Waynesville R-VI School District

Thank you to those that joined us for the Community Pride Night on Friday, Sept. 27, 2024. Your enthusiasm and support, along with the generosity of our Waynesville/St. Robert Chamber of Commerce members, highlighted our local tiger spirit. #wayschools

Janice “Jann” Dye was recognized for serving as the first president of the Waynesville R-VI School District during Showcase Waynesville Schools on Thursday, Sept. 26, 2024, at Waynesville High School. Dye’s granddaughter Kayte Dye performed a dance in honor of her grandmother and then Dye was presented orange roses and an engraved vase by Cheryl Vernon, president of the Waynesville R-VI Foundation. Dye served as president of the foundation from 2012 to 2023.

Four individuals were inducted into the Wall of Leaders on Thursday, Sept. 26, 2024, during Showcase Waynesville Schools. They are as follows: the late William C. Anderson Jr. and Jim Bales as Lifetime Achievement - Alumni award winners and Erwin “Erv” Morriss and Lula Mae “Luge” Hardman as Outstanding Educational Professionals. The Honorable Colin Long served as the emcee and Foundation President Cheryl Vernon provided a welcome and closing remarks. Waynesville Career Center students provided appetizers and the Waynesville Career Center’s floral arrangement class designed the flowers. Speaking on behalf of William C. Anderson Jr. were family members Dr. Monica Fulton and Bill Anderson. Speaking on behalf of Jim Bales was his wife Charlas Bales. Luge Hardman spoke and then Melissa Vernon spoke on behalf of her grandfather, Erv Morriss. Their plaques will hang on the Wall of Leaders, which is located at the main entrance to Waynesville High School. The plaques state as follows: LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT – ALUMNI William C. Anderson Jr. William C. Anderson Jr., a 1937 Waynesville High School graduate, served in the Citizen Military Training Camp and Civilian Conservation Corps before enlisting in the 406th Infantry of the U.S. Army Reserve Corps in 1940. He was Provost Marshall at Camp Bullis, TX, and later served under Gen. MacArthur at Ft. McKinley, PI. In 1942, CPT Anderson was captured during the Battle of Bataan, enduring the “Bataan Death March” and POW camps until 1945. He died aboard a Japanese transport ship on January 20, 1945, and is buried at sea. His legacy lives on through the Distinguished Service Cross and, posthumously, the Bronze Star for his heroism. The WHS soccer field and American Legion Post 331 in St. Robert honor him. In 2024, William C. Anderson Jr. is posthumously honored with the Lifetime Achievement - Alumni Award LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT – ALUMNI Jim Bales Jim Bales (1941-2024) graduated in 1960 and served in the Missouri National Guard. An entrepreneur, he joined the family business, Bales Construction, building subdivisions, commercial properties, churches and schools. He served the Waynesville R-VI Board of Education for several years, including as president. He attended Tiger basketball games throughout his lifetime – a sport he loved playing at WHS. His passion for the building trades was especially evident as he awarded the Les and Lenora Bales Scholarship to Waynesville Career Center students for many years. He loved his family, classic cars, horses, school, community, and God with passion and affection. Known as a role model and for his quiet generosity, he was a member of Faith Baptist Church. Jim Bales is honored with the 2024 Lifetime Achievement - Alumni Award. OUTSTANDING EDUCATIONAL PROFESSIONAL Erwin “Erv” Morriss Erwin “Erv” Morriss spent 39 years in education with 31 of those years in the Waynesville R-VI School District, serving as an assistant principal, high school principal, assistant superintendent and superintendent until he retired in 2000. His vision was to provide the best for every student—the best teachers, administrators and facilities. He encouraged teachers, mentored aspiring administrators and championed new facilities. He was president of the National Association of Military Impacted Schools and a member of the Community Teachers Association, Missouri State Teachers Organization, Missouri Association of Secondary Principals, Missouri Association of School Administrators, Lion’s Club, Sojourners Club and Waypoint United Methodist Church. Erv Morriss is honored as the 2024 Outstanding Educational Professional. OUTSTANDING EDUCATIONAL PROFESSIONAL Lula Mae “Luge” Hardman Lula Mae “Luge” Hardman spent 30 years teaching in the Waynesville R-VI School District, retiring in 2001 at Waynesville High School. She developed strong, positive relationships with her students, leading to lifelong connections. Her passion for history prompted engaging classroom discussions, inspiring many to pursue careers in education. She has received teaching awards from the Missouri Historical Society, Missouri Council for the Social Studies and Daughters of the American Revolution. Her teaching career continued as adjunct professor for Drury University until 2014. Her service to youth, education and her community continued as she was elected to the Waynesville City Council and later as Mayor of Waynesville 2012-20. Luge Hardman is honored as the 2024 Outstanding Educational Professional. Nominations are being accepted Nominations for next year’s inductees into the Wall of Leaders are being accepted. The nomination process is managed by the Waynesville R-VI School District Foundation, which hosted Showcase Waynesville Schools. To make a nomination, please go to www.waynesvilleschoolsfoundation.com and click on “What We Do” to download the nomination form and rubrics.

During the stage portion of Showcase Waynesville Schools, the following performed: Waynesville High School Jazz Band, WMS and WHS Steel Drums, Seth Steuck, David Lawson, VOICES Honor Choir, Landon Boswell, WHS Chamber Choir, WHS Dance Team Rhythm Nation, Destination Dance and Kayte Dye. Austin Lujan led the Pledge of Allegiance, Waynesville JROTC presented the Colors and light refreshments were prepared by the Waynesville Career Center culinary arts students. The welcome was provided by Foundation President Cheryl Vernon and the emcees were Haylee Fort, Mackenzie Workman and Mike Dunbar. Video bios were presented of the four inductees into the Wall of Leaders: William Anderson Jr. , Jim Bales, Luge Hardman and Erv Morriss. A special thanks goes to WHS Theatre Department for their assistance.

Student artwork lined the hallway and art students provided live art demonstrations, including painting and pottery, during Showcase Waynesville Schools on Thursday, Sept. 26, 2024. Students also demonstrated their skills at robotics and coding during the first hour of the event.

Waynesville Superintendent Hilary Bales praised the Perimeter Center’s staff members for providing an in-person education at the center and for going above and beyond to meet their students' needs.

Waynesville Career Center's culinary arts students took 1st in People’s Choice, Best of Show and 2nd place from the judges at the City of Waynesville's Croaker's Culinary Cook-off during Hogs and Frogs on Sunday, Sept. 22, 2024. Their entry for the tailgate-themed event was a burger stuffed with stuffed jalapenos with fried cheese and special sauce on top. In the judges competition, Drachenfutter took 1st place, WCC took 2nd and Honey Chile Please took 3rd place. #wayschools

The following plans are in place as of Thursday morning: PARADE As of this time, the Homecoming Parade will be held rain or shine at 2:30 p.m. Friday, Sept. 27, 2024. In the event of severe weather, the parade will be cancelled. Should it become necessary, any announcement regarding last-minute plans for the parade will be made on the Waynesville R-VI Facebook page. The parade begins at Waynesville City Park and ends at Waynesville Middle School. CHAMBER TIGER PRIDE NIGHT The Waynesville-St. Robert Chamber of Commerce’s Tiger Pride Night will be held from 4:30 to 6 p.m. INSIDE the Waynesville High School Gym. CORONATION AND GAME Coronation will be at 6:25 p.m. on the field at Tiger Stadium, followed by the game at 7 p.m.

The Waynesville High School Class of 1974 held its 50-year reunion on Sept. 20 and 21, 2024. The reunion included a tour Waynesville Middle School, which was Waynesville High School when they graduated. Those pictured are Marianne Ward who helped arrange the tour and Class of 1974 members and their guests Keith Pritchard, Joni (Wellhausen) Klemp, Ted Klemp, Lorel (Pritchard) Zander, Jerry Zander and Cathy (Bushnell) Galbraith. Reunion groups who are interested in taking a tour of a school district facility should contact PR@waynesville.k12.mo.us to schedule a tour.

SFC Nathan Scott, Missouri Army National Guard Recruiter, provided Waynesville’s JROTC program with 60 polos and backpacks for the Raider Team and Drill Team. Pictured are Cadet Lt. Col. Nathaniel Copeland, the Tiger Battalion Commander; Sgt. 1st Class Nathaniel Scott; and Cadet Captains Julian Vassallo and Peyton Stuart. Waynesville’s JROTC program is headquartered in the Waynesville Career Center, where Vassallo and Stuart also attend the WCC’s CNA program. #wayschools

A fire alarm sounded at approximately 12:25 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 24, 2024, at Waynesville High School. Due to a pulled alarm, an investigation is being conducted. All students and staff are safe. No fire or smoke were detected; however, students and staff temporarily evacuated the building out of an abundance of caution. Students and staff returned to the building when fire officials gave the all-clear.

AmeriCorps has positions open. For more info, please call 573-842-2250 or email community@waynesville.k12.mo.us.

The district has received updated information, which is reflected in the information below. Local police have an individual in custody after the individual attempted to hide near vehicles parked at Waynesville High School at approximately 7:10 p.m. during the JV football game on Monday, Sept. 23, 2024. Law enforcement officers have reported that this is an isolated incident and has nothing to do with the school district. We are thankful for the quick action of the Waynesville Police Department and other law enforcement agencies.

6th graders use real-world tools Sixth graders on Team Spectacular at the Waynesville Sixth Grade Center spent time studying maps from FEMA (Federal Emergency Management Agency) and USGS (United States Geological Survey) to learn more about how data is used to help forecast future catastrophic events.

WHS students name to CDMMEA Honor and Concert Choirs The following Waynesville High School students have been selected for the Central District Missouri Music Educators Association (CDMMEA) Honor Choir and are eligible to audition for All-State Choir: Citlali Arzabala AJ Bowling William Figueroa Calley McCall Sydney Myers Xavier Tripp The following WHS students were selected for the CDMMEA Concert Choir: Emma Bailey Faith Bohrer Ava Byers Haley Emmett Derrick Leigey Kamden Raines Lilyana Romero Joshua Noriega-Gil Edric Twine Isaac Williams Members of the WHS Choir will be among the groups performing at Showcase Waynesville Schools on this Thursday, Sept. 26, 2024.

The Waynesville JROTC Raider Team finished 5th overall out of 38 teams from the Midwest at the Leavenworth, Kan., Meet on Sept. 14, 2024. “This is a solid start to another season,” said Col. (Ret.) Charles Williams, a senior Army instructor with the Waynesville JROTC program. The event results are as follows: Overall - 5th Place 3rd Place - 5k Terrain Run 3rd Place – Obstacle Run (.75 Mile Run, uphill run through the woods, with a tire obstacle and 3 x 8 foot walls) 3rd Place - Unconquered (1 Mile uphill run with various obstacles) 4th Place - Cross Country Litter Carry (1.5 mile run through woods, carrying 4 x 35 pound rucksacks, a 100-pound litter, with various obstacles) 4th Place - Physical Team Test (.5 mile agility, strength, and speed test) 5th Place - 1 Rope Bridge (fastest team to construct, traverse a 75-foot gap, and take down a 1-rope bridge) 5th Place - Obstacle Course (Starts with an 11-foot wall, and goes 1 mile through the woods with many obstacles) 4th Place - Ultimate Raider - William Tabor (individual race through the 1-mile obstacle course). The Raiders will compete next on Sept. 28 at the Ozark Raider Meet. The home Raider Meet will be Oct. 5 on Fort Leonard Wood, sponsored by Fort Leonard Wood and the 1st Engineer Brigade.

Save the Date: Two patriotic concerts on one night! East Elementary 4th and 5th graders will perform concerts on Oct. 30 at the WHS Auditorium. (See details below.) The event is free and open to the public.

Faith Bohrer, a sophomore at Waynesville High School, presented her FCCLA project on mental health first aid to 7th graders at Waynesville Middle School on Sept. 17, 2024. "It was such a wonderful contribution to this lesson for my students," said WMS Counselor Jonie Wilson. "They were all excited that a 10th grader presented this to them. She did a phenomenal job."

The VOICES honor choir is made up of 4th, 5th and 6th grade students in the Waynesville R-VI School District. Students auditioned for the choir and 70 were selected by music teachers. They are rehearsing for their upcoming performance during Showcase Waynesville Schools at 6 p.m. Sept. 26, 2024, at the Waynesville High School Auditorium.

Two Waynesville High School seniors - Braylin Scott and Carter Pondrom - were recognized on Monday, Sept. 16, 2024, during the Waynesville R-VI Board of Education meeting for their assistance in recruiting an athletic trainer for the Waynesville R-VI School District. They are pictured with Courtney Long, executive director of secondary instruction.