Waynesville High School

Officer David Gomez – a nationally renowned speaker – wants the community to know how to protect children from becoming victims online. Gomez will speak at 6 p.m. Monday, April 14, 2025, in the Waynesville High School Auditorium. This event is free of charge, open to the public and is being sponsored by: • Pulaski County Opioid Committee • City of Waynesville • Four Rivers Community Health Center • Waynesville R-VI Foundation Gomez will share what he has learned as a law enforcement officer who has operated multiple undercover social media accounts to arrest predators and track down missing children. He will also speak about the dangers of social media, normalization of drugs in social media, and the influence of drugs and alcohol on the youth population. You can find Gomez educating others on YouTube, giving a Ted Talk, positively influencing youth in his hometown, and traveling the country helping youth (and parents) make better choices about digital devices and drugs and alcohol.

Current 5th and 6th grade Basketball Development & 3 vs. 3 Camp April 14, 21, and 28Camp will begin at 6:00 PM and end at 7:30 PM. The cost is $30 per participant. Register here: https://forms.gle/QdMvbknUgH9Wg828A Registration ends April 11th, 2025 Payment should be made at My School Bucks https://www.msbtickets.com/Athletics/event/tom4zlcj Our Camp will consist of individual & direct instruction along with 3 vs. 3 competition. Parents/guardians will need to drop off their camper(s) at the Waynesville High School Main Gym entrance by 5:50 PM and pick their camper up no later than 7:40 PM. Camp will be led by Waynesville Basketball coaches and players. Any questions please contact Head Basketball Coach Anthony Caruso acaruso@waynesville.k12.mo.us or Athletic Director Cory Ace - cace@waynesville.k12.mo.us

Officer David Gomez – a nationally renowned speaker – wants the community to know how to protect children from becoming victims online. Gomez will speak at 6 p.m. Monday, April 14, 2025, in the Waynesville High School Auditorium. This event is free of charge, open to the public and is being sponsored by: • Pulaski County Opioid Committee • City of Waynesville • Four Rivers Community Health Center • Waynesville RV-I Foundation Gomez will share what he has learned as a law enforcement officer who has operated multiple undercover social media accounts to arrest predators and track down missing children. He will also speak about the dangers of social media, normalization of drugs in social media, and the influence of drugs and alcohol on the youth population. You can find Gomez educating others on YouTube, giving a Ted Talk, positively influencing youth in his hometown, and traveling the country helping youth (and parents) make better choices about digital devices and drugs and alcohol.

Braylin Scott, a senior at Waynesville High School, has signed to play football at William Woods University. His signing was held at WHS on Wednesday, March 26, 2025. #wayschools

Hall recognized as District's Teacher of the Year Sam Hall was recognized with a standing ovation from the audience for being named the 2024-2025 Waynesville R-VI School District Teacher of the Year on March 24, 2025, during the Board of Education meeting. Courtney Long, executive director–secondary, and Mike Henson, executive director-elementary, presented Hall with a plaque. Hall is the teacher for the Missouri Options program at Waynesville High School. A retired Marine, Hall has taught in the district for 8 years. He has been responsible for approximately 70 students graduating from WHS in the past three and a half years. He works with students preparing them for the Hi-Set assessments and helping to make sure they meet all graduation requirements. The District Professional Development Committee designed and implemented the selection process. Hall will represent Waynesville in the Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education's Regional Teacher of the Year process over the summer. The regional winner will represent the region in the Missouri Teacher of the Year process.

Fourteen Thespian students were recognized for receiving Excellent and Superior ratings at the Missouri State Thespian Competition during the Waynesville R-VI Board of Education meeting on March 24, 2025. The following Waynesville High School students were recognized by Courtney Long, executive director–secondary: • Alexandra Kelley - Excellent rating, Scenic Design • Josie Andreasen and Hailey Sansom - Excellent rating, Hair & Makeup Design • Hailey Sansom - Excellent rating, Stage Management • Eli Prather and Maleah Johnson - Excellent rating, Acting Duo • Madi Waugh, Natalie Lockwood, Montara Owens and Payton Rushing - Excellent rating, Acting • Aeris (Liam) Kim competed - Excellent rating, Acting Monologue • Mycha Humphrey - Excellent rating, Costume Construction • Teegean Duke and Addison Bowling - Excellent rating, Musical Theatre Duet Solo • Citlali Arzabala - Superior rating, Musical Theatre Solo Performance

Vernon to become head WHS principal Brian Vernon, the head principal of Waynesville Middle School, will become the head principal of Waynesville High School, effective July 1, 2025. He will fill the vacancy created by Dr. Jason Whitt who is returning to the Kansas City area to be closer to family. “I’m excited for this opportunity to build on their success and lead future growth,” Vernon said. Vernon is committed to student success and fostering a positive school culture. He has served as the head principal at Waynesville Middle School since 2019 and has experience at the elementary, middle and high school levels in the Waynesville R-VI School District. He began his career as a middle school S.A.V.E. teacher, then became a PE teacher at East Elementary and later at Waynesville Middle School. Prior to his current role, Vernon served as an assistant principal at Wood Elementary and Williams, Waynesville High School and Waynesville Middle School. Vernon holds a bachelor’s in physical education from Missouri Western State University in St. Joseph, Mo., a master’s in educational administration and an educational specialist both from Lindenwood University, St. Charles, Mo. He is a 1998 graduate of WHS.

Thirteen students who are members of Beta were recognized for placing at the State Beta Convention at the Waynesville R-VI Board of Education meeting on March 24, 2025. The following Waynesville High School students were recognized by Courtney Long, executive director–secondary: • Don Cing - 1st place Biomedical • Siessa Kpessokro - 2nd place French • Kaydence Long - 4th place French • Serina Chen - 2nd place Math • Mason Thompson - 1st place Math • Elyssa Scarborough -1st place Psychology • Logan Giles - 4th place Psychology • Elaine Wu - 1st place Social Studies • Kyle Wilking - 1st place Social Studies • Carter Pondrom - 1st place U.S. History • Kimora Godwin - 5th place Speech • Citlali Arzabala - 3rd place Performing Arts Vocalist • Evelyn Carrol - 5th place Painting Pictured are Beta Co-sponsor Dawn Wilking, Mason Thompson and Beta Co-sponsor Tabitha Guzman.

Summer School registration is now open online! For more details and to sign up your student, click here https://www.waynesville.k12.mo.us/o/wrv/page/summer-school. Please note that you should register your student for the grade they will be GOING INTO this fall. Partridge and WHS students, please note the locations of your summer school.

Waynesville High School will host a Spring Egg Hunt on Saturday, April 12, 2025, at WHS. Egg hunts begin at 10:40 a.m. on the throws field at Waynesville High School. as follows: 10:40 a.m. Age 3 and under / pre-kindergarten - kindergarten 11:00 a.m. 1st - 2nd grade 11:20 a.m. 3rd - 5th grade The throws field is located on the east side of the WHS campus, near Tiger Stadium and the tennis courts.

Weekly Athletic Schedule March 24-29

SAVE THE DATE: 6 p.m. April 30 Community Salute to Service The community is invited to attend the Community Salute to Service at 6 p.m. Wednesday, April 30, 2025, in the Waynesville High School gym. This event is free and open to the public. The Community Salute to Service will recognize high school students from throughout South Central Missouri who are joining/attending any branch of the U.S. military, National Guard, Reserves, an ROTC program at a college/university and/or a military academy. Those being recognized are asked to scan the QR code, fill out the brief form and then arrive at 5:30 p.m. in the Lecture Hall. This event is open to high school students from throughout Missouri who meet the above criteria.

WHS StuCo earns Silver Award The Honor Council Committee of the Missouri Association of Student Councils is pleased to announce that Waynesville High School Student Council has been awarded the Missouri Association of Student Councils Honor Council Silver Award. Awards were presented at the 2025 MASC State Convention held at Poplar Bluff High School. Waynesville High School Student Council was recognized for its involvement at the local level, involvement in South Central District Student Council and involvement at the state level. Only 66 student councils in the state of Missouri met the criteria for the award. The honor is based on an application submitted by each school. Criteria are established to honor those councils that have a comprehensive program in promoting student activities and student leadership. Activities include school service, school spirit, community service, student and teacher recognition and leadership training activities. Student Councils and student leaders make a positive contribution to their schools and help to create a positive educational climate. “We congratulate Waynesville High School for providing an atmosphere where students and Student Council can play a vital role in your school,” stated Honor Council Chair Jane Perrica in her letter. “Thank you to the Student Council advisors/sponsors for providing many opportunities for Student Council members to develop leadership skills. We also wish to recognize the principals and superintendents for supporting their student leaders in all of their endeavors.”

Vote for Waynesville High School’s Way-Med program! Nikki DenDekker's entry for the #DreamBigger2025 grant on behalf of promoting medical and SSTEM ideas in Waynesville High School’s Way-Med program has made the finals. Voting ends TOMORROW, March 19. You can vote once daily at https://www.sparklight.com/contest?fbclid=IwY2xjawJGbixleHRuA2FlbQIxMAABHZTQoHclW6-Oc9JBP5fgpCfDN3xJj6mrLcPIxcuTsCSm31ZQfeDNT8oZYA_aem_a4gS5B-1Vh_aDjpsjwDXzQ. (You may click the x below the “Like us?” and still vote.) Please note: Waynesville High School’s image looks like an operating room and you have to hover over the image to see the words, “Waynesville R-VI School.” Those with the most votes will be awarded $2,500.

Alailima named Missouri Scholars 100 Recipient and Copeland named Honorable Mention Renae Alailima, a senior at Waynesville High School, has been named a Missouri 100 Scholar – one of the top academic students in the state through the prestigious 2025 Missouri Scholars 100 program. In addition, Nathaniel Copeland, also a WHS senior, has been selected for Honorable Mention in the 2025 Missouri Scholars 100 program. The Missouri Scholars 100 statewide initiative recognizes outstanding academic achievement, honoring Missouri's top 100 graduating students and those who have earned honorable mention. Dr. Jason Whitt, WHS principal, announced the awards that honor exceptional commitment to academic excellence. This statewide initiative, organized by the Missouri Association of Secondary School Principals, recognizes and celebrates the accomplishments of 100 outstanding students from the graduating class of 2025. Alailima will be recognized at a special luncheon hosted at the Holiday Inn Executive Center in Columbia, Mo., on Sunday, May 4, 2025. Missouri Scholars 100 is a competitive program that invited schools across the state to nominate candidates based on academic excellence. The selection process employs a formula considering the student's grade point average and ACT or SAT scores. Nominees must meet the criteria of an "Academic Decathlon," successfully navigating 10 challenging academic events to showcase their scholastic strength. To qualify, students must hold a minimum GPA of 3.750, a minimum ACT score of 29 or a minimum SAT score of 1280, rank in the upper 10 percent of their class, and engage in advanced coursework in mathematics, science, English and foreign language. Additionally, nominees must exhibit excellent attendance, exemplary citizenship within the school and active participation in the school's activities. Clark Mershon, executive director of the principals’ association, said, "The Missouri Scholars 100 Program is one of the premier academic recognition programs in the country. It is truly a celebration of learning. Students selected for this program have taken a rigorous course of study and maintained the highest academic standards."

There will be no school in the Waynesville R-VI School District March 17-21, 2025, for Spring Break.

The Waynesville High School Music Department presented its Spring Concert with Jazz Band II, Jazz Band I, Percussion Ensemble, Concert Band, Symphonic Band and Wind Ensemble performing on March 11, 2025, at the WHS Auditorium. All seniors (see list below) were recognized and two received prestigious awards during the concert. Senior Dylan Liegey, who performed a solo on the flugelhorn, received the Louis Armstrong Jazz Award. Senior Seth Steuck, who performed a solo on the tenor saxophone, received the John Philip Sousa Award. The seniors also recognized Band Director Jared Sabatasso and assistant directors Chance Inman, Keisha Jarrett and Andrew Tiefenbrunn, and Color Guard Director Bailey Poncia with gifts of appreciation. The seniors who were recognized were Jade Anderson Evan Baxter Evan Beck Justyce Collier-Ford Rikku Carlson Luke Cassidy MacKenzie Colgan Jayla Courtney Andre Dunz Alessandra Ellet William Figueroa Fionn Gallagher Elijah Guillory Chloe Hayes Morgan Heimbach Dylan Henderson Peter Johnson Jianna Knighten Derrick Liegey Dylan Liegey Connor Long Sofia Mejia Montara Owens Giahnna Rice Chloee Santos Tristan Simental Seth Steuck Edwin Taylor JeNaiya Turner Thomas Walters Henry Westphall Matthew David Wilson Sienna Zuber

Jarrett selected for Disney teacher celebration Keisha Jarrett, a music teacher at Waynesville Middle and High Schools, is one of only 12 teachers in the nation to be selected to attend the Imagination Campus Teacher Celebration sponsored by Disney on May 1-4, 2025. “I’m incredibly excited to represent Waynesville and bring back valuable professional development insights to share with my colleagues and students,” Jarrett said. The celebration is part of National Teacher Appreciation Week, when educators from across the country are being recognized for their dedication to inspiring students every day. The teachers will be challenged to use problem solving skills and collaboration in a variety of educational settings. They will also explore how Disney Imagineers marry imaginative design, storytelling and practical considerations in theme park design. They will also practice proper breath control, diction and character development in a musical theater setting.

Samuel Hall says being a teacher is the closest thing he has found to being a Marine – and he should know. Hall served as a Marine for 20 years, then spent a few years working in business, but has since found his calling in education. “Teaching is the closest profession I have found to being a Marine—you have the ability daily to make a difference in a person’s life,” Hall said. Hall was named the Waynesville R-VI Teacher of the Year on March 13, 2025. “His skillset is unmatched,” Dr. Jason Whitt, WHS principal. “Mr. Hall has been responsible for approximately 70 students graduating from WHS in the past 3.5 years. These students would not have graduated, if it were not for him.” For the past 8 years, Hall has been a teacher in the Waynesville R-VI School District and he currently serves as the Missouri Options/at-risk teacher at Waynesville High School. “Every teacher reaches students, but Mr. Hall reaches some of the hardest to reach kids,” Whitt said. Whether he’s helping a student prepare for the Hi-Set (high school equivalency) exam or recovering credits, Hall refuses to give up on students – even working up until the day of graduation to help a student finish one last credit hour. “When many would have given up, he has never quit. His compassion and caring, but firm attitude gets the most out of students,” Whitt said. “He is the best MoOptions teacher in the State of Missouri and is one the best teachers that I have ever met.” But Hall will tell you he’s the one who is learning every day. “I learn humility, kindness and empathy from my students, along with how blessed I am,” Hall said. Teacher of the Year criteria includes professional activities, professional development, leadership, community involvement, contribution and accomplishments within the education field. Teachers participate in interviews with the Teacher of the Year Committee. During the interview portion, the committee learns more about the candidate’s teaching philosophy, how they interact with and impact students, as well as those issues that they view as a priority in education. “During his interview, one thing that stood out was his advice to new teachers,” said Courtney Long, executive director of secondary. “Mr. Hall said, that teaching is a career, not a job. He readily admits that you’ll be tired at the end of the day, but you’ll also have the satisfaction of knowing that you’ve made a difference.” Hall’s professionalism and passion for helping students extend beyond helping them meet their immediate goals. “He focuses on teaching students to think critically so they can make good decisions now, and in the future,” said Mike Henson, executive director of elementary. Hall will advance to the regional competition. Regional Teachers of the Year from around the state will then move on to the state Teacher of the Year process. #wayschools

Spring Break Athletic Event Schedule