
The 9th Annual Rick Vernon Homecoming Player of the Game Award went to senior Jackson Sheehan for his efforts during the varsity Homecoming football game on Oct. 2, 2026. This tradition pays tribute to Vernon, who served as the Tiger head football coach for 33 seasons.

· 1st place: Waynesville Sixth Grade Center
· 2nd place: Thayer Elementary
· 3rd place: East Elementary



More photos from Showcase Waynesville Schools will be forthcoming.
#WaySchools









You help create clean, safe and welcoming spaces where our students can learn and our staff can do their best work.
Thank you for everything you do for our students, staff and schools. We appreciate you more than words can say! 🧡🖤

Homecoming Queen Candidates:
Emily Babcock
Danica Leet
Brooklyn Lercher
Juliet Piper
Homecoming King Candidates:
Brody Andersson
Harley Atchison
MJ Greene
RJ Peace

Mr. Steve enjoyed reading with children and visiting with their parents. He regularly arrived early to help set up and stayed late to help pack up. In recognition of his dedication, kindness and willingness to serve the community, Tiger Bookmobile librarians also named Mr. Steve an Honorary Bookmobile Librarian during the Sept. 28, 2026, Waynesville R-VI Board of Education meeting.
Pictured are Kristin Ross, Cassie Wilson, Jennifer Henson, Steve Goodskyhertig, Kennedy Beauchamp, Mike Henson and Superintendent Hilary Bales.


Students to showcase their talents on Oct. 1;
4 to be inducted into Wall of Leaders
The Waynesville R-VI School District Foundation will host Showcase Waynesville Schools from 5:30 to 7 p.m. on Thursday, Oct. 1, 2026, at Waynesville High School. Following the performances, two alumni and two educators will be inducted into the Wall of Leaders.
“We invite families and community members to come celebrate the creativity and talent of our students through their artwork and live performances,” said Foundation President Cheryl Vernon.
From 5:30 to 6 p.m. student art pieces will be on display, along with art and robotics demonstrations. At 6 p.m. students will take the stage for dance, instrumental and choral performances, along with a Waynesville JROTC exhibition.
During the performances, the individuals who will later be inducted into the Wall of Leaders will be introduced. The formal induction ceremony of Brad and Arita Bohannan in the Lifetime Achievement – Alumni category and Dwight Hensley and David Lawson as Outstanding Educational Professionals will begin at 7:15 p.m. in front of the Wall of Leaders, which is located directly behind the bronze tiger statue.
This year’s Showcase Waynesville Schools is free and open to the public.
Schedule at a glance
5:30 to 6 p.m. WHS 1st Floor
-- Guests will view student artwork and students will demonstrate their artistic and robotic skills on the first floor fine arts wing of WHS.
6 to 7 p.m. WHS Auditorium
-- Waynesville R-VI students will perform dance, musical and choral numbers in the WHS Auditorium.
7:15 p.m. WHS Bronze Tiger
-- Close friends, family members and community leaders are invited to stay for the formal Induction ceremony into the Wall of Leaders. Brad and Arita Bohannan will be recognized in the Lifetime Achievement – Alumni category and Dwight Hensley and David Lawson will be honored as Outstanding Educational Professionals.










Seven (with asterisks below) were selected for the choir and are eligible to advance to audition for the Missouri All-State Choir.
“We are incredibly proud of every student who stepped forward, prepared and shared their talent at auditions,” said WHS Choir Director Cydnee Gilmore. “Seventeen schools participated in auditions, making this accomplishment even more impressive.”
The WHS students who auditioned are as follows:
Atchison, Harley
BaIlly, Emma*
Blunt, Anastasia*
Calhoun, Cyrus*
Diaz, Isabel*
Green, Victoria
Harlow-Hernandez, Lyric
Hicks, Benjamin
Moynihan, Eulalia
Romans, Alex
Romero, LilyAna*
Scobee, Morgan*
Simram, Sainisha*
Telebrisco, Joe

Learn more about our afterschool programs at https://www.waynesville.k12.mo.us/page/afterschool-programs
Band photo by Waynesville High School student.
#LeadingTheWay #CSIP #StrategicPlan #WaySchools

Graduation rate: 96.9%
Total meals served in 2025-26: 1,166,688
More than 75 clubs and sports
1,000 teachers, faculty and staff
6,052 students in PreK-12
#PublicSchools #DistrictByTheNumbers #WaySchools

The Waynesville R-VI strategic plan is centered on four priorities that guide our work from 2026–2031. The Comprehensive School Improvement Plan was developed through a collaboration of community members, students, staff, teachers, parents, volunteers and administrators.
Together, these priorities focus on:
Student Success, Well-Being & Safety
Quality Staffing, Retention & Wellness
Facilities, Safety, Resources & Technology
Community Engagement & Communication
Our District's Mission
Leading the Way, Every Day
Inspiring students to learn, lead, and leave a lasting impact on their communities.
Our District's Vision
Waynesville R-VI will become a school community where students are empowered to lead with integrity, serve, and make a meaningful difference in the world.






Brad and Arita Bohannan, Dwight Hensley and David Lawson will be inducted into the Waynesville R-VI School District’s Wall of Leaders on Thursday, Oct. 1, 2026, during Showcase Waynesville Schools at Waynesville High School. The event is free and open to the public.
Brad and Arita Bohannan will be recognized in the Lifetime Achievement – Alumni category, while Hensley and Lawson will be honored as Outstanding Educational Professionals.
The induction ceremony is expected to begin at approximately 7:15 p.m. at the Wall of Leaders, located just inside the main entrance of Waynesville High School behind the bronze tiger statue.
The Wall of Leaders program is overseen by the Waynesville R-VI School District Foundation, led by Foundation President Cheryl Vernon.
Showcase Waynesville Schools at a glance:
5:30 p.m. — Art and robotics demonstrations, WHS first floor
6 p.m. — Student performances, WHS Auditorium
7:15 p.m. — Wall of Leaders induction ceremony, bronze tiger
The bios of the inductees follow:
LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT – ALUMNI: BRAD AND ARITA BOHANNAN
While alumni Brad ’90 and Arita (Lipps) ’92 Bohannan have achieved remarkable professional success, their philanthropy and public service may be their greatest legacy. Brad’s career as an entrepreneur spans hospitality, entertainment, real estate, award-winning music publishing and media. Arita is an attorney, business owner and author who has founded a legal mediation clinic and serves as a parish councilwoman focused on economic development. Together, they have generously supported causes in New Orleans and Waynesville, including inclusive playgrounds, family services, nonprofit organizations and small businesses. They have leveraged their visionary leadership, creativity and strong work to open doors for others, support families and create places where everyone belongs. Inducted 2026.
OUTSTANDING EDUCATIONAL PROFESSIONAL: DAVID LAWSON
David Lawson has devoted decades to serving Waynesville R-VI students through music, leadership and volunteerism. In 1985, he began his career in Waynesville R-VI as a music teacher and became known as an exceptional pianist. In 1987, he became principal at Pershing Elementary and later served as principal at East Elementary until retiring in 2004. As an administrator, he was respected for his professionalism, positive leadership, a commitment to excellence and genuine care for students, staff and families. Since his retirement, he continues to support Waynesville’s music programs, accompanying students for district and state contests, rehearsals, musicals and performances. Although he no longer lives in the community, he still returns to share his musical talents and leave a lasting impact on generations of students and staff. Inducted 2026.
OUTSTANDING EDUCATIONAL PROFESSIONAL: DWIGHT HENSLEY
Dwight Hensley, a 1951 WHS graduate, devoted nearly two decades serving Waynesville R-VI, as WHS assistant principal (1980) and principal (1981), then assistant superintendent of personnel services before he retired in 1999. A beloved and respected leader, he was known for high expectations, compassion, humor and genuine care for the people he served. His guidance to staff was memorable: be “fair, firm and consistent.” Proud of his hometown and its schools, he championed opportunities for students to succeed in academics and activities. He was also a member of the 1951 Waynesville High School basketball team that finished as the MSHSAA Class B state runner-up. Colleagues remember him as an encouraging mentor, a strong advocate for students and staff, and a leader whose influence reached far beyond the school walls. Inducted 2026.


