Western Wayne and Honesdale High Schools celebrate graduation

David Mazzenga, Tri-County Independent
·3 min read

Another round of commencement ceremonies took place this past weekend for graduating seniors in Wayne County. For more photos, check out our online graduation galleries at tricountyindependent.com.

Western Wayne High School Graduation

Western Wayne High School held its graduation ceremony on Friday, June 10 at 6:00 p.m. The Class of 2022, comprised of 161 students, strode across a stage on the 50-yard line of the Sharkey-Rossetti Stadium football field.Valedictorian Rachel Tuman and Salutatorian Kaeli Romanowski led this year's class.Tuman holds several leadership roles, including President of the National Honor Society (NHS) and Senior Class Vice President. She served as the Future Business Leaders of America (FBLA) Vice President. She has participated in myriad clubs and activities, including yearbook and newspaper, and was captain of the tennis team. Tuman plans to become a lawyer, first earning bachelor's and master's degrees from the University of Scranton before enrolling in law school.

Class of 2022 President Alexandria Bien-Aime led the assembly in the Pledge of Allegiance and delivered the ceremony's welcome address. She bade her classmates to not fear failure in the future phases of their lives.
Class of 2022 President Alexandria Bien-Aime led the assembly in the Pledge of Allegiance and delivered the ceremony's welcome address. She bade her classmates to not fear failure in the future phases of their lives.
With all diplomas awarded, it was time to turn the tassels.
With all diplomas awarded, it was time to turn the tassels.

Equally active, Romanowski is also a member of several clubs including FBLA, NHS, Family, Career and Community Leaders of America (FCCLA) and the National Business Honor Society. She is a student ambassador and a member of the varsity volleyball, basketball and softball teams. Romanowski plans to continue playing basketball in college while pursuing a finance degree at Elizabethtown College.The duo addressed their class, reminding them to be grateful for what they have and to confidently face the challenges to come. They also reminded the class to pay their loved ones due deference.Class President Alexandria Bien-Aime also spoke, encouraging her peers to greet their future challenges without fear of failure.Prior to awarding diplomas, Western Wayne School District Superintendent Dr. Matthew Barrett spoke words of encouragement, reminding the students how proud of them the district, their friends and families are.

Honesdale High School Graduation

Honesdale High School (HHS) held its 147th Graduation Ceremony on Saturday, June 11 at 11 a.m. The Class of 2022, comprised of 167 students, processed across the stage in the Wayne Highlands Middle School gymnasium to receive their diplomas.Valedictorian Darcy Banicky and Salutatorian George Legg led the class.Active in her community, Banicky is the Student Representative Chairperson in the Wayne County Community Foundation's Youth Advisory Committee. Some other leadership roles of hers include Student Council Vice President and FBLA. She is also the letter-earning, varsity captain of the HHS soccer team. She plans to attend SC Johnson College of Business at Cornell University.

"It's something unpredictable. But in the end, it's right. I hope you had the time of your life." Graduates and members of the Honesdale High School Chamber Choir sing a vocal rendition of the 2022 graduation song, Green Day's "Good Riddance."
"It's something unpredictable. But in the end, it's right. I hope you had the time of your life." Graduates and members of the Honesdale High School Chamber Choir sing a vocal rendition of the 2022 graduation song, Green Day's "Good Riddance."
With a turn of their tassels, the HHS Class of 2022 moved from students to alumni.
With a turn of their tassels, the HHS Class of 2022 moved from students to alumni.

Legg is an avid academic competitor, participating in Mock Trial, the American Mathematics Contest, Science Olympiad and Scholastic Scrimmage. He is a decorated member of the cross country and tennis teams. He plans to attend Penn State University to pursue an engineering degree.The pair gave complimentary speeches. Legg meditated on how far the class has come while Banicky looked to where they would go next.Class President John Rodriguez also addressed the class, reliving fond memories, inside jokes and encouraging them to embrace the changes to come.Wayne Highlands School District Superintendent Gregory Frigoletto challenged the class "to resist making decisions in the moment. Take the time to think about your end goal and how your decisions may shape your tomorrow. Ask yourself, with every big decision you face 'What is the wise thing to do?' You may not always know the answer, but take the time to ask the question."

This article originally appeared on Tri-County Independent: Western Wayne, Honesdale celebrate graduations