An ambulance was dispatched to Waynesville High School at approximately 8:30 a.m. today (Wednesday, May 6, 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.
It's Teacher Appreciation Week!
Kaitlyn Sullivan, a senior at Waynesville High School, has signed to continue her academic and athletic (track & field) career at Drury University. Her signing was held on May 1, 2026.
Addison Keib a senior at Waynesville High School, has signed to continue her academic and athletic (cheer) career at Drury University. Her signing was held on May 1, 2026.
The Waynesville High School Wind Ensemble was honored to be invited to share the stage with the University of Missouri Symphonic Band on Sunday, April 26, 2026. The joint performance took place at the historic Missouri Theatre in Columbia, Mo., offering students a memorable opportunity to perform in one of the state’s premier venues.
"The students sounded great and represented Waynesville to the highest standard," said Director of Bands Jared Sabatasso.
Sabatasso was invited to guest conduct the University of Missouri Symphonic Band on one of their selections.
Pictured are members of the WHS Wind Ensemble alongside Sabatasso, as well as Dr. Amy Knopps, director of the University of Missouri Symphonic Band, and Connor Long, a Waynesville High School alumnus who now performs with the university symphonic band.
"The students sounded great and represented Waynesville to the highest standard," said Director of Bands Jared Sabatasso.
Sabatasso was invited to guest conduct the University of Missouri Symphonic Band on one of their selections.
Pictured are members of the WHS Wind Ensemble alongside Sabatasso, as well as Dr. Amy Knopps, director of the University of Missouri Symphonic Band, and Connor Long, a Waynesville High School alumnus who now performs with the university symphonic band.
On Tuesday, April 28, 2026, NextHome Realty–Team Lisa Ellis donated multiple pairs of shoes and socks to Waynesville High School through the Shoes from the Heart program. Shoes from the Heart, a non-profit organization committed to delivering footwear to children in need, joined with Lisa Ellis, Next Home Realty and her team. Shoes from the Heart helps provide shoe closets for public schools, providing school staff with immediate access to footwear for students when the need arises. This collaboration exemplifies the shared commitment of both organizations to enhance the well-being of children in our community.
Join us for a community conversation with Kym Laube from 6 to 7:15 p.m. on Friday, May 8, 2026, in the Waynesville High School Auditorium. Laube has more than 30 years of experience helping youth and families prevent substance use and is a member of the Tall Cop Says Stop team.
Parents, families and the public are invited and encouraged to attend this free event.
Laube will share information about how to talk with young people about drugs, alcohol and making healthy decisions. Laube is the Executive Director of Human Understanding Growth Services and has dedicated her work to helping youth and families prevent substance use. She will discuss:
- Strategies to prevent substance use
- Tips for starting open, honest conversations with youth
- Ways families and communities can support and guide young people
This event is hosted and sponsored by the Central Ozarks Medical Center (COMC). In addition to the evening event, Laube will speak with middle school and high school students earlier in the day.
Parents, families and the public are invited and encouraged to attend this free event.
Laube will share information about how to talk with young people about drugs, alcohol and making healthy decisions. Laube is the Executive Director of Human Understanding Growth Services and has dedicated her work to helping youth and families prevent substance use. She will discuss:
- Strategies to prevent substance use
- Tips for starting open, honest conversations with youth
- Ways families and communities can support and guide young people
This event is hosted and sponsored by the Central Ozarks Medical Center (COMC). In addition to the evening event, Laube will speak with middle school and high school students earlier in the day.
Waynesville High School art students earned seven awards at the Clay It Up/Sketch It Out Competition hosted by Nixa High School on April 18, 2026.
A total of 22 WHS students competed against peers from seven schools, taking on a series of timed challenges throughout the day. Each challenge was 70 minutes long.
A total of 22 WHS students competed against peers from seven schools, taking on a series of timed challenges throughout the day. Each challenge was 70 minutes long.
Waynesville High School has announced the Prom queen and king candidates. They are as follows:
Prom Queen Candidates:
Breanna Bednarick
Katherine Bercier
Emmalie Erlewine
Destiny Griffin
Prom King Candidates:
Noah Forte
Brandon Jackson
Keegan Sharp
Ki Ventura
Prom will take place Saturday, May 9, 2026.
Prom Queen Candidates:
Breanna Bednarick
Katherine Bercier
Emmalie Erlewine
Destiny Griffin
Prom King Candidates:
Noah Forte
Brandon Jackson
Keegan Sharp
Ki Ventura
Prom will take place Saturday, May 9, 2026.
Join us tomorrow, Wednesday (April 29) for Community Salute to Service!
The community is invited to attend the Community Salute to Service at 6 p.m. Wednesday, April 29, 2026, in the Waynesville High School Auditorium.
This event is free and open to the public and members of the community are encouraged to attend.
The Community Salute to Service will recognize high school students from throughout Missouri who are joining/attending:
· any branch of the U.S. military
· National Guard
· Reserves
· ROTC program at a college/university
· military academy
Students being recognized should report to the Choir Room at 5:30 p.m. April 29 at WHS, which is located at 200 G.W. Lane St. in Waynesville, Mo.
The community is invited to attend the Community Salute to Service at 6 p.m. Wednesday, April 29, 2026, in the Waynesville High School Auditorium.
This event is free and open to the public and members of the community are encouraged to attend.
The Community Salute to Service will recognize high school students from throughout Missouri who are joining/attending:
· any branch of the U.S. military
· National Guard
· Reserves
· ROTC program at a college/university
· military academy
Students being recognized should report to the Choir Room at 5:30 p.m. April 29 at WHS, which is located at 200 G.W. Lane St. in Waynesville, Mo.
All after school activities for today, April 27, 2026, will not be held in the Waynesville R-VI School District due to the potential of impending weather.
This means there will be no Club Tiger, no WIN, no sports practices, no sporting events and no middle school band concert this evening.
The Waynesville Middle School Spring Band Concert has been rescheduled for 6 p.m. tomorrow, April 28, 2026, at Waynesville High School Auditorium.
The WMS baseball game will not be rescheduled, due to scheduling conflicts.
The Central Ozarks Conference Tennis Tournament, which had been scheduled for today, has been postponed until tomorrow.
This means there will be no Club Tiger, no WIN, no sports practices, no sporting events and no middle school band concert this evening.
The Waynesville Middle School Spring Band Concert has been rescheduled for 6 p.m. tomorrow, April 28, 2026, at Waynesville High School Auditorium.
The WMS baseball game will not be rescheduled, due to scheduling conflicts.
The Central Ozarks Conference Tennis Tournament, which had been scheduled for today, has been postponed until tomorrow.
JROTC Drill Team takes 3rd place at Nationals
The Waynesville JROTC Tiger Drill Team took 3rd place at Nationals during the U.S. Army Cadet Command Rocky Mountain National Drill Competition from April 22-26,2026.
Waynesville's team was awarded the Norwich Trophy for its 3rd place finish out of a field of more than 50 schools from around the world.
These are the complete results:
· 3rd Place Overall - Norwich Cup
· 3rd Place Armed Division Overall
· 5th Place Unarmed Division Overall
· 2nd Place Armed Inspection
· 2nd Place Unarmed Exhibition
· 3rd Place Armed Exhibition
· 4th Place Armed Color Guard
· 1st Place Armer Exhibition Dual - Austin Bailly & Trevor Skyles
· 1st Place Unarmed Exhibition Dual - Addison Bowling & Addison Smith
· 1st Place Unarmed Exhibition Quad - Danely Aguilar, Addison Bowling, Adriana Martinez and Addison Smith
· 3rd Place Armed Exhibition Solo - Trevor Skyles
· 4th Place Armed Exhibition Quad - Austin Bailly, Kaden Crone, Aubrey Ellison, Trevor Skyles
· 5th Place Best Overall Armed Commander - David Boyd
· 7th Place (of over 500) - Christie Bennett
The Waynesville JROTC Tiger Drill Team took 3rd place at Nationals during the U.S. Army Cadet Command Rocky Mountain National Drill Competition from April 22-26,2026.
Waynesville's team was awarded the Norwich Trophy for its 3rd place finish out of a field of more than 50 schools from around the world.
These are the complete results:
· 3rd Place Overall - Norwich Cup
· 3rd Place Armed Division Overall
· 5th Place Unarmed Division Overall
· 2nd Place Armed Inspection
· 2nd Place Unarmed Exhibition
· 3rd Place Armed Exhibition
· 4th Place Armed Color Guard
· 1st Place Armer Exhibition Dual - Austin Bailly & Trevor Skyles
· 1st Place Unarmed Exhibition Dual - Addison Bowling & Addison Smith
· 1st Place Unarmed Exhibition Quad - Danely Aguilar, Addison Bowling, Adriana Martinez and Addison Smith
· 3rd Place Armed Exhibition Solo - Trevor Skyles
· 4th Place Armed Exhibition Quad - Austin Bailly, Kaden Crone, Aubrey Ellison, Trevor Skyles
· 5th Place Best Overall Armed Commander - David Boyd
· 7th Place (of over 500) - Christie Bennett
Ozark Conference Returns in 2027–28; Participating Schools Announced
The Ozark Conference will officially return in the 2027–28 school year, and its participating schools have now been announced.
At this time Camdenton, Lebanon, Rolla, Springfield Central, Springfield Parkview, and Waynesville will form the reestablished conference, bringing together a competitive and tradition-rich group of programs. The return of the OC will reignite longstanding rivalries while creating exciting new moments for athletes, students, and fans.
This announcement signals a strong future for regional competition, rooted in tradition and driven by opportunity.
More details will follow in the coming months. Schools will remain in their current conference alignments during the 2026–27 school year.
The Ozark Conference will officially return in the 2027–28 school year, and its participating schools have now been announced.
At this time Camdenton, Lebanon, Rolla, Springfield Central, Springfield Parkview, and Waynesville will form the reestablished conference, bringing together a competitive and tradition-rich group of programs. The return of the OC will reignite longstanding rivalries while creating exciting new moments for athletes, students, and fans.
This announcement signals a strong future for regional competition, rooted in tradition and driven by opportunity.
More details will follow in the coming months. Schools will remain in their current conference alignments during the 2026–27 school year.
Waynesville High School Student Government Association was recognized for receiving the MASC Honor Council Award and Special Olympics School of Character Gold Award by Superintendent Hilary Bales during the Waynesville R-VI Board of Education meeting on April 20, 2026.
Honor Council
WHS SGA received the Missouri Association of Student Councils Honor Council Silver Award, which recognizes councils for their involvement at the local, the South Central District Student Council and state levels.
Special Olympics School of Character
The Special Olympics School of Character is an award given to schools that take active steps toward making their school environment more inclusive. WHS received the Gold Award and was recognized for students being involved in the CBI class, Tiger Buddies and SGA.
Honor Council
WHS SGA received the Missouri Association of Student Councils Honor Council Silver Award, which recognizes councils for their involvement at the local, the South Central District Student Council and state levels.
Special Olympics School of Character
The Special Olympics School of Character is an award given to schools that take active steps toward making their school environment more inclusive. WHS received the Gold Award and was recognized for students being involved in the CBI class, Tiger Buddies and SGA.
Myla Hendricks, a junior at Waynesville High School, earned a top award for her artwork at the state Capitol and received a $100 gift certificate in celebration of Youth Art Month in April 2026.
For Youth Art Month from March 9 to April 9, students from across the state are selected to have their artwork displayed in the 3rd-floor Rotunda of the State Capitol in Jefferson City, Mo. Hendricks was one of the four selected from Waynesville High School. At the closing ceremony of the Youth Art Month, 15 students were selected for the top awards. Hendricks received the Fine Arts Coordinator Choice Award for her alternate self-portrait in colored pencil titled "Masking." She received a $100 gift certificate sponsored by Blick Art Materials. Hendricks’ teacher is Sarah Luttrell.
For Youth Art Month from March 9 to April 9, students from across the state are selected to have their artwork displayed in the 3rd-floor Rotunda of the State Capitol in Jefferson City, Mo. Hendricks was one of the four selected from Waynesville High School. At the closing ceremony of the Youth Art Month, 15 students were selected for the top awards. Hendricks received the Fine Arts Coordinator Choice Award for her alternate self-portrait in colored pencil titled "Masking." She received a $100 gift certificate sponsored by Blick Art Materials. Hendricks’ teacher is Sarah Luttrell.
Alexander Valencia, a senior at Waynesville High School, has signed to continue his academic and athletic (soccer) career at Drury University. His signing was held on April 21, 2026.
Students recognized for having artwork published
Waynesville R-VI students were recognized for having their artwork published in the Missouri Art Education Association's Show Me Art Coloring Book during the Waynesville R-VI Board of Education on April 20, 2026.
Students designed a coloring page based on their favorite outdoor activities, such as cycling, fishing, camping, sports, etc. and submitted their work for consideration in the publication.
Arianna Haslim's artwork took 1st place at the middle school level, and Emiyah Glover's artwork is featured as the back cover design winner.
Mike Henson, executive director of elementary, and Courtney Long, executive director of secondary, presented certificates to the following:
Freedom Elementary:
• Fiona Qui, 4th grade
• ZaRiyah McCaster, 5th grade
• Kyndal Osborne, 5th grade
Thayer Elementary:
• Jace Taylor, 4th grade
• Isabella Mendoza, 4th grade
• Olivia Davis, 5th grade
• Mina Figueroa, 5th grade
Wood Elementary:
• Ezekiel Mason, 4th grade
• Emiyah Glover - Back Cover Design Winner, 5th grade
Waynesville Middle School:
• Mya Klontz, 7th grade
• Mayzee Magee, 8th grade
• Ellery Earnest, 8th grade
• Arianna Haslim - 1st Place Middle School, 8th grade
Waynesville High School
• Roxanne Acklin, 9th grade
• Kimari Stuart, 12th grade
Waynesville High School students and staff received Culver’s custard sundaes donated by Culver’s on Tuesday, April 21, 2026, in celebration of April being the Month of the Military Child. Volunteers delivered and handed out the custard. More than 60 percent of Waynesville R-VI students are military impacted.
Families and community members enjoyed the Spring Tiger Festival of Nations on Friday, April 17, 2026, inside Waynesville High School. Multiple countries were represented and in addition to providing facts about a culture, volunteers served up samples of food.
Waynesville R-VI hosted its Annual District Art Show on April 17, 2026, with a variety of art projects on display from K-12 students.
