In the opening game of the Route 66 Shootout at Waynesville High School, the Waynesville girls basketball team lost to Capital City, 59-44. The shootout continues this evening with the final game starting at 7:30 p.m. Games begin at 12:30 p.m. tomorrow (Dec. 21, 2024).
Representatives from the Fort Leonard Wood Lions Club presented two cash awards to sixth graders Cove Cornforth and Penelope Johnson for their art contest entries during the Waynesville Sixth Grade Center's Leader in Me Assembly on Dec. 18, 2024. #wayschools
The Waynesville R-VI School District will be dismissing school early today (Friday, Dec. 20, 2024) as follows:
· Noon Grades 6-12 dismiss
· 12:45 p.m. Parker dismisses
· 1 p.m. Grades K-5 dismiss
· No afternoon sessions at Williams
There will be no school in the Waynesville R-VI School District on Dec. 23, 2024 – Jan. 3, 2025.
District offices will be closed Dec. 23, 24, 25, 31 and Jan. 1.
One Waynesville R-VI family will have a special holiday season, thanks to the Boot Campaign’s Seasons of Service Program. The Armed Services YMCA on Fort Leonard Wood partnered with the Boot Campaign and nominated three families in the FLW area – two active duty families and one veteran family – that have experienced challenges this year, such as a major medical challenge, financial hardship/catastrophic event or are experiencing a hardship.
If a nomination is accepted, the Boot Campaign provides gifts and/or services to veterans and active duty military families, such as clothing, household necessities, school items, etc.
“We are grateful to have the partnership with the Boot Campaign to provide holiday joy to a few families in our military community,” said Shelley Emperato, executive director of the Armed Services YMCA of Missouri. #wayschools
Rick and Ginger Harne donated $2,500 today (Dec. 18, 2024) – the first of a four-year commitment totaling $10,000 to the Snack in a Pack program at the Waynesville R-VI School District. The program provides meals and snacks to more than 450 students over holidays and weekends who might otherwise go hungry.
“A few years ago, Ginger and I were attending the Route 66 Shootout when a young man approached us,” Harne said. “He was home from college and he said, ‘Mrs. Harne, do you remember me?’ Ginger responded, ‘of course I do.’ After some small talk with those two catching up, the young man looked at Ginger and said, ‘Do you know what I will always remember about you?’ She looked intently trying to think of something he may have said or done that would have stood out. He said, ‘I will always remember in elementary school that you made sure I had my Snack in a Pack.’ Neither of us ever forgot that moment in time and the importance of this program, then and now!”
Snack in a Pack is funded through donations.
“We are so thankful for the Harnes making this generous donation and for sharing what the program means to them,” said Tina Rowden, coordinator of grant management and AmeriCorps director at the district’s community resource office.
Superintendent Hilary Bales said the gift serves as an example of the profound impact one couple can have in transforming a community.
“I want to express my heartfelt gratitude for their generous donation and unwavering support for feeding our children,” Bales said. “Their kindness and compassion make an incredible difference in the lives of so many, providing them not just with food, but also with hope for a brighter future and a sense that their school community cares.”
Individuals may purchase items on Snack in a Pack’s wishlist on Amazon by going to https://www.amazon.com/hz/wishlist/ls/LHIMQ7EWYF88?ref_=wl_share.
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. #wayschools
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.
