An ambulance was dispatched to Waynesville High School at approximately 8:30 a.m. today (Wednesday, May 6, 2026) to treat an individual student with a medical condition. A parent/guardian has been notified and will determine what, if any, further medical treatment is necessary.
The Waynesville Sixth Grade Center’s math team of Justice Miller, Marla Anderson, Shannon Shrum and Jody Taylor, along with Janet Mitchell and Alyssa Spencer are being recognized as this week’s #TeacherProudTuesday shout-out.
#WaySchools #TeacherProudTuesday
#WaySchools #TeacherProudTuesday

It's Teacher Appreciation Week!

Waynesville R-VI held a lottery drawing on May 4, 2026, at Parker Educational Center to fill 160 full-day preschool spots for the 2026–27 school year. Parents will be notified by May 15 if their child has been selected for the program.










Kaitlyn Sullivan, a senior at Waynesville High School, has signed to continue her academic and athletic (track & field) career at Drury University. Her signing was held on May 1, 2026.




Addison Keib a senior at Waynesville High School, has signed to continue her academic and athletic (cheer) career at Drury University. Her signing was held on May 1, 2026.





FFA plant sale is underway
Waynesville FFA is hosting a plant sale from 2:40 to 5 p.m. weekdays at the Waynesville Career Center greenhouse until the plants have been sold. Tomatoes, peppers, flower hanging pots and other plants will be for sale. Cash, card and check will be accepted. The greenhouse is located at the Waynesville Career Center, 400 GW Lane Road in Waynesville.
Waynesville FFA is hosting a plant sale from 2:40 to 5 p.m. weekdays at the Waynesville Career Center greenhouse until the plants have been sold. Tomatoes, peppers, flower hanging pots and other plants will be for sale. Cash, card and check will be accepted. The greenhouse is located at the Waynesville Career Center, 400 GW Lane Road in Waynesville.

The Waynesville High School Wind Ensemble was honored to be invited to share the stage with the University of Missouri Symphonic Band on Sunday, April 26, 2026. The joint performance took place at the historic Missouri Theatre in Columbia, Mo., offering students a memorable opportunity to perform in one of the state’s premier venues.
"The students sounded great and represented Waynesville to the highest standard," said Director of Bands Jared Sabatasso.
Sabatasso was invited to guest conduct the University of Missouri Symphonic Band on one of their selections.
Pictured are members of the WHS Wind Ensemble alongside Sabatasso, as well as Dr. Amy Knopps, director of the University of Missouri Symphonic Band, and Connor Long, a Waynesville High School alumnus who now performs with the university symphonic band.
"The students sounded great and represented Waynesville to the highest standard," said Director of Bands Jared Sabatasso.
Sabatasso was invited to guest conduct the University of Missouri Symphonic Band on one of their selections.
Pictured are members of the WHS Wind Ensemble alongside Sabatasso, as well as Dr. Amy Knopps, director of the University of Missouri Symphonic Band, and Connor Long, a Waynesville High School alumnus who now performs with the university symphonic band.







Free soccer camp for grades 6-8 (boys and girls)
Waynesville R-VI will host a free soccer camp for boys and girls in grades 6-8 from 3 to 5 p.m. May 11-14 and May 18-21.
To register a student, go to https://forms.gle/RDVoj6V6DgQ7M7yw5.
Details:
Who: Currently enrolled (2025-26 school year) 6th-8th grade boys & girls
Location: Waynesville Middle School Slaughter Field
Dates: May 11-14 & May 18-21
Time: 3 to 5 p.m.
REGISTRATION WILL CLOSE: 3 p.m. May 8, 2026
More info: For more information you can email Eric Thornburg ethornburg@waynesville.k12.mo.us or Jessica Babb @ jbabb@waynesville.k12.mo.us.
Notes
There is no fee for this camp.
If you are signing up multiple students for this camp, you will need to register each student separately.
Waynesville R-VI will host a free soccer camp for boys and girls in grades 6-8 from 3 to 5 p.m. May 11-14 and May 18-21.
To register a student, go to https://forms.gle/RDVoj6V6DgQ7M7yw5.
Details:
Who: Currently enrolled (2025-26 school year) 6th-8th grade boys & girls
Location: Waynesville Middle School Slaughter Field
Dates: May 11-14 & May 18-21
Time: 3 to 5 p.m.
REGISTRATION WILL CLOSE: 3 p.m. May 8, 2026
More info: For more information you can email Eric Thornburg ethornburg@waynesville.k12.mo.us or Jessica Babb @ jbabb@waynesville.k12.mo.us.
Notes
There is no fee for this camp.
If you are signing up multiple students for this camp, you will need to register each student separately.

Top WCC ad design students named
During the 9th Annual Portfolio Night on April 16, 2026, Waynesville Career Center advertising design students were recognized for their work and the top three awards were presented as follows:
· Best of Show second year student: Haley Emerson
· Best of Show first year student: Cameron Williamson
· MVP honors: Deshe’ Franklin
Guests viewed student portfolios and spoke with the individual designers about their work for the Snack in a Pack, Good Samaritan of the Ozarks and other projects they created for their advertising design course. The designers described their work while displaying it via their student design websites or hard copies of their prototypes.The WCC's advertising design program is under the direction of Donna Groves. An Italian banquet was prepared by students in the WCC culinary arts program, which is under the direction of Chef Jon Dye.
Additional photos will be uploaded to the WCC Facebook page.
During the 9th Annual Portfolio Night on April 16, 2026, Waynesville Career Center advertising design students were recognized for their work and the top three awards were presented as follows:
· Best of Show second year student: Haley Emerson
· Best of Show first year student: Cameron Williamson
· MVP honors: Deshe’ Franklin
Guests viewed student portfolios and spoke with the individual designers about their work for the Snack in a Pack, Good Samaritan of the Ozarks and other projects they created for their advertising design course. The designers described their work while displaying it via their student design websites or hard copies of their prototypes.The WCC's advertising design program is under the direction of Donna Groves. An Italian banquet was prepared by students in the WCC culinary arts program, which is under the direction of Chef Jon Dye.
Additional photos will be uploaded to the WCC Facebook page.










On Tuesday, April 28, 2026, NextHome Realty–Team Lisa Ellis donated multiple pairs of shoes and socks to Waynesville High School through the Shoes from the Heart program. Shoes from the Heart, a non-profit organization committed to delivering footwear to children in need, joined with Lisa Ellis, Next Home Realty and her team. Shoes from the Heart helps provide shoe closets for public schools, providing school staff with immediate access to footwear for students when the need arises. This collaboration exemplifies the shared commitment of both organizations to enhance the well-being of children in our community.

Join us for a community conversation with Kym Laube from 6 to 7:15 p.m. on Friday, May 8, 2026, in the Waynesville High School Auditorium. Laube has more than 30 years of experience helping youth and families prevent substance use and is a member of the Tall Cop Says Stop team.
Parents, families and the public are invited and encouraged to attend this free event.
Laube will share information about how to talk with young people about drugs, alcohol and making healthy decisions. Laube is the Executive Director of Human Understanding Growth Services and has dedicated her work to helping youth and families prevent substance use. She will discuss:
- Strategies to prevent substance use
- Tips for starting open, honest conversations with youth
- Ways families and communities can support and guide young people
This event is hosted and sponsored by the Central Ozarks Medical Center (COMC). In addition to the evening event, Laube will speak with middle school and high school students earlier in the day.
Parents, families and the public are invited and encouraged to attend this free event.
Laube will share information about how to talk with young people about drugs, alcohol and making healthy decisions. Laube is the Executive Director of Human Understanding Growth Services and has dedicated her work to helping youth and families prevent substance use. She will discuss:
- Strategies to prevent substance use
- Tips for starting open, honest conversations with youth
- Ways families and communities can support and guide young people
This event is hosted and sponsored by the Central Ozarks Medical Center (COMC). In addition to the evening event, Laube will speak with middle school and high school students earlier in the day.

Law enforcement officials were called to East Elementary at approximately 2:35 p.m. on Wednesday, April 29, 2026, to assist with a situation involving an individual student. The student’s parent/guardian has been notified. There is no ongoing threat to students or staff, and normal school operations have resumed.
Waynesville Middle School's Spring Band Concert was held on April 28, 2026, in the Waynesville High School Auditorium. The concert featured performances from the Beginning Percussion Ensemble, Full Beginning Band, Advanced Percussion Ensemble, WMS Jazz Band, Tiger Pride Band and Honor Band.







Waynesville High School art students earned seven awards at the Clay It Up/Sketch It Out Competition hosted by Nixa High School on April 18, 2026.
A total of 22 WHS students competed against peers from seven schools, taking on a series of timed challenges throughout the day. Each challenge was 70 minutes long.
A total of 22 WHS students competed against peers from seven schools, taking on a series of timed challenges throughout the day. Each challenge was 70 minutes long.










Shawneen Hefton, Peggy Arold, Sandy Shelton and Col. (Ret.) Charles Williams from the Waynesville Career Center are being recognized as this week’s #TeacherProudTuesday shout-out.
#ProudTeacherTuesday #WaySchools
#ProudTeacherTuesday #WaySchools

Waynesville High School has announced the Prom queen and king candidates. They are as follows:
Prom Queen Candidates:
Breanna Bednarick
Katherine Bercier
Emmalie Erlewine
Destiny Griffin
Prom King Candidates:
Noah Forte
Brandon Jackson
Keegan Sharp
Ki Ventura
Prom will take place Saturday, May 9, 2026.
Prom Queen Candidates:
Breanna Bednarick
Katherine Bercier
Emmalie Erlewine
Destiny Griffin
Prom King Candidates:
Noah Forte
Brandon Jackson
Keegan Sharp
Ki Ventura
Prom will take place Saturday, May 9, 2026.

Join us tomorrow, Wednesday (April 29) for Community Salute to Service!
The community is invited to attend the Community Salute to Service at 6 p.m. Wednesday, April 29, 2026, in the Waynesville High School Auditorium.
This event is free and open to the public and members of the community are encouraged to attend.
The Community Salute to Service will recognize high school students from throughout Missouri who are joining/attending:
· any branch of the U.S. military
· National Guard
· Reserves
· ROTC program at a college/university
· military academy
Students being recognized should report to the Choir Room at 5:30 p.m. April 29 at WHS, which is located at 200 G.W. Lane St. in Waynesville, Mo.
The community is invited to attend the Community Salute to Service at 6 p.m. Wednesday, April 29, 2026, in the Waynesville High School Auditorium.
This event is free and open to the public and members of the community are encouraged to attend.
The Community Salute to Service will recognize high school students from throughout Missouri who are joining/attending:
· any branch of the U.S. military
· National Guard
· Reserves
· ROTC program at a college/university
· military academy
Students being recognized should report to the Choir Room at 5:30 p.m. April 29 at WHS, which is located at 200 G.W. Lane St. in Waynesville, Mo.

Ruff Ryders raise funds for autism program
The Fort Leonard Wood Ruff Ryders held a fundraiser and donated $668.80 to the autism program at the Waynesville R-VI School District on April 23, 2026.
Pictured are Ruff Ryders members Michael Washington, Harold Denson, Shauna Smith (district special education coordinator), Dr. Elizabeth Washington (executive director of student services), John Moate, Valerie Moate, Vera, Krystle Garcia and Laurinda Washington.
The Fort Leonard Wood Ruff Ryders held a fundraiser and donated $668.80 to the autism program at the Waynesville R-VI School District on April 23, 2026.
Pictured are Ruff Ryders members Michael Washington, Harold Denson, Shauna Smith (district special education coordinator), Dr. Elizabeth Washington (executive director of student services), John Moate, Valerie Moate, Vera, Krystle Garcia and Laurinda Washington.

Snack in a Pack offering opportunity to win a
Blackstone grill or $200 gift card
Snack in a Pack is hosting a fundraising drawing with an opportunity to win a Blackstone Grill and Amazon Gift Card ($200) with all proceeds going to the Snack in a Pack Program.
Tickets may be purchased online at https://www.raise-365.com/shop/nio4-oxgu?user_id=5141052 through May 1, 2026, with the drawing to be held in early May.
Any purchase or share on social media is greatly appreciated.
Snack in a Pack (SIAP) is a supplemental food program that feeds approximately 450 students in the Waynesville R-VI School District over weekends and extended school breaks. SIAP is a 100% donation-driven program that relies on the generosity of its partners, donors and community volunteers to continue its mission to feed hungry children and improve educational success. Together, we can all make a significant change in the mission to alleviate food insecurity in our schools and community.
Blackstone grill or $200 gift card
Snack in a Pack is hosting a fundraising drawing with an opportunity to win a Blackstone Grill and Amazon Gift Card ($200) with all proceeds going to the Snack in a Pack Program.
Tickets may be purchased online at https://www.raise-365.com/shop/nio4-oxgu?user_id=5141052 through May 1, 2026, with the drawing to be held in early May.
Any purchase or share on social media is greatly appreciated.
Snack in a Pack (SIAP) is a supplemental food program that feeds approximately 450 students in the Waynesville R-VI School District over weekends and extended school breaks. SIAP is a 100% donation-driven program that relies on the generosity of its partners, donors and community volunteers to continue its mission to feed hungry children and improve educational success. Together, we can all make a significant change in the mission to alleviate food insecurity in our schools and community.

