne.

Another main aspect of the fashion show was the competitive portion in which seniors Victoria and Isabel worked with teams of student designers and student models to create and showcase fashions for the theme Road Trip to Fashion.  Victoria’s team was called Border to Border Fashion and consisted of student designers, Abby Black, Shauna McAndrew, Noelle Orehek, and Emily Pavlicek; student models, Lily Visceglia, Gabby Tetreault, Leonard Johnson, and Johnny Barcarola.  Isabel’s team was called Rhapsody’s Caravan and consisted of student designers, Meghann Clark, Trina Barcarola, Maggie Millon, and Erin Murphy; student models, Rachel Hoch, Gabby Ostolaza, Kobe Sauter, and Alex Kuha.

 The week of the show the students learned the theme and pieces they needed to create for the competitive portion of the show.  For their Road Trip to Fashion themed collection each team had to create a variety of garments including:  a simple romper to capture the feel of the sea, water, warm climate or sailing as found on the Eastern Seaboard; bibbed joggers to capture a Midwestern appeal; a two-piece outfit: capris, vest, and scarf to portray life as a mountain climber in the Rockies; from sheer curtains provided, a wrap (only) style halter dress, cape overlay, and organic belt to depict Desert life; and with clear plastic, netting and white banding, and lights provided, they created either a one or two piece winter avant-garde gown to capture the glistening of the snow and northern light of Alaska.

This portion of the show was judged and Victoria’s team “Border to Border Fashion” won by six points.  Isabel’s team “Rhapsody’s Caravan” won the audience vote.

 As her senior project, sophomore Emily Pavlicek worked with show director and fashion teacher Mrs. Colleen Carmody to design the hallway leading to the auditorium and the set, along with collecting the money raised to go to local food pantries and the Dessin Animal Shelter.  Emily also designed a very special dress for the show. The dress was created to emphasize this year’s theme Road Trip to Fashion.  The dress consisted of a satin bodice and laminated skirt made from collected paper maps.   The collar of the dress was made of black vinyl and wire, the train of black and yellow tulle in combination with the vinyl was used to emphasize the roadways of the United States.  In addition, earlier this year, Emily was the proud recipient of the Wayne County Youth Advisory Grant, the funds bought supplies for present and future shows and displays.

Carmody feels very proud of all of her students’ accomplishments and looks forward to the event next year.

“It was wonderful to see everyone’s hard work come together in our show,” Carmody said. “It is great to see our students’ talent brought to life on stage.”

Athletes of the Year Announced

This year’s Male and Female Athletes of the Year are Kobe Sauter and Trina Barcarola. Senior Kobe Sauter, a 3-sport athlete, was a stand-out running back on the football team, rushing for over 1200 yards this year. He was a starter and key player on the Basketball team. The basketball team made the District 2 LIAA play-offs for the first time in school history. Finally, as a member of the Track & Field team he ran the 100, 4 x 100 relay team, and the long jump. Kobe will continue his studies at Lycoming College. Trina Barcarola, a Junior, is a 2019 Track & Field State Champion in the Pole Vault and 100 Hurdles and she metaled in the 300 Hurdles. As a member of the Indoor Track & Field team, where she excelled there as well. Trina, also a 3-sport athlete, is a member of the Girls Volleyball team too. From the Varsity Club the athletes each receive a plaque and a $250 gift card to the College they plan on attending. If they are not a senior, it is given to them later on when they are a senior.

Hot Rod Club CAR SHOW – June 2nd, 2019

5th Annual Western Wayne Hot Rod Club

5th Annual Western Wayne Hot Rod Club
June 2nd, 2019
9am-2pm

Western Wayne High School Parking Lot
1970A Easton Turnpike, Lake Ariel, PA
Registration
Cost: $10


Prizes for:
Car·Truck·Tractor
Motorcycle·Best In Show


Food and Drinks
available for purchase!


All proceeds benefit
Hot Rod & Drama Club members
Spectators FREE!

Western Wayne High School Students Learn from Lacawac Educators

On May 7, 2019, Western Wayne High School general science students visited the Varden Conservation Area and participated in ecology activities presented by Lacawac Sanctuary.  Students participated in three different activities, which involved the topics of macroinvertebrates in a pond environment, topographic mapping, soil percolation, and pollution.

Lacawac Sanctuary instructors included Jamie Reeger, environmental educational manager, who presented the soil percolation studies and how they tied into the water table.   Devan George, environmental educator, explained water quality health through identification of macroinvertebrates found at the pond.  Bruce and Kathy Grandjean, environmental educators, explained topographic mapping and orienteering with compasses and maps of the area.

The field trip was followed by a classroom presentation on water quality and the environment.  Students participated in activities that modeled ground water and surface water and how they fit into a concept of a water shed.  These activities lead to discussions about the local area and incorporated the concept of a water table and common water resources shared by all.

Funding for the Varden classroom education as well the field trip was provided through an Educational Improvement Tax Credit (EITC) grant from the nonprofit Western Wayne Education Foundation. Christine McClure, President, 1970C Easton Turnpike, Western Wayne School District, Lake Ariel, PA 18436

Accompanying the students were instructors Dr. Mark Nebzydoski and Mrs. Maria Phillips.

Western Wayne students enjoyed learning both on the trip to Varden and through the classroom presentations.  Lacawac educators Reeger and Gene Schultz gave the classroom presentations at Western Wayne.

Freshman Donovan Burdick explained how he liked both experiences.

“It made it easier for me to learn the information because I liked working outside on the trip and the diagrams they showed in class were interesting.”

Fellow classmate Leah Kellogg agrees.

“The diagrams they showed in our classes helped us to learn the concepts so much more than just being told the information,” she said.

Reeger, who gave one of the presentations to the students at the high school, explained how it is their goal to help the students get a better understanding of our ecological systems.

“We hope to make the students better stewards of the environment,” Reeger said.

She also explained how there are so many more career paths available to students now involving the environment.  She discussed how college students can study sustainability in business or industry among a variety of other environmental career paths.

Sophomore Riley Kennedy felt accomplished after her work on the field trip and with the classroom presenters.

“I learned how smaller things live in less contaminated water and how water runs off of certain environments,” Riley, who aspires to study medicine and be anesthesiologist one day, explained.

The students look forward to working with Lacawac for future educational trips and presentations

 For more information on

Varden Conservation area

http://www.vardenconservationarea.com/

https://www.facebook.com/FriendsofVCA/

http://www.dcnr.pa.gov/StateParks/FindAPark/VardenConservationArea/Pages/default.aspx

Lacawac Sanctuary

https://www.lacawac.org/

https://www.facebook.com/Lacawac/

Public Invited to Western Wayne’s Road Trip to Fashion Show on May 31

Both elegant and vintage styles will be featured in the senior fashion collections created by Western Wayne High School students for their yearly fashion design show.  These designs will be a featured part of the Road Trip to Fashion Show to take place Friday, May 31 from 7 to 9 p.m. in the Western Wayne High School Veterans Memorial Auditorium, 1970A Easton Turnpike, Lake Ariel, PA.  Doors open at 6:30 p.m.

The event that is open to the public and is an opportunity for student designers to compete and show their fashions with all proceeds donated to local food pantries and the Dessin Animal Shelter.  Admission is $1 for students and $2 dollars for adults.

Sophomore Emily Pavlicek is collecting the money from the event for her senior project and worked closely with show director and fashion teacher Colleen Carmody to ensure that all proceeds go to both very worthy local causes. 

 Emily is highly interested in fashion design and helping the local community.  Therefore, she thought this would be a great way for her to incorporate her senior project into her studies at Western Wayne.

Carmody is excited for the community to join her and her students on Friday evening, May 31, to support good causes and see the fantastic work they have created.

Carmody explained how there will be much for the community to enjoy at the fashion show.  She described how the hallway leading to the auditorium will be decorated and will feature senior displays and displays of pieces from her intro to fashion class.

The show itself will feature pieces that students in her textile, fashion I, and fashion II classes have created and chosen to show.

Some of the student pieces will feature fashion creations that are up-cycled, when an item like an old pair of jeans is made into a skirt, and creations that are recycled, when a designer takes something like jean fabric and makes it into a newly designed piece.

In addition, her two seniors who have taken fashion for four years Victoria Petrosky and Isabel Valentin will have their senior collections featured in the show on the runway.  Victoria’s is titled “Elegance” and Isabel’s is “Inspiring Vintage.”

Along with these pieces and collections, the highlight of the evening will be collections created by fashion students working in teams.  This part of the event is run much like the popular show Project Runway in the respect that Carmody will release the theme of the team-created fashions the week of the show.  Then students have a limited time to design and create their fashions. 

There will be two teams of five student designers each working on the collection, one team led by Victoria and the other by Isabel.  The fashions will be shown on the runway to music with lighting design to go with the pieces.  Carmody explained how her students work closely with students in video production and stage crew students.

Both seniors are very excited for the competition and to showcase their senior collections at the event.

“It is important to keep calm and stay focused,” Victoria said of her mindset for creating fashions for the show with her team under a strict deadline.  “It’s exciting because I get to let my creativity go wherever it wants to.”

She is also thrilled to share her senior collection called “Elegance” with both her classmates and the local community.  The students will show Road Trip to Fashion to the high school student body during the school day on Friday, May 31.

The in-school fashion show is judged by a panel including members of the District Office, past alumni, and others.  The winners of the show will be announced at the evening presentation.

Victoria is especially excited to show the gold, flowing skirt in her “Elegance” collection.

“My collection mirrors the elegant style I like to wear to formal events,” Victoria, who will go on to earn a bachelor’s in sociology from East Stroudsburg University, explained.  “My gold skirt is one of my favorite pieces because of how pretty it looks when I spin in it.  It is a floor-length skirt made of gold satin.”

Another piece she is especially proud of in her collection is her purple high-waist pants made of cotton.

“I like them because they are fitted and have pockets,” she said.

Victoria explained that she first developed her love of sewing through her work with the local Explorers 4-H Club in Hamlin.  She also developed her sense of confidence and a love for expressing herself through her time dancing at a local studio for ten years and in three Western Wayne musical productions in her high school career.

Victoria’s classmate Isabel Valentin is just as excited as Victoria to share her senior collection at the show.  Her collection is titled “Inspiring Vintage.”

“I like really old styles,” Isabel, who plans to student dentistry at Pennsylvania College of Technology in Williamsport next year, explained.  “My designs are unique.  One of my favorites is a jumper with a puffy sleeve blouse.  I like the look of flowing garments that aren’t the norm to wear.”

Another piece Isabel will feature in the show that she especially enjoys is her kimono.

“I like mostly Japanese fashion and how traditional it is,” she said. “I am very excited for the show itself and to show off my garments for the last time at Western Wayne.”

Isabel is also a member of the National Art Honor Society and was named artist of the month by the Scranton Times for May.  She enjoys doing acrylic painting and making ceramics when she isn’t busy fashion designing.

“With art it’s easier to go into my pieces and fix them as I go,” Isabel explained. “With design I need a very precise plan, because it is not as easy to change once you start going with a piece.”

And Isabel is ready to take on that challenge when she works to lead her team in creating their designs for the competitive portion of the Road Trip to Fashion event.

All of the students are excited for the public to come out and see the designs they have worked on this year.  They cordially invite the community to attend their show and donate to local food pantries and the Dessin Animal Shelter through their admission fee on Friday, May 31, at 7 p.m. in the high school auditorium.

Isabel and Victoria did a recent photo shoot in preparation of the fashion show event and were excited to wear some of their completed pieces.

“I like how I feel in my clothing,” Isabel explained.  “It helps me feel empowered and elegant.”

the cooperage – KIDS FREE Lunch Party

Free Lunch for ages 0 – 18
Monday thru Friday (11 am – 1 pm)
June 17th thru August 6th
(No lunch July 4th and 5th)

Held at
the Cooperage
1030 Main Street
Honesdale, PA