Wildcat Pride was bursting from the audience at Western Wayne’s Veterans Memorial Auditorium on the evening of Friday, June 6, for the graduation of the class of 2025. This is a bright class of students who have excelled in academics, athletics, and club activities having gained a total of $6,075,675 in college scholarships and grants at their recently held senior night. Student speakers at graduation gave their classmates advice for the exciting and new journey that lies ahead of them for their very bright futures.
Senior Lillian Maros, president of the class of 2025, gave the welcome address.
Lillian ended her speech in a unique way by having her class honor the many role models who have shaped their life journey thus far.
“I was once told that everyone, at least once, deserves to be on the receiving end of a round of applause,” she said. “As a theater kid myself, I couldn’t agree more, and I ask any parents, guardians, siblings, teachers, and administrators to stand, and let our class applaud you for all of the opportunities you have given us.”
Later, Lillian presented the Class Mantel to Audrey Agnello, junior class president.
Following the presentation of the mantle, the class salutatorian and valedictorian gave speeches.
Senior David Elias III, Hamlin, was named the salutatorian of the class of 2025 with a final overall GPA of 100.41.
David is the son of Carrie and David Elias.
Along with being an excellent academic student, David was involved in Western Wayne clubs and activities including: FBLA, basketball, PBIS, and track and field.
In the future, he plans to attend Marywood University with an undecided major.
“My favorite memory from high school was attending the FBLA state conference as a freshman in Hershey,” David said. “While at Western Wayne, I’ve learned important skills such as critical thinking and time management that will help me through college and beyond.”
In his salutatorian speech, David let his classmates know it is ok to be undecided about their futures as long as they follow their inner drive.
“We have the ability to blaze our own paths different from what our parents did and what others expect of us,” he said. “As long as we follow what truly matters to us, we will get where we are supposed to go.”
David summed up the evening with a quote from LeBron James, “Education is the most important thing in life. No matter what you do, you have to be educated, and you have to learn.”
He then ended his speech with these encouraging words to his class, “We are closing a major chapter in our lives, but with the hope that we will be able to keep learning throughout whatever endeavors come next with the goal of reaching greatness.”
Fellow classmate Lia Hartman, Lake Ariel, was named valedictorian of the class of 2025 with a GPA of 100.94.
Lia is the daughter of Chad and Mayumi Hartman.
Lia also has done numerous activities both inside and outside of the classroom at Western Wayne. She has participated in NHS, Student Council, Marching Band, serving as a drum major her junior and senior years; District and Region Band, Envirothon, Science Olympiad, and FBLA.
In the future, she plans to attend The University of Scranton as a biochemistry major and then attend medical school to pursue pathology.
“My favorite moment throughout high school was seeing the smile on people’s faces after having a good field show,” Lia said. “I believe the teachers at Western Wayne have pushed me to succeed and provided me with many meaningful opportunities.”
In her valedictorian speech, Lia reminisced about how in her freshman year when she saw that she was ranked first in her class that she had a fleeting thought about what it would be like to deliver a graduation speech. At that time, all she felt was anxiety, but now faced with the reality, she said she felt nothing but honor and pride to get to deliver this speech to her class.
Her speech focused on the idea of how motivation is a key aspect in life especially when facing a milestone moment like graduation.
“Motivation is a truly powerful force,” Lia said. “It is a psychological drive and combination of our values, goals, and beliefs. It pushes us toward success.”
Lia said in preparation of her speech she asked many of her classmates to discuss with her their motivations and found them to be a variety of forces including God, drive for success in sports and academics, along with wanting to inspire others to work hard, and to make family proud.
She quoted one of her favorite books, The Little Prince by Antoine de Saint-Exupéry, “What makes the desert beautiful is that somewhere it hides a well.”
She told her classmates to not lose hope if they find themselves lost in their journey after high school at times, “As long as you latch onto your own motivations, you will continue to trek forward towards the future, and you will undoubtedly find your own well.”
She then left her classmates with these words of advice, “Always remind yourself why you decided to go on this journey in the first place. Never let go of that initial spark. I encourage you to go out there and become the inspiration that gives others their sparks.”
Following the speeches, all graduates received their diplomas and were presented as the Class of 2025 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: Senior Elizabeth Washine works on one of her many art projects at Western Wayne. After graduation, she will attend Duquesne University to study secondary education English and creative writing.
Picture two: from left: David Elias, salutatorian, and Lia Hartman, valedictorian, hard at work on a project after being named “most likely to be your boss” for their high school yearbook.
Picture three: from left: Allyson Irvine and Grace Lidy taping a segment for Western Wayne Broadcast which they both worked on this year.
Picture four: from left: high school English teacher Amanda Jenkins, student council co-advisor; Madison Stiffler, Prom Queen; and high school Spanish teacher Sara Orloski; student council co-advisor; at the Homecoming game this past fall when Stiffler was named queen.
Picture five: from left: High School Principal Paul B. Gregorski; senior Mason Rush, Prom King, and his mom Western Wayne high school English teacher Megan Rush. Mason will attend Juniata College this fall with a merit scholarship to study criminal justice and education.
Picture six: from left: Colette Schmitt, who played Sophie; and Lillian Maros, who played Donna; in Western Wayne’s production of Mamma Mia this past spring for their senior year. Lillian has won numerous creative writing and band awards over her time in high school. She plans to start her own business upon graduation and move to Texas with her family. Colette Schmitt will serve an 18 month mission trip for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints after graduation and plans to study to become a chiropractor as her career path.
Picture seven: from left: Stephanie Maxwell, who played Rosie; and Robert Scramuzza, who played Bill in Western Wayne’s production of Mamma Mia this past spring for their senior year. Stephanie will attend The University of Alabama in the fall to study pre-law and minor in theater. Robert will attend RIT in the fall to study engineering.
Picture eight: is senior Rebekah Palko on her horse Paxil at Salem View Farms She has done competitive equestrian for many years, and Paxil was her first horse.
Picture nine: Salutatorian, David Elias III
Picture ten: Valedictorian, Lia Hartman
Picture eleven: The class of 2025 after receiving their diplomas
Picture twelve: The class of 2025 celebrating
List of 2025 Graduates
Mackenzie Jean Adams
Zoe Lorah Albitz
Thomas John Bain
Lily Barber
Jacob Alexander Barna
Alexis Barr
Vallita Princess Belinova
Aubrey Shay Bell
Jamal Lee Benedict
Kayne Michael Bihler
Theodore Robert Black
Natalia Lydia Borrelli
Lillian Grace Bronson
Matthew T. Brown
Connor Howard Bryant
Anthony Canzano
Douglas Robert Chapman
James Samuel Chapman
Stacey Christopher
Madelyn Rose Chrobak
River Collins
Nikko Condi
Angelina L. Correa
Nicholas Cotter
Andrew Crissey
Addison Grace Daniels
Evan Joseph Dean
Emily Ann Dicello
Annaliese Dickison
Hannah Lee Dockemeyer
Anthony John Donnini
Lauren Letizia Dramisino
Michael Samuel Durso
Jonathan Hunter Dwyer
Zariah Edmunds
David John Elias III
Jayla C. Fiorella
Jeffrey David Foote, Jr.
Olivia Giovanna Ford
Aiden Patrick Forney
Kalob Alejandro Franko
Jordan Frisbie
Sean James Galliford
Colton Michael Geary
Zachary Aiden Gibbs
Cedar C. Gilpin
Jared Joshua Goldman
Addison Lynn Griffin
Bryan James Guarniz
Daniel Hall
David J. Hallberg
Lia Mimi Hartman
Paige Elizabeth Haswell
Jaden Desire Headen
Chase Hobgood
MaKennah Lynn Holbert
Colton J. Hoose
Brianna Michelle Hoyer
Jak Michael Hubinger
Allyson Grace Irvine
James Ethan Jimenez
Sydney Grace Justice
Alyssa Lynn Ellis Kapalski
Jayden Kellachow
Austin D. Kenyon
Kendra May Kerylovicz
Lily Patrice Kieva
Nicole Marie Klim
Ethan Tyler Lamberton
Grace K. Langendoerfer
Frederick Frances Leonetti III
Grace H. Murphy Lidy
Travis Mark Locker
Ryleigh Niccole Mahon
Lance Maiocco, Jr.
Matvey Mamoshuk
Lillian Grace Maros
Addison Brooke Matthews
Stephanie K. Maxwell
Daymon Robert McGuire
Robert William Mildner, Jr.
Nelson Edgardo Miranda-Miranda
Seth Montijo
Bryson Moscarelli
Hayden William Mundrake
Teagan S. Murphy
Brendan Joseph Olivo
Michael Banavan Olivo
Tyler Ovens
Sean Davon Owens
Rebekah Lane Palko
Owen S. Palkovic
Raegan Alaina Palmer
Jessica Rose Palopoli
Nicholas Anthony Pane
Mercedes D. L. Pedersen
Robert F. Phillips, Jr.
Addyson Bailey Pruss
John Patrick Pyatt III
Aliyah S. Ratchford
Anthony Joseph Redmond
Hunter Baron Reichling
Jayden Michael Rivera
Karter M. Rizzi
Timothy Richard Roberts, Jr.
Noel Michael Rodriguez
Hayden Timmy Romanaskas
Evan John Ronchi
Ayden K. Rosengrant
Nikita Rud
Mason Scott Rush
Abigail Faith Sadowski
Ryan Michael Schane
Colette Ann Schmitt
Kennedy Carolyn Ortman Scott
Robert Nicholas Scramuzza
Davis M. Sheppard
Vincent Charles Silon
Kathryn E. Skirpan
Thomas Joseph Smith
Neima Marie Smith-Horst
Sienna Skye Stevens
Madison Naomi Stiffler
Dylan David Stookey
Ashley Lynn Toscano
Bella Marie Trumbull
Noah Vail
Joshua Shawn Vinton
Makayla Marie Walton
Ava Michell Ward
Landon R. Wargo
Elizabeth Blaire Washine
Logan Weaver
Julia Ross Wehrmann
Kallie May Wehrmann
Cassidy Ann Zeiler
