Mike Henson, executive director of elementary, presented the Freedom Elementary students with certificates for having their artwork selected for the Picture the Music contest, which was hosted by the St. Louis Symphony Orchestra. Their artwork was inspired by a piece of music written by composer Kevin Puts.
The artwork will be on display at the Jack C. Taylor Music Center and will then go on tour to the St. Louis Art Museum and the James S. McDonnell Planetarium. The students will also be honored during the Picture the Music awards ceremony at the Jack C. Taylor Music Center on March 25.
Wagasky receives FLW Leadership Award
Sophia Wagasky, a sophomore at Waynesville High School, received the Fort Leonard Wood Leadership Award for February 2026 on Wednesday, Feb. 18, 2026.
Wagasky was nominated for the honor word integrity. Sophia's nominator stated, "Being honest, trustworthy, and having strong principles are components of integrity and Sophia displays them all. In the time I have known Sophia through the Student Government Association she has shown herself to be honest and dependable. She is one of the managers for the SGA Tiger Store and with that comes the responsibility of keeping the store stocked and maintaining an accurate money box. In conversations with peers, it is clear that Sophia has a strong moral compass when it comes to academics and life. She also works hard academically and asks for help when she needs it."
Lt. Col. Chris McCann and CSM Christina Schoener, 787 MP BN , recognized Wagasky for representing the word integrity, one of the seven Army values. The seven Army values are loyalty, duty, respect, selfless service, honor, integrity and personal courage.
These are the complete results:
- Overall Meet Champions - 3rd Place
- Overall Armed Division - 3rd Place
- Overall Unarmed Division - 3rd Place
- Armed Color Guard, 1st Place
- Unarmed Color Guard, 2nd Place
- Armed Regulation - 3rd Place
- Armed Exhibition - 3rd Place
- Armed Inspection - 3rd Place
- Unarmed Regulation - 3rd Place
- Unarmed Regulation - 3rd Place
- Unarmed Inspection - 3rd Place
- Trevor Skyles - 4th Place Armed Exhibition Solo
- Aiden Rivera, Aubrey Ellison 3rd - Armed Exhibition Dual
Their next drill meet is on Feb. 21, 2026, at Ozark High School.
During this third Tiger Pride Night session in the Special Education series, families gained insight into the behind-the-scenes planning that takes place to support students as they move to a new building. Attendees received practical strategies and tips to help their child feel confident and prepared for their next school transition.
Presenters included Shauna Smith, district special education coordinator and Dr. Elizabeth Washington, executive director of student services. Dr. Jamie Goforth, assistant superintendent of personnel services, helped coordinate the event.
Tina Rowden of the Waynesville R-VI Community Resource Office spoke during the Rotary Club of Pulaski County meeting on Tuesday, Feb. 10, 2026. Rowden, who serves as the coordinator of grant management and the AmeriCorps director, spoke about the power of volunteering, Snack in a Pack and AmeriCorps members’ positive impact on students. She also thanked the Rotary Club for their generous donations to the Snack in the Pack program.
Pictured left to right are Rotary President Ursala Lebioda, and AmeriCorps members Laura Washbourne and Janis Belanger and Tina Rowden.
Lauryn Lercher, a senior at Waynesville High School, has been named the WHS Rotary Student of the Month for February 2026 for representing personal courage. She is the daughter of Layne and Becky Lercher and was recognized during the Rotary Club of Pulaski County meeting on Feb. 10, 2026.
The following is a compilation of statements made by her nominators, “'Lauryn has stepped out of her comfort zone to be a leader by example. She took the initiative to help set up a large Pink Out event to donate money to breast cancer awareness. From the start, Lauryn has been the student leading in every aspect of the planning. Lauryn also shows tremendous responsibility and accountability to ensure tasks are done effectively and efficiently. Lastly, she does a great job of getting other students involved to give them a chance to be leaders in various roles, as well. She is above her years of wisdom and has taken the initiative to reach out to community members, administration, and more to help make this event a success. She remains positive, solution-focused, and courageous in the face of any and all problems that arise. The mindset to stay composed, positive and empathetic while making important decisions is a next-level result of her courage.”
Lercher is an outstanding senior with a 4.28 GPA and a 100% attendance for all four years of high school. She is currently the president of DECA and a member of National Honor Society. She is an active athlete, playing both tennis and basketball. She serves as the captain of the basketball team and has earned the honors of Central Ozark Academic All-Conference and District Academic All-Conference.
Lercher will graduate with academic honors, as well as a CNA (Certified Nursing Assistant) and Phlebotomy certification from her health science class. She plans to attend the University of Missouri-Columbia and has received a $14,000 scholarship. Her long-term goal is to become a nurse practitioner/pediatric oncologist.
For more information
Phone: (573) 842-2094
Email: personnel@waynesville.k12.mo.us
The public is invited to nominate a Waynesville R-VI teacher for the Rising Star Award and a staff member for the Support Super Star Award.
The Rising Star Award honors a teacher who is new to the field of education and has demonstrated a positive impact on students. To nominate a teacher for the Rising Star Award, go to https://forms.gle/qDfYnZ9q1S3HALjM6.
The Support Super Star Award honors a staff member for being a support person who has demonstrated a positive impact on students and on education. To nominate a staff member for the Support Super Star Award, go to https://forms.gle/Hj81vWyg3X7Uvkxj8.
The deadline to nominate someone is Feb. 27, 2026.
For more information about openings in the district, please go to https://www.applitrack.com/waynesville/onlineapp/default.aspx?all=1 or call 573-842-2094.
Parker Educational Center is located at 909 U.S. Route 66 in Waynesville.
The COMC will offer free sports physicals for Waynesville R-VI athletes:
4 p.m.-7 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 17, and Wednesday, Feb. 18 at the COMC Clinic located inside East Elementary. The clinic entrance is near the FEMA Shelter on the back side of the building. East Elementary is located at 1501 State Road F, Waynesville.
• Appointments are not required. This is done on a first come, first served basis.
• A legal guardian must accompany the student to sign MSHSAA permission forms.
• No insurance card needed. Paperwork available on-site.
• No vaccines will be given at this event.
The spring sports, along with their schedules for tryouts/practices, are listed in the graphic below or are at https://aptg.co/0dD-c1.
For more information, go to https://www.waynesville.k12.mo.us/o/waynesville-tiger-athletics/page/playerparent-zone and click on the “Start of Season Information,” which includes information about the required physical.
If you have any questions, please call Athletics at 573-842-2450.
2 Freedom students have artwork selected for the Picture the Music
Two Freedom Elementary students have had their artwork selected for the Picture the Music contest hosted by the St. Louis Symphony Orchestra.
Aiden Brown, a 3rd grader, and John Stephens, a 2nd grader, will be recognized during the Picture the Music awards ceremony at 7 p.m. March 25, 2026, in Powell Hall at the Jack C. Taylor Music Center. Brown’s art teacher is Christina Underwood and Stephens’ art teacher is Carly Crews.
This season, students created artwork inspired by “Codes,” movement II of Contact by SLSO Composer in Residence Kevin Puts, and more than 500 entries were submitted by teachers. From those, 100 finalists were selected. The finalists’ artwork will be displayed at the Jack C. Taylor Music Center from March 20-29. Then, it will go on tour to the St. Louis Art Museum and the James S. McDonnell Planetarium until April 26.
“Congratulations on having your students’ artwork selected for the exhibit!” stated Education Programs Assistant Joseph Hendricks in a letter. “We look forward to honoring them at the newly renovated Powell Hall.”
The SLSO will be performing Kevin Puts’ Contact on March 20 and 22.
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John Stephens and Aiden Brown are pictured with their award-winning artwork.
