The Harlem
Wizards will host an event in the Western Wayne High School gym on Tuesday,
April 30 from 6:30 to 9 p.m. They will wow the crowd with their
basketball tricks on the court along with playing a team of Western Wayne
faculty and staff. Proceeds from the event will support the Western Wayne
football program. Advance ticket sales: $10 for students; $15 general
admission; $25 court-side plus (online only). Court-side plus includes:
meet and greet, free photo, reserve seat and $10 off a jersey—Only 60
court-side seats available. At the door: $12 students; $17 general
admission. Tickets are available in all Western Wayne School offices or
online at www. Harlemwizards.com
Recently Western Wayne students at Robert D. Wilson Elementary, Evergreen
Elementary and the Middle and High Schools were treated to a visit from David
Paul of the Harlem Wizards. He gave them a preview of the event along
with teaching basketball moves to student volunteers and talking to students
about showing respect for elders. All Western Wayne students, faculty,
and staff from Kindergarten through 12th grade are excited for this
unique event happening at their district and invite the public to come and join
them for an evening of fun.
Cast of Annie- Front row, from left: Haley Strocchia, Ava Compton, Sophia Conaway, Natasha Orehek, Larissa Ellsworth, Jenna Frable, Julia Phillips, and Alex Taylor. Second row, from left: Lily Visceglia, Sydney Peet, Andie Solimine, Amanda David, R.J. Clemens, and Sam Clemens. Third row, from left: Rebecca Boots, Brandon Davis, Hailey Lightbody, Kevin Franc, Dakota Beavers, Rhonda Fenkner, Angelina Tornillo, Lilly Morcom, Honour Shaffer, and Madison Kapschull. Absent from photo: John Nichols, Adam Kellogg, and Chaz Smith.
“When I’m stuck with a day that’s gray and lonely / I
just stick up my chin and grin and say the sun will come out tomorrow,” Annie
sings this throughout the classic musical named after its leading lady.
The
curtain will rise for Western Wayne Drama Club’s production, of Annie, a show that will surely brighten
up anyone’s day, at 7 p.m. on Friday, April 26, at the high school in the
Veterans Memorial Auditorium. Additional performances will take place at 7 p.m.
on Saturday, April 27; and at 3 p.m. on Sunday, April 28. Tickets are $5 for adults and $3 for students
and senior citizens. Western Wayne students are free with a student ID.
This
production will leave audiences humming many of the classic songs from the show
such as “Maybe,” “Easy Street,” and, of course, “Tomorrow.” Audiences will even be treated to seeing Annie’s special guest star, local dog
Daisy Press who will play Annie’s dog Sandy.
Daisy’s owner is Mrs.
Christine Press, treasurer of the Western Wayne Drama Parent Club, who is
excited for her pup to make her acting debut on the Western Wayne stage. Daisy attended the Drama Club’s character
breakfast, which was sponsored and run by the Western Wayne Drama Parent Club,
earlier this month and was a hit with kids of all ages.
The
Drama Parent Club will have a table of show memorabilia for sale at this
weekend’s performances with all of the proceeds benefiting Western Wayne
Drama Club students. They will also sell
raffle tickets throughout the weekend for a special Annie-themed teddy bear
dressed like Annie.
This bear was modeled
after teddy bears auctioned off on Broadway in New York City. Tickets for the bear will be sold all weekend
with the drawing taking place on Sunday.
You do not have to be present at the Sunday show to win the prize.
In
addition, the Western Wayne Band Parents will also have refreshments available
for purchase at the show will all proceeds benefiting Western Wayne Band
students.
Many
band, chorus, and a variety of other students are involved in the
production. Western Wayne Drama Club
students in grades 8 through 12 have been hard at work on the musical since
December. Students are involved in a variety
of facets from playing roles on stage, to building and moving sets as stage
crew members, to playing musical instruments in the pit band.
This is
a very special production for all involved especially for some senior cast
members. One such student is R.J.
Clemens who has performed on stage with Western Wayne musical productions since
his 8th grade year when he played a Wicksham Brother in Seussical. He moved on to playing lead roles for the
rest of his high school career including taking on the roles of Shrek in Shrek, Albert Peterson in Bye Bye Birdie, Jimmy Winters in Nice Work if You Can Get It, and now
Oliver Warbucks in Annie.
“It’s
always a lot of fun to work on productions like these,” R.J. said. “I get to make a lot of new friends and create
many memories.”
R.J.
has enjoyed all of his roles in Western Wayne musicals. He names the “100 Ways Ballet,” which was a
fantasy dance sequence from Bye Bye
Birdie in which his love interest imagines different ways to end his life,
as one of his favorites because of its uniqueness along with the musical number
“I Don’t Need Anything But You” from this year’s production.
“I
really think the audience will enjoy this piece because it’s when Annie and
Warbucks’ relationship as father and daughter is solidified,” R.J.
explained. “We get to share a special
song and dance together in front of the entire mansion staff, who have been
hoping for this happy moment since first meeting Annie’s character.”
Eighth
grader Amanda David makes her Western Wayne musical debut in the title
role. This is Amanda’s first leading
role in a production, and she is thrilled to share what she and the rest of the
cast have been working on with the community this weekend.
“I saw Annie on Broadway when I was younger,”
Amanda explained. “This is a role I have
always wanted to play, and I can’t wait to do it for an audience.”
Amanda
is delighted to share the stage with some of her eighth grade classmates who
play orphans including: Larissa Ellsworth who plays Tessie; Jenna Frable who
plays Pepper; and Julia Phillips who plays Kate.
“My
favorite part about playing Kate is when she has lines annoying Miss Hannigan,”
Julia explained. “I also really enjoy
the musical number ‘Little Girls’ because of how different it is.”
In
“Little Girls,” Hannigan sings about her never-ending frustrations of having to
be around the girls in the orphanage.
During it, all of the orphans do a contemporary-style dance in which
they move like puppets being manipulated by Hannigan.
The
rest of the orphans are played by Natasha Orehek as Molly, Haley Strocchia as
July, and Ava Compton as Duffy.
“It’s awesome to work with so many
talented students in each scene,” Amanda said.
Another
one of these talented students is none other than Miss Hannigan herself played
by junior Sydney Peet.
Sydney
has been a part of the ensemble for previous Western Wayne productions with
this being her first year playing a leading role.
“I
really enjoy playing a character that has sides to her personality that are
different from how I usually act,” Sydney explained. “It’s fun to play Hannigan when she is
flirtatious or creating conflict with other characters.”
One
such moment is during Act One when Hannigan and Grace Farrell, Oliver Warbucks’
secretary played by junior Andie Solimine, have an argument about how long
Annie should stay with Warbucks while pulling back and forth on one of the
orphan’s dolls.
Sydney
also shares the stage with two other cast mates who have many comical moments
in the show. Junior John Nichols plays
Rooster Hannigan and sophomore Lily Visceglia plays his girlfriend Lily St.
Regis. The two conspire with Hannigan to
get the money Warbucks eventually offers to find Annie’s parents. The three sing about their big plans for
living a life of luxury in the musical number “Easy Street.”
Another
character in Annie who actually wants
to help Oliver Warbucks in his quest to find Annie’s real parents is none other
than President Roosevelt played by sophomore Alex Taylor. Roosevelt, also, has many funny moments throughout
Act Two, especially when he leads his Cabinet in a rendition of “Tomorrow” in
hopes of rising their spirits to help him come up with the idea of the
historically infamous “New Deal.”
“One of
my favorite parts is when I get to sing my solo in the Cabinet scene,” Alex
said. “It’s really neat to get to play a
character as iconic as Roosevelt for my first role in a musical production. This is my first year in chorus and after
seeing last year’s musical I knew that I really wanted to get involved with it
and experience what it’s like to be on stage.”
Alex takes the stage with all of the
other students involved in Western Wayne Drama Club’s production of Annie on Friday night at 7 p.m. at the
Veterans Memorial Auditorium at the high school. Everyone involved invites the community to
come out and see these talented students shine in the telling of this classic
musical perfect for all ages.
Parents and Community members, please take a moment to add your input into this critical survey. Thank you!
Wayne Memorial Hospital, Wayne Memorial Community Health Centers and community leadership throughout Northeastern Pennsylvania are conducting our 2019 study on health care needs and priorities, which will guide the development of new or expanded programming and services in the Wayne/Pike/Carbondale/Forest City area. The survey will take approximately 15 minutes to complete by accessing https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/CHNA19
Pictured are Western Wayne students who attended the 2018-19 Youth Summit: Make Inclusion a Lifetime Trend. From left: Sinaea Buford, Hayly Beckwith, Becca Boots, and Jared Loveland.
A group of Western Wayne High School students attended the 2018-19 Youth Summit: Make Inclusion a Lifetime Trend, at Abington
Heights School District in early April. The purpose of the summit was to bring
students with and without disabilities together to learn about leadership and how to make a
difference in their school communities. Nine local districts participated.
Sinaea Buford, Jared Loveland, Rebecca Boots, and
Hayly Beckwith represented Western Wayne.
These students were chosen because of their
leadership and communication skills as well as their enthusiasm and ability to
work well with others. The group are also athletes on Western Wayne’s
Spring Unified Track and Field team. This team has a combination of students
with and without intellectual disabilities.
They are all teammates and have developed friendships.
At the summit, the students discussed ways to
spread the word on inclusion and worked cooperatively on team building
exercises. The students shared ideas and had fun making new friends.
One such student who made new friends at the event was
Western Wayne sophomore Jared Loveland.
Jared loves to socialize. This
is his second season on Western Wayne’s Unified Track team and he feels so
grateful for all of the amazing opportunities this experience has afforded
him.
“My favorite part of the summit was bonding with everyone
that I just met,” Jared explained. “I
liked seeing everyone’s ideas in the different activities we did.”
Jared’s classmate freshman Becca Boots said her favorite
team-building exercise was when groups of members from different districts had
to work to build creations out of uncooked spaghetti and marshmallows.
“The activity allowed me to be creative and have fun,”
Becca explained.
Becca has worked with special needs students in a variety
of ways in her high school career and she said she learned so much more about
inclusion from the summit that she will apply as she continues be a part of the
Unified Track Team.
“Unified track is really fun,” Becca said. “I need to be patient because you never know
what will happen next and that is one of the reasons why I like it so much.”
The
Western Wayne Drama Club will present the classic musical Annie.
Annie is presented through special arrangement with Music Theatre International
(MTI). All authorized performance materials are also supplied by
MTI. www.MTIShows.com. Performances
by Western Wayne students will take place Friday, April 26 at 7 p.m.; Saturday,
April 27 at 7 p.m.; and Sunday, April 28 at 3 p.m. in the Western Wayne
Veterans Memorial Auditorium located at 1970A Easton Turnpike, Lake Ariel, PA
18436. Students and senior citizens $3 dollars for tickets and
adults $5 for tickets. Western Wayne students’ admission free with a
student ID.
Pit Band- Front row, from left: Taylor Altenhofen, Julia Lamberton, Katherine Moore, Alyssa Donnini, Madison Kammer, and Ashley Small-Bermudez. Second row, from left: Bryce Urian, Keith Franc, Nathan Taggart, Hudson Malinowski, and Bridgette Flannery. Third row, from left: Shawn Gilligan, Andrew Oudshoorn, and Joseph Jezorwski. Absent from photo: Evan PeirceStage Crew- Front row, from left: Emily Brophy, Jared Loveland, Kaitlyn McDermott, Logan Smith, Selena Gravell, and Estevan Mendoza. Second row, from left: Rachael Harsch, Abigail Lopez, Allison King, Lindsey Karwacki, and Hailey Robbins. Third row, from left: Anna Mangieri, Nathan McCollum, and Jonatan Stanley. Absent from photo: Adrian Shaffer and Emma Dwyer.Cast of Annie- Front row, from left: Haley Strocchia, Ava Compton, Sophia Conaway, Natasha Orehek, Larissa Ellsworth, Jenna Frable, Julia Phillips, and Alex Taylor. Second row, from left: Lily Visceglia, Sydney Peet, Andie Solimine, Amanda David, R.J. Clemens, and Sam Clemens. Third row, from left: Rebecca Boots, Brandon Davis, Hailey Lightbody, Kevin Franc, Dakota Beavers, Rhonda Fenkner, Angelina Tornillo, Lilly Morcom, Honour Shaffer, and Madison Kapschull. Absent from photo: John Nichols, Adam Kellogg, and Chaz Smith.Pictured is the notorious Miss Hannigan and her orphans. Floor, from left: Larissa Ellsworth and Julia Phillips. Second row, from left: Ava Compton and Haley Strocchia. Back row, from left: Jenna Frable, Sydney Peet, and Sophia Conaway.Miss Hannigan played by Sydney Peet and Lily St. Regis played by Lily Visceglia pose in Hannigan’s office during the musical number “Easy Street.” Pictured are the stars of “The Oxydent Hour of Smiles” radio show. Annie and Warbucks are guests of the show in the hopes of appealing to the public to find Annie’s parents. From left: Lilly Morcom who plays Bonnie Boylan, Madison Kapschull who plays Connie Boylan, Honour Shaffer who plays host Bert Healy, and Sam Clemens who plays radio’s only masked announcer Fred McCracken and his ventriloquist doll Wacky.Bert Healy played by Honour Shaffer discovers our show’s Star-To-Be Rhonda Fenkner during the musical number “NYC.”Bert Healy played by Honour Shaffer discovers our show’s Star-To-Be Rhonda Fenkner during the musical number “NYC.”Pictured are all of the staff, residents, and guests of Oliver Warbuck’s mansion: Back row, from left: Dakota Beavers, Brandon Davis, Kevin Franc, Andie Solimine, Hailey Lightbody, Rebecca Boots, and Angelina Tornillo. Front row, from left: Amanda David who plays Annie; R.J. Clemens who plays Oliver Warbucks; and Alex Taylor, who plays President Roosevelt.Pictured are some of the lead characters in Annie. From left: Amanda David who plays Annie; R.J. Clemens who plays Oliver Warbucks; and Andie Solimine who plays Grace.Annie played by Amanda David and Warbucks played by R.J. Clemens hit a playful pose in the upbeat musical number “I Don’t Need Anything But You.”
Western Wayne FBLA once again had a very successful conference held earlier this week in Hershey. Eighteen members placed in the top 10 with 10 eligible to attend the National Leadership Conference this summer in San Antonio, TX.
FBLA Results
Student
Event
Place
Madison Kapschull
Accounting I
1st*
Emily Barone
Computer Applications
5th
Maya Black
Digital Video Production
8th
Jakob Ortola
Digital Video Production
8th
Matt Leslie
Intro to Business Presentation
5th
Lenny Maiocco
Intro to Business Presentation
5th
Madison McGlone
Intro to Business Presentation
5th
Ashton Fitzsimmons
Intro to FBLA
1st*
Gabby Tetreault
Intro to FBLA
6th
Kaeli Romanowski
Intro to Parliamentary Procedure
1st*
Lena Piccolino
Intro to Parliamentary Procedure
2nd*
Rachel Hoch
Intro to
Parliamentary Procedure
3rd*
Kate Mattern
Public Speaking
6th
Darlene Black
Parliamentary
Procedure
1st*
Jillian Dudley
Parliamentary
Procedure
1st*
Abby Gogolski
Parliamentary
Procedure
1st*
Allison Mattern
Parliamentary Procedure
1st*
Sydney Peet
Parliamentary Procedure
1st*
Outstanding Chapter – 8th Place
Local Market Share Award – 10th Place
Evan Coons – Inducted into the National Business Honor Society
Ezra Tetreault – Elected PA FBLA First Vice President
*Students eligible to attend the FBLA National Leadership
Conference in San Antonio, TX
The Western Wayne Drama Club gave a preview of their
upcoming musical Annie on WBRE’s PA Live show on Thursday, April 11. R.J. Clemens, who plays Oliver Warbucks, and
Amanda David, who plays Annie, sang “I Don’t Need Anything but You” from Act II
of the show. You can view their
performance at the following link https://www.pahomepage.com/lifestyle/pa-live/pa-live-western-wayne-drama-club-annie-april-11-2019/1918779760 Mark your calendar with the dates for our
performances of Annie at Western Wayne High School’s Veterans Memorial
Auditorium on Friday, April 26, at 7 p.m.; Saturday, April 27 at 7 p.m.; and
Sunday, April 28 at 3 p.m. Tickets are
$5 for adults, $3 for senior citizens and students, and Western Wayne students
are free with a student ID.
Western Wayne Drama Club will give a
preview of its upcoming production of Annie on WBRE’s PA Live on
Thursday, April 11 at 4 p.m. Viewers can tune into the live broadcast and
see a performance by Western Wayne’s own Oliver Warbucks, played by senior R.J.
Clemens, and Annie, played by eighth grade student, Amanda
David. Mark your calendar with the dates for our performances
of Annie at Western Wayne High School’s Veterans Memorial
Auditorium on Friday, April 26, at 7 p.m.; Saturday, April 27 at 7 p.m.; and
Sunday, April 28 at 3 p.m. Tickets are $5 for adults, $3 for senior
citizens and students, and Western Wayne students are free with a student
ID.
FRC 4285 Camo-Bots student vice president Collin Murray shakes hands with Pennsylvania Governor Tom Wolf at the FIRST Mid-Atlantic Regional Championship for robotics.
The FRC 4285
Camo-Bots competed in the FIRST Mid-Atlantic Regional Championship held at
Lehigh University during the first week of April. The team is composed of students from both
Western Wayne and Wayne Highlands.
The
Camo-Bots had the honor of meeting Pennsylvania Governor Tom Wolf at the
event. In addition, the team was
selected as one of four teams out of 60 teams to be ambassadors of FIRST. The students were chosen because of their
work in design, advanced manufacturing, and engineering.
Junior
Collin Murray, the Camo-Bots vice president, said everyone on the team greatly
enjoyed meeting the governor. Collin
explained that Wolf personally introduced himself to all of the students from
the ten Pennsylvania teams represented at the event.
“It
was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity,” Collin explained. “The governor even drove one of the team’s
robots on the course.”
Camo-Bot
team member Western Wayne junior Max Phillips said the Regional Championship
itself was a great learning experience for all involved.
“It
was intense competition,” Max explained.
“Everyone there is good. There
are strict rules and the referees check on minor details.”
Collin
explained how the Camo-Bots gained a lot from spending time with their peers at
the event.
“They
are very kind to us and help us out,” Collin said of the other teams. “Sometimes we share trade secrets with each
other and discuss tricks to getting around certain problems when working with
the robots.”
The FRC 4285 Camo-Bots look
forward to their participation in the World Championship event that will take
place in Detroit, Michigan, at the end of April. Collin and Max explained that there will be
six competition fields set up where simultaneous competitive robot games will
take place throughout the event. Teams
from countries such as Australia, India, China, and Israel will be there.
Western Wayne Team Mentor
Mr. Brian Landry is very proud of the success of the Camo-Bots and is very
thankful to Western Wayne and Wayne
Highlands administration, staff, students, their families, and members of the
local business community who have and continue to support the efforts of the team.
ALL NEWS
Western Wayne High School Hosts Graduation for Class of 2026June 8, 2026
Wildcat Pride was bursting from the audience at Western Wayne’s Sharkey Rosetti football stadium on the evening of Friday, June 5, for the graduation of the class of 2026. This is a bright class of students who have excelled in academics, athletics, and club activities having gained a total of $3,047,128 on stage at senior night in college scholarships and grants, with an inclusive total for senior night of $3,133,553 earned by our students.
Student speakers at graduation focussed their speeches on the importance of kindness and doing right by others. Senior Audrey Agnello, president of the class of 2026, who will attend The University of Scranton in pursuit of a career as a labor and delivery nurse, gave the welcome address along with presenting the Class Mantel to Madelyn McClure, junior class president.
Agnello told her classmates, the audience, and the future senior class what she finds to be the most valuable lessons that they can take with them.
“While graduation is often seen as an ending, I believe that it is really a celebration of everything we have learned,” Agnello said.
Agnello chose to discuss the novel Wonder by R. J. Palacio to help get her point across about life lessons.
“Everyone is fighting battles of their own that are unknown to others,” Agnello said, reflecting on the plot of the book. “When given the choice of being right and being kind, choose kind.”
Agnello also quoted song lyrics by Noah Kahan, “You’re gonna go far.”
She reminded everyone that in going far one should remember to take with them kindness, compassion, and empathy.
“I hope you never underestimate the power of a single act of kindness,” Agnello said.
Following Agnello’s words, the class salutatorian and valedictorian were introduced and gave speeches.
Senior Grace Moser, Waymart, was named the salutatorian of the class of 2026 with a final overall GPA of 101.72 .
Moser is the daughter of Lydia Talarico and Kurt Moser.
Along with being an excellent academic student, Moser was involved in Western Wayne clubs and activities including: FBLA, National Honor Society, Student Council, Envirothon, Aevidum, Student Ambassador, and Inclusion Club.
In the future, she plans to attend Lebanon Valley College to obtain a master’s degree in speech-language pathology.
“My favorite high school memory is being involved in spirit games each year and enjoying that special time spent with all of my friends, ” she said. “While at Western Wayne, the experience that has most prepared me for my future plans is being a member of many clubs and activities in school and taking on leadership roles. Through these experiences, I have learned the true meaning of leadership and its impact on others.”
In her salutatorian speech, Moser focussed on thanking her family and classmates for making her who she is today.
She especially thanked her mom for being a constant source of strength and love calling her a “built-in best friend” who has taught her so much and helped her become who she is today.
In addition, along with thanking a number of her other classmates, Moser thanked the valedictorian Paul Borowski, her good friend, and supporter throughout her time in school from elementary grades through to her high school years.
She described Borowski as, “someone who pushed me to become better every day. Thank you for challenging me, encouraging me, and growing alongside me through it all.”
Moser also noted the kindness that she and so many other faculty have seen in the class of 2026.
“Our class has genuine friendships and so much love and a sense of support that people spend their whole lives searching for,” Moser said.
She closed her speech by focussing on a discussion of growth and change.
“Growth and change has been quietly happening alongside us all along,” she said. “The truth is every meaningful part of our lives have come from change. It allows us to become who we were meant to be.”
Fellow classmate Paul Borowski, Waymart, was named valedictorian of the class of 2026 with a GPA of 102.14.
Paul is the son of Paul and Andrea Borowski.
Paul also has done numerous activities at Western Wayne. He has participated in football, track and field, wrestling, National Honor Society, Envirothon, Robotics, Inclusion Club, Science Olympia, and FBLA
In the future, he plans to attend Penn State University for a four year degree in engineering.
“My favorite high school memory is when everyone would hang out at Lori’s after school events,” Borowski said. “My experience that has most prepared me for my future is balancing school with sports and outside activities. Taking many high level courses, while being a triple-sport athlete, has taught me valuable life lessons about time management.”
In his valedictorian speech, Borowski also took the time to thank some of his friends individually and to thank his parents and sister for shaping him into the person he is today.
He also thanked fellow classmate and life-long friend Grace Moser for pushing him to be a better version of himself.
He recognized his dad for teaching him hard life lessons and his mom for always believing in him through good and bad times.
He then focussed his speech on how he wanted the class to reflect on the person in their lives that believes in them the most.
“Everyone here has their own version of that person who believes in them,” Borowski said. “Success isn’t measured by our grades and achievements. It is measured by growth.”
Borowski believes that a lot of the growth made by individuals can be attributed to the belief their loved ones had in them that helped push them forward to find success.
As Borowski brought his speech to a close he said, “Most importantly never forget the people who believed in you before you believed in yourself.”
Following the speeches, all graduates received their diplomas and were presented as the Class of 2026 to the audience. They then sang the school’s alma mater one last time as a class on stage. The Western Wayne School District wishes all the graduates the best in their bright futures.
Picture One: Salutatorian Grace Moser gives her speech to the Western Wayne class of 2026.
Picture Two: The Western Wayne class of 2026 celebrate at the end of the graduation ceremony.
2026 GRADUATE LIST – FINAL
Audrey Gayle Agnello
Loucynthia Jean Allen
Luis Peter Appollonio
Mia Criselle Arcadipane
Vincent Joseph Baldini
Luckus Patrick Balmer
Lauren Renee Beamer
Paul John Borowski III
Jake R. Brown
Connor Edward Buchinski
Lylah Rae Bucksbee
Chad Zachary Burns
Aiden John Burry
Ayla Rose Butrim
Robert James Carrelle III
Connor Jeffrey Clark
Hayley Star Cordero
Anastasia Maria Correa
Alexzander Jayson DeCandis
Dominic Anthony DeSiato
Hannah Elisabeth DeStefano
Julian Leonard Dobrzyn
Sonora Rose Dockemeyer
Roxanne Michelle Dugan
Riley John Dunn
Kera Mae Edwards
Katherina Karma Elston
Ian Carmine Ensley
Ty Matthew Enslin
Laylah Rose Epstein
Brody Estock
Chance Fahnestock
Antonio Mwaura Fisichella
Nicholas Gathama Fisichella
Abigail Anna Fox
Mikayla Skye Fullone
John Galati
Justin Thomas Garcia
Thomas Robert Rickard Garrison
Veronike Zoe Gauvain
Mia Grace Gifford
Ethan J. Gillott
Xavier Travis Graham
Olivia Mae Gries
Charlianne Rose Hachikian
Cristina M. Haire
Kellyann Marie Hallberg
Kendra L. Harper
LO’shai Harris
Isabella Louise Hayden
Tyler Gregory Hedge
Summer Rose Heenan
Violet Abigail Heflin
Ema-Jade Grace Heller
Kiernan Herlihy
Christopher Thomas Hopkins
Gideon Isaac Jezorwski
Zachary Mitchell Jordan
Ciarra Carolyn Kidder
Joseph Kieva
Jayden Dennis Knittle
Briana Alena Konan
Maggie Grace Kotchessa
Raeleigh Ann Kromko
Scott Alan Kurent, Jr.
Braden Christopher Laity
Aedan Joseph Lampman
Jacob Owen Lawlor
Kayla Marie Leahy
Samantha Nichole Lee
Cassidy Marie Levens
McKayleigh Marie Lokuta
Beja Marie Marcel
Kayelin Rae Martin
Aiden Manuel Matthews
Lance A. McAndrew
Jordan R. McDonald, Jr.
Karina Elizabeth McLeod
Brendan C. Mistishin
Khloe S. Mistishin
Grace Marie Moser
Makayla Claire Moser
Matthew Moyer
Carly Lynn Muniz
Kiera Murphy
Trista Aileen Murphy
Katelyn Marie Nunez
Jake Joseph Obloshny
Owen Chase Obloshny
Francis Pane
Ethan T. Paugh
Logan Michael Pauler
Norman Zachary Phillips
Michael Pongracz
Liza Elaine Pontosky
Matthew Pontosky
Isaac Francis Quiros
Nathalie Ramos
Hazel Ratliff
Shauna Ann Rodger
Jasmine M. Rodriguez
Katherine Melissa Roedel
Landon W. Romanaskas
Ronnie Ronnow
Joseph Christopher Roses
Gianna Ryelin Rosetti
Ethan Rutkowski
Phoebe Elizabeth Schmitt
Katarina Elizabeth Shumski
Kameron Bishop Sic
Christiana Catherine Smith
Sydney Rae Sosa
Ismael Sosa II
Ryan Matthew Sparks
Ryan Richard Stokesberry
Ashan D. Stookey
Judah Strocchia
Calvin H. Supanek
Brenden Patrick Thomas
Carin Ambrose Thomas
Joseph S. Tickner
Annette Lucille Torres
Ashley Lynn Toscano
Daniel Michael Toscano
Madison Elyse Trapanese
Graysen Edward Valinski
Omar Vargas, Jr.
Giuliana Velazquez
Logan James Vinton
Madelyn Lois Vinton
Landon Visceglia
Ryan Jacob Walton
Hailey Marie Wasman
Alexis Anna Weist
Jacob Remington Wells
Jade Wetherington
Zachary J. Wilbur
Anthony Ernest Zoppi [...]
Middle School Holds Annual 8th Grade Moving-Up CeremonyJune 4, 2026At the annual 8th Grade Moving-Up Ceremony, held at the Sharkey Rosetti football stadium on Tuesday, June 2, Western Wayne Middle School Principal Casey Newcomer talked to students and families in attendance about the importance of hard work and determination in the face of obstacles and setbacks, a term he called “grit.”
“Education is about growth,” Newcomer, who is in his second year at the district, said. “We have a group of students here today that represent a woven tapestry of skills.”
He told the crowd about how students excel in a variety of ways, some in the classroom and some in activities outside of it.
“No matter what you are trying to excel at,” he explained. “The one characteristic that will continue to stand above all others is called grit. Grit is the determination to keep going when quitting is the easier option. Grit is the voice in your head telling you to keep going.”
Newcomer encouraged students to continue to listen to that voice as they head into their high school years.
“Be ready; dig in; hold tight,” he told the students. “You got this.”
Mrs. Joyce Covaleski, middle school chorus teacher, then had select 8th grade chorus singers perform the National Anthem and alma mater. Makayla Franckowiak and Maria Shemanski sang the National Anthem; and Patience Strocchia sang the alma mater. All three girls love to sing and are highly involved in the Middle School Chorus.
Makayla is looking forward to high school where she plans to continue participation in basketball and softball. She also plans to play volleyball in her freshman year. She aspires to be an aerospace technologist, because she has always had a fascination with studying space. She also enjoys working with technology in her free time and has created robots as a hobby.
Her fellow classmate Maria aspires possibly to be a teacher when she is older, and she is also interested in exploring the idea of pursuing the military as a part of the Marines. She will play basketball next year and possibly volleyball and softball.
Finally, Patience, who greatly excels in her ELA class with her strong writing skills, is excited to join the track team for her freshman year.
The featured event of the Moving-Up Ceremony was many of the 8th grade students receiving awards in various categories for excellence in all academic and unified arts classes. In addition, students received awards for Wildcat Pride, for students who go above and beyond in showing school spirit and being kind aned upstanding school community citizens; Grit, for students who showed outstanding qualities of hard work in the face of adversity and hardships; and for a variety of high academic achievements such as making the honor roll for 11 quarters in middle school from 6th through 8th grade.
In addition, a new award called The Inclusion Award was given this year by special education teacher Ms. Gillian Groom, who was assisted in presenting the award by her student Daisy Diehl. Groom explained how the award recognizes students who go above and beyond to create a welcoming, supportive, and respectful environment for peers with special needs. This award honors students who demonstrate kindness, patience, empathy, and leadership by including all classmates in activities, friendships, and everyday school experiences. Recipients of this award model acceptance and understanding, helping others feel valued, supported, and connected within the school community.
“The recipients of this award see and treat my students as friends,” Groom said.
Then Daisy used her communication device to announce award winners who included: Alexandra Churmblo, Eli Gragnano, Julia Kosciuk, and Machaela McGrady.
Another honor given out at the ceremony was an award and gift presentation by National Junior Honor Society advisor Nichole Musewicz, middle school science teacher. Last year, Principal Newcomer worked to establish a National Junior Honor Society Chapter at Western Wayne along with dedicated faculty and high-achieving students.
Therefore, since this Moving Up Ceremony marked the inaugural ceremony with NJHS students present, Newcomer and Musewicz wanted to recognize the three eighth grade NJHS officers who helped to establish the program among the students in the school community: Harper Bell, president; Kendall DiPierro, vice president; and Keira Hauenstein, secretary.
All three young women felt honored to be acknowledged at the ceremony and have strong goals and aspirations for their bright futures. First, Harper will continue to play softball, travel softball, and basketball in high school. She aspires to either pursue a degree path in occupational therapy or speech pathology. Next, Kendall is dedicated to playing basketball in high school. She aspires to be an emergency room nurse. Finally, Keira does competitive gymnastics along with soccer and track which she plans to continue in her high school career. She wishes to be a future elementary school teacher.
It is also a Western Wayne Middle School tradition for many years that two outstanding students, one male and one female, are recognized for their patriotism and leadership among other qualities. The local chapters of the American Legion and the Daughters of the American Revolution present these awards.
This year before the presentation of these prestigious awards, Newcomer took time to recognize and honor Middle School guidance counselor Mr. Joseph Totsky. This year marks Totsky’s 34th year of service.
Newcomer noted how Totsky has been a mentor to him for the past two years and noted Totsky’s strong qualities of honesty, sincerity, and hard work as being the pillars his career has been built upon.
“Countless students and staff are better because Joe was here,” Newcomer said. “You will forever be a part of the foundation of the Western Wayne community.”
After the special recognition of Totsky, Bill Gillette, Post 889 Waymart, presented the American Legion Award to 8th grader Benjamin Reifler.
Ben received this annual award for being an outstanding student in the 8th grade class who exhibits the qualities of honor, scholarship, Americanism, leadership, and courage.
Then the Daughters of the American Revolution Award was presented to 8th grader Sophia Shehadi.
Sophpia received the good citizenship medal from the Daughters of the American Revolution for being an outstanding student in the 8th grade class who exhibits the qualities of honor, honesty, service, courage, leadership, and patriotism.
Both Ben and Sophia felt extremely honored to receive their respective awards. They also both, at first, felt shocked to learn the American Legion and the Daughters of the American Revolution had chosen them for these high honors.
Ben, an honor roll student and member of NJHS, is a student very dedicated to academic excellence. He also has a passion for automotives and studying trains and their history. He aspires to run commercial trucks one day and is greatly looking forward to his auto shop classes in high school.
“I really enjoy working with my hands,” he said. “I want to use what I have learned about trains and other automotives in a real world setting in my future career.”
Fellow classmate Sophia, an honor roll student and member of NJHS, is also a very diligent student who loves working hard in all subject areas and aspires to be a labor and delivery nurse when she grows up.
“I look forward to trying my best in high school and what comes after,” Sophia said.
To close the ceremony, Newcomer reminded the parents not to miss a moment of their students’ upcoming high school experience.
“The next time they will be in these seats will be in four years,” he said. “Don’t blink, because you don’t want to miss a minute of what is to come for your students.”
Western Wayne faculty, administration, and staff wish the class of 2030 the best on their new journey to the high school.
Picture one, from left: Bill Gillette, who presented the American Legion Award, Post 889 Waymart; Benjamin Reifler, winner of the American Legion Award; Sophia Shehadi, winner of The Daughters of the American Revolution Award; and Casey Newcomer, middle school principal.
Picture two, from left: Bill Gillette and Benjamin Reifler.
Picture three, from left, NJHS officers: Harper Bell, president; Keira Hauenstein, secretary; and Kendall DiPierro, vice president.
Picture four, from left: Patience Strocchia, who sang the Alma Mauter; and Maria Shemanski, and Makayla Franckowiak, who both sang the National Anthem.
Picture five: the Western Wayne Class of 2030 stands before their family, friends, and community at the annual Moving Up Ceremony before they embark on their high school journey. [...]
HOBY Leadership Seminar Representatives – Maha Tanveer & Abigail WashineJune 2, 2026Maha Tanveer and Abigail Washine were Western Wayne High School’s HOBY representatives for the 2026-27 school year. They recently attended the HOBY Leadership Seminar at Millersville University.
PA HOBY Leadership provides a 4-day seminar for high school sophomores. Each school in PA is invited to select one student who demonstrates outstanding leadership skill and potential to serve as their school’s ambassador. During the seminar, students participate in panel discussions featuring speakers who are leaders in the fields of government, education, media, and social issues. They spend “a day in the life of a state representative” debating bills on the house floor at the PA Capitol. They spend a half day learning about small and large businesses in PA, then serve for the afternoon at various volunteer sites. Throughout this weekend are many cheers, a dance, a talent show, new friendships, many challenges, and a life-changing experience.
At HOBY, leadership development programs ensure that students gain awareness of themselves and others, practice and apply newly learned skills, and leave feeling empowered to make a positive impact on the world around them. With authenticity, connection, and growth at the core of the programming, student ambassadors learn what it means to be an aware and engaged community member. [...]
High School May Students of the MonthJune 1, 2026The following students were recognized by the Student Council as students of the month for May. Their teachers and administrators weighed in on the decisions. All of the students chosen hold a high standard of academic and personal excellence. They are true examples of the P.R.I.D.E. standards for PBIS at our school.
First, is our selected freshman Reyna Weaver. She is described as a creative thinker, hard worker, having a positive attitude, and is always engaged. Reyna is always willing to go the extra mile in class with her attentive, mature, and respectful attitude. In addition, it is noted she always has a smile and is kind and polite to all she meets.
Next, Archer Long is our chosen sophomore this month. He has excelled in golf this year along with having other accomplishments in art where he placed at the Western Wayne High School Art Show with many pieces and has been chosen to have his artwork on display at a local community exhibition to be announced later this spring. In addition, he has worked hard this year in his academic classes and has done quality work in English. It is noted by his teachers that he is resilient and always assists everyone with needed academic tasks in class.
In addition, Dylan Caracciola is this month’s featured junior. His teachers note him to be courteous, extremely helpful, polite, and respectful. In addition, he is a great student who puts quality work and effort into all he does. He also embodies the quality of humility and has a great sense of humor as well. He is a very well-rounded young man.
Finally, Daniel Toscano is our senior spotlight this month. He is noted to be a hard worker, funny, resilient, kind, and focused on his goals. In addition, it is noted by his teachers that he is extremely helpful and gets along with everyone. He is also very polite, respectful, and humble– truly a person who does what is needed with sincerity in all tasks.
Dan has dedicated himself to self-improvement through his work with school services this year. He is continuing to strive for more and working to provide himself with a good quality life for his very bright future.
The Western Wayne School District congratulates these May students of the month and wishes them the best in their future endeavors.
From left: Archer Long, Daniel Toscano, and Reyna Weaver. Absent from photo: Dylan Caracciola. [...]
Safe2Say Something is a youth violence prevention
program run by the Pennsylvania Office of Attorney General.
The program teaches youth and adults how to recognize
warning signs and signals, especially within social media,
from individuals who may be a threat to themselves or others
and to “say something” BEFORE it is too late.
