Bus route 42 will be delayed as it was involved in a minor accident at approximately 8:20 this morning (Oct. 23, 2025) on the outer road near Paul’s Furniture in St. Robert. No injuries were immediately reported. Another bus is enroute to pick up the Freedom Elementary students and the school nurse will check the students once they arrive. Transportation staff are reaching out to parents of the students who were on the bus at the time.
https://www.applitrack.com/waynesville/onlineapp/default.aspx?all=1
and scroll to the “Mechanic” listing.
Opening night is tonight!
Waynesville High Theatre Department and Thespian Troupe 1669 present “Lady Dracula” adapted by Tim Kelley in the WHS Auditorium.
· Wednesday, Oct. 22: 7 p.m.
· Saturday, Oct. 25: Two performances—the first at 12:30 p.m. and the second at 7 p.m.
· Sunday, Oct. 26: 2:30 p.m.
Regular tickets are $8 each; senior citizens tickets are $5 each; and kids under 3 are free. This show includes thunder, lightning and rainstorms with howling wolves and wind.
Doors open 30 minutes prior to the performance.
About Lady Dracula
Step inside the academy, where an unsettling feeling lingers and the sense of being watched never quite fades. Students whisper of strange figures moving through the moonlit halls or the voices when no one is there. And in the heart of it all, behind the royal purple and lightning, she waits. Lady Dracula has awoken once more.
Parent-Teacher Conferences for all grades will be held on Thursday, Oct. 23, as follows:
• Grades PreK-5: 4 to 7:30 p.m.
• Grades 6-12: 3-6:30 p.m.
As a reminder, there will be no school on Friday, Oct. 24, 2025.
Parent-Teacher Conferences for all grades will be held on Thursday, Oct. 23, as follows:
• Grades PreK-5: 4 to 7:30 p.m.
• Grades 6-12: 3-6:30 p.m.
As a reminder, there will be no school on Friday, Oct. 24, 2025.
Waynesville High Theatre Department and Thespian Troupe 1669 present “Lady Dracula” adapted by Tim Kelley in the WHS Auditorium.
· Wednesday, Oct. 22: 7 p.m.
· Saturday, Oct. 25: Two performances—the first at 12:30 p.m. and the second at 7 p.m.
· Sunday, Oct. 26: 2:30 p.m.
Regular tickets are $8 each; senior citizens tickets are $5 each; and kids under 3 are free. This show includes thunder, lightning and rainstorms with howling wolves and wind.
Doors open 30 minutes prior to the performance.
About Lady Dracula
Step inside the academy, where an unsettling feeling lingers and the sense of being watched never quite fades. Students whisper of strange figures moving through the moonlit halls or the voices when no one is there. And in the heart of it all, behind the royal purple and lightning, she waits. Lady Dracula has awoken once more.
Waynesville High School Bands: Nov. 18, 2025, at 6 p.m.
Waynesville Middle and High School Choirs: Dec. 2, 2025, at 5:30 p.m.
Waynesville Middle School Bands: Dec. 4, 2025, at 6 p.m.
The Waynesville R-VI School District has opened its ANNUAL PARENT SURVEY now through Oct. 26. The online survey link has been sent to parents via email. We value your thoughts and opinions about your child’s school and educational experiences. We encourage you to please take a moment to complete the parent survey.
Several Waynesville High School band students earned District honors and are now eligible to audition for the Missouri All-State Band.
In addition, the selected students will participate in a district clinic. They will spend the day rehearsing with fellow honorees and conclude the event with a public performance that evening at 5 p.m. Nov. 1, 2025, at Rolla High School.
The Central District Band audition was held on Oct. 14, at Rolla High School. These students prepared and memorized scales and etudes, which they performed before a panel of judges comprised of music educators from the central district. The judges evaluated each audition and assigned chair placements based on performance.Auditions for the Missouri All-State Band will be held onDec. 6, 2025, at Hickman High School in Columbia, Mo.
The following studentsearned District honors and are now eligible to audition for the All-State Band:·
- Tyler Silbanuz- Flute 6th Chair
- Sophia Wagasky- Oboe 1st Chair
- Chloe Williams- Alto Clarinet 1st Chair, Clarinet-13thChair
- Teyla Byrom- Bass Clarinet 3rd Chair
- Sarah Pierce- ContraBass Clarinet 1st Chair
- Aliyah Bowers- Alto Saxophone 1st Chair
- Kevin Connor- Alto Saxophone 2nd Chair
- Justin Brickey- Alto Saxophone 2nd Alternate
- Jenna Ballard- Trumpet 4th Chair, Jazz Trumpet 2nd Chair
- Juliet Piper- Trumpet 5th Chair
- Kayden Wass- Trombone 1st Chair, Jazz Trombone 1st Chair
- Landon Boswell- Tuba 1st Chair
- Harley Atchison- Percussion 2nd Chair
- Abigail Hanna- Percussion 2nd Alternate
- Avanné Thomas- Jazz Trumpet 1st Alternate
- Josiah Diaz- Jazz Guitar 2nd Alternate (not pictured)
The Waynesville High School Tiger Pride Marching Band took 5th place overall in the annual regional marching competition in Branson, Mo., on Oct. 11, 2025.
This event featured numerous high school bands from across Missouri and Arkansas, showcasing a wide range of talent and performance styles.
“During the preliminary round, the Tiger Pride Marching Band earned an impressive 3rd place finish within their division,” said Director of Bands Jared Sabatasso. “Advancing to the finals, the band delivered another strong performance and ultimately secured 5th place overall among all competing ensembles and divisions.”
The band will compete tomorrow, Saturday, Oct. 18, in Carthage, Mo.
“We are incredibly proud of the dedication and rapid progress the band has made in just one week since their previous competition,” Sabatasso said. “The ensemble continues to refine their performance, and we look forward to seeing their hard work pay off at their final competition of the season.”
Storie named WHS Rotary Student of the Month
Sloan Storie was named the Waynesville High School Rotary Student of the Month for October during the Rotary Club of Pulaski County’s meeting on Oct. 14, 2025. She was nominated for best representing the character trait "selfless service."
Her nominator stated, “Sloan Storie works tirelessly to support the art department. She has contributed her time and talent by painting for the 7 Habits Project and serving as Ms. Birdsell’s A+ student, where she assists her peers daily in ceramics. Sloan’s dedication goes beyond class time—she has spent over an hour cleaning ceramics during art club and consistently lends a hand without needing to be asked. Rather than sitting idle, she actively looks for ways to help wherever she is needed. She has also volunteered at every concession stand and event we’ve held. I am incredibly proud of her selflessness, work ethic and willingness to give her time and energy to others.”
Storie is an exceptional student at WHS. She carries a 3.79 grade point average and has an overall attendance rate of 95 percent for all four years. Storie been a member of the Art Club and National Art Honor Society since 9th grade. She has taken multiple Advanced Placement art classes and attended Youth Art Month, where her art was displayed at the Missouri State Capitol. Upon graduation, Storie would like to continue her love for art and attend the Kansas City Art Institute to study graphic design.
Pictured in the group photo are Morgan Storie, sister of the recipient; Courtney Long, executive director of secondary instruction at Waynesville R-VI; Rotary President Ursula Lebioda; Sloan Storie, student of the month recipient; WHS Principal Brian Vernon; and Tammy Storie, mother of the recipient.
Freedom Elementary 3rd graders and Waynesville High School students teamed up on Wednesday, Oct. 15, 2025, to celebrate Missouri Day.
AP Government students created presentations and hands-on learning stations to teach the elementary students about Missouri’s history and heritage.
“This was so successful that we plan to make it an annual experience and possibly include East Elementary next year,” said AP Government Instructor Eric Thornburg.
The idea originated with Alexis Smith, a 3rd grade teacher at Freedom, who once had Thornburg as her social studies teacher in high school.
"This partnership proved to be a great collaboration," Smith said. "I was so impressed with the presentations and how interactive they were with our students.”
The State Legislature has designated the third Wednesday in October as Missouri Day—a day for schools and citizens to honor the state’s history and achievements.
Three culinary arts students from the Waynesville Career Center are competing today (Oct. 16, 2025) at the World Food Championships in Indianapolis, Indiana.
Samaya Rangel, Addie Love and Michaelyn Perry's dedication, teamwork, and creativity earned them the right to compete on a national stage against industry professionals. To qualify, the trio won the Baconfest category at the Epicure Event held on Sept. 13, 2025, at the Lake of the Ozarks, marking the fourth straight year the WCC Culinary team has qualified for the WFC.
If so, you are invited to attend the “Substitute Teaching Workshop” hosted by Penmac Education Staffing, which provides subs for the Waynesville R-VI School District.
The workshop will be held from 2 to 3:30 p.m. Nov. 4, 2025, at Drury University, 194 Eastlawn Ave., in St. Robert.
For more information, please call 417-873-6660.
In addition, a college admissions counselor and GI Bill specialist will be available.
During this event, families will learn about the different types of aid and why it’s important for every student who plans to go to college or trade school to fill out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid – regardless of their income level.
To prepare for FAFSA night, please bring:
· A list of schools you are interested in attending
· StudentAid.gov account information for parents/guardians and student. Students will be able to create account during this time if they do not have one.
· Social Security numbers for both students and parents/guardians.
· Federal income tax returns and W-2 from 2024 as well as records of untaxed income like child support and asset information.
Due to a scheduling conflict, the Stampede in the Park for 4th, 5th, and 6th grades will be held Thursday, Oct. 30, 2025. Times will remain the same.
Raiders finish 4th at Smith Cotton
The Waynesville Raider Team finished 4th overall and WHS Senior David Connor took 1st place in the Ultimate Raider competition at the Smith Cotton Raider Meet on Oct. 11, 2025, in Sedalia.
These are Waynesville’s results from a field of 30 teams representing 20 high schools:
· Connor David - 1st Place Ultimate Raider (of 20)
· Inez Casto - 4th Place Ultimate Raider
· 2nd Place - 1-Rope Bridge
· 3rd Place - 1 Mile Ruck Run
· 4th Place - 5k Run
· 4th Place - Physical Team Test
· 4th Place - Gauntlet!
· 4th Place - Overall
This was the last regular Raider Meet of the season. Raider Nationals has been postponed until April 26, 2026, due to the government shutdown.
