2 WHS students serve on national panel
While many of their fellow students were relaxing or preparing for the upcoming week, two Waynesville High School students were in Washington, D.C. on Sunday, March 10, 2024, serving on a national panel.
Haylee Fort and Skylar Ringo volunteered to serve on the panel for the session, “Supporting Students’ Educational, Emotional and Cultural Needs” during the NAFIS (National Association of Federally Impacted Schools) Spring Conference.
“I’m very thankful for the opportunity to speak in front of this group of educators and bring them a student perspective,” Fort said. “I hope they enjoyed the advice we offered about inclusion and relating to a student's cultural identity. I'm happy I got to bring another point of view to the conversation.”
Waynesville R-VI students, along with students from the Umoⁿhoⁿ Nation Public School District, served on the panel.
“I am so grateful I was able to speak on my experiences as a military kid and a student in the Waynesville School District,” Ringo said. “I believe passing on the knowledge is very important and although it is my senior year, I’m glad I was able to bring exposure and educate administrators to pass onto the next generation of students. It was the opportunity of a lifetime and I am so excited to see the initiatives they bring to their students within the school districts.”
This year’s NAFIS’ theme is “Building A Better Future,” which examines the many forms of “building” required for students to succeed.
“I am so proud of our students for participating in this national conference,” said Waynesville R-VI Superintendent Hilary Bales. “It's not easy for students to speak in front of adults, but our students represented both our district and our state in a professional manner. Their knowledge and personal experiences provided insight about what helps nurture student success. School district leaders from throughout the nation will take the lessons they learned from today back to their own districts.”
Waynesville High School’s Wind Ensemble, Symphonic Band and Percussion Ensemble all received Exemplary ratings from all of the judges at the MSHSAA State Large Ensemble Contest on March 5, 2024, at Camdenton High School. Exemplary is the highest rating a group can receive. The Brass Choir received a Satisfactory rating as well.
"Your bands have a great approach to fundamentals as well as exemplary ensemble precision,” said Dr. Brian Silvey, band director at the University of Missouri-Columbia.
The Wind Ensemble will travel to Parkview High School next on April 16 for another performance opportunity. The Percussion Ensemble will travel to the University of Missouri-Columbia on March 9 to compete as well.
Waynesville High School bands and ensembles will host a home concert at 6 p.m. on April 23 in the WHS auditorium. The event is free and open to the public.
The directors are Jared Sabatasso, Nathan Gargus, Chance Inman and Andrew Tiefenbrunn. #wayschools
On Friday, March 1, 2024, Waynesville Middle School musicians competed in their annual Music Fest at Central Methodist University in Fayette, Mo. The following students received an Exemplary rating, the best of the day:
Emmanuel Aguirre, snare drum solo
Aaron Chen, marimba solo
Mason Clark, snare drum solo
Andi Cunningham, snare drum solo
Mason McCord, snare drum solo
Shawn Torres, drum set solo
Elina Wu, marimba solo
The following students received an Outstanding rating:
Jack Gasek, drum set solo
Abigail Hanna, marimba solo
Kemper Henson, drum set solo
Jacob Moler, drum set solo
Temperance Osborn, timpani solo
Sheradyn Gilbert received a Satisfactory rating for her timpani solo.
Additionally, several ensembles performed throughout the day. The WMS Advanced Percussion Ensemble earned an exemplary rating for the third year in a row, consisting of the following students:
Emmanuel Aguirre
Aaron Chen
Mason Clark
Andi Cunningham
Jack Gasek
Sheradyn Gilbert
Abigail Hanna
Kemper Henson
Mason McCord
Jacob Moler
Temperance Osborn
Shawn Torres
Elina Wu
A special thanks to Vic Firth sticks & mallets and Zildjian cymbals for their support of our percussion program.
Here are the other woodwind and brass ensembles:
Woodwind Ensemble 1 - Exemplary
Emma Beatty, Flute
Jennifer Cortez, Flute
Cassandra Hays, Flute
Francheska Schmadel, Flute
Emma Smith, Flute
Preston Weatherspoon, Flute
Woodwind Ensemble 2 - Outstanding
Selena Charbonier, Clarinet
Katelynn Compton, Clarinet
Jefferson Leveille, Clarinet
Bernd Gillette, Oboe
Camille Watson, Clarinet
Isaiah Williams, Clarinet
Woodwind Ensemble 3 - Outstanding
Cassandra Doremus, Clarinet
Archer Gutierrez, Clarinet
Riley Haines, Clarinet
Savannah High, Clarinet
Sophia Wagasky, Oboe
Celeste Rivera, Clarinet
Kaylee Rivera, Clarinet
Lynne Rizk, Clarinet
Woodwind Ensemble 4 - Exemplary
Aliyah Bowers, Alto Saxophone
Benjamin Ornburn, Baritone Saxophone
Saya Tully, Tenor Saxophone
Adam Maline, Alto Saxophone
Zoey Heacock, Alto Saxophone
Jesse Carr, Alto Saxophone
Jeramie Mays, Tenor Saxophone
Nicholas Nenadich, Alto Saxophone
Daniel Pierce, Alto Saxophone
Brass Ensemble 1 - Outstanding
Edwin Edelman, Trumpet
Jayla Walker, Trumpet
Willa Demmon, Horn
Victoria Roman, Trombone
Jason Stuart, Trombone
Jackson Shaw - Perez, Tuba
Tara Walley, Tuba
Avanne' Thomas, Trumpet
Brass Ensemble 2 - Exemplary
Emmalea Liegey, Trumpet
Jayden Mitchell, Trumpet
Nicholas Duncan, Trombone
Evelyn Kelley, Trombone
Blaine Cantu, Euphonium
Jiada Munoz, Trumpet
Brass Ensemble 3 - Outstanding
Kaleb Ellson, Trumpet
Andrew Hickey, Trumpet
Logan Batey, Horn
Natalie Dashiell, Horn
Alan DeSouza, Euphonium
Rosalena Licea, Trombone
Brass Ensemble 4 - Outstanding
Charlie Borchardt, Trumpet
Brooklyn Hite, Trumpet
Corey Barlow, Horn
Sophia Quiroz, Horn
Isabella Torres, Horn
Paul Watkins, Horn
Chloe Hudson, Euphonium
Aiden Bio, Trombone
#wayschools
The Hope Squad, made up of student volunteers from the Waynesville Sixth Grade Center, has a passion for making the world a better place. The Hope Squad’s efforts were featured during Tiger Pride Night on March 4, 2024, at the Waynesville Sixth Grade Center. In addition to learning about how sixth graders are giving back to their community, participants also engaged in a hands-on activity that demonstrates how we are connected to our families, community and world. During this school year, 6th graders have raised $1,025, donated hundreds of food items and collected 11,461 pieces of gum in unopened packs for a “Stick it to cancer” project to benefit individuals who are undergoing cancer treatment.
In the group photo, pictured are Hope Squad members Layla Narcotta, Haley Brown, ZiYonnah Lawson, Kenna Rodriguez, and Trenten Mason who led the presentation and their advisors, Kimberly Ramirez, Angie Wilson, Theresa McNutt and Jody Taylor. #wayschools
Missouri’s First Lady Teresa Parson has selected a Waynesville High School student’s artwork for the Governor’s Mansion Award. The painting, created by sophomore Brianna Brown-Myrick, will hang in the Governor’s mansion until March 2025.
Waynesville High School’s Art Teachers Amy Rushing and Sarah Luttrell have eight students’ artworks displayed in the state capitol for the month of March for Youth Art Month. #wayschools
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Waynesville R-VI hosted a teacher recruitment event on Feb. 29, 2024, at the Parker Educational Center with screening interviews held on site. Waynesville Career Center culinary arts prepared a variety of food for the event.
For more information about openings in the district, please go to https://www.waynesville.k12.mo.us/Page/2606. #wayschools
Local law enforcement officials have identified and are questioning a student who allegedly authored a threatening SnapChat post that was made on Thursday, March 8, 2024.
As always, the Waynesville R-VI School District fully cooperated with the law enforcement investigation, and we are pleased to report that the author of the alleged threat has been identified. Appropriate procedures have been implemented both within the school and through law enforcement channels.
Please understand, due to the nature of this situation, we are unable to release details. Our goal is to be transparent and to keep you informed and yet stay within the confines of the law.
Schools will function as normal. Our primary objective is to ensure students continue to feel safe and additional support through the school counselors is available to any student.
Please join the district in discussing the role of social media in making our schools a welcoming and safe environment for all. We are grateful to the students, parents, guardians, and other caring adults who provided information contributing to this investigation. We also want to thank our law enforcement officials for their diligence. #wayschools
Waynesville Middle School hosted their 1st annual STEM night with approximately 150 people attend. Missouri S&T brought information on summer camp opportunities (https://summer.mst.edu/) and displays including a mobile planetarium. WMS teachers hosted additional STEM activities in their classrooms. Student Council members assisted with organizing the event and supporting various STEM activities. #wayschools
Waynesville High School's Chamber Choir received an exemplary rating at the Central Methodist University Music Fest on Friday, March 1, 2024.
This photo of the choir was taken earlier in the 2023-2024 school year. #wayschools
The Waynesville Middle School Advanced Choir performed at the Central Methodist University Music Festival in Fayette, Mo., on Friday, March 1, and earned an Exemplary rating, which is the highest rating for a musical performance in Missouri. They received all Exemplary markings from 2 of the 3 judges. Judges comments included, "I think if people heard a recording of you, they would be surprised to find out that you are middle school. SO. GOOD."
They performed the pieces "Ring Out Wild Bells" by Linda Spevacek and "Hands Are Knockin" by Kyle Pederson. They perform next at the Camdenton Middle School Music Festival on April 6. The Waynesville Middle School Advanced Choir is directed by Mr. Dustin Griffin. #wayschools
Sally Beck, wife of Maj. Gen. Christopher Beck, Maneuver Support Center of Excellence and Fort Leonard Wood Commanding General, read to Thayer Elementary students on Friday, March 1, 2024, in celebration of Read Across America Day. #wayschools
Freedom Elementary hosted Read Across America Day today, March 1, 2024, with special guests Garrison Commander Col. Anthony Pollio, Garrison Command Sgt. Maj. Danny Castleberry and Deputy Garrison Commander Renae Lazzarini. Students enjoyed their company as our volunteers read a variety of books to them. #wayschools
The Waynesville High School boys basketball team will play at Districts at 4 p.m. today. The game will be broadcast through MSHSAA TV; however, District-level and higher games require a fee for viewing. (You will need to set up an account if you haven't already done so.) The link to the game is at https://mshsaa.tv/?S=AllenHilliardMSHSAA.
Please exercise caution about purchasing rights to view a game through sources other than MSHSAA.
Cheerleaders take 3rd in competition
Waynesville High School varsity cheerleaders took 3rd place overall in Class 5A at the Missouri Cheerleading Coaches Association (MCCA) State Game Day Competition on Saturday, Feb. 24, 2024.
In addition to their 3rd place overall finish, WHS placed 3rd in timeout cheer, 3rd place in band chant and 4th place in fight song.
The students competed against the following teams: Capital City (1st), Francis Howell (2nd), North Kansas City, Oak Park, Ritenour, Truman and Lebanon.
The Waynesville JROTC Drill Team finished 3rd overall in the Leavenworth Drill Meet out of a field of 26 schools from Missouri, Kansas and Wisconsin on Feb. 24, 2024.
This event also served as the 3rd ROTC Brigade Championship and 2024 Drill Nationals Qualifier.
The results are as follows:
Championship 3rd Place Overall (26 teams in 2 Divisions)
Armed Division 3rd Place Overall
Armed Regulation 2nd Place
Armed Exhibition 5th Place
Armed Color Guard 5th Place
Unarmed Division 4th Place Overall
Unarmed Regulation 4th Place
Unarmed Exhibition 2nd Place
Unarmed Color Guard 4th Place
Unarmed Inspection 2nd Place
Cadet Nathaniel Copeland finished in 7th place for Individual Drill Down
Cadet Martinez (New Cadet Team 1) finished 5th out of 16 teams
Cadet Fau (New Cadet Team 2) finished 7th out of 16 teams
The drill team will next compete on March 2, 2024, at Blue Springs South in Kansas City, followed by the Rocky Mountain Drill Nationals in Denver from April 17-21, 2024. #wayschools
No injuries were immediately reported when a District Van was rear ended in Waynesville at approximately 1:40 p.m. today, Wednesday, Feb. 28, 2024. Three Waynesville High School students and a district employee were in the vehicle at the time of the accident. Out of an abundance of caution, the students are being examined by the school nurse. The parents of the students have been notified and will determine what, if any further medical treatment will be necessary. #wayschools
Mekenzie Moffet, a senior at Waynesville High School, placed third in the 170 lbs Class 2 State Wrestling Tournament on Saturday, Feb. 24, 2024. #wayschools
Free egg hunt and activities for kids from 10 a.m. to noon March 2, 2024, at Waynesville High School's Tiger Stadium. #wayschools
