Waynesville R-VI School District

Nineteen Waynesville High School students auditioned and were selected for the Central District Concert and Jazz Bands and are now eligible to audition for the Missouri All-State Band. These students played prepared etudes and scales in front of judges composed of music educators from around the district on Oct. 8, 2024, at Rolla High School. The district concert band students will have a clinic and concert at Waynesville High School on Nov. 2. They will rehearse all day and put on a free concert at 6 p.m. in the WHS Auditorium. The district jazz band students will have a clinic and concert on Jan. 11, 2025, at Jefferson City High School with the concert beginning at 6 p.m. The WHS students who were selected are ranked in chair order within their sections: Central District Jazz Band MacKenzie Colgan: Alto Saxophone, 2nd Chair Jade Anderson: Alto Saxophone, 1st Alternate Zoey Heacock: Alto Saxophone, 2nd Alternate Seth Steuck: Tenor Saxophone, 1st Chair Dylan Liegey: Trumpet, 5th Chair Kayden Wass: Trombone, 1st Chair Aaron Gonzalez: Bass Guitar, 2nd Alternate Central District Concert Band Emma Smith: Flute, 1st Alternate Sophia Wagasky: Oboe, 1st Chair MacKenzie Colgan: Clarinet, 4th Chair Jayla Courtney: Bass Clarinet, 1st Chair Seth Steuck: Alto Saxophone, 1st Chair Aliyah Bowers: Alto Saxophone, 2nd Chair Jade Anderson: Alto Saxophone, 5th Chair Andre Dunz: Tenor Saxophone, 2nd Chair Connor Long: Trumpet, 2nd Chair Dylan Liegey: Trumpet, 3rd Chair Juliet Piper: Trumpet, 7th Chair Savannah Nelson: Trumpet, 11th Chair Kayden Wass: Trombone, 1st Chair Kaden Crone: Trombone, 2nd Chair Landon Boswell: Tuba, 3rd Chair Harley Atchison: General Percussion, 4th Chair Jackson Gasek: Timpani, 1st Alternate Not Pictured- Jade Anderson, Aliyah Bowers, Aaron Gonzalez. We wish these students the best of luck at the Missouri State Band Auditions held on Dec. 7th 2024 at Hickman HS in Columbia, MO.

Dylan Pelkey, a junior at Waynesville High School, was named the WHS Rotary Student of the Month for October 2024. His parents are Jeremy and Rebecca Pelkey. He was selected for representing the words duty and teamwork. Pelkey's nominator stated, “Dylan is a great teammate when placed into groups for class. He ensures that everyone is on the same page and helps others when they may be struggling. I know I can rely on him to be a team leader, both vocally and by example.” Pelkey is an outstanding student who carries a 3.89 GPA, ranking in the top 10% of his class, and has a 97.72% attendance rate for all three years of high school. Pelkey is on the swim team and is the pitcher for the baseball team. Upon graduation, Pelkey plans to attend Mizzou and become a livestock veterinarian. #wayschools

Waynesville High School varsity tennis team members celebrated senior night last night, Oct. 7, 2024, honoring Faith Valdes before their last home match against Rolla. The team will compete in districts on Oct. 10, 2024. #wayschools

An ambulance was dispatched to Waynesville High School at approximately 10:30 a.m. today (Oct. 8, 2024) to treat an individual student with a medical condition. The individual’s parents/guardians have been notified and the child is being transported to a hospital for further medical evaluation and treatment. #wayschools

Waynesville R-VI elementary students who are eligible to participate in Special Olympics were invited to participate in a Kids Fishing Day at Maramec Spring State Park on Oct. 4, 2024. Students toured the museum and the fish hatchery and learned about fishing safety from Missouri Department of Conservation agents. Students also had the opportunity to fish at the springs. #wayschools

This month's #TeacherProud Tuesday shout-out goes to Chelsea Lane, a teacher at Wood Elementary. Her nominator said, "Chelsea goes above and beyond to create relationships with her students that help her create a safe and engaging learning environment. She goes beyond the curriculum and teaches them responsibility and life skills that they will need as they continue on through their life and educational careers. She is also always there to support her co-workers however and whenever needed in her building." #TeacherProudTuesday To nominate a Waynesville R-VI teacher for Teacher Proud Tuesday, please complete the form at https://forms.gle/CGYYJiuAvyvSwQhs6.

Waynesville R-VI School District and Activities Department and Hall of Fame Committee have announced the 2nd Class of the Waynesville Athletic and Activities Hall of Fame Inductees. The 2024-25 inductees are... The 1985 Waynesville Tiger Boys Basketball Team for their final four finish. Dan Pippin for his outstanding basketball accomplishments as a Waynesville and Mizzou Tiger and captaining the 1952 men’s U.S. Olympic team. Larry "LJ" Fort for his success as both a Tiger football member, his collegiate accomplishments and his career as a National Football League player. Cheryl Vernon for her commitment and leadership as a Waynesville cheer coach. They will be recognized on Dec. 20 at the Route 66 Shootout in the Waynesville High School Gym. The Waynesville Activities & Athletic Hall of Fame serves as a means of recognizing, preserving and honoring individuals or groups, living and deceased, who made significant contributions to the athletic/activities programs, are worthy of recognition and are examples for others to emulate. #wayschools

Waynesville JROTC and the 1st Engineer Brigade, Fort Leonard Wood, hosted the 9th Annual Raider Challenge Competition on Fort Leonard Wood, on Saturday, Oct. 5, 2024. Waynesville R-VI Superintendent Hilary Bales and Raider alumni helped cheer on the Waynesville team. Waynesville’s Black Team finished 3rd overall in a field of 30 teams from across the Midwest. The winner was Blue Springs South High School. Waynesville’s results are as follows: 2nd Place - Cross County Litter Carry 3rd Place - 1 Rope Bridge 4th Place - Physical Endurance Obstacle Course 6th Place - Physical Team Test 7th Place - 5k Run The next event is at Smith Cotton in Sedalia, on Oct 12, 2024. Army Raider Nationals is Oct. 24-27 at Fort Knox, Ky. #wayschools

Winter Sports information is attached below. For more information please contact our Athletic Department at 573-842-2450. #wayschools

Waynesville High School hosted a College and Career Fair on Oct. 7, 2024, for juniors and seniors. This event provided students with the opportunity to engage with representatives from various colleges and businesses, allowing them to gather important information about potential career paths and educational opportunities. #wayschools

The Waynesville High School boys soccer team hosted Youth Soccer Night on Thursday, Sept. 26, 2024, at Anderson Field near East Elementary on State Road F in Waynesville. Each varsity and JV player walked out with a youth player to be recognized during the announcement of the starting lineup. During halftime of the JV game, the varsity athletes participated in a scrimmage with youth players. The Willard Tigers won the game 2 to 0. The next home boys soccer game will be on Monday, Oct. 7, against the Camdenton Lakers. #wayschools

The seventh annual Rick Vernon Homecoming Player of the Game Award went to senior Michael Kelsey Jr. for his efforts during the varsity Homecoming football game on Sept. 27, 2024.

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For Homecoming, the Waynesville Tigers took on the Ozark Tigers on Friday, Sept. 27, 2024, in varsity football with the final score 19 to 27. The Waynesville JROTC Color Guard presented the Colors before the game. During halftime, nearly 80 members of the cheer team, WHS guard and dance team presented a Disney-inspired collaborative performance on the field.

Thank you to those that joined us for the Community Pride Night on Friday, Sept. 27, 2024. Your enthusiasm and support, along with the generosity of our Waynesville/St. Robert Chamber of Commerce members, highlighted our local tiger spirit. #wayschools

The Waynesville Tiger Pride Marching Band performed their halftime show, “RadioActive” on Friday, Sept. 27, 2024, during halftime of the varsity football game. The selections included “Natural” by Imagine Dragons, “A Million Dreams” from The Greatest Showman and “RadioActive” by Imagine Dragons. The band’s first competition will be Saturday, Oct. 5, at the Valhalla Marching Festival at Parkview High School in Springfield. The band is under the direction of Jared Sabatasso, Nathan Gargus, Chance Inman and Andrew Tiefenbrunn. The Color Guard is under the direction of Bailey Poncia. #wayschools

The newest inductees into the Wall of Leaders or their family members were recognized during halftime of the varsity Homecoming football game on Sept. 27, 2024. They are the late William C. Anderson Jr. and Jim Bales who were named Lifetime Achievement - Alumni Award recipients and Erwin “Erv” Morriss and Lula Mae “Luge” Hardman who were named Outstanding Educational Professionals. Pictured on the track are Dr. Monica Fulton representing the late William C. Anderson and Luge Hardman. Perimeter Behavioral won 1st place in the Homecoming Business Window Decorating Contest and was recognized during halftime of the varsity Homecoming football game on Sept. 27, 2024. In the district float competition, Waynesville Sixth Grade Center took 1st place, Freedom Elementary took 2nd place and Thayer Elementary took 3rd place. In the high school parade category, Theatre and Thespian Troupe 1669 took 1st place, the senior class took 2nd and the junior class took 3rd.

During the stage portion of Showcase Waynesville Schools, the following performed: Waynesville High School Jazz Band, WMS and WHS Steel Drums, Seth Steuck, David Lawson, VOICES Honor Choir, Landon Boswell, WHS Chamber Choir, WHS Dance Team Rhythm Nation, Destination Dance and Kayte Dye. Austin Lujan led the Pledge of Allegiance, Waynesville JROTC presented the Colors and light refreshments were prepared by the Waynesville Career Center culinary arts students. The welcome was provided by Foundation President Cheryl Vernon and the emcees were Haylee Fort, Mackenzie Workman and Mike Dunbar. Video bios were presented of the four inductees into the Wall of Leaders: William Anderson Jr. , Jim Bales, Luge Hardman and Erv Morriss. A special thanks goes to WHS Theatre Department for their assistance.

Waynesville Superintendent Hilary Bales praised the Perimeter Center’s staff members for providing an in-person education at the center and for going above and beyond to meet their students' needs.

Four individuals were inducted into the Wall of Leaders on Thursday, Sept. 26, 2024, during Showcase Waynesville Schools. They are as follows: the late William C. Anderson Jr. and Jim Bales as Lifetime Achievement - Alumni award winners and Erwin “Erv” Morriss and Lula Mae “Luge” Hardman as Outstanding Educational Professionals. The Honorable Colin Long served as the emcee and Foundation President Cheryl Vernon provided a welcome and closing remarks. Waynesville Career Center students provided appetizers and the Waynesville Career Center’s floral arrangement class designed the flowers. Speaking on behalf of William C. Anderson Jr. were family members Dr. Monica Fulton and Bill Anderson. Speaking on behalf of Jim Bales was his wife Charlas Bales. Luge Hardman spoke and then Melissa Vernon spoke on behalf of her grandfather, Erv Morriss. Their plaques will hang on the Wall of Leaders, which is located at the main entrance to Waynesville High School. The plaques state as follows: LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT – ALUMNI William C. Anderson Jr. William C. Anderson Jr., a 1937 Waynesville High School graduate, served in the Citizen Military Training Camp and Civilian Conservation Corps before enlisting in the 406th Infantry of the U.S. Army Reserve Corps in 1940. He was Provost Marshall at Camp Bullis, TX, and later served under Gen. MacArthur at Ft. McKinley, PI. In 1942, CPT Anderson was captured during the Battle of Bataan, enduring the “Bataan Death March” and POW camps until 1945. He died aboard a Japanese transport ship on January 20, 1945, and is buried at sea. His legacy lives on through the Distinguished Service Cross and, posthumously, the Bronze Star for his heroism. The WHS soccer field and American Legion Post 331 in St. Robert honor him. In 2024, William C. Anderson Jr. is posthumously honored with the Lifetime Achievement - Alumni Award LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT – ALUMNI Jim Bales Jim Bales (1941-2024) graduated in 1960 and served in the Missouri National Guard. An entrepreneur, he joined the family business, Bales Construction, building subdivisions, commercial properties, churches and schools. He served the Waynesville R-VI Board of Education for several years, including as president. He attended Tiger basketball games throughout his lifetime – a sport he loved playing at WHS. His passion for the building trades was especially evident as he awarded the Les and Lenora Bales Scholarship to Waynesville Career Center students for many years. He loved his family, classic cars, horses, school, community, and God with passion and affection. Known as a role model and for his quiet generosity, he was a member of Faith Baptist Church. Jim Bales is honored with the 2024 Lifetime Achievement - Alumni Award. OUTSTANDING EDUCATIONAL PROFESSIONAL Erwin “Erv” Morriss Erwin “Erv” Morriss spent 39 years in education with 31 of those years in the Waynesville R-VI School District, serving as an assistant principal, high school principal, assistant superintendent and superintendent until he retired in 2000. His vision was to provide the best for every student—the best teachers, administrators and facilities. He encouraged teachers, mentored aspiring administrators and championed new facilities. He was president of the National Association of Military Impacted Schools and a member of the Community Teachers Association, Missouri State Teachers Organization, Missouri Association of Secondary Principals, Missouri Association of School Administrators, Lion’s Club, Sojourners Club and Waypoint United Methodist Church. Erv Morriss is honored as the 2024 Outstanding Educational Professional. OUTSTANDING EDUCATIONAL PROFESSIONAL Lula Mae “Luge” Hardman Lula Mae “Luge” Hardman spent 30 years teaching in the Waynesville R-VI School District, retiring in 2001 at Waynesville High School. She developed strong, positive relationships with her students, leading to lifelong connections. Her passion for history prompted engaging classroom discussions, inspiring many to pursue careers in education. She has received teaching awards from the Missouri Historical Society, Missouri Council for the Social Studies and Daughters of the American Revolution. Her teaching career continued as adjunct professor for Drury University until 2014. Her service to youth, education and her community continued as she was elected to the Waynesville City Council and later as Mayor of Waynesville 2012-20. Luge Hardman is honored as the 2024 Outstanding Educational Professional. Nominations are being accepted Nominations for next year’s inductees into the Wall of Leaders are being accepted. The nomination process is managed by the Waynesville R-VI School District Foundation, which hosted Showcase Waynesville Schools. To make a nomination, please go to www.waynesvilleschoolsfoundation.com and click on “What We Do” to download the nomination form and rubrics.