Welcome to Wyoming Area Archives
Here you will find articles and photos from the current school year.
JETS Team First in State, Fifth in Nation
   UPDATE: THE WA JETS TEAM HAS BEEN RECENTLY NOTIFIED THAT THEY PLACED 1ST IN THE STATE AND 5TH NATIONALLY.
   Congratulations to the our school's JETS team for taking the school's first win at the Junior Engineering and Technical Society contest held on March 9 at Penn State, Wilkes-Barre Campus.
   The team took first place in the 2009 Junior Engineering Technology Society's Engineering Annual Test of Engineering Aptitude, Mathematics and Science (JETS/TEAMS) Regional Competition. 
   Team members shown in the photo are, seated: Michael Mattei; Mr. Pizano (holding the perpetual trophy), JETS coach; and Garth Todd.
   Back row: John Barnes Regional Coordinator JETS/TEAMS Competition; Michael Coco, Andrew Hess, Emily Dicker, Suzanne Szewczyk, Jonathan Schall, and Bret Taggart.
   Back row: Norman Johnstone President of the Society of Professional Engineers (Luzerne County Chapter).
   The team is coached by Physics teacher, David Pizano.
WA Students Plant Trees in West Pittston
   Sixteen trees were recently planted by students from Wyoming Area in West Pittston's Morris Park. The effort was a part of the greenway project next to the borough's municipal building.
   The event was sponsored by the borough's tree commission through a grant provided by the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources for $11,000 along with an equal contribution from the community.
   Students from the school district's Key Club and Builder's Club as well as other individual students participated.
 
WA Physics Students Excel Again 
   
   Wyoming Area took both first and second place in the team competition and second place in the individual competition at the Kane Physics Contest held at the University of Scranton on April 2. 
   The first place winning team members were Michael Coco, Emily Dicker, Andrews Hess, Michael Mattei, Jonathan Schall, Suzanne Szewczyk and Garth Todd. The second place team consisted of Ian DeOrio, Joseph Gates, Michael Langdon, Jonathan Seward, Bret  Taggart and Corey Timek. Michael Mattei took second in the individual competition. 
   The team is coach by Mr. David Pizano, physics teacher who was dunked three times when his teams hit the bulls eye in the laser shoot part of the competition.
 
Donkey Basketball at WA
   The WA Senior Parent's Association recently held a Donkey Basketball in the Secondary Center Gymnasium. All proceeds go toward senior activities.
   Click here for photos.
 
WA Journalism Students Visits WNEP-TV
   Seniors in Miss Argento's Journalism class recently toured WNEP-TV studio, hosted by Joe Snedeker. The class visited the newsroom, backyard and Pennsylvania Outdoor Life (POL) cabin where the students met with former WA grad and POL host, Don Jacobs.
   Arrangements were made through the efforts of Tony Callaio, WA Public Relations Coordinator.
   Shown in the photo are, left to right, front row: Mandie Rambus, Calynn Hudock, Audra Amico, Marlena Mozal, Arika Moore, Jacqui Novick, Jennifer Howell, and Joe Snedeker.
   Back row: Dave Angelella, Frank Gubiotti, Linda Schartzer, Tiffany Avery, Bridget Rogan, Carliann Cordick.
 
Wyoming Area Has Best Showing at PAC
   The Wyoming Area academic team competed at the Pennsylvania Academic Challenge in Harrisburg on Friday, April 24. The team representing IU18, appeared on PCN live as they were quizzed in the areas of history, literature, science and current events. 
   With twenty-four teams competing, Wyoming Area finished seventh and qualified for the semifinals where they were defeated by the eventual state champions Wilson High School. 
   Congratulations to captain Jonathan Schall, Emily Dicker, Michael Mattei, Samantha Scott and Eric Werbin for an outstanding competition. 
   The team is coached by Eileen Palmer, chemistry teacher.
 
Writing and Communications Students Excel
   Mrs. Van Fleet-Rutledge's Writing and Communications 8 classes competed in the Citizens' Voice's Design an Ad contest. Students created advertisements for Allstate Russett Insurance Company, UFCW Federal Credit Union, and Newspapers in Education Partners. 
   The following awards were won: First Place- Jessica Martin-UFCW Federal Credit Union Second Place- Nikki Giordano-NIE Partners Third Place- Brittany Burgess-Allstate Russett Insurance.
   Congratulations on a great showing.
 
WAPD Accepts Donated Cruiser
   WAPD received a donated police cruiser from Wyoming Borough. The cruiser was decommissioned and about to be sold before it was refurbished by Harding resident Ben Gadomski and handed over to Wyoming Area.
Read more.

 

 
 
 
 
 
 
Good Job Band Members
   Congratulations! 2009 PMEA All-State Band! Sheryl Klus, Chris Orlando, Jessica Dauber and Megan Endres will be attending the 2009 PMEA All-State Conference in April. This is the largest number of WA students to ever attend a PMEA State Conference.
   Shown in the photo, left to right: Klus, Orlando, Dauber and Endres.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Science Olympiad Teams, Once Again, Excel
   WA High School and Middle School Science Olympiad teams will be going to States after they scored a 2nd place, respectively.
   The state competition will take place on May 1 at Juniata College in Huntingdon.
   Good luck to all!
WA Key Club... NO. 1 in the State!
   Wyoming Area is the best in the Pennsylvania District! Twenty-three members of the club attended the district convention this past weekend and the following awards were won: 
- a banner patch for our $250 donation to UNICEF; 
- a banner patch for our commitment with the Wyoming Area Builders Club; 
- all five 2008-09 officer were names distinguished: Editor Angela Coco (one of thirteen of the 205 clubs across the state) Treasurer Carmen Ciampi (one of only twenty-five of the 205 clubs across the state) Secretary Alexandra Ferrett (one of only fourteen of the 205 clubs across the state) Vice-President Samantha Coco (one of only fifteen of the 205 clubs) President Morgan Harding (one of only ten of the 205 clubs across the state); 
- first in the district for the highest club service hours performed: 14,720; 
- first in the district for the highest club service hours per member performed: 15.45 per month; 
- third place in Major Emphasis for our Read Across America events; 
- third place in Single Service for our Endurance Challenge benefiting the American Cancer Society; 
- the highest ranking distinguished club (Diamond Level) earning 191 of 200 points for club administration, leadership and membership training, club service, and fund-raising (ONLY TWO SUCH AWARDS WERE GIVEN OUT; WYOMING AREA BEING NAMED THE TOP CLUB); 
- third place in Youth Service Youth (projects dedicated to Make-A-Wish); 
- third place in club poster contest-artist Everal Eaton; 
- Morgan Harding was elected Lt. Governor of Pennsylvania District Division 15N.
 
Music Department to hold Concert
   The Wyoming Area Music Department Tri-M Honor Society will held their Auditioning Concert in the Secondary Center's cafeteria. 
   The concert was sponsored by the Wyoming Area Music Sponsors. 
   Shown in the photo are the 2008-2009 Tri-M Honor Society Officers. Left to right are: Jennifer Kondracki, treasurer; Sherl Klus, secretary; Joshua Carey, historian; Jillian Layaou, vice president; and Christopher Orlando, president.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
WA Sweeps Annual Brain Bee Competition
   The University of Scranton was host to the 10th Annual Brain Bee competition. Sponsored by the University's Neuroscience Department and NEPA AHEC the Brain Bee consists of a written test and and oral elimination. 40 students from 14 schools took part. 
   Wyoming Area Secondary Center took all three top prizes. Pictured are Eileen Palmer, Science Department Chairperson, Emily Dicker First Place winner of a $400 dollar prize, Samantha Scott Second Place winner of a $50 dollar prize and Jonathan Schall third palce winner of a $50 prize. 
   Emily Dicker will compete in the United States Brain Bee to be held at the University of Maryland in Baltimore on March 20 and 21.
 
 
 

 

 

 
Twenty-one Students Qualify for FBLA Conference
   Ms. Carmella Argento, WA Future Business Leaders  of America (FBLA) advisor, is pleased to announce twenty-one students have qualified to attend the State-wide FBLA Conference in Hershey on March 30, 31, and April 1.
   Students (shown above) qualifying for States are: bottom row, left to right: Jessica Olejnik, Chelse Martin, Amanda Taylor, Bridget Rogan, Linda Schartzer, Maria Kelly, Macawley Brown, Linnae Homza, Rachel Taylor.
   Middle row: Mariesa Welcome, Alicia Panuski, Jamie Bresnahan, Joe Barush, Kenny Sorick, Mark Basta, Alex Ellsworth, Joe Fasciana, Joe Marrone.
   Top row: Peter Adonizio, Dave Mizzer, Dave Dorbad. Ron Klepadlo.
   Absent from photo: Jonathan Schall, Andre Harris.
   Congratulations students and good luck at States.
 

 

 

WA Hosted Successful FBLA Regional Workshop
    Wyoming Area recently hosted the Region 16 Future Business Leaders of America Leadership Workshop at the Secondary Center.
    There were 285 students in attendance from Coughlin, Dallas, GAR, Hazleton, Pittston Area, and Wyoming Valley West. Hazleton had the strongest contingency with 110 students total. Sixteen advisors were also in attendance accompanying their prospective schools.
    Read more...
 
 
 
 
 
 

 
Teen Safety Week Recently Held at Sec. Center
   See photo and article...
Wyoming Area Honored Area Veterans
   Wyoming Area School District hosted a Vets Day program on November 7, 2008 to honor our local Veterans. 
   The program will began with the Scranton Theatre Group performing a play, "The Life of Gino Merli" at 10 a.m. followed by a luncheon and an assembly in the gymnasium with a featured speaker Staff Sgt. Strasser. 
   Photos...
 
Congratulations Middle School Young Scholars Team
   Congratulations to the Middle School Young Scholars team who retained the championship for Wyoming Area at the 13th annual competition held at Scranton Prep on November 1. 
   Approximately 100 top students from 22 schools were quizzed on a wide variety of topics that included Art, Music, Literature, Mathematics, Science, Social Studies, Foreign Languages, Sports and Popular Culture.  In the final round Wyoming Area defeated Pittston Area and St. Jude’s. Wyoming Area has won the Young Scholars competition three out of the last four years.
   Pictured are Michael Carey, Gregory Cajka, team captain, Liam Holden, Andrew Coco and Eileen Palmer, Academic Teams Coach.
 

 

 

Seatbelt Safety Program Held
 
    Wyoming Area's School District's school officer, Chris Alberigi, along with West Pittston Police officer, Joe Campbell, recently presented "Survival 101," a seatbelt safety program geared for middle and high school students.
   The safety program is a hard-hitting presentation, demonstrated with multimedia tools, targeted at young drivers including follow-up with discussions.
   Developed by the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation's Buckle Up PA Project "Survival 101" encourages middle and high school age students to make appropriate decisions when they are drivers or passengers in a vehicle.
   The program draws its impact from police officers' personal experiences in responding to crashes and fatalities involving teenagers.
   Shown in the photo are West Pittston Patrolman Joe Campbell (l.) and Chris Alberigi, Wyoming Area High School Police officer. Not shown: Jessica Budzak, Drug and Alcohol Prevention Specialist.
 
 
Teen Driver Safety Held
 
    As part of National Teen Driver Safety Week, Wyoming Area High School students and officials joined PennDOT to remind teen drivers and their parents/guardians to be aware of the behaviors that cause most teen driver crashes. Teen driver safety information was distributed during lunch last week at the event, which was spearheaded by WA's student council. Joining PennDOT was the Northeast Highway Safety Program.
    In the photo, seated from left, are Vito Quaglia, principal; student council members Peter Adonizio, treasurer; Kayla Baloga, president; and Lenetta Pesotini, secretary; and Nick DeAngelo, board president. Standing, same order, are Rebecca Uter, Northeast Highway Safety Program; Ray Bernardi, superintendent; and Chris Alberigi, school police officer.
    According to the National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, the highest risk of a crash occurring is in the first six months and 1,000 miles of driving. Some key contributors to crashes involving teen drivers in Pennsylvania include driver inexperience and driver distractions.
    Congress established National Teen Driver Safety Week last year in response to the more than 5,000 teens who died in teen driver- related crashes on U.S. roads in 2006. National Teen Driver Safety Week is held the third week of October to raise awareness about teens' elevated crash risks and to highlight the issue of teen driver safety.
    For more tips for teens and parents, and to download the Pennsylvania Driver's and the How to Steer Them to Safe Driving manuals, visit http://www.dmv.state.pa.us/ and click on the Teen Driver Information Center.
    More safety information may be obtained by checking out www.neparoads.com PennDOT's Northeastern Pennsylvania > transportation website. For safety tips, click on "Safety."
 
 
WA/PA Pep Rally Fun
 
  
   Superintendent Raymond J. Bernardi, shown above with members of his staff along with District Principal Mrs. Janet Serino (second from left in left hand photo), prior to the annual Pep Rally against Pittston Area. Mr. Bernardi was called upon to psych up the school for the big game. The game fell on Halloween which made the Pep Rally all the more special.
 
School Bank Program Coming to WA
    Saving for a bike, new shoes, tickets to the Penguins game or college? Saving for fun or education just became easier for local students. WA has launched the School Bank Program, an in-school initiative with PNC Bank to encourage students to save in real savings account, and gain hands-on experience.
   Under the supervision of school staff, student tellers will handle small cash and check deposits from fellow students, and follow standard band procedures. In the process, students are expected to improve their math skills as they track their savings and calculate interest earned.
    Other benefits include the opportunity for students to establish their first bank account and develop money management and investing skills via optional financial literacy workshops.
   For further information, please contact Jamie A. Jordan, Licensed Financial Sales Consultant Officer, PNC Bank at 570-283-6991 or Mr. Rabel at ext. 2338.