Western Wayne Middle School students along with students from other various local schools attended the Lacawac Sanctuary Foundation’s Girls in STEM Symposium on September 22 at Lacawac Sanctuary.

This is a one-day event designed to inspire and empower middle and high school girls (7th grade through 12th grade) to explore careers in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics. Through engaging conversations, panels, and workshops, the Symposium highlights the professional and life experiences of accomplished women in STEM fields, encouraging students to discover new interests, exchange ideas, and envision themselves as future STEM leaders. 

Activities of the day included: a keynote presentation titled The Science of You:  Using Who You Are to Build the Future of STEAM was given by Jakyra Simpson, “Ky the Chemist;” a discussion panel with professionals from various STEM fields, and a networking session with STEM professionals.

At 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.

Western Wayne National Junior Honor Society students helped collect many necessary items for the Ronald McDonald House. The group was able to help the Wayne County Farm Bureau come up with over $6000 worth of items for the house.  Pictured NJHS officers who wherein attendance at the house on the date of donation, from left, Keira Hauenstein, Theodore Wood, Kendall DiPierro, and Harper Bell.