











The Waynesville JROTC Drill Team finished 3rd overall in a field of 18 team at the Ozark Drill Competition on Feb. 21, 2026.
The results are as follows:
- 3rd Place Overall
- 3rd Place Armed Overall
- 4th Place Unarmed Overall
- 1st Place Armed Inspection
- 2nd Place Unarmed Inspection
- 2nd Place Armed Exhibition
- 4th Place Armed Color Guard
- 4th Place Armed New Cadet
- 5th Place Unarmed Color Guard
- Aubrey Ellison and Aiden Rivera 1st Place Armed Exhibition Dual
- Aiden Rivera 2nd Place Armed Exhibition Solo
- Addison Bowling 4th Place Individual Drill Down
The next Drill Meet will be held Feb. 28, 2026, at Leavenworth High School.










Wagasky receives FLW Leadership Award
Sophia Wagasky, a sophomore at Waynesville High School, received the Fort Leonard Wood Leadership Award for February 2026 on Wednesday, Feb. 18, 2026.
Wagasky was nominated for the honor word integrity. Sophia's nominator stated, "Being honest, trustworthy, and having strong principles are components of integrity and Sophia displays them all. In the time I have known Sophia through the Student Government Association she has shown herself to be honest and dependable. She is one of the managers for the SGA Tiger Store and with that comes the responsibility of keeping the store stocked and maintaining an accurate money box. In conversations with peers, it is clear that Sophia has a strong moral compass when it comes to academics and life. She also works hard academically and asks for help when she needs it."
Lt. Col. Chris McCann and CSM Christina Schoener, 787 MP BN , recognized Wagasky for representing the word integrity, one of the seven Army values. The seven Army values are loyalty, duty, respect, selfless service, honor, integrity and personal courage.

These are the complete results:
- Overall Meet Champions - 3rd Place
- Overall Armed Division - 3rd Place
- Overall Unarmed Division - 3rd Place
- Armed Color Guard, 1st Place
- Unarmed Color Guard, 2nd Place
- Armed Regulation - 3rd Place
- Armed Exhibition - 3rd Place
- Armed Inspection - 3rd Place
- Unarmed Regulation - 3rd Place
- Unarmed Regulation - 3rd Place
- Unarmed Inspection - 3rd Place
- Trevor Skyles - 4th Place Armed Exhibition Solo
- Aiden Rivera, Aubrey Ellison 3rd - Armed Exhibition Dual
Their next drill meet is on Feb. 21, 2026, at Ozark High School.



















Lauryn Lercher, a senior at Waynesville High School, has been named the WHS Rotary Student of the Month for February 2026 for representing personal courage. She is the daughter of Layne and Becky Lercher and was recognized during the Rotary Club of Pulaski County meeting on Feb. 10, 2026.
The following is a compilation of statements made by her nominators, “'Lauryn has stepped out of her comfort zone to be a leader by example. She took the initiative to help set up a large Pink Out event to donate money to breast cancer awareness. From the start, Lauryn has been the student leading in every aspect of the planning. Lauryn also shows tremendous responsibility and accountability to ensure tasks are done effectively and efficiently. Lastly, she does a great job of getting other students involved to give them a chance to be leaders in various roles, as well. She is above her years of wisdom and has taken the initiative to reach out to community members, administration, and more to help make this event a success. She remains positive, solution-focused, and courageous in the face of any and all problems that arise. The mindset to stay composed, positive and empathetic while making important decisions is a next-level result of her courage.”
Lercher is an outstanding senior with a 4.28 GPA and a 100% attendance for all four years of high school. She is currently the president of DECA and a member of National Honor Society. She is an active athlete, playing both tennis and basketball. She serves as the captain of the basketball team and has earned the honors of Central Ozark Academic All-Conference and District Academic All-Conference.
Lercher will graduate with academic honors, as well as a CNA (Certified Nursing Assistant) and Phlebotomy certification from her health science class. She plans to attend the University of Missouri-Columbia and has received a $14,000 scholarship. Her long-term goal is to become a nurse practitioner/pediatric oncologist.


For more information
Phone: (573) 842-2094
Email: personnel@waynesville.k12.mo.us

The public is invited to nominate a Waynesville R-VI teacher for the Rising Star Award and a staff member for the Support Super Star Award.
The Rising Star Award honors a teacher who is new to the field of education and has demonstrated a positive impact on students. To nominate a teacher for the Rising Star Award, go to https://forms.gle/qDfYnZ9q1S3HALjM6.
The Support Super Star Award honors a staff member for being a support person who has demonstrated a positive impact on students and on education. To nominate a staff member for the Support Super Star Award, go to https://forms.gle/Hj81vWyg3X7Uvkxj8.
The deadline to nominate someone is Feb. 27, 2026.


For more information about openings in the district, please go to https://www.applitrack.com/waynesville/onlineapp/default.aspx?all=1 or call 573-842-2094.
Parker Educational Center is located at 909 U.S. Route 66 in Waynesville.

The COMC will offer free sports physicals for Waynesville R-VI athletes:
4 p.m.-7 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 17, and Wednesday, Feb. 18 at the COMC Clinic located inside East Elementary. The clinic entrance is near the FEMA Shelter on the back side of the building. East Elementary is located at 1501 State Road F, Waynesville.
• Appointments are not required. This is done on a first come, first served basis.
• A legal guardian must accompany the student to sign MSHSAA permission forms.
• No insurance card needed. Paperwork available on-site.
• No vaccines will be given at this event.


















“Waynesville’s strong commitment to academic excellence attracted me to this position, but what excites me most about becoming AD is working with student athletes and seeing their progress day by day,” Kime said. “I believe success is built through incremental gains—showing up, working hard and staying determined. That grind is what shapes character and leads to lasting success.”
Kime previously served as the athletic director and assistant high school principal at Clever RV Schools, before becoming the ISS/Virtual monitor and head high school football coach and junior high basketball coach at Aurora, Mo. Prior to that, he was the high school athletic director, middle school athletic director, high school football and basketball coach, a middle school baseball coach and a high school teacher at Naches Valley High School in Naches, Wash. In addition to teaching history and psychology, Kime has taught weight training and physical education. Kime has a bachelor’s degree in secondary social studies and a master’s in athletic administration from Central Washington University. He has been married to Sara for 24 years and has two daughters who are student athletes at Peru State College in Nebraska.

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The exceptions are listed below.
Snow routes - 48, 49 and 82
Routes 48 A&B, 49 A&B, and 82 AM & Noon will be still be snow routes on Monday, Feb. 2.
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Modified routes - 44 and 76
The following routes will be normal routes except for the following changes for Feb. 2:
Rts. 44 and 76: Those who live in Shady Oaks should meet the bus at Y Hwy. and Helm Dr.

