Waynesville R-VI School District

NHS students honor teachers

Waynesville High School’s National Honor Society hosted its Teacher Appreciation Night on May 6, 2026, in the Waynesville Career Center.



Fifty seniors delivered heartfelt speeches about the teacher who has impacted them the most, and then presented their teacher with a framed certificate.



Below are a couple of quotes students shared about their teachers:



“This teacher helped me learn how to lead, how to problem solve and how to grow from my mistakes. Instead of being afraid of mistakes, I've learned that success isn't something that you're handed. It’s something you build step by step through effort and perseverance. Those are the lessons that will stay with all of us far beyond high school.”



“She was there for me, more than just helping me in class, she helped me change the way I saw myself. I became more confident, more willing to speak up and more sure of what I am capable of.”



“This teacher would never let me settle for ‘good enough.’ There's a standard, a level of pride, and expectation that you will be prepared, not just for them but for yourself. They gave me the confidence to step into leadership.”

After being honored, teachers presented the NHS graduation stole to the student. (If a teacher was unable to attend, another stepped in to accept the award on their behalf and present the stole.)

In the list below, NHS seniors are named first, followed by the teacher they honored and the teacher's role:



· Autumn Asbell: Olivia Horton, Science Teacher

· Serina Chen, Olivia Horton, Science Teacher

· Brionna Ash, Mikaela O’Barr, Math Teacher

· Jude Bailey, Lindsey Howell, Elementary Teacher

· Breanna Bednarik, Eric Thornburg, Social Studies

· Luke Pollman, Eric Thornburg, Social Studies

· David Boyd, CSM (R) Steven Tetreault, JROTC

· Byle Briner, Shawneen Hefton, CIT-C Programming

· Mason Rodden, Shawneen Hefton, CIT-C Programming

· Ava Byers, Cyndee Gilmore, Choir

· Calley McCall, Cyndee Gilmore, Choir

· Shelby Cannon, Nancy Swick, Math

· Markell Carter, Crystal Bohrer, Child Development

· Riley Grosvenor, Crystal Bohrer, Child Development

· Juliet Choi, Amaris Breton, Spanish

· Don Cing, Susan Willliamson, Health Sciences

· Ethan Cole, Sarah Luttrell, Art

· Kaden Crone, Col. Williams, JROTC

· Connor David, Col. Williams, JROTC

· Haley Emerson, Samantha Anthony, Math

· Haley Emmett, Theresa Polkman, Elementary

· Emmalie Erlewine, Jamie Erlewine, Elementary

· Aubrey Fields, Nicole DenDekker, Way Med

· Samantha Gadsen, Michelle Henshaw WMS Health

· Wyatt Glaspell, Amy Nichols, Accounting

· Kimora Godwin, Kayla Atchison, WMS SGA

· Keegan Graves, Tate Brand, Chemistry

· Sheila Jones, Tate Brand, Chemistry

· Eve Smith, Tate Brand, Chemistry

· Carson Sutphin, Tate Brand, Chemistry

· Cheyenne McClain, Dawn Wilking, ELA & Journalism

· Remington Minard, Dawn Wilking, ELA & Journalism

· Braden Hays, Sara Wilking, Elementary

· Karlie Horne, Manuela Phinn, Elementary

· Kelise Johnson, Joshua Mize, Social Studies & SGA

· Hanuel Skorich, Kayla Mounts, Elementary

· Lauryn Lercher, Hilary Bales, Superintendent

· Kaydence Long, Charlotte Ray, WMS Track

· Laila Lyons, Bryant Murphy, SRO

· Hailey Melchiorre, Shannon Spray, French

· Alexis Meyer, Timothy Wallace, Video Production

· Madison Mulholland, Melanie Rogers, Volleyball Coach

· Imanuelle Navayra, Tricia Foster, ELA

· Ashlyn Osborn, Jared Webb, College Algebra

· Kalee Rhoades, Emily Barnes, Agricultural Science

· Elyssa Scarbrough, Couri Shepard, 7th grade ELA

· Addison Smith, Sarah Seibert, Science

· Ivy Smith, Nathan Boeh, Social Studies & Golf

· Elaine Wu, Nathan Boeh, Social Studies & Golf

· Ki Ventura, Melissa Jones, Spanish

· Kaitlyn Sullivan, Kevin Schnicker, Basketball Coach