Emily Babcock, a sophomore at Waynesville High School, has been named the WHS Rotary Student of the Month for April 2025. She was recognized at the Rotary Club of Pulaski County meeting on April 8, 2025. Her parents are Vanessa and Robert Velasquez.
Babcock was chosen to represent the words personal courage and accountability. Her nominator stated, “Emily is definitely a student who displays accountability. She is always on time, retains a positive attitude and is a stellar student. In fact, she always has her assignments completed well in advance of their due dates. Emily is someone who always does the right thing even when no one is looking. Emily is going to do great things!'
Babcock is an outstanding student that carries a 3.88 grade point average, ranking in the top 11% of her class, and has a 98.52% attendance rate. She is on the wrestling team and a member of the Powerlifting Club. She was 1 of 3 students chosen to be a part of the Youth Leadership Forum on Fort Leonard Wood and is a member of our Comprehensive School Improvement Plan committee. Upon graduation, Babcock plans to work in the medical field. #wayschools
Officer David Gomez – a nationally renowned speaker – wants the community to know how to protect children from becoming victims online.
Gomez will speak at 6 p.m. Monday, April 14, 2025, in the Waynesville High School Auditorium.
This event is free of charge, open to the public and is being sponsored by:
· Pulaski County Opioid Committee
· City of Waynesville
· Four Rivers Community Health Center
· Waynesville RV-I Foundation
Gomez will share what he has learned as a law enforcement officer who has operated multiple undercover social media accounts to arrest predators and track down missing children. He will also speak about the dangers of social media, normalization of drugs in social media, and the influence of drugs and alcohol on the youth population.
You can find Gomez educating others on YouTube, giving a Ted Talk, positively influencing youth in his hometown, and traveling the country helping youth (and parents) make better choices about digital devices and drugs and alcohol.
USO volunteers, Kelly Brownfield of the USO, and St. Robert Culver’s Owner Shawn Morris helped serve custard sundaes at the Waynesville Career Center on Monday, April 7, 2025, in celebration of April being the Month of the Military Child.
Each year the USO Missouri partners with Culver’s to give away custard sundaes to students and staff in Waynesville R-VI School schools in celebration of the Month of the Military Child. About 60 to 70 percent of all Waynesville R-VI students are military impacted.
Students at Thayer Elementary received a special treat – custard sundaes courtesy of the USO and Culvers, on Monday, April 7, 2025, in celebration of April being the Month of the Military Child.
In addition to USO volunteers and staff, Brig. Gen. Bradley Leonard, Army Maneuver Support Center of Excellence and Fort Leonard Wood Deputy Commanding General, helped welcome students to show his support for April being the Month of the Military Child.
In just the first day of their deliveries to Waynesville R-VI students and staff, Kelly Brownfield of the USO, the USO volunteers and Culver’s of St. Robert served more than 2,000 sundaes.
Waynesville High School students and staff received Culver’s custard sundaes, courtesy of the USO and Culvers, on Monday, April 7, 2025, in celebration of April being the Month of the Military Child.
In addition, Major General Christopher G. Beck, Commanding General of the Army Maneuver Support Center of Excellence and Fort Leonard Wood, Command Sgt. Maj. Jorge Arzabala, Maneuver Support Center of Excellence and Fort Leonard Wood Command Sergeant Major, and Superintendent Hilary Bales helped welcome students to the cafeteria and show support for April being the Month of the Military Child.
St. Robert Culver’s Owner Shawn Morris helped serve the sundaes, as well Area Operations Manager Megan Kidd (of the USO of Kansas and Missouri) and Center Operations Manager Kelly Brownfield (Fort Leonard Wood USO), USO staff members and USO volunteers.
Each year the USO Missouri partners with Culver’s to give away custard sundaes to all students and staff in Waynesville R-VI School schools in celebration of the Month of the Military Child. About 60 to 70 percent of all Waynesville R-VI students are military impacted.
#WaySchools #USO #MonthOfTheMilitaryChild #PurpleUp
From our Athletics Office:
Several athletic events/contests for Friday, April 4, and Saturday, April 5, are cancelled. This includes the following:
- Lebanon Track & Field Cancelled 4/4
- Girls Soccer at Parkview SW Shootout Cancelled 4/4-4/5
- W.I.N. (6th-8th grade) Flag Football Cancelled 5/5
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Additionally, activity buses will not run tonight, 4/4.
There will be no Middle School Practices, 4/4.
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Only WHS baseball will practice at the high school until 4:45 p.m. 4/4
Two Waynesville High School senior athletes have officially committed to competing in Track and Field at the collegiate level. Lenayah Thomas has signed with Kentucky State University, while Madison Roberts will join Quincy University. The signing ceremony took place at Waynesville High School on Wednesday, April 2, 2025. #wayschools
Chris Gamello visited Waynesville Middle School during Tiger Time to talk with students about having a career in public broadcasting on April 1, 2025.
In addition to sharing his educational journey, Gamello encouraged students to work on their word pronunciation now since it can help them in a future career and in public speaking.
This is what students said about his presentation:
“His profession does interest me since he got to watch many different types of sports”.(Rayven)
“He talked about why he does the things that he loves. It’s important to do what you like so you can enjoy life more. His career would interest me because I like to talk”. (Brianna S.). #wayschools
Snack in a Pack will host a fundraiser at Buffalo Wild Wings on April 7, 2025, with 20% of the total billing being donated to Snack in a Pack. Present the fundraiser ticket physically or digitally to your server. (Not valid on web or third-party delivery orders).
About Snack in a Pack
Snack in a Pack (SIAP) is a 100% donation-driven program that relies on the generosity of its partners, donors and community volunteers to continue its mission to feed hungry children and improve educational success.
Making a donation to Snack in a Pack:
• Donations may be made online through MySchoolBucks at https://www.myschoolbucks.com/ver2/stores/catalog/getproduct?productKey=ZZJNGFJ7X20WNYU&OPTZZJNGFJ7X20WNYU=ZZJNGFJ7XH0WSFK
• Donations also may be mailed to:
Snack in a Pack
Community Resource Office
12225 Pulaski Ave, Bldg. 8041
Fort Leonard Wood, MO 65473
Waynesville R-VI Superintendent Hilary Bales joined community leaders on March 31, 2025, at the Pulaski County Courthouse for the proclamation kicking off Child Abuse Awareness Month. The event was hosted by CASA of South Central Missouri, which provides advocacy for abused and neglected children.
Officer David Gomez – a nationally renowned speaker – wants the community to know how to protect children from becoming victims online.
Gomez will speak at 6 p.m. Monday, April 14, 2025, in the Waynesville High School Auditorium.
This event is free of charge, open to the public and is being sponsored by:
• Pulaski County Opioid Committee
• City of Waynesville
• Four Rivers Community Health Center
• Waynesville R-VI Foundation
Gomez will share what he has learned as a law enforcement officer who has operated multiple undercover social media accounts to arrest predators and track down missing children. He will also speak about the dangers of social media, normalization of drugs in social media, and the influence of drugs and alcohol on the youth population.
You can find Gomez educating others on YouTube, giving a Ted Talk, positively influencing youth in his hometown, and traveling the country helping youth (and parents) make better choices about digital devices and drugs and alcohol.
Current 5th and 6th Grade Boys Basketball Development & 3 vs. 3 Camp
April 14, 21, and 28
Register here: https://forms.gle/QdMvbknUgH9Wg828A
Camp will begin at 6:00 PM and end at 7:30 PM at the Waynesville High School Gym (enter at the gym entrance).
The cost is $30 per participant.
Payment should be made at My School Bucks https://www.msbtickets.com/Athletics/event/tom4zlcj
Our Camp will consist of individual & direct instruction along with 3 vs. 3 competition.
Parents/guardians will need to drop off their camper(s) at the Waynesville High School Main Gym entrance by 5:50 PM and pick their camper up no later than 7:40 PM.
Camp will be led by Waynesville Basketball coaches and players.
Any questions please contact Head Basketball Coach Anthony Caruso acaruso@waynesville.k12.mo.us or Athletic Director Cory Ace - cace@waynesville.k12.mo.us
Officer David Gomez – a nationally renowned speaker – wants the community to know how to protect children from becoming victims online.
Gomez will speak at 6 p.m. Monday, April 14, 2025, in the Waynesville High School Auditorium.
This event is free of charge, open to the public and is being sponsored by:
• Pulaski County Opioid Committee
• City of Waynesville
• Four Rivers Community Health Center
• Waynesville RV-I Foundation
Gomez will share what he has learned as a law enforcement officer who has operated multiple undercover social media accounts to arrest predators and track down missing children. He will also speak about the dangers of social media, normalization of drugs in social media, and the influence of drugs and alcohol on the youth population.
You can find Gomez educating others on YouTube, giving a Ted Talk, positively influencing youth in his hometown, and traveling the country helping youth (and parents) make better choices about digital devices and drugs and alcohol.
Braylin Scott, a senior at Waynesville High School, has signed to play football at William Woods University. His signing was held at WHS on Wednesday, March 26, 2025. #wayschools
Hall recognized as District's Teacher of the Year
Sam Hall was recognized with a standing ovation from the audience for being named the 2024-2025 Waynesville R-VI School District Teacher of the Year on March 24, 2025, during the Board of Education meeting. Courtney Long, executive director–secondary, and Mike Henson, executive director-elementary, presented Hall with a plaque.
Hall is the teacher for the Missouri Options program at Waynesville High School.
A retired Marine, Hall has taught in the district for 8 years. He has been responsible for approximately 70 students graduating from WHS in the past three and a half years. He works with students preparing them for the Hi-Set assessments and helping to make sure they meet all graduation requirements.
The District Professional Development Committee designed and implemented the selection process. Hall will represent Waynesville in the Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education's Regional Teacher of the Year process over the summer. The regional winner will represent the region in the Missouri Teacher of the Year process.
Dr. Jamie Goforth, assistant superintendent of personnel services, presented the Community Recognition Plaque to the Military Police Regimental Association on March 24, 2025, during the Waynesville R-VI Board of Education meeting. MPRA was recognized for their support of the district, including their generous monetary donation to the Snack in a Pack program. #wayschools
Bailey Poncia, a 7th grade math teacher at Waynesville Middle School, was recognized for being selected as one of Missouri's Outstanding Beginning Teachers for 2024-2025 by her educator preparation program at Missouri University of Science and Technology. She was presented with a certificate by Courtney Long, executive director–secondary during the Waynesville R-VI Board of Education meeting on March 24, 2025. #wayschools
Fourteen Thespian students were recognized for receiving Excellent and Superior ratings at the Missouri State Thespian Competition during the Waynesville R-VI Board of Education meeting on March 24, 2025. The following Waynesville High School students were recognized by Courtney Long, executive director–secondary:
• Alexandra Kelley - Excellent rating, Scenic Design
• Josie Andreasen and Hailey Sansom - Excellent rating, Hair & Makeup Design
• Hailey Sansom - Excellent rating, Stage Management
• Eli Prather and Maleah Johnson - Excellent rating, Acting Duo
• Madi Waugh, Natalie Lockwood, Montara Owens and Payton Rushing - Excellent rating, Acting
• Aeris (Liam) Kim competed - Excellent rating, Acting Monologue
• Mycha Humphrey - Excellent rating, Costume Construction
• Teegean Duke and Addison Bowling - Excellent rating, Musical Theatre Duet Solo
• Citlali Arzabala - Superior rating, Musical Theatre Solo Performance
St. Robert Alderman John Moore who also serves as Mayor Pro Tem visited the Waynesville Middle School during Tiger Time to talk to students about his career on March 25, 2025. Moore shared with students his educational journey, encouraging students to stay in school and pursue an education.
This is what our students had to say about the presentation:
“Give back and help the community and don’t drop out of school cause it will make your life harder. I think it is important because if you don’t focus on your education, it will be harder to continue it later on” (Kelsey H).
“Follow your dreams. Don’t quit school and become what you want. Wear your seatbelt. Don’t quit school!” (Nicole J).
“Stay in school and enjoy life. It’s important for education and just life in general” (Brianna S.)
March is School Board Recognition Month in Missouri and the Waynesville R-VI Board of Education members were recognized on Monday, March 24, 2025, for their dedicated service. Pictured in front are President Janel Rowell, Vice President Rick Harne, Secretary Andy Anderson and Treasurer Charles Quinn; in the back row are members Mike Keeling, Layne Lercher Aaron Pondrom and Superintendent Hilary Bales. #wayschools
