The individual will determine what, if any, further medical treatment is necessary.
Juliet Choi, a senior at Waynesville High School, has been named the WHS Rotary Student of the Month for May 2026. She is the daughter of Byonghwan and Misook Choi and was recognized during the Rotary Club of Pulaski County meeting on May 12, 2026.
Choi’s nominator stated, Juliet Choi “is a remarkable student whose leadership, academic excellence and compassion truly distinguish her among her peers. Juliet’s passion for healthcare is evident in her extensive involvement and leadership within the Heart Mind Soul (HMS) Medical Club, where she serves as president. She has created meaningful opportunities for students to explore medical fields, organized career panels with healthcare professionals and led engaging lessons on anatomy and physiology. Her initiative also extends beyond the school community through her founding of Brain2Heart, a mentorship program connecting students with healthcare experiences and career exploration opportunities in both San Diego and Waynesville. These achievements reflect Juliet’s drive to inspire others while developing her own understanding of the medical field.”
Juliet carries a 4.42 grade point average and has a 98% attendance. She is taking her 7th Advanced Placement course, ranking her at the top percent of her class. Since 2024, Choi has founded three different student clubs at WHS and within the community: Heart Mind Soul Medical Club, the Korean Culture Club and Brain2Heart . Aside from leading these clubs, Choi is the senior class secretary, a member of National Honor Society, choir, and previously a varsity runner of cross country. During her spare time, she is an active member of Korean Baptist Church, where she is the president of Youth Leadership, a member of the Praise Team, and teaches intermediate Korean at the Korean Language School.
At the Waynesville Career Center, Choi earned a Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) certification and phlebotomy certification. She will attend Baylor University and major in biology on the Pre-Med track with the goal of becoming a pediatric immunologist.
Returning families: Parents/guardians of students who will be returning to the Waynesville R-VI School District for the 2026-27 school year will receive a link to the annual Returning Student Forms on June 1.
East Elementary 5th grader Avery Francisco was recognized in April 2026 for her outstanding instrumental composition, “Grün Regen (Green Rain),” during the 2026 Creating Original Music Project at University of Missouri School of Music. Avery earned 2nd place in the Elementary Instrumental category for her original work.
As part of this prestigious honor, her composition was performed by students from the University of Missouri School of Music, and she received a $200 award in recognition of her achievement.
OPAA! and Waynesville R-VI Schools are partnering to provide free meals through a drive-through service during summer school. The meals will be available through a drive-through service on the 9th Grade Center side (stadium side) of the Waynesville High School campus between 2:30 and 3:30 p.m. on June 5, 12, 18 and 26.
At a glance:
Who: All children in the community ages birth to 18 (regardless of income)
Time: 2:30 to 3:30 p.m.
Dates: June 5, 12, 18 and 26 at Waynesville High School.
Where: Waynesville High School (9th Grade Center side), 200 G.W. Lane St., Waynesville.
Register: https://forms.gle/Woe2g565tmfrbjRj7 (Meals are free, but registration is required.)
Meals: Each bag will contain two breakfasts and two lunches for each child who has registered through the brief Google form at the link above.
____________________________________________
Frequently asked questions
1. Are there income guidelines for this program?
a. No. All children ages birth to 18 are eligible.
2. Does my child have to be enrolled in summer school to be eligible for this program?
a. No. This program is open to the community.
3. Do I have to fill out the form each week?
a. No. Please indicate on the form which dates you will be picking up the meals.
4. How is this program being funded and why is it being offered?
a. The Federal Government is funding this program and OPAA! volunteered to participate so that families in our community could receive the meals. Children are most hungry during the summer months when regular school is not in session and OPAA! is partnering with Waynesville R-VI schools to help ensure that children have food on the weekends during summer school.
The VOICES elementary honor choir performed its spring concert on May 11, 2026, in the Waynesville High School Auditorium. Waynesville R-VI elementary students in grades 4, 5 and 6 must audition and be selected for the VOICES choir.
Students in this choir dedicate their Wednesday afternoons to learning challenging repertoire and practice a variety of skills, including performance, public speaking and instrumental performance.
The VOICES choir is under the direction of Vanessa Mason. Assistant directors are Laura Taylor, Beth Gibson, Amanda JG, and Lisa Martin. The accompanist is Terri Heby.
#WaySchools #TeacherProudTuesday
“An accomplished string quartet professionally premiered his composition at the festival, and it is now available to listen to,” said Emily Myler, choir and theatre director at WMS. “This is an extraordinary achievement that reflects his creativity, musicianship, and dedication to the craft of composition.”
The video can be viewed at https://youtube.com/live/ADo_Pl9lkds?feature=share. Schnacke’s composition is performed from approximately 8:30 to 11:55 in the Youtube video.
Waynesville High School’s National Honor Society hosted its Teacher Appreciation Night on May 6, 2026, in the Waynesville Career Center.
Fifty seniors delivered heartfelt speeches about the teacher who has impacted them the most, and then presented their teacher with a framed certificate.
Below are a couple of quotes students shared about their teachers:
“This teacher helped me learn how to lead, how to problem solve and how to grow from my mistakes. Instead of being afraid of mistakes, I've learned that success isn't something that you're handed. It’s something you build step by step through effort and perseverance. Those are the lessons that will stay with all of us far beyond high school.”
“She was there for me, more than just helping me in class, she helped me change the way I saw myself. I became more confident, more willing to speak up and more sure of what I am capable of.”
“This teacher would never let me settle for ‘good enough.’ There's a standard, a level of pride, and expectation that you will be prepared, not just for them but for yourself. They gave me the confidence to step into leadership.”
After being honored, teachers presented the NHS graduation stole to the student. (If a teacher was unable to attend, another stepped in to accept the award on their behalf and present the stole.)
In the list below, NHS seniors are named first, followed by the teacher they honored and the teacher's role:
· Autumn Asbell: Olivia Horton, Science Teacher
· Serina Chen, Olivia Horton, Science Teacher
· Brionna Ash, Mikaela O’Barr, Math Teacher
· Jude Bailey, Lindsey Howell, Elementary Teacher
· Breanna Bednarik, Eric Thornburg, Social Studies
· Luke Pollman, Eric Thornburg, Social Studies
· David Boyd, CSM (R) Steven Tetreault, JROTC
· Byle Briner, Shawneen Hefton, CIT-C Programming
· Mason Rodden, Shawneen Hefton, CIT-C Programming
· Ava Byers, Cyndee Gilmore, Choir
· Calley McCall, Cyndee Gilmore, Choir
· Shelby Cannon, Nancy Swick, Math
· Markell Carter, Crystal Bohrer, Child Development
· Riley Grosvenor, Crystal Bohrer, Child Development
· Juliet Choi, Amaris Breton, Spanish
· Don Cing, Susan Willliamson, Health Sciences
· Ethan Cole, Sarah Luttrell, Art
· Kaden Crone, Col. Williams, JROTC
· Connor David, Col. Williams, JROTC
· Haley Emerson, Samantha Anthony, Math
· Haley Emmett, Theresa Polkman, Elementary
· Emmalie Erlewine, Jamie Erlewine, Elementary
· Aubrey Fields, Nicole DenDekker, Way Med
· Samantha Gadsen, Michelle Henshaw WMS Health
· Wyatt Glaspell, Amy Nichols, Accounting
· Kimora Godwin, Kayla Atchison, WMS SGA
· Keegan Graves, Tate Brand, Chemistry
· Sheila Jones, Tate Brand, Chemistry
· Eve Smith, Tate Brand, Chemistry
· Carson Sutphin, Tate Brand, Chemistry
· Cheyenne McClain, Dawn Wilking, ELA & Journalism
· Remington Minard, Dawn Wilking, ELA & Journalism
· Braden Hays, Sara Wilking, Elementary
· Karlie Horne, Manuela Phinn, Elementary
· Kelise Johnson, Joshua Mize, Social Studies & SGA
· Hanuel Skorich, Kayla Mounts, Elementary
· Lauryn Lercher, Hilary Bales, Superintendent
· Kaydence Long, Charlotte Ray, WMS Track
· Laila Lyons, Bryant Murphy, SRO
· Hailey Melchiorre, Shannon Spray, French
· Alexis Meyer, Timothy Wallace, Video Production
· Madison Mulholland, Melanie Rogers, Volleyball Coach
· Imanuelle Navayra, Tricia Foster, ELA
· Ashlyn Osborn, Jared Webb, College Algebra
· Kalee Rhoades, Emily Barnes, Agricultural Science
· Elyssa Scarbrough, Couri Shepard, 7th grade ELA
· Addison Smith, Sarah Seibert, Science
· Ivy Smith, Nathan Boeh, Social Studies & Golf
· Elaine Wu, Nathan Boeh, Social Studies & Golf
· Ki Ventura, Melissa Jones, Spanish
· Kaitlyn Sullivan, Kevin Schnicker, Basketball Coach
Community conversation on preventing substance abuse is TONIGHT
Kym Laube spoke with students at Waynesville Middle School and Waynesville High School today, Friday, May 8, 2026, about preventing substance abuse and making healthy choices.
Parents, families and community members are strongly encouraged to attend a community presentation by Laube at 6 p.m. tonight in the Waynesville High School Auditorium. The event is free and open to the public.
With more than 30 years of experience working with youth and families, Laube is a member of the Tall Cop Says Stop team and serves as Executive Director of Human Understanding Growth Services. Her work focuses on helping young people and families prevent substance use through education, awareness and open communication.
During tonight’s presentation, Laube will discuss:
Strategies for preventing substance use
Ways to begin honest conversations with youth about drugs and alcohol
How families and communities can support young people in making healthy decisions
The event is hosted and sponsored by the Central Ozarks Medical Center (COMC).
#WaySchools
Waynesville High School celebrated Decision Day on Friday, May 1, 2026, with the Class of 2026 publicly sharing their career plans for after graduation, including college, career training and apprenticeships, military service and employment.
Classmates showed their support, cheering each other on as those plans were shared.
Decision Day is observed statewide on May 1, the date by which many high school seniors are asked to notify a college of their plans to enroll.
The Decision Day event is part of a broader effort to help rural students achieve
career success through rootEd Missouri, a statewide public-private partnership
among national organization rootEd Alliance, Ozarks Technical Community College,
the Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education, and the Missouri
Chamber of Commerce.
“Decision Day is an incredibly exciting opportunity for students across Missouri to celebrate their path to future success, whatever that path may be,” said Dr. Bennett Boggs, Commissioner of the Department of Higher Education and Workforce Development. “Some students will seek a postsecondary degree, some may join the military, some may seek out certificates, training or apprenticeship opportunities, and others may immediately enter the workforce. Success is not one-size-fits all, and we are excited to celebrate each student’s commitment to achieving their goals.”
About rootEd
Founded in 2018, rootEd Alliance is a national nonprofit that helps rural high school
students achieve career success and strengthens America’s skilled workforce. rootEd
places dedicated career advisors in rural high schools to support students in defining
and realizing their career goals, whether through a college degree, workforce
credentials, apprenticeship, or military service, while partnering with communities,
states, and employers to close talent gaps and drive rural economic prosperity.
#WaySchools #rootEd
Waynesville R-VI celebrated a milestone on May 1, 2026, as the district’s AVID program honored its first group of graduating seniors.
“It was an awesome evening with parents, AVID students and teachers,” said District AVID Director Kym McCall. “The students had the opportunity to address the audience by talking about the program and how it had helped them.”
During the event, students took part in a Q&A session, answering questions from the audience about college planning, scholarships, and the personal strengths they developed through AVID.
In addition to receiving senior gift baskets filled with AVID supplies for college, three students —Gavin Randall, Justice Thao, Felisiah Myer — were each awarded a $500 scholarship from the Olney Family Endowment Waynesville R-VI School Foundation Fund. This community-supported fund will provide an AVID scholarship to a student each year.
“We also talked about AVID and the increase in enrollment next year for middle school and freshman classes,” McCall said.
AVID began in the Waynesville R-VI School District in August 2022. This year’s graduates are the first cohort to complete the program, and they will have the opportunity to return in the future as AVID tutors.
About AVID
Advancement Via Individual Determination (AVID) is a comprehensive program for grades 6–12 that bridges the gap between students’ aspirations and their readiness for college and careers. It uses research-based strategies—focusing on WICOR (writing, inquiry, collaboration, organization and reading)—to accelerate student learning and support them in rigorous coursework. AVID elective classes provide mentoring, study skills, tutoring and college preparation.
Graduation for Class of 2026 to be broadcast live
Waynesville High School’s Graduation for the Class of 2026 will be held at 7:30 p.m. Friday, May 15, 2026. A ticket is required to enter graduation – either inside or outside.
Waynesville Career Center video production students will provide live coverage of the event on:
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/share/18EPepoXAs/
• Youtube: https://youtube.com/live/PEJYf3x7ohM?feature=share
If any technical difficulties occur during the broadcast, please note that the video of graduation will be posted to YouTube after it concludes.
Ticket information
Tickets are required to attend the graduation ceremony in person. Graduates will be issued their tickets following Passing of the Torch on Thursday, May 14.
• Inside graduation: If graduation is held inside, then each graduate will have five orange tickets to give to their guests. Only those with orange tickets will be able to attend inside graduation.
• Outside graduation: If graduation is held outside, each graduate will have a total of eight black tickets for outside graduation. Only those with black tickets will be able to attend outside graduation.
• All individuals age 2 and up will need a ticket for graduation.
• Individuals may opt to watch the live broadcast in the WHS Auditorium. A ticket is not needed for the auditorium; however, seating is on a first-come, first-served basis.
Parking lot opens at 5:30 p.m.
The WHS parking lot will open at 5:30 p.m. Gates and/or doors will open at 6 p.m. WHS graduating seniors are encouraged to park at the Waynesville Career Center to allow their guests to park closer to the stadium. No parking is allowed along G.W. Lane Street.
Seniors should arrive at 6 p.m.
Graduating seniors should arrive on or before 6 p.m. for their ceremony. They will enter WHS through the main entrance, go to the cafeteria and be directed to their designated waiting area.
Cap and Gown/Graduation Photos:
Wagner Portrait Group will photograph individual graduate portraits and ceremony candids. Electronic image proofs will be sent directly to the graduate via email and text within 48-72 hours after the ceremony. To view and order online, go to https://WagnerPortraitGroup.com/Graduation.
Kindergarten Enrollment is OPEN!!
Kindergarten enrollment for new kindergarten students for the 2026-27 school year is now open at https://www.waynesville.k12.mo.us/page/welcome-to-kindergarten.
Additional helpful information:
· Enrollment documents needed to register a kindergartner ( Please copy and paste this entire link into your browser if the link at left does not work for you: lhttps://files-backend.assets.thrillshare.com/documents/asset/uploaded_file/4597/Wrv/94cc5cf0-8f92-467e-aa58-7bd8a6654464/Enrollment_documents.pdf?disposition=inline )
· Enrollment link (Please copy and paste this entire link into your browser if the link at left does not work for you: https://enrollment.powerschool.com/family/Login?ReturnUrl=http%3A%2F%2Fenrollment.powerschool.com%2Ffamily%2Fdirectaction&AutoLogOut=False )
· Step by step instructions. (Please copy and paste this entire link into your browser if the link at left does not work for you: https://files-backend.assets.thrillshare.com/documents/asset/uploaded_file/4597/Wrv/20f82ab0-c0b0-42a6-8527-f7b79365f4c0/enrollment_step_by_step_instructions.pdf?disposition=inline )
To be eligible to attend kindergarten, a student must be age 5 before Aug. 1, 2026. According to Missouri law, a child is eligible for admission to kindergarten if the child reaches the age of 5 prior to Aug. 1, 2026, or if the child is a military dependent who has successfully completed a state-accredited pre-kindergarten program or has attended a state-accredited kindergarten program in another state. Please note there are no exceptions made to this state law.
***NOTE: If your child currently attends preschool at Williams Early Childhood, Parker Educational Center, Pick Educational Center or Freedom and they are going into Kindergarten next school year 2026-2027, you DO NOT need to do a "new student" enrollment, but you will need to fill out the returning registration forms. During the summer you will receive an email from PowerSchool to complete these forms for all of your children enrolled in our school district.
For more information, please contact Student Services at 573-842-2092 or studentservices@waynesville.k12.mo.us.
#WaySchools #TeacherProudTuesday
