An ambulance was dispatched to Waynesville High School at approximately 5 p.m. today (Wednesday, Oct. 21, 2026) to treat an individual student with a medical condition. A parent/guardian has been notified and will determine what, if any, further medical treatment is necessary.

Every season tells a story, and these seniors have helped make this one unforgettable. From the hard work on the field to the memories made along the way, our senior soccer players have left their mark on the Waynesville Tigers program. As they close this chapter, we celebrate not only the players they have been, but the leaders, teammates, and individuals they have become. Thank you for the time, effort, and heart you have given to this program. Your next chapter is just beginning, and we cannot wait to see where it takes you! Congratulations Seniors! Once a Tiger always a Tiger.

Photos by; Kaleyah Buttner

Tonight, we celebrate our senior volleyball players and all they have contributed to the Waynesville Tigers volleyball program. We are proud of the hard work, dedication, and memories they have shared throughout their time on the team. Thank you for being a part of this program and leaving your mark on Tiger volleyball. We wish you the best in everything that comes next! Congratulations Seniors!! Once a Tiger Always a Tiger.

Photos By; Vaiden Matlock

Waynesville R-VI will host "Math Together: Tools for Home and School" from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. on Tuesday, Oct. 27, 2026, at Parker Educational Center, 909 U.S. Route 66, Waynesville.

The evening will focus on helping families support student success in mathematics. Parents and students will explore practical strategies, hands-on tools and resources to help strengthen math skills, build confidence and encourage problem-solving. Families will leave with ideas and materials to support continued learning.

This is the second in the Tiger Pride Night series for 2026-27.

Several Waynesville High School students have been named to the Central District Band. Auditions were held on Tuesday,on Oct. 13, 2026, at Rolla High School where they memorized scales and learned multiple etudes to play for a panel of judges.

"We are grateful for these students for taking the initiative to go above what is asked of them to learn this extra music," said Jared Sabatasso, Waynesville R-VI director of bands. "The students represented Waynesville to the highest standard."

Those students that made the Central District Band will practice all day with the other members from the district and put on a concert at Rolla High School at 5 p.m. on Nov. 7th, 2026. The concert is free and open to the public. The students that made the Central District Jazz Band will rehearse and perform at 5 p.m. on Jan. 9, 2027, also at Rolla HS.

Qualifying for Central District are as follows:

Payton Rushing- Piccolo 1st Alternate
Ericah Njuguna- Flute 3rd Chair
Tyler Silbanuz- Flute 4th Chair
Ethan Schacke- Clarinet 6th Chair (Not pictured)
Ethan Schnacke- Alto Clarinet 1st Chair (Not pictured)
Vivien Lu- Clarinet 15th Chair
Zoe Striplin- Clarinet 18th Chair (Not pictured)
Alexzander Romans- Bass Clarinet 3rd Chair
Myra (Archer) Gutierrez- Bass Clarinet 5th Chair
Aliyah Bowers- Alto Saxophone 1st Chair
Kevin Connor- Alto Saxophone 3rd Chair
Aiden York- Alto Saxophone 2nd Alternate
Jenna Ballard- Trumpet 1st Chair
Juliet Piper- Trumpet 8th Chair
Matthew Hinton- Trumpet 11th Chair
Mikaila Knight- Trombone 7th Chair
Haley Brown- Baritone 2nd Alternate
Landon Boswell- Tuba 1st Chair
Harley Atchison- Percussion 5th Chair
Zayden Fikes- Timpani 1st Alternate

Central District Jazz Band

Ayuko Kileleman- Alto Saxophone 1st Alternate (Not pictured)
Connor Reith- Tenor Saxophone 2nd Chair
Jenna Ballard- Trumpet 2nd Chair
Juliet Piper- Trumpet 4th Chair
Dim Nuam- Piano 1st Chair
Ulysses Gonzales- Piano 1st Alternate

Smithey named WHS Student of the Month

Christina Smithey, a senior at Waynesville High School, has been named the Rotary Student of the Month for October 2026. She was recognized during the Oct. 13, 2026, Rotary Club of Pulaski County meeting, which her father, Christopher Smithey, also attended.

Smithey’s nominator stated, “Christina is one of my most selfless students, always putting others before herself and going above and beyond on individual community service and service through all her school organizations she's involved in. Christina is volunteering with the Red Cross and ran a Leaders Saves Lives drive over the summer to promote blood donation in our community. She helped run our first school drive where over 63 units of blood were received, and she is running our next blood drive. She additionally is involved with the current hygiene drive to promote students and community to help donate needed hygiene products for Veterans in our community. Christina is involved in health science, HOSA, SGA, Beta and much more, but does not expect regards or recognitions for the service and organizations she helps.”

Smithey carries a 3.76 grade point average and a 96% attendance rate for her senior year. She is president of the Health Occupations Students of America, vice president of the Beta Club and a Student Government Association representative. During the summer, Smithey coordinated and ran the Leaders Saves Lives blood drive and is currently the president of the American Red Cross Club. On top of all her extracurricular activities, Smithey is taking classes Ozarks Technical Community College through WHS and is in health sciences at the Waynesville Career Center. She plans to attend a four-year university with the long-term goal of becoming a physician assistant.

The Waynesville High School Tiger Pride Band competed at the Branson High School marching invitational, placing 11th out of 24 bands in the finals this past Saturday (Oct. 10, 2026)



“The band fought a tough battle through the heat and competed against some of the best bands across the state of Missouri and Arkansas,” said Jared Sabatasso, Waynesville R-VI director of bands. “We are proud of all of these students for their hard work and determination to put on a great show for the audience. It was their best performance to date.”



The band placed 4th in Class 5 in prelims and took home 11th out of 24 bands in the finals.



The band’s last competition will begin with prelims at 10:45 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 17, at the Rebel Invitational in Park Hills, Mo., at Central High School.

Members of the Waynesville High School Class of 1966 took a tour of the current high school on Saturday, Oct. 10, 2026, as part of their class reunion celebration. In addition to reminiscing and reconnecting, the class generously donated $775 to the district’s Snack in a Pack program to help support students in need.

There will be no school in the Waynesville R-VI School District on Monday, Oct. 12, 2026, for a teacher in-service (professional development) day.

Our community came together for an exciting Homecoming celebration filled with school spirit, tradition and Tiger Pride. The evening featured performances by the Tiger Pride Marching Band, Waynesville High School Cheer, Rhythm Nation Dance Team and the Waynesville Tiger Color Guard as Tiger Football took on Ozark.


Photo Credits: Cambria Wilcox, Isaiah Rodriguez, and Kaleyah Buttner

Our featured Senior this week is Isabella! Parents, if you want to see your student on our Senior Spotlight, please complete the Google Form at the following link: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScnJjPoHGy5ikLS3sQdFxprsWIVVd0JFVi5zT_F-QFimyg-gQ/viewform?usp=dialog

We are proud to celebrate our Senior Softball players and the memories they have made with the Waynesville Tigers softball team. Your hard work and team spirit has shown throughout the years and we are proud of all your accomplishments. Congratulations Seniors! Once a Tiger always a Tiger. Photos by Kaleyah Buttner

We are proud to recognize our Senior Golfers. Your commitment and hard work has made our golf team so much stronger. Congratulations Seniors! Once a Tiger always a Tiger. Pictures by Kaleyah Buttner

Celebrating school spirit, community, and Homecoming tradition! Thank you to all of students, staff, families, and community members who came together to make this year's Homecoming Parade a success.

Photo Credits; Kaleyah Buttner

WHS Senior Cheer We are so proud of everything these student athletes have accomplished and the energy they have put into this team and program. You've worked hard as a WHS Tiger Cheerleader and left a lasting mark on this program. Congratulations Seniors !! Once a Tiger always a Tiger. Photos by Kaliyah Buttner

GIRLS TENNIS SENIOR NIGHT! We celebrate our Lady Tiger Tennis seniors! Thank you for your hard work, dedication, leadership, and commitment to the Waynesville tennis program.