Waynesville R-VI School District

The Waynesville High School Music Department presented its Spring Concert with Jazz Band II, Jazz Band I, Percussion Ensemble, Concert Band, Symphonic Band and Wind Ensemble performing on March 11, 2025, at the WHS Auditorium. All seniors (see list below) were recognized and two received prestigious awards during the concert. Senior Dylan Liegey, who performed a solo on the flugelhorn, received the Louis Armstrong Jazz Award. Senior Seth Steuck, who performed a solo on the tenor saxophone, received the John Philip Sousa Award. The seniors also recognized Band Director Jared Sabatasso and assistant directors Chance Inman, Keisha Jarrett and Andrew Tiefenbrunn, and Color Guard Director Bailey Poncia with gifts of appreciation. The seniors who were recognized were Jade Anderson Evan Baxter Evan Beck Justyce Collier-Ford Rikku Carlson Luke Cassidy MacKenzie Colgan Jayla Courtney Andre Dunz Alessandra Ellet William Figueroa Fionn Gallagher Elijah Guillory Chloe Hayes Morgan Heimbach Dylan Henderson Peter Johnson Jianna Knighten Derrick Liegey Dylan Liegey Connor Long Sofia Mejia Montara Owens Giahnna Rice Chloee Santos Tristan Simental Seth Steuck Edwin Taylor JeNaiya Turner Thomas Walters Henry Westphall Matthew David Wilson Sienna Zuber

Jarrett selected for Disney teacher celebration Keisha Jarrett, a music teacher at Waynesville Middle and High Schools, is one of only 12 teachers in the nation to be selected to attend the Imagination Campus Teacher Celebration sponsored by Disney on May 1-4, 2025. “I’m incredibly excited to represent Waynesville and bring back valuable professional development insights to share with my colleagues and students,” Jarrett said. The celebration is part of National Teacher Appreciation Week, when educators from across the country are being recognized for their dedication to inspiring students every day. The teachers will be challenged to use problem solving skills and collaboration in a variety of educational settings. They will also explore how Disney Imagineers marry imaginative design, storytelling and practical considerations in theme park design. They will also practice proper breath control, diction and character development in a musical theater setting.

Samuel Hall says being a teacher is the closest thing he has found to being a Marine – and he should know. Hall served as a Marine for 20 years, then spent a few years working in business, but has since found his calling in education. “Teaching is the closest profession I have found to being a Marine—you have the ability daily to make a difference in a person’s life,” Hall said. Hall was named the Waynesville R-VI Teacher of the Year on March 13, 2025. “His skillset is unmatched,” Dr. Jason Whitt, WHS principal. “Mr. Hall has been responsible for approximately 70 students graduating from WHS in the past 3.5 years. These students would not have graduated, if it were not for him.” For the past 8 years, Hall has been a teacher in the Waynesville R-VI School District and he currently serves as the Missouri Options/at-risk teacher at Waynesville High School. “Every teacher reaches students, but Mr. Hall reaches some of the hardest to reach kids,” Whitt said. Whether he’s helping a student prepare for the Hi-Set (high school equivalency) exam or recovering credits, Hall refuses to give up on students – even working up until the day of graduation to help a student finish one last credit hour. “When many would have given up, he has never quit. His compassion and caring, but firm attitude gets the most out of students,” Whitt said. “He is the best MoOptions teacher in the State of Missouri and is one the best teachers that I have ever met.” But Hall will tell you he’s the one who is learning every day. “I learn humility, kindness and empathy from my students, along with how blessed I am,” Hall said. Teacher of the Year criteria includes professional activities, professional development, leadership, community involvement, contribution and accomplishments within the education field. Teachers participate in interviews with the Teacher of the Year Committee. During the interview portion, the committee learns more about the candidate’s teaching philosophy, how they interact with and impact students, as well as those issues that they view as a priority in education. “During his interview, one thing that stood out was his advice to new teachers,” said Courtney Long, executive director of secondary. “Mr. Hall said, that teaching is a career, not a job. He readily admits that you’ll be tired at the end of the day, but you’ll also have the satisfaction of knowing that you’ve made a difference.” Hall’s professionalism and passion for helping students extend beyond helping them meet their immediate goals. “He focuses on teaching students to think critically so they can make good decisions now, and in the future,” said Mike Henson, executive director of elementary. Hall will advance to the regional competition. Regional Teachers of the Year from around the state will then move on to the state Teacher of the Year process. #wayschools

Sam Callis, director of the Waynesville Career Center, spoke to the Rotary Club of Pulaski County on March 11, 2025, about the 19 programs that are offered at the WCC. The WCC serves nine high schools and approximately 550 students. Programs are available for both high school and adult students. Callis also spoke about the continued growth in career and technical fields now and well into the future. Following his speech, Callis was presented a Rotary coin from Suzanne Wilber, president of the Rotary Club. #wayschools

Freedom Elementary hosted its first leadership day Friday, March 7, 2025. Guests from both the Waynesville R-VI School District and neighboring districts were greeted by the Freedom's Assembly Leaders, Spirit Squad and Student Lighthouse Team. Their day included a performance by the Tiger Beat bucket drummers and a tour of the building led by Freedom's Lighthouse Team highlighting aspects of Leader in Me throughout the school. Following their tours, staff and parent Lighthouse panels shared how they support Leader in Me within the school and what "Big Rocks" each group is working toward. #wayschools

Jaylee Gettys, a junior at Waynesville High School, has been named the WHS Rotary Student of the Month for March 2025. She was recognized on March 11 at the Rotary Club of Pulaski County meeting. Her parents are Melanie and Ashley Rogers and Jayme and Krystal Gettys. Gettys nominator stated, “Jaylee Gettys is an extreme example of someone who always displays integrity. She has consistently shown integrity in Nutrition and Wellness through her honesty, responsibility and strong work ethic. Whether collaborating on group projects, completing assignments or participating in food labs, she always does the right thing—even when no one is watching. Jaylee takes pride in submitting her own work, asking for help when needed instead of taking shortcuts, and she owns up to mistakes with a positive attitude. In the kitchen, she follows recipes carefully, measures ingredients accurately and ensures that teamwork is fair and respectful. Her actions set a great example for her classmates, showing that integrity is important. Jaylee is going to do great things!” Gettys is an outstanding student that carries a 3.97 grade point average and has a 96% attendance rate this year. She is on the varsity volleyball team and has played as a Waynesville Tiger since 7th grade. She is also a member of the Family, Career and Community Leaders of America. Upon graduation, Gettys plans to become an educator and teach science or anatomy. #wayschools

Waynesville High School kicked off Academic Week with a banquet to recognize WHS students who have a 3.7 or higher grade point average or who met the GPA growth requirement. Throughout the evening, WHS Theatre Troupe 1669 students performed musical arrangements to promote their upcoming performances. In addition, Tricia Foster recognized Dr. Jason Whitt for starting Academic Week at WHS The students who were recognized (by class year) are as follows: ____________________ Sophomores Russell Aden Danely Aguilar Harley Atchison Emily Babcock Ethan Baxter Alayna Beels Jasmine Benefield Christie Bennett Tallon Bennett Trinity Bennett Andrew Boda Faith Bohrer Olivia Bone Landon Boswell Collin Box Kaleyah Buttner Christian Campbell Sophia Campbell Wyatt Carter Riley Chase Aleksander Cichocki Vung Ciin Kaitlyn Colgan Jeramyah Creighton Ella DeWitt Riley Dunkel Grace Foster Ulysses Gonzales Elijah Green Raeleigh Green Gregory Harless Brady Harpel Tiana Harper Jeffrey Hickey Reilly-Ann Knowlton Kameren Knox Siessa Kpessokro Levi Kriebs Nicolas Lederle Danica Leet Brooklynn Lercher Vaiden Matlock Liam Moore Evolet Morris Andre Morse Dakota Nix Holly Oehlerking Brayden Ornot Dejah Pelliccia Chase Phinn Juliet Piper Samantha Powell Tre'Von Reed Everett Rinck Aleyris Rivera Darrell Rodriquez Conner Ross Ethan Scarbrough Zoey Self Hailey Sexton Joshulynn Shipp Logan Spahn Kayla Stuckey Cori Swartz Joe Telebrico Hannah Ussery Ivan Velasco Jocelynn Velazquez Aden Westerman Bella Wethington Cambria Wilcox Aaron Williams Deon Wold Chihiro Yoshida ____________________ JUNIORS Abigail (Dante) Alford Autumn Gwen Asbell Brionna Ash Beatrice Caterina Azara Arkadian Baumeister Breanna Bednarik David Boyd Kyle Briner Ashya Burton Ava Byers Shelby Cannon Markell Carter Serina Chen Juliet Choi Don Cing Kaden Crone Adrian Cueto Francisco Arismendy Cueto Francisco Connor David Haley Emerson Haley Emmett Emmalie Erlewine Aubrey Fields Samantha Gadsden Jaylee Gettys Wyatt Glaspell Kimora Godwin Noah Goerl Isidro Gonzalez Alexis Good Keegan Graves Regan Grosvenor Riley Grosvenor Trey Guill Jashon Hamilton Braden Hays Zacheriah Heighton Miley Heimbach Madison Hite Karlie Horne Sheila Jones Jakob Kalanquin Christopher Knight Grey Landreth Haneul Lee Lauryn Lercher Luke Lockhart Kaydence Long Laila Lyons Zetalyn Mansapit Alyssa Mar Aden Maust Cheyenne McClain Hailey Melchiorre Alexis Meyer Chloe Moredock Isabella Moredock Victor Munguia Carl Myers Sydney Myers Imanuelle Navayra Arianna Newkirk Ashlyn Osborn Dylan Pelkey Isabella Pereyra Luke Pollman Kaylee Putman Alexis Rase Kalee Rhoades Mason Rodden Elyssa Scarbrough Stanley Sikora Eleanor Silengo Addison Smith Eve Smith Ivy Smith Angela Speed Sloan Storie Kaitlyn Sullivan Carson Sutphin Jackson Thibodeau Luke Thompson Clarence Peter Torres Emily Trottier Kaelyn Tyree Emily Van Loan Caden Vaughn Ki Ventura Jesslene Vinson Cooper West Jackson Westphall Emilee Williams Elaine Wu ____________________ SENIORS Renae Alailima Nysa Alvarez Josephine Andreasen Citlali Arzabala Dashayla Bean Evan Beck Alexis Bennett Tristan Boerner Rikku Carlson Luke Cassidy Anna Chen MacKenzie Colgan Conner Cook Nathaniel Copeland Taylor Cornelison Karina Cruz Kaitlynn Dirck Andre Dunz Alessandra Ellett Ethan Esguerra Elvin Esguerra Drew Fidler William Figueroa Haylee Fort Asia Frazier Josseline Galvan Logan Giles Kurt Hauer Chloe Hayes Dylan Henderson Mackenzie Henderson Kadence High Brandon Howard Maleah Johnson Peter Johnson Michael Kelsey Jianna Knighten Jillian Logan Connor Long S'ence Maldonado Aayden Mantle Kiera Matesowicz Sofia Mejia Caleb Myrick Dakota Osborn Montara Owens Yisel Perez Carter Pondrom Kamden Raines Giahnna Rice Ethan Rothmel Johnathon Schultz Bella Simmons Aiden Smith Aniyah Smith Seth Steuck John Swanson Riley Swanson Mason Thompson Lord Torres Faith Valdes Julian Vassallo Mia Verry Damian Walley Thomas Romulo Walters Madilyn Waugh Brayden Weigelt Kyle Wilking Alexis Williams Matthew Wilson Cameron Wilson Elijah Wooden Mackenzie Workman Aiden Ybarra Justin Zuber Sienna Zuber #wayschools

Community leaders volunteered to conduct mock interviews with Waynesville Career Center students in March 2025. Volunteers included soldiers from the 787th Military Police Battalion, Homeland Defense MSCoE, Chemical Defense Training Facility (CDTF), and Combat Training Company (CTC), as well as civilians from the Army Continuing Education System (ACES). Students provided resumes and answered questions related to their career field. Mock interviews are part of the college and career ready experiences that help prepare students for the real world. #wayschools

Waynesville R-VI Superintendent Hilary Bales and Dr. Jerrod Wheeler, superintendent at Knob Noster, met with U.S. Representative Mark Alford on March 11, 2025, at the Capitol in Washington, D.C. They spoke about the importance of federal Impact Aid in educating Waynesville R-VI and Knob Noster students. Bales also spoke with Alford about the importance of funding for our JROTC programs. Bales is attending the Spring 2025 National Association of Federally Impacted Schools, and has been elected to the NAFIS Board of Directors.

The Hope Squad at the Waynesville Sixth Grade Center hosted a food and household drive for the Armed Services YMCA. This friendly competition among homerooms and the office was a success with multiple items being donated. Hope Squad Facilitators Theresa McNutt, Kim Ramirez and Jody Taylor stated, "We are so proud of our Hope Squad team of students; this was an amazing service-learning project that they took charge of and it was exciting to see them work together for a great cause."

Nineteen Waynesville High School band and choir students are heading to State after receiving Exemplary ratings at the District Solo/Small Ensemble Festival held at Lebanon High School on March 8, 2025. “The students represented themselves and Waynesville to the highest standard,” said Band Director Jared Sabatasso. “The judges were extremely complimentary. We are proud of all these students and their accomplishments.” State solos/small ensembles will be held on the University of Missouri-Columbia campus on May 2, 2025. Each performer prepared a solo or an ensemble and had to perform it in front of an adjudicator. The individual results are in the graphics below.

Teachers recognized at JROTC Ball and Morris serves as keynote speaker Rick Morris served as the keynote speaker and Waynesville Army JRTOC cadets honored teachers during their 2024-25 Military Ball on Saturday, March 8, 2025, at the Waynesville Career Center. The teachers who were recognized and the students who recognized them during the banquet are as follows: • Lashanda McColister (who was unable to attend) was recognized by Annalyse Rivera • Laura Steibrink was recognized by Nathaniel Copeland • Dawn Wilking was recognized by Emily Trotten • Rick Jeter was recognized by Maxemillian Jorgensen • Cydnee Gilmore was recognized by Marissa Esquivel In addition, Stacie Parker was recognized by Joseph Mendiola in the program. Morris is the Civilian Aide to the Secretary of the Army for Missouri South. He is also the director of operations for Fort Wood Hotels by Ehrhardt Properties that owns and operates five hotels in St. Robert and he is the managing partner of Liberty Management Group. He is also the chair of the Committee of Fifty. He served in the U.S. Army for 23 years, retiring at the rank of command sergeant major. The JROTC Chain of Command Battalion S-3 Annalyse Rivera, Battalion Commander Nathaniel Copeland, Command Sgt. Maj. Kaden Crone, and Executive Officer Joseph Mendiola presented keynote speaker Rick Morris with a plaque and certificate. Following his speech, Morris recognized WHS Choir Director Cyndee Gilmore, and cadets Marissa Esquivel, Addison Smith, Sirenedi Maldonado, Drake Rodger and Nathaniel Copeland with coins. Morris also praised Addison Bowling and Aaron Gonzales for their outstanding singing of the National Anthem at the beginning of the evening. Col. (R) Charles Williams, senior Army instructor, also presented a plaque to Marianne Ward, director of communications and marketing, for her help in telling JROTC’s story. Williams and Command Sgt. Maj. (R) Steven Tetreault presented the senior members of the drill team with their senior coins. #Wayschools #fortwoodhotels

Waynesville Middle School hosted its Second Annual STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) night for students and their families. Missouri University of Science and Technology brought information on summer camp opportunities 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

This month’s #TeacherProudTuesday shout-out goes to Tina Kramer, a teacher at Williams Early Childhood Center. Her nominator wrote, “Mrs. Kramer is such a nurturing and supportive teacher to our son and our whole family. She is so kind and passionate about the students and it shows in the growth of her students. We feel so lucky our son has had her two years in a row!” To nominate a Waynesville R-VI teacher for #TeacherProudTuesday, please complete the form at https://forms.gle/CGYYJiuAvyvSwQhs6. #WaySchools #TeacherProudTuesday

The FLW Mid-Missouri AUSA Chapter has again donated $500 to the Waynesville JROTC program. The funds are designed to assist the program as needed and are earmarked for the championship trophies at Waynesville’s Drill Meet and Raider Meet. JROTC students also support the efforts of the local Mid Missouri Chapter by providing a Color Guard and other support when needed. CSM(R) Freddie Brock, AUSA Chapter President, is pictured with Waynesville JROTC cadet leaders. #wayschools

Waynesville CTA will host Meet the Candidates Night at 6 p.m. March 13, 2025, in the Parker Educational Center in Waynesville. The candidates for the Waynesville R-VI Board of Education are Aaron Pondrom, Charles Quinn and Richard Oxendine. CTA hosts this forum as an opportunity for voters to learn more about the three individuals who have filed for School Board. CTA will ask each candidate the same questions and they will have a set period of time to answer each question. Two seats, each for a three-year term, are scheduled to be filled in this election. The election date is Tuesday, April 8. The forum will be broadcast live on Facebook Channel 12 Tiger TV at https://www.facebook.com/share/151WKqjDmb/ and on Youtube at https://www.youtube.com/live/7KcqnV7okKY. #wayschools

For the first time ever, Waynesville High School entered six ensembles in the MSHSAA Large Ensemble Festival and all six received the highest rating of Exemplary on March 4, 2025, at Camdenton High School. “We cannot stress enough how proud we are of all of our ensembles,” said Band Director Jared Sabatasso. “Our goal is to instill a sense of ownership and pride within our band program and, once achieved, the students tend to get the results they are searching for.” The six ensembles were the Waynesville Saxophone Choir, Brass Choir, Percussion Ensemble, Concert Band, Symphonic Band and Wind Ensemble. "We are thrilled about our growth in numbers within our band program," said Sabatasso. “One of the judges wrote a note to our students stating, ‘You are blessed to be a part of a truly wonderful program. Enjoy every moment of it.’" These ensembles will perform their Spring Band Concert at 6 p.m. March 11 in the WHS Auditorium. The band program is under the direction of Jared Sabatasso, and assistant band directors Andrew Tiefenbrunn, Chance Inman and Keisha Jarrett. #wayschools

Waynesville Middle School students were among those that attended the Vietnam-Era Veteran Commemoration Ceremony on Feb. 28, 2025, at the Parker Educational Center. WMS 8th graders who have 6th hour social studies and WMS students who submitted essays in the 2025 National Civics Bee through the Waynesville-St. Robert Chamber of Commerce attended the event. The event was hosted by the FLW Mid-Missouri AUSA Chapter. The Vietnam Commemorative Program was signed into law in 2012 and created a 13-year period to recognize Vietnam-Era Veterans and families of those who served in the U.S. Armed Forces from Nov. 1, 1955, to May 15, 1975. In 2021, CSM (R) Freddie Brock on behalf of the FLW Mid-Missouri AUSA Chapter, applied to be a Commemorative Partner. Currently the chapter, under Brock’s leadership, has recognized 770 Vietnam-Era Veterans. The Commemorative Program ends in November 2025. #wayschools

Waynesville High School students Abby Augenstein and Ginger McElhaney led an “Over and Under Drive” this winter to collect socks, underwear, blankets and coats for students at Williams Early Childhood Center, Parker Educational Center, East Elementary and Freedom Elementary. Augenstein and McElhaney conducted the drive as part of their Family, Career and Community Leaders of America project. The pair competed at FCCLA Regional Star Events, Chapter Service Project, in January and were selected to go onto State. They will be competing at State on March 16-18, 2025. #wayschools

Avery Francisco, a 4th grader at East Elementary, has won 2nd place in the elementary instrumental category of the Creating Original Music Project at the University of Missouri. “Avery has composed a piece of music for piano 4 hands (two people share the keyboard at once),” said East Music Teacher Hannah Macarthy. “We are so incredibly proud here at East Elementary.” Francisco will be awarded $500 for earning 2nd place in COMP 2025 with her original musical composition, “The Dinosaur Forces Combined.” She and her parents have been invited to attend the Creating Original Music Project Festival on April 19, 2025, at the Sinquefield Music Center in the University of Missouri. She will have the opportunity to participate in a group class, rehearsal, concert and awards ceremony. #wayschools