The Waynesville High School Jazz Bands, Saxophone Choir, Clarinet Choir, Brass Choir and Percussion Ensemble presented a concert on April 9, 2026, in the lobby of the Waynesville Career Center.
“The event was well attended, with a full audience demonstrating strong support for these outstanding student ensembles,” said Director of Bands Jared Sabatasso. “Attendees expressed great appreciation for the diverse selection of repertoire performed throughout the evening, which showcased a wide range of musical styles and highlighted the versatility of our student musicians.”
In addition to the performances, senior trombone player Kayden Wass was presented with the Louis Armstrong Award. This honor is awarded to an exemplary student who demonstrates exceptional talent, musicianship and dedication within the jazz arts.
“Kayden’s commitment to excellence and his contributions to the success of the jazz program make him a truly deserving recipient of this distinguished award,” Sabatasso said.
“The event was well attended, with a full audience demonstrating strong support for these outstanding student ensembles,” said Director of Bands Jared Sabatasso. “Attendees expressed great appreciation for the diverse selection of repertoire performed throughout the evening, which showcased a wide range of musical styles and highlighted the versatility of our student musicians.”
In addition to the performances, senior trombone player Kayden Wass was presented with the Louis Armstrong Award. This honor is awarded to an exemplary student who demonstrates exceptional talent, musicianship and dedication within the jazz arts.
“Kayden’s commitment to excellence and his contributions to the success of the jazz program make him a truly deserving recipient of this distinguished award,” Sabatasso said.
The WHS Girls Soccer team hit the field on April 9, 2026, in a hard fought game against Willard, losing in overtime.
3 WHS students take leadership roles in FCCLA Region 5
On April 10, 2026, three Waynesville High School students were inducted into leadership positions for Region 5 FCCLA, including one as a state officer.
Faith Bohrer was inducted as the Region 5 Family and Consumer Science state officer, along with Wyatt Carter as secretary and Lela Burnham as treasurer.
“We are excited to see the impact these leaders will have as they serve and represent Region 5 in the coming year,” said FCCLA Advisory Katelynn Hawk.
On April 10, 2026, three Waynesville High School students were inducted into leadership positions for Region 5 FCCLA, including one as a state officer.
Faith Bohrer was inducted as the Region 5 Family and Consumer Science state officer, along with Wyatt Carter as secretary and Lela Burnham as treasurer.
“We are excited to see the impact these leaders will have as they serve and represent Region 5 in the coming year,” said FCCLA Advisory Katelynn Hawk.
Waynesville High School Theatre & Troupe 1669 students are rehearsing for their upcoming performances of "Dorothy in Wonderland."
The performance times and dates are as follows:
7 p.m. on April 16, 17 and 18, 2026
2:30 p.m. on April 19, 2026
The performances will be held in the WHS Auditorium, 200 Fleetwood Dr., Waynesville. Doors open 30 minutes prior to the event. Tickets are $7 for general admission and $5 for senior citizens.
The performance times and dates are as follows:
7 p.m. on April 16, 17 and 18, 2026
2:30 p.m. on April 19, 2026
The performances will be held in the WHS Auditorium, 200 Fleetwood Dr., Waynesville. Doors open 30 minutes prior to the event. Tickets are $7 for general admission and $5 for senior citizens.
Art Show and Tiger Festival of Nations: 2 free events on 1 night
The Waynesville R-VI School District will host its annual District Art Show on Friday, April 17, 2026, from 4 to 6 p.m. in the Lecture Hall at Waynesville High School.
This event will showcase artwork from students in grades K-12 within the district. In addition, the Tiger Festival of Nations will also be held from 5 to 6 p.m. on Friday (April 17) in the Ninth Grade Center at Waynesville High School.
Both the Lecture Hall and the Ninth Grade Center entrance are located on the east side of the WHS campus (on the Tiger Stadium side) at 200 G.W. Lane St. in Waynesville. Both events are free and open to the public.
The Waynesville R-VI School District will host its annual District Art Show on Friday, April 17, 2026, from 4 to 6 p.m. in the Lecture Hall at Waynesville High School.
This event will showcase artwork from students in grades K-12 within the district. In addition, the Tiger Festival of Nations will also be held from 5 to 6 p.m. on Friday (April 17) in the Ninth Grade Center at Waynesville High School.
Both the Lecture Hall and the Ninth Grade Center entrance are located on the east side of the WHS campus (on the Tiger Stadium side) at 200 G.W. Lane St. in Waynesville. Both events are free and open to the public.
We want to make you aware of an incident that occurred today during lunch at Waynesville Middle School (Thursday, April 9, 2026).
On a dare, a student made a statement indicating he/she had a gun. School officials immediately investigated the situation and confirmed that there was no weapon present. At no time were students in danger, and all students are safe.
The situation was addressed promptly, and appropriate actions are being taken in accordance with district discipline policies. While we cannot share specific details regarding individual students, please know that we take all statements of this nature very seriously.
We ask that you take a moment this evening to speak with your child about the importance of school safety and the serious consequences of making statements that can cause fear or disruption.
We appreciate your partnership in helping us maintain a safe and supportive learning environment for all students.
On a dare, a student made a statement indicating he/she had a gun. School officials immediately investigated the situation and confirmed that there was no weapon present. At no time were students in danger, and all students are safe.
The situation was addressed promptly, and appropriate actions are being taken in accordance with district discipline policies. While we cannot share specific details regarding individual students, please know that we take all statements of this nature very seriously.
We ask that you take a moment this evening to speak with your child about the importance of school safety and the serious consequences of making statements that can cause fear or disruption.
We appreciate your partnership in helping us maintain a safe and supportive learning environment for all students.
Law enforcement officials were called to Waynesville Middle School at approximately 10:45 a.m. today (Wednesday, April 8, 2026) to assist with the report of an alleged weapon. There is no weapon and normal school operations have continued.
All processes were followed. All students are safe.
All processes were followed. All students are safe.
Waynesville R-VI is taking applications for full day preschool for 2026-27
Waynesville R-VI is taking applications for students for the 2026-27 school year via a Google Form at https://forms.gle/AqBt76fEf9JmSzu26.
The district will have 160 full-day preschool opportunities in the 2026-2027 school year with 40 students at each of these locations:
-Parker Educational Center (Waynesville)
-Freedom Elementary School (St. Robert)
-Pick Educational Center (Ft. Leonard Wood)
-Williams Early Childhood Center (Ft. Leonard Wood)
To be eligible, a child:
· Must turn age 4 by July 31, 2026
· Have a birthdate must be between Aug. 1, 2021, and July 31, 2022
· Must reside within the boundaries of the Waynesville R-VI School District.
· Must have transportation to and from school each day*
Applications will close at 4 p.m. April 21. Students will be selected via a random lottery drawing.
Parents will be notified by May 15 if their child is accepted into the program.
If you have any questions, please call the Instructional Services Office at 573-842-2050.
*Parents/guardians are responsible for getting their child to and from school each day. There is one exception: PreK students who are selected to attend Freedom and live within Freedom’s attendance area will be able to ride a bus. The district is piloting a program to bus Freedom PreK students in 2026-27 as the district prepares to expand Pre-K transportation in the future.
Waynesville R-VI is taking applications for students for the 2026-27 school year via a Google Form at https://forms.gle/AqBt76fEf9JmSzu26.
The district will have 160 full-day preschool opportunities in the 2026-2027 school year with 40 students at each of these locations:
-Parker Educational Center (Waynesville)
-Freedom Elementary School (St. Robert)
-Pick Educational Center (Ft. Leonard Wood)
-Williams Early Childhood Center (Ft. Leonard Wood)
To be eligible, a child:
· Must turn age 4 by July 31, 2026
· Have a birthdate must be between Aug. 1, 2021, and July 31, 2022
· Must reside within the boundaries of the Waynesville R-VI School District.
· Must have transportation to and from school each day*
Applications will close at 4 p.m. April 21. Students will be selected via a random lottery drawing.
Parents will be notified by May 15 if their child is accepted into the program.
If you have any questions, please call the Instructional Services Office at 573-842-2050.
*Parents/guardians are responsible for getting their child to and from school each day. There is one exception: PreK students who are selected to attend Freedom and live within Freedom’s attendance area will be able to ride a bus. The district is piloting a program to bus Freedom PreK students in 2026-27 as the district prepares to expand Pre-K transportation in the future.
Waynesville Career Center's Teacher Preparation FCCLA Chapter is hosting a Spring Parent's Night Out.
Children ages Pre-K-5th grade are invited to be dropped off at the WCC from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. on Friday, April 17, 2026, for fun, educational centers prepared by future teachers. Your child will get to participate in many different learning activities such as rock painting, story book crafting, cloud slime creation, and different educational games. Snacks and drinks will be provided.
The cost is $20 per child. To sign up, click on this link https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSc_HBsGTZ_iupWSCAImz1ed6CZ5ds3vM3-BvjnBmoWND-tfvw/viewform or use the QR code on the flyer and complete the Google Form for registration. Spots are limited, so sign up quickly!
Payment the night of may be cash or check
Children ages Pre-K-5th grade are invited to be dropped off at the WCC from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. on Friday, April 17, 2026, for fun, educational centers prepared by future teachers. Your child will get to participate in many different learning activities such as rock painting, story book crafting, cloud slime creation, and different educational games. Snacks and drinks will be provided.
The cost is $20 per child. To sign up, click on this link https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSc_HBsGTZ_iupWSCAImz1ed6CZ5ds3vM3-BvjnBmoWND-tfvw/viewform or use the QR code on the flyer and complete the Google Form for registration. Spots are limited, so sign up quickly!
Payment the night of may be cash or check
WHS HOSA wins award at State
Several Waynesville High School students received honors and WHS HOSA received the Outstanding Local Chapter Achievement Award during the HOSA-Future Health Professionals State Conference held March 23 and 24, 2026, at Rolla High School.
In HOSA’s inaugural year at WHS, 29 students went to the state conference competing and volunteering in various roles.
WHS HOSA was one of just three chapters to earn the achievement award, which recognized their partnership with Lighthouse and Beta to collect more than 300 cake mixes and containers of icing for CASA, supporting children in foster care. This project was spearheaded and submitted for recognition by President Aubrey Fields and Vice President Kendall Cobb.
Individual Honors:
· Kaden Crone, Grey Landreth, and Brooklyn Lercher- Biomedical Debate 3rd Place (National Qualifier)
· Zetalyn Mansapit and Annsley Sherohman- Veterinarian Health Career Display 3rd Place (National Qualifier)
· Siessa Kpessokro- Healthcare Administration Exam- 4th place
· Hailey Melchiore- HOSA Happenings- digital newsletter submission receiving state honors (National Qualifier)
· Breanna Bednarik- Barbara James Service Award-State Level Recognition (76 hours of health-related community service)
· Morgan Woods- Barbara James Service Award-State Level Recognition (90 hours of health-related community service)
· Kaydence Long- Barbara James Service Award-National Bronze Level Recognition- (Recorded over 100, but less than 175 hours of health-related community service hours)
Several Waynesville High School students received honors and WHS HOSA received the Outstanding Local Chapter Achievement Award during the HOSA-Future Health Professionals State Conference held March 23 and 24, 2026, at Rolla High School.
In HOSA’s inaugural year at WHS, 29 students went to the state conference competing and volunteering in various roles.
WHS HOSA was one of just three chapters to earn the achievement award, which recognized their partnership with Lighthouse and Beta to collect more than 300 cake mixes and containers of icing for CASA, supporting children in foster care. This project was spearheaded and submitted for recognition by President Aubrey Fields and Vice President Kendall Cobb.
Individual Honors:
· Kaden Crone, Grey Landreth, and Brooklyn Lercher- Biomedical Debate 3rd Place (National Qualifier)
· Zetalyn Mansapit and Annsley Sherohman- Veterinarian Health Career Display 3rd Place (National Qualifier)
· Siessa Kpessokro- Healthcare Administration Exam- 4th place
· Hailey Melchiore- HOSA Happenings- digital newsletter submission receiving state honors (National Qualifier)
· Breanna Bednarik- Barbara James Service Award-State Level Recognition (76 hours of health-related community service)
· Morgan Woods- Barbara James Service Award-State Level Recognition (90 hours of health-related community service)
· Kaydence Long- Barbara James Service Award-National Bronze Level Recognition- (Recorded over 100, but less than 175 hours of health-related community service hours)
The Waynesville High School baseball team took the field on April 2, 2026, for a competitive game against Webb City.
The boys baseball schedule is at: https://waynesvilletigerathletics.org/main/teamschedule/id/58613/seasonid/4971001
All high school spring sports schedules are at: https://www.waynesville.k12.mo.us/o/waynesville-tiger-athletics/page/sports-schedules
The boys baseball schedule is at: https://waynesvilletigerathletics.org/main/teamschedule/id/58613/seasonid/4971001
All high school spring sports schedules are at: https://www.waynesville.k12.mo.us/o/waynesville-tiger-athletics/page/sports-schedules
There will be no school in the Waynesville R-VI School District on Friday, April 3, 2026, and all district offices will be closed on Friday, April 3, 2026.
An ambulance was dispatched to East Elementary at approximately 8:55 a.m. today (Thursday, April 2, 2026) to treat an individual student with a medical condition. A parent/guardian has been notified and will determine what, if any, further medical treatment is necessary.
April is the Month of the Military Child and in honor of all military children throughout the Waynesville R-VI School District, each school hosted a poster contest. The posters provide a positive message about military children and include the color purple to signify all branches of the military.
Shown below is artwork from Wood Elementary students.
We have partnered with local businesses to display a limited number of pieces of Month of the Military Child student artwork. The following schools have artwork at these local businesses:
Mu Bahn Thai: Wood Elementary
Coltons: Thayer Elementary and Freedom Elementary
Security Bank (St Robert): WMS, WHS
OTC: East Elementary
Westside Salon & Boutique: Partridge Elementary
Wendys: Waynesville Sixth Grade Center
Shown below is artwork from Wood Elementary students.
We have partnered with local businesses to display a limited number of pieces of Month of the Military Child student artwork. The following schools have artwork at these local businesses:
Mu Bahn Thai: Wood Elementary
Coltons: Thayer Elementary and Freedom Elementary
Security Bank (St Robert): WMS, WHS
OTC: East Elementary
Westside Salon & Boutique: Partridge Elementary
Wendys: Waynesville Sixth Grade Center
Joseph Camelin, a senior at Waynesville High School, has signed to continue his academic and athletic (wrestling) career at Avila University. His signing was held on March 30, 2026.
Waynesville High School choir students wrapped up a busy week of competitions with strong performances and great success.
On Tuesday, March 24, 2026, the choirs competed in the MSHSSA State Choir competition at Camdenton High School. The Treble Choir and Mixed Choir received an Exemplary rating. The Tenor-Bass Choir and the Chamber Choir received an Outstanding rating.
On Saturday, March 28, 10 soloists and one small ensemble competed at the MSHSSA Solo and Small Ensemble Districts at Lebanon High School.
Addison Bowling, Ava Byers, Cyrus Calhoun, Isabel Diaz, Eulalia Moynihan, Claire Reed, Lilyana Romero, A'Nyyah Tollison, and a quartet with members Emma Bailly, Ava Byers, Cyrus Calhoun, and A'Nyyah Tollison received an Exemplary rating and will sing at the MSHSSA State Solo and Small Ensemble competition on Saturday, May 2.
The following students received an Outstanding rating for their solos: Anastasia Blunt, Cassandra Hays and Sainisha Simram.
On Tuesday, March 24, 2026, the choirs competed in the MSHSSA State Choir competition at Camdenton High School. The Treble Choir and Mixed Choir received an Exemplary rating. The Tenor-Bass Choir and the Chamber Choir received an Outstanding rating.
On Saturday, March 28, 10 soloists and one small ensemble competed at the MSHSSA Solo and Small Ensemble Districts at Lebanon High School.
Addison Bowling, Ava Byers, Cyrus Calhoun, Isabel Diaz, Eulalia Moynihan, Claire Reed, Lilyana Romero, A'Nyyah Tollison, and a quartet with members Emma Bailly, Ava Byers, Cyrus Calhoun, and A'Nyyah Tollison received an Exemplary rating and will sing at the MSHSSA State Solo and Small Ensemble competition on Saturday, May 2.
The following students received an Outstanding rating for their solos: Anastasia Blunt, Cassandra Hays and Sainisha Simram.
Alicia Force, Olivia Horton and the Foreign Language Department from Waynesville High School are being recognized as this week's #TeacherProudTuesday shout-out for their outstanding collaboration.
#ProudTeacherTuesday #WaySchools
#ProudTeacherTuesday #WaySchools
Waynesville High School’s Student Government Association was recognized during the MASC State Convention on March 19-21, 2026 with the following:
· MASC Honor Council Award
· Special Olympics School of Character Gold Award
· a senior member earned the Distinguished Student Leader Award
_______________
Honor Council
This year WHS earned the highest Honor Council level, Gold, for their ongoing efforts planning and executing school and community activities, encouraging school spirit, school involvement with MASC and continued partnership with Special Olympics.
_______________
Special Olympics School of Character
The Special Olympics School of Character is an award given to schools that take active steps toward making their school environment more inclusive. WHS was recognized for students being involved in the CBI class, Tiger Buddies and SGA. The School of Character award has three levels, bronze, silver, and gold; WHS earned the highest level, gold.
_______________
Distinguished Student Leader
Shelby Cannon, a WHS senior, was recognized as a Distinguished Student Leader. This award goes to students in their senior year that have put in time and effort to grow as a student leader by attending the MASC summer leadership workshop and the energy they put into their school and community. Students apply for this recognition and a panel selects those who are honored.
· MASC Honor Council Award
· Special Olympics School of Character Gold Award
· a senior member earned the Distinguished Student Leader Award
_______________
Honor Council
This year WHS earned the highest Honor Council level, Gold, for their ongoing efforts planning and executing school and community activities, encouraging school spirit, school involvement with MASC and continued partnership with Special Olympics.
_______________
Special Olympics School of Character
The Special Olympics School of Character is an award given to schools that take active steps toward making their school environment more inclusive. WHS was recognized for students being involved in the CBI class, Tiger Buddies and SGA. The School of Character award has three levels, bronze, silver, and gold; WHS earned the highest level, gold.
_______________
Distinguished Student Leader
Shelby Cannon, a WHS senior, was recognized as a Distinguished Student Leader. This award goes to students in their senior year that have put in time and effort to grow as a student leader by attending the MASC summer leadership workshop and the energy they put into their school and community. Students apply for this recognition and a panel selects those who are honored.
The Waynesville Community Teachers Association with assistance from the Waynesville High School Student Government Association's 10th grade class will host a Movie Night at 7 p.m. April 10, 2026, at Tiger Stadium at WHS.
Proceeds will fund the CTA scholarship, which supports a WHS graduating senior pursuing a degree in teaching. Tiger Stadium is located at 200 G.W. Lane St., Waynesville.
Proceeds will fund the CTA scholarship, which supports a WHS graduating senior pursuing a degree in teaching. Tiger Stadium is located at 200 G.W. Lane St., Waynesville.
Law enforcement officials were called to Waynesville Middle School at approximately 12:35 p.m. on Monday, March 30, 2026, to assist with a situation involving an individual student. The student’s parent/guardian has been notified. There is no ongoing threat to students or staff, and normal school operations have resumed.