Waynesville High School

The Waynesville R-VI School District honored its staff members celebrating 30, 25 and 20 years of service during Convocation on Aug. 11, 2025.



Those celebrating 30 years of service are Maria Butler, Melissa Childs and Jason Helton.



Those celebrating 25 years of service are first row: Donna Murray, Robyn Justice, Ruth Ann Justus, Tina Budding, Kellie Scott, Jeanie Wade, Andrea Wessell. Back Row: Jason Davis, Jon Dye, Peggy Arnold, Maranda Beck, Mary Myers, Saralice Campbell, Matthew Johnson and Michael Thompson.



Those celebrating 20 years of service are first row: Jenni Robbins, Linda Luckritz, Denise Holtzcher, Amy Benson, Candace Turner, Jaime Erlewine, Priscilla Perez, Rebecca Robertson, Traci Simpson, Melissa Vernon, Annette Salcedo. Back row: Dawn Smith, Shelly Oliver, Olivia Horton, Jack Berger, Amaris Breton, Kelly Jackson, Kelly Gard, Tabitha Guzman and Scott Turner.

Waynesville R-VI bus drivers will be driving their routes today-Aug. 15, 2025, practicing their schedules for the first day of school. The first day of school will be Monday, Aug. 18, 2025.

Please note that buses will be running late in the afternoons during the first few days of school.

ATTN: Class of 2026 and their parents

A senior class meeting for parents and students of the Class of 2026 will be held at 5 p.m. on Wednesday, Aug. 13, 2025, in the gym at Waynesville High School.

A Jostens representative will be set up for all of your Class of 2026 announcements, invitations, apparel, rings, and CAP AND GOWN.

A friendly reminder about tonight’s Parent-Athlete Meeting

• All 7th graders and their parents/guardians who plan to participate in athletics
• All 9th graders and their parents/guardians who plan to participate in athletics
• Any new student-athletes in 8th, 10th, 11th or 12 grades who have not participated in athletics at WMS or WHS and their parents/guardians

If your child plans to try out and/or participate in ANY SPORT at Waynesville High School or Waynesville Middle School, you and your student should need attend the parent-athlete meeting at 6 p.m. tonight (Aug. 7, 2025) at the Waynesville High School Gym.

If you are unable to attend this event or have questions, please email jball@waynesville.k12.mo.us for more information.

Female athletes gain strength, confidence in first Women’s Power Hour



This summer, female athletes at Waynesville High School completed the district’s first Women’s Power Hour feeling stronger, faster and more agile—and they’ve got the data to prove it.



Designed to encourage more girls to get involved in strength and conditioning, the Women’s Power Hour offered two daily training sessions dedicated to female athletes. While open to all, this time focused on creating a supportive environment where girls could grow together physically and mentally.



One day, Coach Maubach approached with an idea that we’ve both had in mind for a long time. ‘It’s time to stop talking and start doing.’ That’s when the Women’s Power Hour really started to take shape,” said Girls Wrestling Coach Maria Duncan. “Our AD, Cory Ace, was fully supportive from the beginning. Once the idea was on the table, so many coaches jumped in. It truly became a team effort—and because we worked together, we made it happen. We’ve created a healthy sense of competition across teams, and this is just the beginning.”



For Ruby Hisatake, a senior who plays soccer, basketball, and softball, the program made a noticeable impact.



“This year we are prone to come to workouts every day and get stronger every day,” Hisatake said. “(Women’s Power Hour) helped me participate with my team and better my strength, my speed and my agility.”



Using PLT4M—an instructional fitness platform that lets students track progress—athletes were able to monitor their growth and set personal goals.



“I am now able to do stunts and techniques that I wasn’t able to do before,” said Kelise Johnson, a senior cheerleader.



Johnson said the camaraderie of athletes from multiple sports motivated her to keep going – even when she felt tired.



“There’s a kind of energy that spreads when everyone’s doing the same thing,” Duncan said. “A nod across the room, a quick ‘we’ve got this’—those little moments build momentum. You start hearing things like, ‘We’re getting stronger together.’ That’s when you know the culture is shifting.”



Athletes look forward to seeing how the consistency and camaraderie play out in competitions.



“We will definitely see a difference out on the field and court this year,” said Riley Grosvenor, a senior, who plays soccer, softball and basketball. “We’ve all consistently grown. I think it’s definitely going to make a difference.”



Superintendent Hilary Bales, joined by district administrators and coaches, recognized the athletes on July 31, 2025, for their dedication and success in this pilot program.



“Thanks to your leadership and hard work, you’ve helped lay the foundation for future opportunities like this,” Bales said.



In addition to Bales, district administrators Courtney Long, Dr. Elizabeth Washington and Dr. Jamie Goforth attended the Power Hour recognition event for the student athletes. Also present were coaches who actively supported/participated in the Power Hour: Coaches Kevin Schnicker, Cat Poole, Justice Miller, Chase DenDekker, Rochelle Maubach, Miranda Schierding and Jeremy Bartz.



Those who also led the Power Hours, but not present in the photo were Coaches Maria Duncan, Amber Barkley, Sheena Hodges and Kayla Wilson.