Middle School

Western Wayne Middle School Holds Annual Student vs. Faculty Basketball Game

As the school year is quickly coming to a close, Western Wayne Middle School’s faculty and students took the time to have fun and have some friendly competition on the court at the annual Student vs. Faculty Basketball Game held on Friday, May 24, in the Middle School gym.
All Middle School students in grades 6 through 8 participated as spectators at this morale-building, end-of-year event. Also, middle school principal Kristen Donohue served as D.J., middle school assistant principal Elizabeth Watson played on the faculty team, James Moro, special education teacher, served as referee, and many students were able to try their luck at throwing a shot at half-court.
As the main event, a team of 8th grade students, who volunteered, played against some of their middle school teachers.
The student team consisted of: Laynee Nugent, Dustin Ferraro, Kyle Guarino, Luke Janiszewski, Lucius Richner, Owen Warren, Tim Montijo, Skylar Long, Jacquelyn Morris, Cyrah Bihler, Ella Pavlovich, Julie Bryan, and Tarena Strausburger.
The faculty team consisted of: Grace Piconi-Augelli, Stacey Lutkowski, Nadine Prutzman, Eric Olsommer, Shane Grodack, Todd Pauler, Joshua Rowe, Darren Thorpe, Dave Rupp, Vince Tomassoni, Randy Wolff, Joe Totsky, and Elizabeth Watson, middle school principal.
This year’s game was planned by 8th grade students Cyrah Bihler, Kyle Guarino, and Ella Pavlovich. All three of these students play basketball for Western Wayne. Cyrah, Kyle, and Ella had always enjoyed this event in the past and wanted to ensure the traditional game would continue for their 8th grade year.
“It’s an annual event that usually happens that we really enjoy,” Kyle, who aspires to play varsity football next year, explained. “We got permission from the principal to plan the event and worked to get teachers to play in the game, worked out a time frame of events for the game, and worked to choose music as well. I was surprised by how much we had to get together. I really learned that it is always good to be prepared.”
His classmates Ella and Cyrah worked together with Kyle to plan and organize the event.
“It was good to have a fun event to give us a break from all of the testing,” Cyrah, who looks forward to participating in soccer, basketball, and track in high school, explained. “It was great to see everyone come together so nicely and to see everyone have fun.”
Kyle agreed.
“My favorite part was seeing that everyone enjoyed the work we put into planning the game,” he said.

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

Western Wayne Hosts Annual Art Exhibit and Spring Concert Saturday, May 18

  • Pictured is featured Western Wayne senior artist Kat Moore.
  • Pictured is featured Western Wayne senior artist Dayla Jones.
  • Pictured is featured Western Wayne senior artist Melody Gershey.
  • Pictured is Western Wayne featured senior artist Rachel Butler.

A trip around the world, a mystical forest, an animal kingdom, and the 60s era are just a few of the adventures you can take through the senior art displays at Western Wayne’s Annual Art Exhibit starting at 1 p.m. on Saturday, May 18, at the high school gym.  The event is open to the public free of charge along with a free concert performed by the high school chorus and band at 3 p.m. in the Veterans Memorial Auditorium.

          The entire gym will be transformed into an art gallery featuring 13 senior art portfolios among many other pieces created by students in the high school program. The portfolios will be judged and winners will be posted along with awards given for best overall displays.

          One senior excited to have her portfolio displayed at the exhibit is Rachel Butler.  Her portfolio has the theme of traveling around the world.

          “My fascination with nature and cultures around the world has been my inspiration for my senior art display,” Rachel, who plans to study engineering at Penn State University next year, explained.  “I want to convey the feelings I get observing animals all over the world, along with each unique place.  For my senior display, I incorporated the places I have visited and the many destinations I hope to experience.”

          Her family has greatly influenced Rachel’s journey as an artist.

          “As I was growing up, my mother was always using her photographic and artistic skills around me.  This is where my inspiration to create arts had stemmed from,” Rachel explained.  “Over the years, I’ve realized I can use my creative side to bring happiness and joy to brighten someone’s day just by doing something I love.  My grandfather is one of my main supports of my art, he is always wondering what I’m working on and asking when the next art exhibition is so he can attend.”

          Rachel’s family members will be sure to enjoy her display along with that of many other talented seniors including Dayla Jones whose display features animals.

          “From domesticated to exotic, I have chosen a range of different animals for my portfolio. My love for animals does not just stop at your average pet,” Dayla, who plans to study conservation and wildlife management and minor in zoology at Delaware Valley College next year, explained.  “I wanted to bring my dream of becoming a wildlife rehabilitator and conservationist into each one of my pieces. Whether it be a regular, smelly skunk or the endangered snow leopard, all animals deserve the same compassion and care. I put this compassion and care into each of my works of art.”

          Dayla’s classmate, fellow senior, Kat Moore also puts a lot of passion into her love for the arts at Western Wayne.  She is an accomplished musician who served as one of this year’s Wildcat Marching Band drum majors and has won many awards for her music along with playing in music groups at Marywood University. 

          Kat explained that she likes to incorporate music into all of her artwork in some way or another.

          “It can be a song title, an instrument, or a musician,” Kat explained.  “My senior display revolves around music focused on the 60s era which I really enjoy.”

          Kat furthered described her inspirations for her artwork.

          “I wish to live a very colorful life, traveling and experiencing as much as I can. This is reflected in my art as I enjoy incorporating lots of vibrant colors into my pieces and/or focus on using a dominant color,” Kat, who plans to study music education at Ithaca College in the fall, said. “When deciding the theme of my display, I immediately thought of the heavy impact music has in my life. Music and art have the ability to convey a wide range of ideas and bring out a variety of emotions in everyone. This realization has forced me to continue to create art as it has the capability to bring out the best in me.”

          Another featured senior who believes that art has brought out the best of her in her life is Melody Gershey.  Melody’s senior display can be described as a mystical forest. Her mural which the display features is a mystical waterfall with a unicorn by it.

          “Ever since I was little, I have had a mystical view of the world. I have always wanted to believe that anything is possible, but as I grew older reality hit me, along with lots of working and bills,” Melody, who plans to study cosmetology at Empire Beauty School next year, explained.   “With art, I am able to keep my childish beliefs alive because with art, anything is possible. My portfolio consists of landscapes from summer, fall, and winter, then split into daytime and nighttime pieces. My daytime pieces are realistic. These pieces represent people who have drifted away from their imagination or artists who have lost their inspiration. Through my nighttime pieces, I explore surrealism. These pieces are for those few who still believe that anything is possible and haven’t been sucked into the drab of reality.”

          The entire Western Wayne community cordially invites the community to their annual Art Exhibit and Spring Concert.  It’s the perfect place to take your mind off reality for a bit and enjoy the work of these talented student artists starting at 1 p.m. in the high school gym along with enjoying music sung and played by our excellent chorus and band with a concert starting at 3 p.m. in the Veterans Memorial Auditorium.  Both events are free of charge.

Western Wayne School District Participates in Area P Special Olympics

Pictured is Western Wayne Special Olympics participant Kameron Sic, fifth grade, Evergreen Elementary School, with a look of pure joy on his face as he competes.
  • Pictured is Western Wayne Special Olympics participant Kameron Sic, fifth grade, Evergreen Elementary School, with a look of pure joy on his face as he competes.
  • Pictured is Western Wayne Senior Sebastian Tomasetti crossing the finish line at one of his races at Special Olympics.
  • Pictured is Western Wayne High School student Misty Rodriguez running in one of her events.
  • Pictured is Western Wayne Senior Michael Phillips jumping at Special Olympics.
  • Pictured is Western Wayne Senior Marisol Henkel jumping at Special Olympics.
  • Pictured is Western Wayne High School student Jordan Diaz running at Special Olympics.
  • Pictured is Western Wayne High School student Jared Loveland running at Special Olympics.
  • Pictured is Evergreen Elementary student Jake Hart running at Special Olympics.
  • Pictured is Western Wayne High School student Caleb Burns running at Special Olympics.

Western Wayne Special Olympians in the elementary, middle, and high schools had another successful year at the 13th Annual Track and Field Area P Special Olympics that took place on May 8 at the Delaware Valley High School stadium.
“It’s an incredible experience for our students,” special education teacher Mrs. Sarah Rickert explained. “They all take it very seriously. There is something magical about seeing the wheelchairs lined up and ready to go for some of the races.”
One such student who had the chance to participate in races at Special Olympics with his wheelchair was Western Wayne senior Sebastian Tomasetti. He competed in the 25 meter speed and 50 meter speed.
“I had fun,” Sebastian said.
Rickert explained that a lot of the other students had really nice wheelchairs in the race this year and that Sebastian was racing with a new chair as well.
Sebastian’s classmate ninth grader Michael Phillips participated in a variety of Special Olympics events including: shot put, 100M dash, and the long jump.
“I liked seeing old friends at the event,” Michael said.
Rickert explained that one highlight of Special Olympics for the students is to reconnect with former classmates who have since graduated from Western Wayne.
“Outside agencies bring people to the event, so it is nice to see the students have a reunion of sorts,” Rickert said.
A student who enjoyed reuniting with former classmates was senior Marisol Henkel. Along with having fun with friends that were both former and current classmates, Marisol participated in the softball throw, long jump, and 100M dash.
Rickert described the Special Olympics as having an open format in which parents can move about freely to support their children. Sebastian, Michael, and Marisol had parents in attendance.
Along with the support of parents, friends, and teachers, the students were treated to the support of the Delaware Valley Marching Band who came out to play some music for all to enjoy.
Rickert said her students really enjoyed the music along with the support of Delaware Valley Elementary students who spent some time in the stands cheering on all of the Special Olympians.
A great day was had by all involved. Western Wayne participated along with students from Wayne Highlands, Wallenpaupack, and Delaware Valley among other schools and local agencies.
This year, as a special treat, the Western Wayne students wore bright yellow t-shirts to show their Wildcat pride and pride for themselves as unique individuals.
“The shirts had the word ‘disability’ on them with the ‘dis’ crossed out,” Rickert explained. “I think the message was powerful.”

Western Wayne School District Hosts Annual Reading Competition

Western Wayne School District hosted the Annual NEIU Reading Competition on Wednesday, May 8. Numerous area schools competed in both the high school and middle school divisions of the competition. Hundreds of students participated in the event that celebrates a love for reading. A team from North Pocono placed first for the high school division and a team from Forest City placed first for the middle school division. Congratulations to all involved! Pictured are some Western Wayne Middle School students who participated. From left standing: Kylie Merring, Elizabeth Wasylyk, Anna Mangieri, Chaz Smith, and Ella Merring. From left kneeling: Alyson Buchinski, Emily Brophy, Ashley Small Bermudez, and Adam Kellogg.

Harlem Wizards Come to Western Wayne Tuesday, April 30

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.

Community Health Needs Assessment Survey

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

Middle School Students Win Outstanding Editing Award for Video

Western Wayne Middle School students are part of a unique learning experience for a second time.  Created by the Manufacturers Resource Center (MRC) in Allentown, PA in 2013, the “What’s So cool About Manufacturing?” contests draw entries from more than 200 teams across Pennsylvania.  The teams of students and teacher coaches receive camera equipment, software, and professional guidance as they learn to script, record, and edit their video stories of what it’s like to work in the manufacturing industry. Students learn about the manufacturing career field and complete their projects at various local manufacturing businesses.

The contest’s objective is to change students’ perceptions about manufacturing careers by sending them to local places where manufacturing is done to complete their submissions for “What’s So Cool About Manufacturing?”.  The “What’s So Cool About Manufacturing?” contests are supported regionally by their sponsors and partners. 

The 2019 “What’s So Cool About Manufacturing?” Contest for Northeast PA is produced by the Northeastern Pennsylvania Industrial Resource Center in Hanover Township, PA. Participating schools are from Lackawanna, Luzerne, Monroe, Pike, and Wayne counties.  Western Wayne is one of eleven schools participating in the Northeast PA Contest.

For the second year, Western Wayne Middle School students had the opportunity to explore Boyce Products Ltd., a manufacturing facility located in Damascus, for their project.  This winter the students toured Boyce to learn about the manufacturing career field and gather information for their submission.