On Friday, May 29, 2026, Waynesville R-VI bus drivers will practice their summer school routes in preparation for the first day of summer school on Monday, June 1, 2026. Parents and community members may notice buses traveling throughout the district as drivers rehearse schedules and routes to help ensure a smooth start to summer school.

Hundreds of extra meals went home with Snack in a Pack students, thanks to the WHS Student Government Association leading an effort called Meals that Matter as part of Dude Be Nice Week.

Waynesville High School’s SGA students put collection bins at area schools, held collection drives on two different dates at the local Price Cutter, as well as received food donations from local churches and civic groups. With the help of parents, community members and local organizations SGA students were able to meet the goal of providing two meals for every family enrolled in the Snack in a Pack program.

This year, approximately 476 students across the district benefited from the program.

The annual Dude Be Nice Week is held in April each year and is a time dedicated to spreading kindness and giving back to others.

There will be no school in the Waynesville R-VI School District on Monday, May 25, 2026, and all offices will be closed in observance of Memorial Day.

TODAY is the last day of the 2025-26 school year!

Students will be dismissed early on Friday, May 22, 2026, as follows:

- Grades 6-11 will dismiss at noon.
- Full day Pre-K at Parker Educational Center, Freedom Elementary and Pick Educational and Volunteer Center will dismiss at 12:45 p.m.
- Grades K-5 will dismiss at 1 p.m.

Please note: There will be no afternoon session at Williams Early Childhood Center.

Tiger fans may become Booster Club sponsors



The Waynesville Tiger Athletic Booster Club Sponsorship forms for the upcoming 2026-2027 school year are now available.



Our local businesses and sponsors are the backbone of our programs. When you partner with the Booster Club, your generosity directly impacts our students by funding student-athlete scholarships and providing other assistance and resources for MSHSAA-sanctioned sports and activities.



We would love to have you on board! Whether you are a returning sponsor or looking to partner with us for the first time, you can request a digital or physical sponsorship packet today.



To request a digital or physical form, please email at whstigerathleticboosterclub@gmail.com.



Thank you for your continued support of our students, athletes, and activities!

Register to pick up FREE MEALS for children

OPAA! and Waynesville R-VI Schools are partnering to provide free meals through a drive-through service during summer school. The meals will be available through a drive-through service on the 9th Grade Center side (stadium side) of the Waynesville High School campus between 2:30 and 3:30 p.m. on June 5, 12, 18 and 26.



At a glance:

Who: All children in the community ages birth to 18 (regardless of income)

Time: 2:30 to 3:30 p.m.

Dates: June 5, 12, 18 and 26 at Waynesville High School.

Where: Waynesville High School (9th Grade Center side), 200 G.W. Lane St., Waynesville.

Register: https://forms.gle/Woe2g565tmfrbjRj7 (Meals are free, but registration is required.)

Meals: Each bag will contain two breakfasts and two lunches for each child who has registered through the brief Google form at the link above.



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Frequently asked questions

1. Are there income guidelines for this program?

a. No. All children ages birth to 18 are eligible.

2. Does my child have to be enrolled in summer school to be eligible for this program?

a. No. This program is open to the community.

3. Do I have to fill out the form each week?

a. No. Please indicate on the form which dates you will be picking up the meals.

4. How is this program being funded and why is it being offered?

a. The Federal Government is funding this program and OPAA! volunteered to participate so that families in our community could receive the meals. Children are most hungry during the summer months when regular school is not in session and OPAA! is partnering with Waynesville R-VI schools to help ensure that children have food on the weekends during summer school.

2 WHS students qualify for International Thespian Conference
2 WHS students have placed at State and qualified for the International Thespian Conference in June 2026.

The students, their ratings and their areas of expertise are as follows:

· Teegean Duke, Superior (Stage Construction Design)

· Kaliopee Hibler, Superior (Sound Design)

Courtney Long, executive director of secondary, recognized the pair during the Waynesville R-VI Board of Education meeting on May 18, 2026.

Pictured are Instructors Christopher Crane and Maria Butler, Teegean Duke, Kaliopee Hibler, Executive Director Courtney Long and WHS Principal Brian Vernon.

Students recognized for having art on display at State Capitol



Waynesville R-VI students were recognized during the Waynesville R-VI Board of Education meeting on May 18, 2026, for having their art on display at the Missouri State Capitol in Jefferson City.

Courtney Long, executive director of secondary, and Mike Henson, executive director of elementary, recognized the following students for having their art selected for display at the capitol:



Freedom Elementary:

· Savannah Summers (5th)

· Terrius Bell (2nd)

· Arielle White (2nd)

· Rowan House (3rd)

· Ava Austin (2nd)

· Lauren Burke (3rd)

· Heather Crook (4th)

· Madisyn Fisher (5th)



Waynesville High School:

· Brianna Brown-Myrick (12th)

· Abbegale Brownfield (12th)

· Willa Demmon (9th)

· Myla Hendricks (11th) - Fine Arts Coordinator Award Winner



Pictured are WHS Art Teacher Sarah Luttrell, Executive Director Courtney Long, Brianna Brown-Myrick, Abbegale Brownfield, Willa Demmon, WHS Principal Brian Vernon and Executive Director Mike Henson.

16 WHS music students recognized for their performance at State

Sixteen Waynesville High School music students were recognized by Courtney Long, executive director of secondary, during the Waynesville R-VI Board of Education meeting on May 18, 2026, for their performance at the State Music Contest.





The following students were recognized for their performance at the State Music Contest:



Gold rating

· Landon Boswell, Tuba Solo

· Kevin Connor, Alto Sax Solo

· Willa Demmon, French Horn Solo

Silver rating

· Aliyah Bowers, Alto Sax Solo

· Juliet Piper, Trumpet Solo

· Jasmine Rivera, Flute Solo

Bronze rating

· Richard Peace, Trombone Solo



Vocal Music:

Gold Rating:

· Cyrus Calhoun

· Isabel Diaz

· Lilyana Romero



Silver Rating:

· Addison Bowling

· Ava Byers

· Eulalia Moynihan

· Claire Reed

· A’Nyyah Tollison

· SATB Quartet- Ava Byers, Emma Bailly, Cyrus Calhoun, and A'Nyyah Tollison





The students are pictured with Executive Director Courtney Long, WHS Principal Brian Vernon, Director of Bands Jared Sabatasso and assistant directors Andrew Tiefenbrunn, Chance Inman and Brady Perkins.

JROTC Drill Team recognized for 3rd place finish at Nationals



The Waynesville JROTC Drill Team was recognized for their 3rd place finish at Nationals by Courtney Long, executive director of secondary, during the Waynesville R-VI Board of Education meeting on May 18, 2026.

The team placed 3rd overall and won the Norwich Trophy at the U.S. Army Cadet Command Rocky Mountain National Drill Competition.

The following students were recognized:

Makayla Afriyie

Danely Aguilar

Kaitlin Amos

Austin Bailly

Christie Bennett

Addison Bowling

David Boyd

Inez Casto

Inna Casto

Kamolnet Chaiyasart

Kaden Crone

Abrey Ellison

Sirenedi Maldonaldo

Adriana Martinez

Jeramie Mays

Mason McCord

Josselyn Mendoza

Ethan Morris

Nicholas Nenadich

Amelie Paez

Keegan Sharp

Gabriel Sinden

Trevor Skyles

Addison Smith

Shawn Torres

Aidan Walsh





The Waynesville JROTC Drill Team is pictured with Executive Director Courtney Long, WCC Director Sam Callis and Col. (Ret.) Charles Williams, senior Army instructor.

WHS recognized as Unified Champion School

Waynesville High School has achieved Unified Champion School status, making WHS one of fewer than 50 schools in Missouri to earn this distinction. Dr. Elizabeth Washington, executive director of student services, recognized the students and advisors during the Waynesville R-VI Board of Education meeting on May 18, 2026.

A Unified Champion School is one that intentionally promotes inclusion by combining Special Olympics Unified Sports®, inclusive youth leadership and whole-school engagement. Unified Sports brings together students with and without intellectual disabilities to practice and compete as teammates in athletic events such as bowling, basketball and track throughout the year.

This distinction is a direct result of the dedication and efforts of students and advisors involved in the CSS Program, Tiger Buddies Club and SGA, along with the strong school-wide support of the staff and student body at WHS. Special thanks goes to Stephanie Peace, Karen Wilkerson and Bridget Jones for coordinating this with their CSS classes along with Nancy Swick, SGA.

As a symbol of this commitment, WHS will now display the Unified Champion School banner, representing our ongoing dedication to inclusion.

Students who were recognized include the following:

Danley Aguilar (Tiger Buddies)

Brionna Ash (Tiger Buddies)

Tallon Bennett (Tiger Buddies & SGA)

Lexie Bigelow (Tiger Buddies)

Khloe Brush (Tiger Buddies)

Madalyn Cottier (Tiger Buddies)

Lanie Espinosa (Tiger Buddies & SGA)

Elizabeth Hoard (Tiger Buddies & SGA)

Jay'Merie Howard (Tiger Buddies)

Erica Hull (Tiger Buddies)

Lauryn Lercher (Tiger Buddies)

Laila Lyons (Tiger Buddies)

Ariana Newkirk (Tiger Buddies)

RJ Peace (Tiger Buddies)

Kalee Rhoades (Tiger Buddies)

Aylen Stark (Tiger Buddies)

Morgan Woods (Tiger Buddies)

Eliza Blau (Tiger Buddies)

Sakura Burton (Tiger Buddies)

Connor Feagin (Tiger Buddies)

Gino Collier Ford (Tiger Buddies)

Serenity Gerspach (Tiger Buddies)

John Havens (Tiger Buddies)

Soledad Hayes (Tiger Buddies)

Caylee Lehman (Tiger Buddies)

Andrew Rhoades (Tiger Buddies)

Christina Sykes (Tiger Buddies)

Anastasia Wyant (Tiger Buddies)

Aspen Cain (SGA)

Kelise Johnson (SGA)

Shelby Cannon (SGA)

Wyatt Carter (SGA)

Emmalyn Herrington (SGA)

The students and advisors are pictured with Dr. Elizabeth Washington, executive director of student services, and Shauna Smith, district special education coordinator.

6 FFA students recognized for their performance at State

Six FFA students from the Waynesville Career Center received certificates during the Waynesville R-VI Board of Education meeting on May 18, 2026, from Courtney Long, executive director of secondary.

The following were recognized for their performance at the FFA State Conference:

· Area 13 Star Farmer - Jamie Laughlin

· Veterinary Science Team - 2nd Place at State: Valedia Hill, Jamie Laughlin, Katarina Martin and Kalee Rhoades

State Proficiency:

· Equine Entrepreneurship: Jamie Laughlin

· Outdoor Recreation: Katarina Martin

State Degrees:

· Natasha Lappi

· Jamie Laughlin

· Katarina Martin

· Kira Smith



Pictured are Executivae Director Courtney Long, Natasha Lappi, Jamie Laughlin, Katarina Martin, Valedia Hill, Kalee Rhoades and WCC Director Sam Callis.

11 WHS students qualify for National Beta Convention

Eleven Waynesville High School students were honored during the Waynesville R-VI Board of Education meeting on May 18, 2026, for placing at the State Beta Convention and qualifying to compete at the National Beta Convention in June.

Courtney Long, executive director of secondary, recognized the following for their qualifying finishes:

· Biomedical Health Science 12th Grade- 4th Place: Don Cing

· Cake Decorating Division II- 4th Place: Breanna Bednarik

· Creative Writing Division I- 2nd Place: Zoey Heacock

· Painting Division II- 5th Place: Evelyn Carroll

· Poetry Division II- 2nd Place: Emmalie Erlewine

· Psychology 12th Grade- 1st Place: Elyssa Scarbrough

· Science 12th Grade- 2nd Place: Kaydence Long

· Social Studies 12th Grade- 2nd Place: Elaine Wu

· Spanish 12th Grade- 3rd Place: Alexander Valencia

· U.S. History 11th Grade- 1st Place: Siessa Kpessokro

· U.S. History 12th Grade- 3rd Place: Ki Ventura

Pictured are Executive Director Courtney Long, Siessa Kpessokro, Breanna Bednarik, Emmalie Erlewine, Alexander Valencia and Brian Vernon.

6 WHS students qualify for international HOSA conference



Six Waynesville High School students have qualified to compete at the HOSA (future health professionals) International Leadership Conference in June 2026.

The students and their qualifying project are as follows:

• Kaden Crone, Grey Landreth and Brooklyn Lercher- Biomedical Debate 3rd Place

• Zetalyn Mansapit and Annsley Sherohman- Veterinarian Health Career Display 3rd Place

• Hailey Melchiore- HOSA Happenings- digital newsletter receiving state honors



The students were recognized by Courtney Long, executive director of secondary, during the Waynesville R-VI Board of Education meeting on May 18, 2026.



Pictured are Instructor Nicole Den Dekker, Kaden Crone, Grey Landreth, Brooklyn Lercher, Annsley Sherohman, Executive Director Courtney Long and WHS Principal Brian Vernon.

Waynesville R-VI LEAP students—Aiden Fulkerson, Annaleigh Woodin and Brandon Bullard—have been accepted into the Joseph Baldwin Academy for Eminent Young Scholars (JBA) at Truman State University. This highly competitive pre-college program is designed for high-achieving students and provides an immersive college experience.

During the three-week program, JBA scholars live on campus in university housing and engage in a rigorous course of study led by college faculty and JBA staff. Woodin will participate in the “Soil to Supper” course, while Bullard will study “Big History: Finding Humanity’s Place in the Universe.” Fulkerson, who was also accepted into JBA, has chosen to pursue other opportunities this summer, including competing in the State Civics Bee, which he qualified for earlier this semester.

The last day of the 2025-26 school year will be Friday, May 22, 2026.

Students will be dismissed early as follows:

- Grades 6-11 will dismiss at noon.
- Full day Pre-K at Parker Educational Center, Freedom Elementary and Pick Educational and Volunteer Center will dismiss at 12:45 p.m.
- Grades K-5 will dismiss at 1 p.m.

There will be no afternoon session at Williams Early Childhood Center.

WHS Graduation to be held outside

Waynesville High School's Graduation will be held outside today (Friday, May 15, 2026). Graduation begins at 7:30 p.m. A ticket is required to enter graduation outside. Each senior received eight black tickets to be used for their guests at the outside graduation.

Waynesville Career Center video production students will provide live coverage of the event on:
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/share/18EPepoXAs/

• Youtube: https://youtube.com/live/PEJYf3x7ohM?feature=share

If any technical difficulties occur during the broadcast, please note that the video of graduation will be posted to YouTube after it concludes.

The COMC will offer free sports physicals for Waynesville R-VI athletes from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. (students must arrive by 3 p.m.) on July 20-23, 2026, 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.