Gomez shares online dangers & tips for parents to help protect their children
Officer David Gomez – a nationally renowned speaker – shared information about how easy it is for adult predators and/or people who want to cause harm to become “friends” with students on social media, citing incidents from his undercover experiences. He also spoke of the dangers of those “relationships” during his public presentation on April 14, 2025, at Waynesville High School.
Gomez also shared startling details about the nicotine content and progression of the vape industry over the past decade. He shared that because of their candy-like flavorings, people are deceived about the harmful effects of vaping. “Even when students want to stop, they often need help because of the levels of nicotine they have been inhaling,” Gomez said.
Also during his discussion about drugs, Gomez showed the slang words and emojis that drug dealers use to communicate both the kind and the quantity they have available frequently on social media.
In addition to speaking with the public, Gomez spoke with middle and high school students earlier in the day about how to protect themselves online, the dangers of vaping and how to ask for help for themselves and for friends in need.
Gomez promotes updates on new trends predators use on social media and drug trends on his own social media. His Facebook page is @deputygomez and both his Instagram and Youtube accounts are @officergomez. Videos of some of his previous presentations are available online.
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What can parents do?
During his presentation, Gomez recommended these best practices:
1) No wifi devices in bedrooms, including cell phones and Chromebooks. (He recommends buying your child a separate alarm clock.)
2) Cell phone checks (parents should check to see what’s on their child’s cell phone.)
3) No private messaging of random adults
4) Set a screen time and stick to it
5) Fewer than 200 friends on any given app
Waynesville R-VI will host a Kindergarten Kickoff at 5:30 p.m. on May 2, 2025, at the Parker Educational Center. This is for parents of students who will be going into kindergarten this fall. Future kindergartners are welcome to attend as well. Please see the flyer for more details.
#wayschools
Michael Kelsey Jr., a senior at Waynesville High School, has signed to play football at Evangel University. His signing was held at WHS on Wednesday, April 9, 2025. #wayschools
Waynesville sixth graders on Team Spectacular put their knowledge of potential and kinetic energy to use, building paper roller coasters during class on April 15, 2025. #wayschools
NextHome Realty–Team Lisa Ellis donated multiple pairs of shoes to Waynesville High School through the Shoes from the Heart program. Pictured are Billi Barrett, college and career advisor and Cherie Gaono, counselor, along with Daniela Horstman and Manda McCombs from NextHome Realty–Team Lisa Ellis. #wayschools
National Speaker David Gomez spoke with Waynesville High School students about how to protect themselves online, the dangers of vaping and how to ask for help. #wayschools
The Waynesville High School girls soccer team won 6-0 against Parkview on April 15, 2025, at Tiger Stadium. Prior to the game, the seniors -- Sofia Mejia, Kamden Raines, Karina Cruz, Nysa Alvarez, Jordyn Hanf, Mariah Palmer and Kyleigh Saalmann – were recognized. More photos from the game and senior recognition appear on the Waynesville High School Facebook page.
#wayschools
Waynesville JROTC finishes 2nd in Nation
The Waynesville High School Drill Team took 2nd overall in the nation at the Rocky Mountain National Invitational Drill Competition in Denver on Saturday, April 12, 2025.
“Our cadets don’t just show up—they compete with purpose, precision, and pride,” said Command Sgt. Maj. (Ret.) Steven Tetreault, JROTC instructor. “We've built a reputation for excellence, and that’s something our entire community can be proud of."
Waynesville’s JROTC has ranked in the top 3 in the nation during the past three years.
"Over the last three years, this team has shown true perseverance—finishing 3rd, then 2nd, and now 2nd again at the Rocky Mountain Drill Nationals,” Tetreault said. “That kind of consistency doesn’t happen by accident. It’s built on hours of practice, strong leadership and a deep commitment to each other and the standard we set. This team has made its mark, and the legacy they leave behind is something special."
More than 50 teams from throughout the United States competed at the national competition.
"Placing second at the Rocky Mountain Drill Nationals is a testament to the hard work and relentless drive of our entire team, but especially to the leadership of our eight seniors,” said Command Sgt. Maj. (Ret.) Steven Tetreault, JROTC instructor. “They’ve set the standard, led by example, and built a legacy that will inspire future cadets for years to come. This achievement belongs to every one of them."
The results at Nationals are as follows:
- 2nd Place Overall.
- 1st Place Unarmed Regulation.
- 1st Place Unarmed Quad Exhibition (Annalyse Rivera, Tiare Fau, Teyla Byrom, Addison Smith).
- 1st Place Individual Drill Down (Peyton Stuart).
- 2nd Place Armed Exhibition Solo (Lord Torres).
- 3rd Place Armed Division Overall.
- 3rd Place Armed Quad Exhibition (Aubrey Ellison, AustinBailly, Aiden Rivera, Trevor Skyles.
- 3rd Place Unarmed Dual Exhibition (Peyton Stuart, Addison Smith).
- 4th Place Unarmed Overall Division Overall.
- 4th Place Armed Exhibition Dual (Aubrey Ellison, Max Jorgensen).
“We are extremely proud of this team, our cadets, and this program,” said Col. (Ret.) Charles Williams. “We thank the class of 2025 for their leadership. We will miss them.”
The Waynesville Sixth Grade Center Hope Squad collected and donated more than 500 items to the Armed Services YMCA and then toured the facility.
The Hope Squad partnered with the Armed Services YMCA Fort Wood Marketplace Food Pantry located at Fort Leonard Wood for its second semester service-learning project.
“This was a great opportunity for our WSGC students to participate in such a worthy and meaningful cause,” said Theresa McNutt, one of the Hope Squad advisors. “Hope Squad members said they learned the importance of helping others who are in need and giving back to our community.”
The food and household drive was a homeroom competition with the homeroom that collected the most items – Jonathan Durrett’s classroom – winning a movie and popcorn.
Hope Squad members toured the food pantry and would like to thank everyone who donated items and those who made the trip possible. Hope Squad would also like to thank Shelley Emperato for allowing our students to visit the ASYMCA and providing them with the opportunity to learn more about the services and resources the ASYMCA offers.
The Hope Squad advisors are McNutt, Kim Ramirez and Jody Taylor. #wayschools
Law enforcement officials were called to East Elementary at approximately 9:30 a.m. Tuesday, April 15, 2025, to assist with adults in an individual family-related matter.
Students were not impacted, they remained safe and continued to work in their classrooms as usual.
This month’s #TeacherProudTuesday shout-out goes to Angela Houf, a library media specialist at the Waynesville Sixth Grade Center.
Her nominator wrote, “Mrs. Houf spends countless hours in and outside of school planning activities that are meaningful to her students. She collaborates with kids to develop ideas and ensure their voices are heard. Mrs. Houf does an excellent job building relationships with students quickly. She is so motivating to my child and is her safe place to go when she has a concern.”
To nominate a Waynesville R-VI teacher for #TeacherProudTuesday, please complete the form at https://forms.gle/CGYYJiuAvyvSwQhs6.
#WaySchools #TeacherProudTuesday
National Speaker David Gomez spoke with Waynesville Middle School students this morning about how to protect themselves online, the dangers of vaping and how to ask for help.
He will be speaking to parents and the community at 6 p.m. tonight (April 14), about how to protect children from becoming victims online and provide info about the “normalization” of drug use on social media. This event is free and open to the public at Waynesville High School Auditorium. #wayschools
To show support for military children, please wear purple on April 15 for Purple Up Day.
For the first time ever, Waynesville High School took two jazz bands to the Golden Blues Jazz Festival in Ava, Mo., and both WHS Jazz Bands received an Exemplary rating, which is the highest rating a group can receive.
In addition, several musicians received an outstanding soloist award:
· Seth Steuck-Tenor Saxophone
· Dylan Liegey-Lead Trumpet/Flugelhorn
· Kayden Wass-Trombone
· Kevin Conner-Alto Saxophone
· Zoey Heacock- Alto Saxophone
“The jazz bands represented Waynesville School District and themselves to the highest standards,” said Director of Bands Jared Sabataso who also directs the jazz bands. “We are so proud of all the students and their accomplishments.”
All three judges rated the groups and gave a 20-minute clinic after each performance.
Monday night! 6 p.m. WHS Auditorium 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
WHS track and field athletes earn top finishes
Waynesville High School track and field athletes are celebrating big wins—taking 1st place in the girls 4x100 relay on April 10 and the boys high jump on April 11, 2025.
The girls 4x100 relay team—made up of senior Lenayah Thomas, junior Lexi Bigelow, senior Madison Roberts, and junior A’Nyyah Tollison—won their event at the Girls Nite Out Meet in Springfield, where 43 teams competed.
“This is especially impressive given the number of teams and athletes at the meet,” said Head Coach Mike Rawlings.
This same group placed 6th at State last year.
“In 30 years of coaching, I can’t recall another time we’ve had a girls relay team that placed at State return with the exact same lineup,” Rawlings said. “These athletes keep getting better, and I’m excited to see how they progress.”
In the boys high jump, junior Brandon Jackson was the only jumper to clear of 6’4” to take 1st place at the Hillcrest Jim Vaughan Invitational, outjumping 63 other competitors from 46 schools in Springfield, Mo., on April 11.
“He won in a jump off,” Rawlings added. “We’ve seen him steadily improve, but pulling this off under pressure was a great achievement.”
#wayschools #It'sAGreatDaytoBeATiger
TODAY!
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.
A parade of law enforcement, firefighter and emergency vehicles helped kick off the regional track and field event for Special Olympics on Friday, April 11, 2025, as they delivered athletes to Waynesville High School’s Tiger Stadium.
WHS students and staff lined the entrance and welcomed athletes to the Special Olympic track and field events. Waynesville R-VI Board of Education members and administrators also cheered on the athletes. WHS Student Government Association members assisted the athletes and with the games. #wayschools
Culver's custard sundaes arrived at Wood Elementary, courtesy of the USO and Culver's, on Thursday, April 10, 2025, in celebration of April being the Month of the Military Child.
In addition to USO volunteers and staff, Brig. Gen. Bradley Leonard, Army Maneuver Support Center of Excellence and Fort Leonard Wood Deputy Commanding General, helped welcome students to show his support for April being the Month of the Military Child.
In four days Kelly Brownfield of the USO, the USO volunteers and Culver’s of St. Robert served more than 6,800 sundaes.
Two deliveries of Culver’s custard sundaes arrived at Williams Early Childhood Center on Thursday, April 10, 2025 – one for the morning classes and one for the afternoon classes, which included sundaes for the staff as well. The USO volunteers and staff greeted the students with smiles as they handed out the sundaes.
Each year the USO Missouri partners with Culver’s to give away custard sundaes to all students and staff in Waynesville R-VI School schools in celebration of the Month of the Military Child. #wayschools
