High School

Western Wayne Drama Club Visits Broadway

The Western Wayne Drama Club recently had its first-ever Broadway trip on November 8 to see the musical Wicked which is celebrating 20 years on Broadway this year. The students enjoyed a fun-filled day which also included a stop at the well-known Ellen’s Stardust Diner where they were entertained by their “world famous” singing wait staff while they enjoyed lunch. The students felt inspired by all of the incredibly talented performers they encountered on their trip and are set to begin working on their upcoming spring musical at Western Wayne, The Addams Family School Edition, with performances to be held on Friday, April 12; Saturday, April 13; and Sunday, April 14.

Western Wayne Students to Attend District Chorus

From left:  Vallita Belinova, Stephanie Maxwell, Emily Lescinski, and Owen Obloshny

Western Wayne chorus students have qualified to participate in the  PMEA District 9 Chorus Festival at Dallas High School this coming January.  Students were chosen from recorded video auditions that were submitted in October.  The Western Wayne Chorus students selected to attend this year are Vallita Belinova, 11th Grade, 17th on Soprano 1; Stephanie Maxwell, 11th Grade, 2nd Alternate on Soprano 1; Emily Lescinski, 12th Grade, 16th on Soprano 1; and Owen Obloshny, 10th Grade, 12th on Tenor 1.  All of the students are eager to have the opportunity to attend districts.

“I’m really excited to work with students from other districts and learn more about music,” senior Emily Lescinski said.

Western Wayne Celebrates Veterans Day 

Mrs. Elaine Ort, high school band director, conducts her band at the Veterans Day assembly.
North Pocono alumni Kariem Withers, United States Marine Corp. enlistee; Nathaniel Swingle, United States Marine Corps. enlistee; Luke Janiszewski, United States Marine Corp. enlistee; and George Schaffer, United States Air Force.
From left: Western Wayne alumni Nathaniel Swingle and Luke Janiszewski, United States Marine Corp enlistees who have completed their first round of basic training.
Junior Lilly Maros plays “Taps” to close out the assembly with senior Summer Paugh, not pictured.
From left, Major Shane Grodack USMC retired, Western Wayne social studies teacher; and James English, United States Marine Corp.
Mr. Taber Starnes, high school chorus teacher, conducts his singers at the Veterans Day assembly.
Elwood Merring, who earned the Silver Star Medal; Bronze Star Medal; and three Purple Hearts for his service in Vietnam.
From left: Frank DiRosa, United States Marine Corp.; and his granddaughter, sophomore, Sydney Sosa.
From left, Frank DiRosa, United States Marine Corp.; George Schaffer, United States Air Force and National Guard; and Bryan Strubel, United States Navy.

As a tradition for many years, Western Wayne administration, faculty, staff, and students joined together on Thursday, Nov. 9, to celebrate veterans in the community with a special in-school event that featured music from the high school band and chorus, a video presentation about Veterans Day, and a question and answer session with the veterans.
Many local veterans attended the presentation at Western Wayne, some of which had special connections to district faculty and students.
One such veteran at the assembly who has a connection was James English who served in the Marine Corps. English served with Major, USMA retired, Shane Grodack’s father, Sergeant Chester J. Grodack, USMC United States Marine Corp.
Major Grodack, a Western Wayne Middle School history teacher, organizes the Veterans Day assembly each year and was glad that an old friend of his father’s could participate.
English recalled that his best duty in the service was flying helicopters for the White House under presidents Eisenhower and Kennedy.
He fondly remembers traveling for this assignment to places like South America, Camp David, and Venezuela.
“At times we would go by sea and take the planes on ships,” he recalled. “It was amazing to get to see the world.”
English is now the Deputy Commander of the American Legion 15th District.
“I hope that the veterans presence at today’s assembly inspires others to go in the service and do good for others,” he said.
Fellow veteran Frank DiRosa had ties to two special students at the assembly. He had the pleasure of having his granddaughter sophomore Sydney Sosa help escort him. Sydney is a member of the Western Wayne Student Ambassador Program that helps to facilitate events of this nature at the school. His granddaughter Sophie Burian, 8th grade, was also at the assembly.
DiRosa left his senior year of high school early to become a Marine. He earned his GED while in the service which he spent six years in.
DiRosa hopes the middle and high school students who attended the event learned something from seeing the veterans there.
“Commitment is something that I think young people can learn from veterans,” he explained. “Too many times nowadays people start something and give up.”
Sydney is proud of her grandfather’s commitment to the service.
“I want him to be appreciated,” she explained. “I am glad that his friends who are veterans are here this morning, and I hope they all feel some joy.”
Sydney really enjoys spending time with her grandfather and learning from him.
“We play chess and golf together,” she said. “He loves history, and, sometimes, we just sit and talk about it.”
Fellow veteran and friend of DiRosa, Bryan Strubel also wished for the students at the assembly to feel inspired by the program.
“Patriotism is what I think they should gain from today,” he explained.
Strubel spent six years total in the Navy; four years active and two years reserve. He worked in a training squadron with trainer pilots. He also worked with F9s and FA4s. His job was being a jet mechanic working with A frames and quality control, among many other things.
He is originally from New York and later moved to Waymart. Currently he is a member of the American Legion 889 in Waymart.
His friend George Schaffer, an Air Force member, was also in attendance. Schaffer spent four years in the Air Force. He was also a part of the National Guard. In the service, his duty was a cook. Later he worked for 35 years as a Tobyhanna Army civilian doing electrical/ mechanical work. He is also a member of the 899 Legion in Waymart.
“I hope that students gain a respect for service people from the presentation,” he explained. “Maybe some will go into the Marines or the guard.”
DiRosa, Strubel, and Schaffer are grateful to still be friends and active in their American Legion years after their time in active service.
In comparison, Western Wayne Alumni from the class of 2023 Nathaniel Swingle and Luke Janiszewski are equally grateful for their friendship that blossomed at Western Wayne and led them to joining the service as a part of the buddy system. The two recent Marine Corps enlistees completed their first round of basic training together and will go on to join a fleet at an undisclosed location some time in the near future after additional training. The two served as squad leaders at their boot camp on Parris Island, South Carolina.
Swingle and Janiszewski became friends with North Pocono graduate Kariem Withers after bootcamp. The three servicemen currently are working for the Scranton Recruiting Office. They go to local high schools and interact with students to inspire them to sign-up for military service.
“I joined the military to improve myself,” Withers explained. “I feel a lot more disciplined now even just having a short time in so far.”
Withers explained that he really enjoyed working with Swingle and Janiszewski. “They are motivators,” he said.
Janiszewski aspires to attend college after his time in the service and become a secondary social studies teacher. Swingle can see himself studying business in college and aspires to open a sporting goods store one day.
A veteran at the event whose service is inspiring to all there was Elwood Merring. Merring earned the Silver Star Medal, Bronze Star Medal, and three Purple Hearts for what he did in combat in his service to the Army in Vietnam.
Merring is a member of the American Legion 807 in Hamlin. He is an extremely humble, decorated serviceman.
“I hope the students learn about the history of what veterans went through,” he explained.
The Western Wayne School District is proud to host veterans on their campus in remembrance of Veterans Day as a yearly tradition since 1982. The entire District thanks all of the veterans who took the time to attend the assembly and especially sends well wishes to all Western Wayne alumni who have served or are currently serving.

Mrs. Ort and Marching Band on WBRE WEDNESDAY, NOV. 15 from 5 a.m. to 7 a.m.

Mrs. Ort and the Pride of Western Wayne, the Wildcat Marching Band will appear on WBRE television tomorrow, Wednesday, Nov. 15.  The group will have a live spot at 5 a.m., 5:30 a.m., 6 a.m., and 6:30 a.m. that will be broadcast from our high school.   The station will interview Mrs. Ort about her upcoming performance with the Saluting America’s Band Directors project  in this year’s Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade. Both Mrs. Ort and the band will be featured in this broadcast. Be sure to tune in to watch them shine TOMORROW, WED. NOV. 15, starting at 5 a.m.

High School Creative Writing Students Submit Their Work to Contests

Winners pictured (left to right):
Olivia Ford (junior), Melinda Kopcza (senior), and Laylah Epstein (sophomore).

In the month of October, students in the inaugural Creative Writing elective at Western Wayne High School were challenged with the task of composing a 100-word or less mini saga with the purpose of evoking suspense and intrigue. While students had the option to submit their sagas to a national level competition via the Young Writers 2023 “SOS Saga: Hunted” contest, their pieces were entered in to the class contest evaluated by a variety staff and students.

Runners up were Olivia Ford’s “Inner Demons” and Laylah Epstein’s “The Wake.”

The first place “boo-basket” prize was awarded to Melinda Kopcza for her thrilling saga, “Mama’s Boy.”

Sophomores Chosen to Attend HOBY

From left: Cassidy Levens and Laylah Epstein.

Western Wayne sophomores Cassidy Levens and Laylah Epstein have been chosen to represent Western Wayne at the 2024 Central Pennsylvania HOBY Leadership Seminar this June 2024.

       Cassidy is an accomplished Western Wayne honor roll sophomore student who enjoys being a part of a variety of clubs at school including:  football cheerleading, basketball cheerleading, political science club, softball, and drama club.

In Cassidy’s leadership essay for HOBY, she explained what leadership meant to her by discussing strong leadership role models she has worked with.

“I think that a good leader influences people around them in a positive way,” Cassidy said.  “Leaders I have worked with have not tried to boss me around, instead they have made me want to become a leader as well.  These leaders have truly cared about me and other members of my teams and have inspired me.”

After high school, Cassidy aspires to study political science in college and go on to pursue a career as a lawyer and/ or a legislator.

Cassidy’s classmate Laylah Epstein, a sophomore honor roll student, also is a Hoby winner for Western Wayne and shares a similar view on leadership as Cassidy.

“I think a good leader leads by example,” Laylah explained.  “Good leaders I have worked with want to see others succeed.”

Laylah is a member of both football and basketball cheerleading.

After high school, Laylah plans to major in nursing and become an ER nurse.

Both girls look forward to attending the conference in the spring and meeting other student leaders from various districts.

“I hope to learn about their different outlooks on life and leadership at the conference,” Cassidy explained.

Band Director to March in Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade

Elaine Ort, band director for Western Wayne High School, will join band directors from across the country to march in the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade on Thursday, November 23.

    The Saluting America’s Band Directors™ project has assembled over 400 band directors confirmed to march in the Band Directors Marching Band’s Macy’s appearance.  This group was first seen performing together in the Rose Parade in January of 2022.  This time the organization has planned an exciting five-day New York City experience for the Band Directors Marching Band culminating with a performance in the world-famous Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade®. The trip will run from Sunday, November 19, through Thursday, November 23. The Band Directors will have a variety of experiences in New York City leading up to the parade.  They will be a part of the first division of the parade and are set to perform at the famous Macy’s star on the live NBC television broadcast at about 8:30 a.m. on parade day.

     “I am so incredibly excited for this experience, and so grateful to have had such wonderful colleagues and friends who have helped prepare me for this adventure,” Ort said. “ I hope that I will make all of you proud in New York City.  Go Wildcats, and Go Band!”

    Elaine Ort has devoted much of her life to the study and performance of music.  A native of New England and graduate of Marywood University, Elaine is a member of the Scranton Brass Orchestra, the Providence Brass, the Schützengiggles Oompah Band, the Marywood University Wind Symphony, and performs often in musical pit orchestras throughout the region.  As an educator, Elaine serves as the director of instrumental activities in the Western Wayne School District since 2014.  At Western Wayne, her teaching responsibilities include sixth grade brass instruction, eighth grade band instruction, and the Pride of Western Wayne, the Wildcat High School Band.  Under her direction and guidance the school continues to invest heavily in its music program, and was recently named a KHS America Academic Alliance Platinum school for its investment in instrumental education.  It is the only school in Pennsylvania, and one of only 39 in the United States to have received that honor.

    Complete details on the project are available on the Saluting America’s Band Directors website, https://banddirectorsalute.org/2023-macys-parade%C2%AE

Band Celebrates Halloween with Young and Old

The Western Wayne High School Marching Band took their show on the road for Halloween festivities on Monday, Oct. 30.

 First, the students gave a performance to elementary students in the district at the R.D. Wilson School and on the same day, they performed in the community at the Wayne Woodlands and Julia Ribaudo Nursing Homes. They also included in their day a performance for the Western Wayne Middle School and Evergreen Elementary School as well.

The band students were thrilled to be able to perform for these very special audiences.  All of the students and nursing home residents who got to see the performances felt a lot of Halloween spirit.

“I am so grateful to be able to go out and perform in the community,” one of the color guard captains, sophomore Kayelin Martin said.  “It adds another layer to our performances, and we get to have such fun experiences with new audiences.”

Fellow color guard captain senior Rebekah Palko agreed.

“It was so wonderful to be able to go out into the community for our Halloween performances,” Rebekah said.  “I really enjoy performing for various audiences.”

Pictured is Western Wayne High School Band Director Elaine Ort, center, with the Marching Band and Color Guard.

Public Welcome to Attend Spanish Dance Performance on Thursday, November 9

Instructor Vince Brust demonstrates some dance steps for the class with freshman Peyton DeRosa.
Instructor Vince Brust dances with freshman Jennifer Stump during a circle dance.

Learning rhythms, beats, steps, and choreography isn’t just work for the Rockettes and Broadway stars, Western Wayne High School foreign language students have a yearly tradition of learning Spanish dancing as a part of their curriculum each fall.
Local dance instructor and studio owner Vince Brust works with the Western Wayne students to teach a variety of traditional Spanish dances such as tango, merengue, mambo, and salsa among others. Brust does this as a part of the Artist in Residence Program through NEIU-19.
The students have a few weeks of sessions with Mr. Brust in the fall leading up to a performance for the community this Thursday, November 9, in the Western Wayne High School Veterans Memorial Auditorium. Admission is FREE for everyone.
The high school students were thrilled to learn how to dance and get to meet and work more closely with their fellow classmates in the process.
Freshman Jennifer Stump said she had never danced before this fall, but that once she got started with the classes she really enjoyed them and realized how dance is directly connected to her color guard performances. Jennifer has been on color guard for two years being inspired to join by her aunt who was a part of a team in her youth.
“Once we started counting out the steps in the Spanish dance lessons, I realized that this is just like color guard,” Jennifer said. “I am always counting to be in time for my guard performances and the same skill helps me stay on time for all of the dances we are learning in class.”
Fellow freshman Kendall Murray said she is happy to expand her growing knowledge of dance through the classes offered through the school and taught by local professional dancer Mr. Brust.
“I really have been enjoying learning Spanish dance from an experienced teacher,” Kendall said. “I got to do a lot of different dance styles in our school’s musical last year and really think that my experience with Spanish dance is helping me to learn more styles and gain knowledge about a different culture at the same time.”
There will be about 30 students participating in the Spanish Dance Performance for the local community at 7 p.m. on Thursday, November 3, in the High School Veterans Memorial Auditorium. Again, admission is FREE for all.
The students and staff involved hope to see you there for what will be about an hour of performance fun.