Two Waynesville High School FCCLA students were recognized for being elected State officers in the Missouri Family, Career, and Community Leaders of America organization during the Waynesville R-VI Board of Education meeting on April 21, 2025.
Courtney Long, executive director of secondary instruction, recognized the following students for being elected state officers:
· Nakhia Kirckman was inducted as Region 5 FCCLA historian
· Faith Bohrer was installed as vice president of public relations for FCCLA State
Faith Bohrer and Nakhia Kirckman (center) are pictured with their advisors Crystal Bohrer (left) and Katelynn Hawk (second from right) and Courtney Long, executive director of secondary instruction.
Courtney Long, executive director of secondary instruction, recognized Waynesville Middle School Student Council for receiving the Gold Award from the Missouri Association of Student Councils. This award recognizes councils for their involvement at the local level, the South Central District Student Council and state level.
Courtney Long, executive director of secondary instruction, recognized Waynesville High School Student Council for receiving the Silver Award from the Missouri Association of Student Councils. This award recognizes councils for their involvement at the local level, the South Central District Student Council and state level. #wayschools
Two Waynesville Career Center students – Tristan Boerner and Marissa Esquivel – have been awarded the Breaking Traditions Award by the Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education. Courtney Long, executive director of secondary instruction, presented them with certificates during the Waynesville R-VI School Board of Education meeting on April 21, 2025. From 82 applications, the following WCC students were recognized:
· Tristan Boerner - Health Science
· Marissa Esquivel - Welding & Manufacturing
VOICES, the Waynesville R-VI honor choir for 4th-6th grade elementary students, participated in the Fair Grove Music Festival and received Excellent (gold) ratings for their performance on Saturday, April 12, 2025. The judges shared glowing remarks, including:
“Brava! Lovely tone and self-discipline. Your students are very well prepared and respectful!”
"The ensemble also received high praise for their stage presence and musicality, with one judge noting they were comparable to a ninth-grade choir—an incredible compliment for this group of 4th-6th grade students," said Keisha Jarrett, a VOICES director. "We are incredibly proud of our students’ accomplishments this year. Their hard work, dedication and passion for music continue to shine through every performance."
The VOICES’ final concert of the season will be held at 6:30 p.m. May 12 at Freedom Elementary. The event is free and open to the public.
About VOICES
VOICES is an auditioned honor choir made up of 4th-6th grade students from across the district. The group is directed by Vanessa Mason and Keisha Jarrett, accompanied by Terri Heiby, and supported by Beth Gibson, Hannah Macarthy, Amanda Johnson Gonzalez and Laura Taylor.
Charles Quinn and Aaron Pondrom were sworn in as members of the Waynesville R-VI Board of Education on April 21, 2025, following certification of the election results. The board also elected new officers as follows for the 2025-26 school year President Janel Rowell, Vice President Charles Quinn, Secretary Layne Lercher and Treasurer Mike Keeling. #wayschools
Weigelt receives $1,000 MSBA scholarship
Brett Manie from Missouri School Boards Association presented Brayden Weigelt with the Region 8 MSBA Future Builder Student Scholarship during the Waynesville R-VI Board of Education meeting on April 21, 2025. The regional award amount is $1,000 and qualifies Weigelt to automatically advance to the statewide competition where one student will be selected for an additional $1,500.
Brayden Weigelt is pictured with his family, Superintendent Hilary Bales and Brett Manie from MSBA.
#WaySchools #MSBA
Dunning to head Waynesville Middle School; Palmer to be WMS assistant principal
Brent Dunning, the assistant principal of Waynesville Middle School, will become the head principal of Waynesville Middle School, effective July 1, 2025. He will fill the vacancy created by Brian Vernon who will become head principal of Waynesville High School.
April Palmer, the interim principal at Fort Irwin Middle School in Fort Irwin, Calif., will become an assistant principal at WMS to fill the vacancy created by Dunning moving to head principal.
“I am looking forward to continuing to develop positive and collaborative relationships that lead to increased student achievement,” Dunning said. “Middle school is such a critical time in a student’s life, and I’m committed to creating a safe, supportive and engaging environment where every student can thrive—both academically and personally.”
Dunning has served as the assistant principal at WMS since 2024, and prior to that was an assistant principal at Parkview High School. He is a former special education teacher and coach. Dunning holds a bachelor’s in communications from Missouri State, a master’s in special education from Drury, a master’s in educational administration from Missouri State and is pursuing a doctorate degree from Liberty University.
Prior to serving as the interim principal at Fort Irwin Middle School, Palmer served as a special education RSP teacher/admin designee. She also has served as a 6th-8th grade special education teacher and an elementary teacher. Palmer earned her bachelor’s degree in human development/English and a master’s in teaching curriculum at Azusa Pacific University and a master’s in educational leadership at Western Governors University.
“I am passionate about fostering academic excellence, building strong relationships with students, staff, and families and driving continuous improvement within the school
community,” Palmer said. “I am passionate about inspiring students and educators to reach their fullest potential while promoting a culture of respect, innovation and lifelong learning.”
The Waynesville R-VI School District will host its annual District Art Show on Friday, April 25, 2025, 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, Tiger Festival of Nations will also be held from 4:30 to 5:30 p.m. on Friday (April 25) 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). Both events are free and open to the public. #wayschools
The Spring Tiger Festival of Nations will be held from 5 to 6 p.m. Friday, April 25, 2025 in the WHS Upper Gym. Admission is free and open to the public. Guests will learn about different cultures and sample food from around the world. #wayschools
Waynesville High School staff members received an update about the district, which included information about the upcoming HVAC renovations at WHS this summer, from Waynesville R-VI Superintendent Hilary Bales during their Super Session on April 14, 2025. Afterward, Dr. Jamie Goforth, assistant superintendent of personnel services, led staff in a communication activity. #wayschools
Waynesville R-VI Superintendent Hilary Bales encouraged Freedom Elementary staff members to continue to give their best through the final stretch of the spring semester. Bales also provided updates about the district during their Super Session on April 14, 2025. Afterward, Dr. Jamie Goforth, assistant superintendent of personnel services, led staff in a communication activity. #wayschools
There will be no school in the Waynesville R-VI School District on Friday, April 18, 2025. All offices will be closed on April 18 as well.
National Speaker David Gomez spoke with Waynesville High School students about how to protect themselves online, the dangers of vaping and how to ask for help. #wayschools
NextHome Realty–Team Lisa Ellis donated multiple pairs of shoes to Waynesville High School through the Shoes from the Heart program. Pictured are Billi Barrett, college and career advisor and Cherie Gaono, counselor, along with Daniela Horstman and Manda McCombs from NextHome Realty–Team Lisa Ellis. #wayschools
Michael Kelsey Jr., a senior at Waynesville High School, has signed to play football at Evangel University. His signing was held at WHS on Wednesday, April 9, 2025. #wayschools
Gomez shares online dangers & tips for parents to help protect their children
Officer David Gomez – a nationally renowned speaker – shared information about how easy it is for adult predators and/or people who want to cause harm to become “friends” with students on social media, citing incidents from his undercover experiences. He also spoke of the dangers of those “relationships” during his public presentation on April 14, 2025, at Waynesville High School.
Gomez also shared startling details about the nicotine content and progression of the vape industry over the past decade. He shared that because of their candy-like flavorings, people are deceived about the harmful effects of vaping. “Even when students want to stop, they often need help because of the levels of nicotine they have been inhaling,” Gomez said.
Also during his discussion about drugs, Gomez showed the slang words and emojis that drug dealers use to communicate both the kind and the quantity they have available frequently on social media.
In addition to speaking with the public, Gomez spoke with middle and high school students earlier in the day about how to protect themselves online, the dangers of vaping and how to ask for help for themselves and for friends in need.
Gomez promotes updates on new trends predators use on social media and drug trends on his own social media. His Facebook page is @deputygomez and both his Instagram and Youtube accounts are @officergomez. Videos of some of his previous presentations are available online.
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What can parents do?
During his presentation, Gomez recommended these best practices:
1) No wifi devices in bedrooms, including cell phones and Chromebooks. (He recommends buying your child a separate alarm clock.)
2) Cell phone checks (parents should check to see what’s on their child’s cell phone.)
3) No private messaging of random adults
4) Set a screen time and stick to it
5) Fewer than 200 friends on any given app
Waynesville R-VI will host a Kindergarten Kickoff at 5:30 p.m. on May 2, 2025, at the Parker Educational Center. This is for parents of students who will be going into kindergarten this fall. Future kindergartners are welcome to attend as well. Please see the flyer for more details.
#wayschools
Waynesville sixth graders on Team Spectacular put their knowledge of potential and kinetic energy to use, building paper roller coasters during class on April 15, 2025. #wayschools
Waynesville JROTC finishes 2nd in Nation
The Waynesville High School Drill Team took 2nd overall in the nation at the Rocky Mountain National Invitational Drill Competition in Denver on Saturday, April 12, 2025.
“Our cadets don’t just show up—they compete with purpose, precision, and pride,” said Command Sgt. Maj. (Ret.) Steven Tetreault, JROTC instructor. “We've built a reputation for excellence, and that’s something our entire community can be proud of."
Waynesville’s JROTC has ranked in the top 3 in the nation during the past three years.
"Over the last three years, this team has shown true perseverance—finishing 3rd, then 2nd, and now 2nd again at the Rocky Mountain Drill Nationals,” Tetreault said. “That kind of consistency doesn’t happen by accident. It’s built on hours of practice, strong leadership and a deep commitment to each other and the standard we set. This team has made its mark, and the legacy they leave behind is something special."
More than 50 teams from throughout the United States competed at the national competition.
"Placing second at the Rocky Mountain Drill Nationals is a testament to the hard work and relentless drive of our entire team, but especially to the leadership of our eight seniors,” said Command Sgt. Maj. (Ret.) Steven Tetreault, JROTC instructor. “They’ve set the standard, led by example, and built a legacy that will inspire future cadets for years to come. This achievement belongs to every one of them."
The results at Nationals are as follows:
- 2nd Place Overall.
- 1st Place Unarmed Regulation.
- 1st Place Unarmed Quad Exhibition (Annalyse Rivera, Tiare Fau, Teyla Byrom, Addison Smith).
- 1st Place Individual Drill Down (Peyton Stuart).
- 2nd Place Armed Exhibition Solo (Lord Torres).
- 3rd Place Armed Division Overall.
- 3rd Place Armed Quad Exhibition (Aubrey Ellison, AustinBailly, Aiden Rivera, Trevor Skyles.
- 3rd Place Unarmed Dual Exhibition (Peyton Stuart, Addison Smith).
- 4th Place Unarmed Overall Division Overall.
- 4th Place Armed Exhibition Dual (Aubrey Ellison, Max Jorgensen).
“We are extremely proud of this team, our cadets, and this program,” said Col. (Ret.) Charles Williams. “We thank the class of 2025 for their leadership. We will miss them.”
