Wildcat Pride was bursting from the stands at Western Wayne’s Sharkey-Rossetti Stadium on the evening of Friday, June 10, for the graduation of the class of 2022.
Senior Alexandria Bien-Aime, president of the class of 2022, gave the welcome address. She encouraged her fellow classmates to not be afraid to fail as they venture into the next step of their journey after Western Wayne.
Later, Alexandria presented the Class Mantel to Evan Peirce, junior class president.
Following the presentation of the mantle, the class salutatorian and valedictorian gave speeches.
Senior Kaeli Romanowski, Lake Ariel, was named the salutatorian of the class of 2022.
Kaeli is the daughter of Joseph and Julie Romanowski.
Along with being an excellent academic student, Kaeli was involved in many Western Wayne clubs, sports, and activities including: Future Business Leaders of America (FBLA), Family, Career and Community Leaders of America (FCCLA), National Honor Society (NHS), National Business Honor Society (NBHS), Student Ambassador Program, Varsity Volleyball, Varsity Basketball, and Varsity Softball. .
Kaeli plans to attend Elizabethtown College where she will continue her basketball career and pursue a degree in finance. She really enjoyed her time at Western Wayne.
Her favorite high school memory is when she broke the record for all-time leading scorer on the girls basketball team and was met on the court by her former teacher Mrs. Box.
Kaeli notes that she learned key time management skills through her demanding athletic and academic schedules in high school.
“Through organizations, such as FBLA, I have developed the essential public speaking skills that are necessary when working in the business world,” Kaeli explained. “In addition, I have developed vital leadership skills and have learned the value of hard work, determination, and teamwork through my experiences in school sports. As I venture to college and eventually the workforce, I will take the lessons and principles learned in the classroom and on the court and apply them to my everyday life. This will give me the opportunity to be successful and an asset to the business world in the future.”
Fellow classmate Rachel Tuman, Lake Ariel, was named valedictorian. Rachel is the daughter of Michael and Ellen Tuman.
Rachel also has done numerous activities both inside and outside of the classroom at Western Wayne. Rachel served as president of the National Honor Society for the 2021-22 school year. She is also the senior class vice president, student council, for this year. In addition, she served as the senior vice-president for FBLA.
“I have learned the importance of time-management and personal organization due to my involvement in a myriad of school and community activities,” Rachel explained. “My experience at Western Wayne has taught me that it is essential to maintain a detailed schedule to truly engage in my present and future commitments.”
In the area of sports, Rachel was the captain of the Western Wayne Girls Varsity Tennis Team from August of 2020 through October of 2021.
In addition, Rachel has contributed many articles and pictures to the school newspaper and yearbook.
She has also won numerous academic and athletic awards during her high school career. Most notably, she was named in April 2022 as the Northeastern Educational Intermediate Unit (NEIU) Student Scholar of Western Wayne High School. In addition, for FBLA Rachel is a National Qualifier in “Entrepreneurship,” 6th Place in PA States, 1st Place in PA Region 22 for the 2021-2022 school year.
“My favorite high school memory is qualifying for the Future Business Leaders of America (FBLA) Nationals for three consecutive years,” Rachel said. “I am especially excited to travel to Chicago at the end of June for the 2022 National Leadership Conference and compete against students from around the nation in the ‘Entrepreneurship’ event.”
Rachel plans to achieve a Bachelor of Science and a Master’s degree (MBA) in Business Administration with a concentration in Legal Studies at the University of Scranton, enroll into law school, and ultimately achieve her Juris Doctor (J.D) to become an attorney.
Both Kaeli and Rachel gave speeches that had a theme of being grateful for what you have, cherishing your loved ones, and having confidence to face the road ahead.
Then all graduates received their diplomas followed by the presentation of the Class of 2022 to the crowd, and the playing of the school’s alma mater.
The Western Wayne School District wishes all of the graduates the best in their bright futures.
