Weston Nugent, Nicholas Hrosovsky, and Dustin Ferraro.Weston Nugent, Nicholas Hrosovsky, and Dustin Ferraro.
In 1980, President Jimmy Carter made a Presidential Proclamation directing that American Enterprise Day be observed. Every year on November 15, members of Future Business Leaders of America (FBLA) celebrate this day by making members of FBLA and non-members aware of the significance of our enterprise system. This year, Western Wayne FBLA members Dustin Ferraro, Nicholas Hrosovsky, and Weston Nugent made a presentation to Mr. Grodack’s 8th grade social studies classes. After their presentation, they answered questions about FBLA. “It was great to share this knowledge with younger classmates,” Weston Nugent, FBLA member, said. “I hope we also inspired some of them to join FBLA when they are in high school.”
“How do you eat an elephant?” was one of former Western Wayne Graduate Garrett Enslin’s questions that he posed to eighth grade students at an assembly held in the school gym on Thursday, November 3. Lieutenant Enslin, who graduated from Western Wayne in 2012, achieved many outstanding accomplishments in the United States Navy. Enslin was asked by Western Wayne Administration to give a presentation to all eighth grade students to get them thinking about future career paths in the Navy, in engineering, etc. One of Enslin’s overall points made clear by the elephant question was that no problem is too difficult to solve or no step is too difficult to handle on the road to success. “In order to eat the ‘elephant’, you have to break it into small pieces,” Enslin explained to the students. “You eat it one bite at a time. This relates to engineering because no matter how complicated the problem is you break it down into small pieces until you are able to solve it.” Enslin has been working on his problem-solving skills among many others since graduating from Western Wayne High School in 2012. In 2016, Enslin graduated from the United States Naval Academy where he earned a degree in mechanical engineering. After graduation, Enslin was stationed on a ship in Everett, Washington, for about two and a half years. He worked as a gunnery ordnance officer where he led twenty sailors in maintenance work. This type of work included working with the guns on the ship, logistics projects, management of the ammunition itself, getting missiles on board, coordinating teams, etc. Once his first tour was completed, Enslin received a Navy Achievement Medal for his work as Gunnery and Ordnance Officer onboard the U.S.S. Momsen. Enslin went on to Nuclear Power School, a technical school operated by the U.S. Navy in Goose Creek, South Carolina, to train enlisted sailors, officers, KAPL civilians and Bettis civilians for shipboard nuclear power plant operation and maintenance of surface ships and submarines in the U.S. nuclear navy. There he learned theory about how nuclear reactors work among many other aspects of this field. He graduated second in his class from Nuclear Power School. Then Enslin applied the theory he learned at Nuclear Power School in prototype school, which is a Nuclear Power Training Unit. Enslin explained that at the training unit there are essentially two nuclear power submarines that were decommissioned from naval service and refitted for the specific purpose of training nuclear operators now. Enslin graduated first in his class from prototype. He discussed with the students how his training was a progression because first he learned the theory in Nuclear Power School, then he applied that theory in his prototype training, and next he began applying all of this acquired knowledge from school and training on a ship that has two actual nuclear reactors, the U.S.S. Nimitz. Enslin started on the Nimitz on November 4, 2019. He served as a surface warfare officer (nuclear). He ended up being a part of the longest deployment carrier in United States history since Vietnam because he was on the ship during COVID times which made his time onboard about three years. “I was able to see the world off the coast of Iran and Africa,” Enslin explained. “I also won the Navy’s award for Propulsion Plant Watch Officer for 2020.” Enslin told the students stories about his time in the military. “The science is all around you,” he explained when it came to his time in the Navy. As Enslin explained his job. The Western Wayne Principal of STEAM Elizabeth Watson guided the discussion for the students explaining about how Enslin, for example, used precision and accuracy for certain tasks in the Navy just as the students are learning about those concepts in their science classes at the middle school. In 2021, Enslin came back stateside and worked to get further qualifications in nuclear engineering. After getting out of the Navy this past June, Enslin has gone on to become a mechanical design engineer for Holtec International, Camden, New Jersey. He gets to design what makes up nuclear reactors at his job. One student asked Enslin the best part of his career. “Overall, I get to go in and do something that is important,” Enslin explained. “Every single day I get to learn.” Another student asked if Enslin always knew what he wanted to do for his path after high school. “I wanted to be an inventor,” Enslin said. “It’s about working hard enough that you can take advantage of the opportunities that are in front of you.” Both staff and students had the chance to speak with Enslin during the question and answer session after his presentation. Enslin’s former teachers remember his strengths when he was in school and are proud of his accomplishments. “As your middle school librarian, we are proud of you,” Michele Forbes said. “You have done well, and thank you for your service.” Enslin told the students that he hopes they find inspiration to have their own success stories from his presentation whether it be in the Navy, college, another military branch, the engineering field, etc. “Don’t ever let someone tell you how hard something is going to be and let that influence you not to try it,” Enslin explained. “If you want to do something, you decide how hard it is while you are doing it.” Western Wayne administration, faculty, and staff are very proud of Enslin’s many great accomplishments and wish him the very best in all of his future endeavors.
This fall semester Western Wayne 8th grade Family Consumer Science students worked on a sewing project called a “Monster Project” to be collaboratively created in a fun and creative way with Western Wayne students in Kindergarten classes at Evergreen Elementary School.
The Kindergarten students actually drew designs of a “monster” they wanted to see come to life, and the middle school students in Mrs. Jessica Gregorski’s Family Consumer Science classes recreated these designs in the form of a soft sculpture (stuffed animal).
Through this process, the middle school students learned how to do a running stitch, backstitch, overstitch, and blanket stitch to create a 3-D model of the elementary students’ monster questionnaire responses along with their own creativity and decorative elements such as favorite foods, colors, and facial features! Each monster even had a unique name, some of which included: Sparkle, Scary Larry, Shimmer, Happy Bestie, Snowflake, Kitty Monster, and Twinkle, among many others.
On Friday, Oct. 28, the middle schoolers presented their finished products to their kindergartners to keep and enjoy!
“We were so excited to create these special projects for elementary students,” Mrs. Gregorski said. “We hope the children and families enjoyed this collaborative project.”
Eighth grader MaKenzie Chearney really enjoyed making her monster called Spot for her kindergartner. Spot is half red and half black. Its eyes and tongue are pink. The mouth is black. The shape of the monster is a rectangle with arms, legs, and little ears on top.
“I used the back stitch for the red in the front and the eyes,” MaKenzie explained. “I then did the running stitch for the mouth and tongue. Lastly, I used the blanket stitch for the mouth and tongue. I changed the eyes and tongue to pink because it is my monster’s favorite color.”
MaKenzie was so happy to make a project to brighten the day of a younger student.
“When I look at my completed monster it makes me smile, when I know that I made a Kindergartner’s monster drawing into a stuffed animal that they get to have.”
Fellow eighth grade classmate Raegan Fox also had an enjoyable experience with this project.
“When I look at my completed monster, I am happy when I see it, because I didn’t expect for it to turn out better than expected.”
Raegan’s monster named Dinosaur is light blue and has bright neon orange pants, a red necklace, and four red eyes.
“His teeth remind me of a vampire, because they are sharp and red,” Raegan explained.
Raegan’s monster and the ones created by her middle school classmates were the perfect treat for the elementary students for the Halloween season.
A wonderful time was had by all involved when the middle schoolers and elementary students met and got to experience their collaborative projects together for the first time.
Picture One: Mrs. Tickner’s Kindergarten class
Front Row from Left to Right:
Celia Cawley, Skylar Davis, Emma Dennis, Lillian Dougherty, Case Carlson, Dennis Smith, Lincoln Salak, Anabella Rodas
Mr. Carl CanedyFront: Aaron Laubach, Michael Radomsky, Eronique White, Rhys Locklin, Chloe Jewett Back: Mr. Carl Canedy, guest speaker; Anthony Allen, Anthony Yannone, Olivia MacCollum, Brady Thomas, Gavin Ortiz, Zachary Colburn, Luke Richardson, Scarlett Pedersen, Mrs. Joyce CovaleskiFront: Christopher Scully, Micah Perez, Myles Davis, Logan Anthony, Evan Gallagher, Dayzee Craven Back: Carl Canedy, guest speaker; Logan Dockemeyer, Mason Heckman-Matern, James Talarico, Alex Harwitt, Damien West, Vincent Delaney, Lance Hauenstein, Noah Benson, David Considine, Santino Queen, Raiden Burd.
Award-winning local musician and music producer Carl Canedy was invited by teacher Mrs. Joyce Covaleski to speak to Western Wayne Middle School’s 7th Grade Performing Arts classes about careers in music and the music business. The students enjoyed the presentation which included concert tee shirts, albums, and CDs from Mr. Canedy’s bands.
The entire Western Wayne Community joined together on Saturday, September 24, for a parade to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the school. A number of groups marched some of which included the Western Wayne faculty and staff, members of the chorus in the middle school, high school, and chorus alumni, the Wildcat Marching Band, some local fire house companies, the members of the 2022 Homecoming Court, the Wildcat Cheerleaders, members of Wildcat sports teams, the Spanish Club, and others. It was a beautiful day and community members lined up at the Western Wayne Middle and High School campuses to watch the parade that went around the school grounds. “It was awesome to be back to celebrate this event with my friends in the music community at school,” Nick DeCandis, Class of 2022, said. Western Wayne has a variety of other alumni events planned throughout the year and look forward to hosting more of our past students for these activities.
It’s never too early to try out a future Wildcat activity. Western Wayne cheerleaders, football players, and the band showed their Wildcat Pride through hosting young Wildcats at the home game on Friday, Sept. 16, versus Abington Heights at the Sharkey Rosetti Stadium. Junior Wildcat players and cheerleaders got a taste of what it is like to play and perform under the Friday night lights. In addition, the band hosted students from 8th grade considering joining the high school marching band. They got to play stand tune music with their assigned band buddies during the game. All of the young cheerleaders, football players, and band students had an excellent experience and look forward to possibly participating in their respective activities in high school.
ALL NEWS
Band Performs at GDS Fair and Meets Kurt AaronAugust 29, 2024Kurt Aaron and Michael Olivo
Band and Color Guard perform at the GDS Fair.
The annual Western Wayne Marching Band and Color Guard performance at the GDS Fair was especially eventful this year because on the day of their performance Wednesday, August 28, WNEP’s Kurt Aaron and his infamous dog Ranger were also there doing live spots. Aaron briefly interviewed Western Wayne band member Michael Olivo, a senior. Michael proudly told the viewing audience about Western Wayne’s upcoming performance at the fair.
“It was really exciting to get to promote our band to a TV audience,” Michael said.
The students were thrilled to perform their 2024-25 Boy Bands themed field show for the audience along with playing some fan favorite stand tunes.
Drum majors this year are seniors Lia Hartman and Kalob Franko. This is Lia’s second season as drum major.
“We are all so grateful to be able to perform for the local community who is so supportive of us,” Lia said.
The Western Wayne Band is under the direction of Mrs. Elaine Ort who is now in her 11th season with the district.
The entire Western Wayne Band and Color Guard invite the local community to attend the first home game of the season for varsity football against Lackawanna Trail on Friday, August, 30, at the Sharkey-Rosetti stadium. Western Wayne will have the pregame show starting at about 6:45 p.m.; kick-off is at 7 p.m. [...]
Western Wayne to Host Annual Car Show Saturday, Sept. 7—NEW RAIN DATE! August 27, 2024The Western Wayne Hot Rod Club and Drama Club will host their 2024 Annual Car Show on Saturday, September 7, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. in the high school parking lot, 1970A Easton Turnpike, Lake Ariel, PA, near the football stadium. Please note our NEW RAIN DATE is Sunday, September 15.Food to be sold at the concession stand. Registration fee is $10. Spectators are free. The Hot Rod Club will give prizes for best car, truck, tractor, motorcycle, and best in show.In addition, the Drama group will sell a variety of concessions. There will also be a raffle of baskets and gift certificates generously donated by businesses and families in the local community.Drama Club student Robert Scramuzza is excited to partner with the Hot Rod Club for the for the Car Show. He explained how the Drama Club students will be dressed in 50s attire for the event.“We wanted our presence at the event to go along with the variety of cars from the past that surely will be there,” Bobby said. “We hope that the public comes out to enjoy the cars and to have some good food and purchase some chances to win baskets and gift certificates.”Members of the Drama Parents Club are working to obtain a variety of items for the raffle at the Car Show from many very generous businesses and families in our Wildcat community. The students involved in the Hot Rod Club and Drama Club can use the funds raised from this event for their club activities.The Hot Rod Club meets on a regular basis to work on a variety of automotive projects after school and can use the funds for their projects among other activities.The Drama Club meets on a regular basis after school to work on a variety of projects and activities.“Drama Club gives students a place where they can express themselves,” club president Lillian Maros explained. “We are like one big family in our club and really enjoy coming together to work as a team on events such as the Car Show.”All of the members of the Hot Rod Club, Drama Club, and Drama Parents Club cordially invite the public to attend this fun-filled event on Saturday, Sept. 7 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. in the High School parking lot near the stadium. Come out and see some great vehicles, take some chances on our basket raffle, enjoy some food, and enjoy some time socializing. Rain date is Sunday, September 15. [...]
Freshman Orientation – Save the Date!August 8, 2024August 22, 2024 – 6:00-7:30pm – Veterans Memorial Auditorium, WWHS
Western Wayne High School welcomes the Class of 2028!
Information on the high school/ 9th Grade Transition
High School Survival Guide
Student’s class schedule
Tours
Refreshments [...]
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.