Storie named WHS Rotary Student of the Month
Sloan Storie was named the Waynesville High School Rotary Student of the Month for October during the Rotary Club of Pulaski County’s meeting on Oct. 14, 2025. She was nominated for best representing the character trait "selfless service."
Her nominator stated, “Sloan Storie works tirelessly to support the art department. She has contributed her time and talent by painting for the 7 Habits Project and serving as Ms. Birdsell’s A+ student, where she assists her peers daily in ceramics. Sloan’s dedication goes beyond class time—she has spent over an hour cleaning ceramics during art club and consistently lends a hand without needing to be asked. Rather than sitting idle, she actively looks for ways to help wherever she is needed. She has also volunteered at every concession stand and event we’ve held. I am incredibly proud of her selflessness, work ethic and willingness to give her time and energy to others.”
Storie is an exceptional student at WHS. She carries a 3.79 grade point average and has an overall attendance rate of 95 percent for all four years. Storie been a member of the Art Club and National Art Honor Society since 9th grade. She has taken multiple Advanced Placement art classes and attended Youth Art Month, where her art was displayed at the Missouri State Capitol. Upon graduation, Storie would like to continue her love for art and attend the Kansas City Art Institute to study graphic design.
Pictured in the group photo are Morgan Storie, sister of the recipient; Courtney Long, executive director of secondary instruction at Waynesville R-VI; Rotary President Ursula Lebioda; Sloan Storie, student of the month recipient; WHS Principal Brian Vernon; and Tammy Storie, mother of the recipient.
Freedom Elementary 3rd graders and Waynesville High School students teamed up on Wednesday, Oct. 15, 2025, to celebrate Missouri Day.
AP Government students created presentations and hands-on learning stations to teach the elementary students about Missouri’s history and heritage.
“This was so successful that we plan to make it an annual experience and possibly include East Elementary next year,” said AP Government Instructor Eric Thornburg.
The idea originated with Alexis Smith, a 3rd grade teacher at Freedom, who once had Thornburg as her social studies teacher in high school.
"This partnership proved to be a great collaboration," Smith said. "I was so impressed with the presentations and how interactive they were with our students.”
The State Legislature has designated the third Wednesday in October as Missouri Day—a day for schools and citizens to honor the state’s history and achievements.
In addition, a college admissions counselor and GI Bill specialist will be available.
During this event, families will learn about the different types of aid and why it’s important for every student who plans to go to college or trade school to fill out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid – regardless of their income level.
To prepare for FAFSA night, please bring:
· A list of schools you are interested in attending
· StudentAid.gov account information for parents/guardians and student. Students will be able to create account during this time if they do not have one.
· Social Security numbers for both students and parents/guardians.
· Federal income tax returns and W-2 from 2024 as well as records of untaxed income like child support and asset information.
Raiders finish 4th at Smith Cotton
The Waynesville Raider Team finished 4th overall and WHS Senior David Connor took 1st place in the Ultimate Raider competition at the Smith Cotton Raider Meet on Oct. 11, 2025, in Sedalia.
These are Waynesville’s results from a field of 30 teams representing 20 high schools:
· Connor David - 1st Place Ultimate Raider (of 20)
· Inez Casto - 4th Place Ultimate Raider
· 2nd Place - 1-Rope Bridge
· 3rd Place - 1 Mile Ruck Run
· 4th Place - 5k Run
· 4th Place - Physical Team Test
· 4th Place - Gauntlet!
· 4th Place - Overall
This was the last regular Raider Meet of the season. Raider Nationals has been postponed until April 26, 2026, due to the government shutdown.
Student Leadership Team members provide student input on various pertinent issues in the school district.
The following students were selected by their building administrators to serve on this team:
WSGC Representatives:
· Trace Boerner
· Lennox Carr
· Zaki Carter
· Aubree Lamkins
· Leonardo Miller
· Jessicah Njuguna
WMS Representatives:
· Maci Arthur
· Ava Campbell
· Finley Laderer
· Joseph Valencia
WHS Representatives:
· Emmanuel Aguirre
· Emily Babcock
· Kaden Crone
· Nelson Fala
· Sadie Faughn
· Omari Lewis
· Amelia Linde
· Isabella Torres
WCC Representatives:
· Pedro Betts
· Addison Bowling
· Wyatt Glaspell
· Celina Helmuth
· Jamie Laughlin
· Lauryn Lercher
· Belle Magner
· Sophia Roark
· Noah Scharff
· Caden Vaughn
· Haidyn Walters
Additionally, AVID students from both the middle school and high school participated, further enhancing their exposure to postsecondary and career opportunities.
Brig. Gen. Sean Crockett, the Deputy Commander U.S. Army Cadet Command, visited the Waynesville Tiger Battalion on Wednesday, Oct. 8, 2025, at the Waynesville Career Center.
Crockett toured the facilities, spoke to the battalion and received a "State of the Battalion" briefing from the Tiger Battalion commanders and staff. He also recognized four outstanding cadets: LET 1 Jessie Lopez, LET 2 Nicholas Vaughn, LET 3 Sarah Ketchum and LET 4 Addison Bowling.
Lopez was recognized for “facing every challenge with a positive outlook and a desire to improve, making every task, no matter how difficult, a valuable learning experience for herself and those around her.”
Vaughn was recognized for being “the definition of a steady performer. He will take any task assigned to him and complete it on time, to standard and with limited supervision. He always maintains a positive attitude and is respectful to his peers.”
Ketchum was recognized for “epitomizing what a Cadet Leader looks like. She is a scholar, athlete and leader. She is a varsity basketball player, and is the 6th hour class leader because of her demonstrated leadership ability and potential.”
In addition to being the cadet captain and public affairs officer, Bowling was recognized for being a member of the Drill Team and Raider Team. “She has done an amazing job taking photos of all of our events, and telling our battalion story; far ahead of any of her predecessors. She is in the WCC nursing program and is currently applying for the Army ROTC nursing scholarship.”
The Drive4 UR Community event will be held from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturday, Nov. 1, 2025, at Ed Morse Ford in St. Robert to support Snack in a Pack. SIAP will receive $30 per each test drive (1 per household) for up to 200 test drives. A pre- and post-survey must be completed in order for SIAP to receive a $30 donation for driving.
PreRegistration is strongly encouraged for the text drives by scanning the QR code or going to https://d4urc.com/W64XR. (It will state Ed Morse Ford East.)
Snack in a Pack provides meals on weekends and holidays for Waynesville R-VI students who might otherwise go hungry.
To test drive a vehicle, an individual must be at least 18 years of age and a licensed driver.
VOICES to perform tonight during Showcase Waynesville Schools
The VOICES Choir, an honor choir for students in grades 4-6, rehearsed on Wednesday in preparation for their performance tonight (Thursday, Oct. 2, 2025) at Showcase Waynesville Schools at Waynesville High School.
The VOICES Choir is under the direction of Vanessa Mason and assistant directors Laura Taylor, Beth Gibson, Amanda Johnson-Gonzalez, Lisa Martin and Terri Heiby.
Showcase Waynesville Schools is hosted by the Waynesville R-VI School District Foundation and is free and open to the public.
* Showcase schedule at a glance *
- 5 to 6 p.m. WHS 1st Floor
Guests will view student artwork and students will demonstrate their artistic and robotic skills on the first floor fine arts wing of WHS.
- 6 to 7 p.m. WHS Auditorium
Waynesville R-VI students will perform dance, musical and choral numbers in the WHS Auditorium.
- 7:15 p.m. WHS Bronze Tiger
Close friends, family members and community leaders are invited to stay for the formal Induction ceremony into the Wall of Leaders – Janice Roam Dye and the late Dr. Ogden DeWitt as Lifetime Achievement - Alumni and the late Sadie Navarre as Outstanding Educational Professional. Wall of Leaders inductees.
