Western Wayne alumni Mike Minor will be the guest speaker at this year’s Varsity Club 18th Annual Sports Banquet on Tuesday evening, May 29th at Ladore Conference Center in Waymart. Mike is a 2x Paralympian medalist, representing the United Stated this year in Pyeongchang, South Korea, including a gold medal. Mike graduated from Western Wayne in 2008 and participated in Wrestling and Soccer while in high school.
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RDW PTA proudly sponsored its annual Veterans Day art projectNovember 11, 2026The RDW PTA proudly sponsored its annual Veterans Day art project, which was completed by students in Mrs. Barth’s art classes. Students in grades Pre-K through 5th created patriotic artwork and cards to honor our Nation’s veterans. This year, the students’ handmade cards were delivered to Johanna Schultz, President of the Blue Star Mothers of America, Chapter PA17. Throughout the project, students learned about the history and significance of the poppy as a symbol of remembrance, representing the sacrifice and courage of our veterans. We are grateful to the RDW PTA for supporting this meaningful art classroom tradition and giving students an opportunity to use their creativity to express appreciation for those who have served our country.
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Western Wayne Celebrates Veterans Day November 11, 2026Picture 1
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As a tradition for many years, Western Wayne administration, faculty, staff, and students joined together on Monday, November 9, to celebrate veterans in the community with a special in-school event that featured music from the high school band and chorus, a presentation by a keynote speaker local retired Staff Sergeant Earl Granville originally from Carbondale, who lost his left leg, through the knee, to a roadside bomb while on patrol.
Granville,who now resides in Texas with his wife Diana, captivated all in attendance, including many local veterans and the middle and high school student bodies, from start to finish with his presentation program called The Weight We Carry.
Granville served nine years in the Pennsylvania Army National Guard as an Infantryman, with deployments to Bosnia, Iraq, and Afghanistan. Granville has received numerous awards for his service and volunteer work, including the 2018 Attorney General Heart So Big Award, the 2018 Daughters of the American Revolution Veterans Volunteer Award, and the 2026 National Social Media Award for Veteran of the Year.
In addition, after retiring from the Army as a Staff Sergeant, he earned numerous awards, including the Combat Infantryman Badge, the Order of Saint Maurice Medal, the Bronze Star, and the Purple Heart.
He was introduced by his fellow veteran and friend Mr. Casey Newcomer, Western Wayne Middle School principal.
“I had the privilege of serving alongside Earl during one of his tours in Iraq,” Newcomer recounted. “This makes it a personal honor to introduce him today.”
Granville told the students his story of military service with sincere honesty. He explained how when he was in high school his biggest reason for joining the military was that it could help him financially in college.
“I was making it about me,” Granville told the students.
However, once Granville became a part of the 109 Infantry out of Honesdale and spent time on missions with his fellow soldiers and twin brother Joseph Granville, who he enlisted with, his feelings about the military started to change. He described his appreciation for the work he was doing as his passion.
He recounted really starting to feel an inner calling for military service in 2003 when he took a deployment to Iraq with Newcomer and other soldiers in the 109 Infantry.
“I could see I was a part of something bigger than myself,” Granville explained. “I saw the big picture. This isn’t about me. It’s about us. It’s about being a part of something bigger than myself.”
During this tour, Granville experienced the loss of seven soldiers from the Northeastern Pennsylvania area in his unit.
“This isn’t just a toll on the 109th but on our society in NEPA,” Granville reflected.
Later, for Granville’s final tour, he worked with the 103 Armory to help local villages in Afghanistan rebuild schools. Granville explained how the Taliban would destroy schools in the evenings because of their desire for women not to have an education. He really felt invested in his work on this last tour and believed he and his fellow soldiers made a difference for the local people.
He recalled the peace and beauty he saw in the surrounding area in Afghanistan the day he sustained his injuries. It was a true calm before the proverbial storm moment for his unit.
His teammates, Major Scott Hagerty of Stillwater, Oklahoma, and Specialist Derek Holland of Wind Gap, Pennsylvania, tragically died from the blast that day.
Granville said that the men were not sitting in the usual seats they did in the vehicle, and he will never forget how that changed the course of his life. He doesn’t take a day for granted since surviving his injuries and feels proud to tell the story of his brave comrades who died that day knowing that very easily the roles could have been reversed.
Upon returning home, Granville earned his graduate degree from The University of Scranton and now works with several nonprofits including Operation Enduring Warrior and Warrior Strong Inc., helping wounded and disabled veterans and law enforcement officers remain physically active after their injuries.
Granville described the unique path that led him to working with these nonprofit organizations after he returned home and was honorably discharged following his injury.
He described not missing a beat and taking the challenge of his recovery head-on. His twin brother Joseph did not choose to enlist for the tour that led to Granville’s injury and discussed with his brother how he wished he had done the tour. Granville explained how he told his brother not to feel that way, and that he was grateful they were both safe and living their lives with their families.
In December of 2010, Granville’s brother Joseph took his life while on active duty. This was, of course, a period of great sadness for Granville and his family, and after Granville had made all of the arrangements and ensured his brother’s military legacy was preserved, he started to feel like he did all those years ago when he first enlisted and made the process about himself.
“Idle hands are the devil,” Granville said. “Without purpose, trouble can find you.”
Granville joked with the students that he was starting to become like Uncle Rico in Napoleon Dynamite until a friend pushed him to get back into physical fitness, and he found his way to the Operation Enduring Warrior program.
After earning a spot in this program, Granville told the students that he truly felt fulfilled.
“I was given a purpose once again,” he explained.
He then laid out the top three things that he feels all individuals including the students should focus on to find success in their lives.
“Number one is purpose; number two is passion; and number three is being a part of something bigger than yourself,” he explained.
He also discussed the importance of having a positive attitude in life, not being afraid to leave your comfort zone, and being a part of a community.
“By relying on community, when those days get heavy you don’t have to carry it yourself,” Granville explained.
He ended his presentation by taking out a cinder block with an American flag in it which he called “Cindy.” He explained how in the organization he is a part of, that some of their athletic challenges involve carrying the block and passing it on to others to symbolically represent how we all share mental and other hardships as a community and can carry that weight more easily as a team.
“It’s not about you. It’s not about me. It’s about us,” Granville concluded. “We carry the weight together.”
He received a standing ovation from both his fellow soldiers in attendance and the student body.
Mr. John Gaudenzi, Sergeant First Class Army and 39 year educator of the Western Wayne School District, who originated the Veterans Day Program at Western Wayne in 1982 with fellow teacher Marie Casper, thanked Granville for his inspiring presentation to the students.
The Western Wayne School District also thanks Granville for his service and is grateful that the study body could hear such a compelling story about overcoming adversity as they prepare for the challenges that lie ahead in their own lives.
Picture one, back row, from left: Casey Newcomer, Army, National Guard; Frank Aravjo, Air Force; Dan Karnick, Navy; Josh Harrison, Army; Bill Gillette, USMC; Elwood Merring, Army; Samuel Fox, Army; Don Wilmot, USMC; Robert Kessler, Army; Earl Granville, Pennsylvania Army National Guard; Michael Urban, Army; John VanLeuven, Navy; and John Gaudenzi, Army. Seated, from left: Bill Hiller, Navy; George Hernandez, Air Force; Joe Engle, Naval Air Force; Harry Feldman, USMC; Kent Swartz, USAF; Jonathan Janes, Army; Paul J. Salak, National Guard; and Gary Sereno, Army.
Picture two: Veterans Day assembly keynote speaker Staff Sergeant Earl Granville and Casey Newcomer, Western Wayne Middle School principal, United States Army National Guard.
Picture three: Mr. John Gaudenzi, Sergeant First Class Army, standing at attention for the Pledge of Allegiance.
Picture four: Western Wayne Drum Major, Jason Vass, senior plays “Taps” to close out the assembly with sophomore, Marissa Mitchell not pictured.
Picture five: Granville holds “Cindy” the cinder block.
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Drama Club to Host Lunch with SantaNovember 10, 2026The Western Wayne Drama Club will host LUNCH WITH SANTA on Saturday, Dec. 5, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. in the high school cafeteria.
Please join us for this UNIQUE EXPERIENCE WITH SANTA– perfect for children of ALL AGES.
There will be picture opportunities with Santa, arts/ crafts for kids, a lunch buffet from RPlace featuring kid-friendly favs like chicken fingers and mac and cheese.
And you will get to experience an original holiday play written by our senior Drama Club member Molly French.
Our show features Santa and all of his friends from around the globe at Santa’s Workshop preparing for the holidays!
However, Santa goes missing during our play. All boys and girls of all ages in attendance will help us find him by the end of the event. You can be the hero who brings Santa home!!
Boys and girls can even learn a dance with Santa’s reindeer during the play!
We encourage you to dress up in holiday-themed attire for the event!
There will be many prizes for categories such as best dressed, best arts and crafts work, best dancer, etc.
You don’t want to miss this unique experience with Santa for your children. 🙂
All pricing and other information in our flier and attached link.
Any questions, email Mrs. McLaughlin at jmclaughlin@westernwayne.org
Link to form for lunch registration is below:
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSe6ogloIU7KJPEMytq25dds0mvNJYB0IyzqQrg1MgIo1NLgqg/viewform?usp=dialog
“This is my second year writing an original play,” French said. “I really had fun researching different holiday histories from around the world and hope that many children of all ages in our community come out to experience our play, and, of course, have lunch with Santa.”
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Marching Band Football Season Music AchievementsNovember 10, 2026The Western Wayne Marching Band has had a busy fall. To start, the Marching Band went to Mid Valley’s Cavalcade on Wednesday, September 30, winning “The Goosebump Award” presented by Mid Valley and given to Drum Majors Kaitlin Wargo and Jason Vass.
Then on Wednesday, October 14th, marching band students Charlotte Nutt, Eli Pearson, Gethyn Legge, Kayla Kennedy, Mackenzie Warnok, Nicholas Wilbur, Tori Walton, and Lola Vertalics, with Wargo and Vass went to Evergreen Elementary to perform for Homecoming Week.
Then that same day, Western Wayne Marching Band went to North Pocono’s Cavalcade, winning the “Most Creative Drill Award” presented by North Pocono Marching Trojans and given to Wargo and Vass.
On Thursday, October 15, marching band students Sophia Convery, Carson Benedict, Robert Bronson, Adam Erb, Audrey Fitzmorris, Misha Kaminsky, Gavin Lepkowsky-Polizzi, Isaiah Myers, Maggie Norris, Eli Pearson, Tori Walton, and Gavin Zeiler, with Wargo and Vass went to Robert D. Wilson Elementary to perform for grades PK- 5 for Homecoming Week.
The band also offers congratulations to Vass for getting voted onto Homecoming Court. The District is proud of the Western Wayne Wildcat Marching Band and wishes them well on their future music endeavors for the rest of the school year.
Pictured at the Mid Valley Cavalcade, from left, are Western Wayne section leaders, Emma DeNunzio, color guard captain; Jason Vass, drum major; Kaitlin Wargo, drum major, and Molly French, color guard captain.
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High School Students Visit Marywood UniversityNovember 5, 2026Bridging High School and Higher Education: Western Wayne Students Experience College Life at Marywood University
On Tuesday, October 27th, students from Western Wayne High School’s Child Development program visited Marywood University for an immersive look at college academics, campus culture, and career pathways in education. Guided by Colleen Campbell, MAT, Field Director at Marywood’s School of Education, the visit offered students direct exposure to university life and expectations.
Inside the Classroom & Campus Community
The morning began in McGowan Hall, where students joined two active college education classes. Sitting in on the university lectures, revealing a collaborative and supportive atmosphere.
“The most interesting part of sitting in on a live college class was how lively the class was compared to high school classes,” shared senior Aiden Albert. “This experience made me realize college is filled with more specific courses than what were offered in our high school.” Holly Kellogg added, “My favorite part was how everyone communicated and treated each other with respect.”
The visit also featured a GooseChase campus scavenger hunt organized by university hosts, blending active exploration with friendly competition. “The experience was different than I expected because it was more interactive than I thought a college class would be,” noted Danika Duffy. “The trip gave me a better idea of what to expect after high school and made me more excited about my future!”
Exploring Campus Culture & Inspiring Pathways
Following classroom activities, members of the MUSE Education Club led a campus tour highlighting key student hubs, including the library and dining facilities.
“The library impressed me so much! The way it is set up is amazing,” remarked Aliyah Gregory. Ava Karabuber echoed this enthusiasm: “I liked how there were different floor levels to accommodate people’s ways of studying based on volume level… Seeing all the kids studying made me realize that college and studying is very important.”
The tour concluded with lunch at the Marywood Dining Hall, where students experienced everyday campus dining firsthand. Throughout the day, the strong sense of community left a lasting impression. “My favorite part was seeing how everyone bonded in the classroom and how welcoming everyone made me feel,” said Ava. “It proves that they have made Marywood their home and helps me believe that it is all going to work out.”
Ultimately, the trip achieved its core goal: inspiring students to envision their own goals after high school. “This trip influenced my idea on further becoming an early childhood teacher,” stated Holly Kellogg.
Western Wayne High School extends its sincere gratitude to Colleen Campbell, MAT, the MUSE Education Club, and Marywood University for providing our students with such a welcoming and valuable educational experience.
From left: Skyla McGuire, Danika Duffy, Holly Kellogg, Ellyana Armstrong, Ava Karabuber, Abby Brown, Catherine Shimkosky, Victoria Onder, Aliyah Gregory, Joey Roses, Aiden Albert, Mrs. Jessica Gregorski, and Madison Forgione.
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