The Waynesville JROTC collected eight bins of toys for local Toys for Tots efforts this holiday season. Col. (Ret.) Charles Williams, senior Army instructor, thanked all of the cadets, SkillsUSA, and all of the other classes and individuals that donated stating, "You all did an amazing job and your efforts will make the holidays better for countless families in the Pulaski County Area".
Williams Early Childhood Center students performed two concerts (featuring AM students in the first one and PM students in the second one) for their families and friends on Dec. 17, 2024, at Waynesville High School. The young performers shared joy, bringing holiday cheer to life with their music and bright smiles. These photos are from the AM student concert. #wayschools
Leading up to the holiday season, Waynesville Sixth Grade Center students have been making a difference in the community. In addition to raising funds for Snack in a Pack and ringing the bell for the Salvation Army, sixth graders:
· Raised $370 for Genesis House through candy cane sales.
· Along with faculty collected more than 180 pairs of socks and mittens to be donated to those in need.
· Sold hot chocolate and raised $72 for the Pulaski County Shop with a Cop Program. #wayschools
The Route 66 Shootout will be held Dec. 20 and 21 at Waynesville High School.
The second class of WHS Athletic/Activity Hall of Fame inductees will be honored prior to the 7:30 p.m. game on Friday, Dec. 20. The inductees include:
1985 Boys Basketball MSHSAA Final Four Team (Basketball)
Cheryl Vernon (Cheerleading Coaching)
Larry “LJ” Fort (Football Player)
Daniel Pippin (Basketball Player)
Admission is $10 per person for the weekend or $6 per day.*
*All individuals over age 5 will need to purchase tickets, including senior citizens, season pass holders, annual pass holders and staff with athletic passes, as these are not regular season games.
Dr. Jamie Goforth, assistant superintendent of personnel services, presented Shekinah Tabernacle Ministries with the Community Recognition Plaque for December 2024 during the Waynesville R-VI Board of Education meeting on Dec. 16, 2024. Bishop Dr. Willie Curry, Pastor Margaret Curry and their church members were recognized for their generous donation of turkey dinners for staff.
Tricia Foster, an English teacher at Waynesville High School, was presented the Project Teach Award for the Second Quarter during the Waynesville R-VI Board of Education meeting on Dec. 16, 2024.
Foster’s project, “AP Literature Independent Novel Project,” was selected for helping to better prepare students for AP examinations and the collegiate level.
The project includes a $100 stipend from Personnel Services. #wayschools
Two Waynesville R-VI elementary students were recognized for being selected to the All State Children’s Choir by Mike Henson, executive director of elementary instruction, during the Waynesville R-VI Board of Education meeting on Dec. 16, 2024.
Brooklynn Bogucki, a 5th grader at Partridge Elementary, and Trace Boerner, a 5th grader at Freedom Elementary, are two of the 136 4th and 5th graders from across the state who were selected for this honor. #wayschools
Three Waynesville Career Center culinary arts students were recognized for their 3rd place finish at an international food competition by Courtney Long, executive director of secondary instruction, during the Waynesville R-VI Board of Education meeting on Dec. 16, 2024.
The students were recognized for the highest finish by a WCC team at the World Food Championships in the bacon category where they competed against professional chefs.
The three students, who are also Waynesville High School students, are as follows:
· Antonio Villalobos
· Emily Shempert
· Alex Allen
#wayschools
Six Waynesville High School students were recognized for being named to Missouri All-State Music by Courtney Long, executive director of secondary instruction, during the Waynesville R-VI Board of Education meeting on Dec. 16, 2024.
The three students named to All-State Choir are as follows:
· Citali Arzabala, 1st Alternate
· William Figueroa, 2nd Alternate
· Addison Bowling, Honorable Mention
The three students named to All-State Band are as follows:
· Jayla Courtney, 2nd chair honorable mention bass clarinet
· Dylan Liegey, 1st Chair honorable mention lead jazz trumpet
· Seth Steuck, 1st alternate alto saxophone
#wayschools
Waynesville Middle School Student Council members volunteered to ring bells with the Salvation Army on Dec. 11, 2024. Student Council members showed true holiday spirit while serving our community. #wayschools
Waynesville Sixth Grade Center staff members welcomed Superintendent Hilary Bales and Dr. Jamie Goforth, assistant superintendent of personnel services, on Dec. 10, 2024. During the Super Session, Bales thanked them for leading students in service-learning projects that benefit the community. She also informed them of plans to build Liberty Elementary on T Highway, along with plans to leverage an 80-20 PSMI match to build a new elementary school on Fort Leonard Wood. Afterward, Dr. Jamie Goforth, assistant superintendent of personnel services, led staff in a communication activity. #wayschools
More than 160 students and 230 family members attended a special family night on Dec. 6, 2024, at the Waynesville Sixth Grade Center to celebrate the reading of the book, “Hoot” by Carl Hiaasen.
Every sixth grader received a copy of the book and followed a reading timeline, which ended just before family night.
At the event, students and families enjoyed pizza, popcorn and a movie, which is based on the book. Following the movie, every student who attended left with a prize, courtesy of the WSGC Learning Commons, making the event a memorable celebration of learning and community.
In addition to receiving a copy of the book, WSGC students participated in class activities exploring themes like courage, perseverance and environmental awareness—including dissecting owl pellets.
“Hoot” marks Hiaasen’s debut into children’s literature, earning him a Newbery Honor for this entertaining and heartfelt story. The book is filled with humor, hapless villains, and clever kids who manage to outsmart them. #wayschools
The Waynesville High School girls varsity basketball team played their first home game of the season on Dec. 12, 2024, being narrowly defeated 45-47 by Osage. The WHS pep band played and cheerleaders led the fans throughout the game. #wayschools
#wayschools
Waynesville Youth Football donated 470 pounds of food to Snack in a Pack this morning (Dec. 13, 2024).
Snack in a Pack provides nutritious entrees and snacks over weekends and holidays for Waynesville R-VI students who might otherwise go hungry.
Donations to Snack in a Pack may be mailed to Snack in a Pack, Community Resource Office, 12225 Pulaski Ave, Bldg. 8041, Fort Leonard Wood, MO 65473, or you may call 573-842-2250.
WCC culinary arts students prepared the meal for the Waynesville-St. Robert Chamber of Commerce meeting on Dec. 11, 2024, at the Waynesville Career Center. Approximately 100 individuals attended the meeting. The culinary arts students are under the direction of Chef Jon Dye, culinary arts instructor. #wayschools
Culinary arts students at the Waynesville Career Center prepared and served a meal of stuffed pork tenderloin, potatoes, brussel sprouts, dinner rolls and bread pudding for the Rotary Club of Pulaski County’s annual holiday meeting on Dec. 10, 2024, at the WCC. Culinary arts students are under the direction of Chef Jon Dye, culinary arts instructor.
In addition, the Waynesville High School Chamber Choir performed a trio of tunes at the event under the direction of WHS Choir Director Cydnee Gilmore. Afterward, Rotary President Suzanne Wilbur presented a bouquet of flowers to Gilmore in recognition of the outstanding performance. #wayschools
Kimari Stuart, a junior at Waynesville High School, has been named the Rotary Student of the Month for December 2024. She is the daughter of Kimberly Stuart and was recognized during the Rotary Club of Pulaski County meeting on Dec. 10, 2024.
With Stuart only being enrolled at WHS for one year, she has made a positive impact on her teachers and those around her. Stuart was selected to represent this month’s character word of “courteous” by three teachers. Below is what they said:
- “Kimari is the embodiment of courtesy and good manners in every interaction. Whether in class, during group activities or in informal settings, she always approaches peers, teachers and staff with a level of respect that sets a positive example for others. Her polite greetings, attentiveness during conversations and willingness to help others make her a true role model.”
- “Kimari shows courtesy every day in how she interacts with those around her. Her politeness and respectfulness towards teachers and classmates are admirable traits that everyone should strive for.”
- “Kimari consistently shows respect for both her peers and her teachers. Kimari's disposition and manners always impress me. She is a kind and considerate student, and I'm glad to be her teacher.”
Stuart is a great student who carries a 3.17 GPA and has a 95.8% attendance rate. Upon graduation, she plans to attend Drury University and become a veterinarian pharmacist. #wayschools
Three Waynesville High School band students have been selected for All-State honors. Jayla Courtney made 2nd chair all-state honorable mention for bass clarinet, Dylan Liegey made 1st chair all-state honorable mention for lead jazz trumpet, and Seth Steuck made 1st alternate all-state band for alto saxophone.
The three students were among 15 WHS students who traveled to Hickman High School to audition for the Missouri All-State Band on Dec. 7, 2024. These students first had to audition for the Missouri Central District Band and, if accepted, they had the opportunity to try out for the state band. More than 1200 students from across Missouri auditioned last Saturday.
These students will be recognized at the December Board of Education meeting at 6 p.m. Dec. 16 at the Parker Educational Center. Congratulations to these students and their directors Jared Sabatasso, Andrew Tiefenbrunn, Chance Inman and Nathan Gargus. #wayschools
Tayla Jade, along with her daughter Myla Jade, recently made a donation to East Elementary by bringing in a collection of toys from the First Engineer Brigade.
The items will be used as rewards for the school’s Positive Behavior Intervention Program (PBIS), an initiative aimed at encouraging and reinforcing positive student behavior.
Pictured are East Intern Principal Tiffany Rogers, Myla Jade, Tayla Jade and Jason Leinbaugh. #wayschools
