Waynesville R-VI School District

Waynesville Sixth Grade Center students in the "Paint Your Passion" Lead Group, facilitated by Kim Ramirez, unveiled their lighthouse mural on Wednesday, Feb. 26, 2025. "These students brought their vision to life, turning a blank wall into a masterpiece," said Principal Kevin Schnicker. "Their dedication, creativity and teamwork have left a lasting mark on our school—a vibrant reminder of what can be achieved through passion and hard work." The students painted this lighthouse mural to signify the school's commitment to the Seven Habits of Highly Effective Kids and Leader in Me concepts. Waynesville Sixth Grade Center has been certified as a Leader in Me Lighthouse School by Franklin Covey Education — a distinction that approximately 600 schools in the world have achieved. The students volunteered to paint after school and during weekends to complete the project and were presented certificates of appreciation, along with Ramirez. The students included: · Charlotte Nester · Karis Britton · Abriyanah McCaster · Hailey Christmas · Kennedi Gall · Riley Conway · Hadley Miller · Addison Bio · Coraline Schwickerath Leader in Me is a research-backed framework, co-created with educators, aimed at fostering resilience and leadership in students while cultivating a culture of trust. It's crafted to enhance academic performance and empower students, educators and families with essential leadership and life skills necessary for success in an evolving world.

Waynesville R-VI hosted a teacher recruitment event on Feb. 27, 2025, at Parker Educational Center. For a list of job openings, please go to https://www.waynesville.k12.mo.us/page/employment-opportunities.

The Waynesville High School choirs had a great showing at the State contest at Camdenton High School on Thursday, Feb. 27, 2025. The Treble Choir received an Exemplary rating and the Tenor Bass Choir and Chamber Choir received Outstanding ratings. "Accolades were given to our two soloists William Figueroa and Michael Samuelu," said Choir Director Cydnee Gilmore. "Thank you to all the students for their hard work!" Photos are from the fall choir concert.

The Waynesville Middle School Chapter of the National Junior Honor Society held its induction ceremony on Feb. 25, 2025, in the WMS gym. Geoff Knoll of Noble Real Estate served as the keynote speaker for the event. The students inducted were as follows: 7th grade inductees Akau, Haeleuha Alailima, Kiahna A. Beanblossom, Linaya Bisson, Arianna Bostic, Brielle Briner, Khloe Brown-Myrick, Kaylee Marie Brown, Haley Elena Brown, Makenzie Ellen Capps, Corbin Carlson, Nathan David Choi, Gloria Cichocki, Viktoria Klara Conover, Grace Carolyn Conover, Mason Todd Cox, M'Kenzie Marie Cross, Emma V. Cuellar, Everleigh Alexandra Cully, Adrianna L Dinkins, Isabella Dirck, Ryker Emmett, Hannah Grace Farrell, Liam E Freitag, Rylee Olivia Fulkerson, Aiden James Gentle, Quinn Adelle Giffen, Max Glaspell, Hunter E Glaspell, Riley L Hamzane, Islam Hejl, Isabella M Howard, Jakailyn Trinitie Howell, Zephyr Warren Hulst, Austin Jakob Jordon, Collin Mark Juan, Aiden James Mendoza Kelley, Aidan Erin Kelley, Alex Ciara Kling, Rikki Danielle Langley, Elijah Jackson Leinbaugh, Magdalene Solana Lopez, Sophia Isabelle McKinney, Colten William Meyer, Grace Mackenzie Mishra, Alya Sarla Mitchell, Kayden John Mitchell, Kieyren Anthony Moua, Sparrow Kanong O'Brien, Quentin Shea O'Bryant, Payton Jaden O'Connor, Natalie Sun Osborne, Emma Lynn Pajarillo, Noel Antonio Pelezo, Audrey Catherine Perry, Zoey Alicia Putman, Kaylah C Quiambao, Amaiyah Saige Mantanona Rhodes, Javiann Dewayne Roberts, Scarlett Ann Romito, Abigail Laura Schleicher, Rhys Schnacke, Ethan Schroeder, Jaxson James Sharp, Gloria Faolan Silengo, Elizabeth Mae Smith, Adam Stephens, Kamryn De'nae Stevens, Elonna Kamil Stiffler, Brayden Stone, Michael Gabriel Striplin, Zoe Yvonne Sutphin, Raymond Luke Swartz, Terra Lon Danielle Thompson, Isabella May Tipeni, Exiat Saelua Villalobos, Nicholas Michelin Waddell, Rowan Christopher Watson, Mikaylah Malana Weaver, Jayne Maryann William, Aiden Paraiso Woodin, Annaleigh Faith York, Aidan Alexander Young, Amari I 8th grade inductees Ballard, Jenna Barber-Shupe, Presley Oliver Borquez, Caden Vincent Capps, Aiden Ferland, Henry Flood, Hunter Ulysses Garcia, Lemuel Adan Gonzalez, Anahi Horton, Maykenzi Jones, Westin Nicholas Marincell, Brayden Michael Parmelee, Addison Pinegar, Gabriella Samuela, Aomalu Schwickerath, Amelia Eileen Torres, Devaughn Ghiellan Fontillas Williams, Hannah Young, Azyari

Peggy Arnold and Virginia Fulmer-Rehm were named the Co-Educators of the Year by the Waynesville-St. Robert Chamber of Commerce on Friday, Feb. 21, 2025, during the Community Leadership Awards Banquet. Arnold is the marketing instructor at Waynesville Career Center and Fulmer-Rehm is a special education teacher at Freedom Elementary. Virginia Fulmer-Rehm and Peggy Arnold are pictured with Brett Reith, vice president of the Waynesville-St. Robert Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors.

Waynesville Middle School Student Council recently collected more than 200 cans in support of the Meals that Matter food drive. Students donated 46 complete meals to the WHS Student Government Association to be packed and distributed to families within the district's Snack in a Pack program.

On Feb. 21, 2025, the Waynesville High School Tiger Jazz I traveled to Springfield to compete in the Missouri State University Jazz Festival held on the campus. The students had the opportunity to play on a professional stage in the Juanita K. Hammons Hall. "It was an exhilarating experience for the students," said WHS Band Director Jared Sabatasso. "The band received amazing comments and compliments from all judges." Three musicians were recognized for their musical excellence while playing their solos. They were Dylan Liegey on flugelhorn, Jack Gasek on drum set, and Seth Steuck on tenor saxophone. "We are proud of these students and their accomplishments," Sabatasso said. The WHS jazz bands will perform their Spring Band Concert at 6 p.m. March 11 in the WHS Auditorium March 11.

Waynesville High School girls basketball, cheerleading and dance team programs celebrated senior night before taking home a tiger victory over Central with a final score of 49-38. Girls Basketball Seniors: Sophia Freesmeier Imani Jackson Cheerleading Seniors: Amaya Colquitt Asia Frazier Elijah Guillory Jordyn Hanf Mackenzie Henderson S'ence Maldonado Jolene Smith Lenaya Thomas Alexis Williams Tya White Kaylani Keller Ka'Mya Lovett-Cephas Dance Seniors: Aniyah Smith Ariana Wisler Danika Em Elijah Guillory Jolene Smith McKenzie Pearson Tatum Scott

To show their appreciation for the Fort Leonard Wood gate guards, Partridge Elementary students created baskets filled with a variety of treats and snacks to donate to the guards for Valentine’s Day. Items collected by Partridge’s Climate Team, working with a Leader In Me Action Team called “Teach Students to Lead.” #wayschools

Stacie Marshall, a long-time supporter of the Military Police Regimental Association and other associations on FLW, was presented with the Friend of the Regiment Award on Friday, Feb. 21, 2025. Waynesville R-VI District and Foundation leaders attended the event in recognition of the role that Marshall played in helping the Waynesville R-VI Foundation launch its brick program. Proceeds from the donation of funds to the Waynesville R-VI brick program fund scholarships for Waynesville High School graduating seniors. More about the foundation’s brick program is at https://www.waynesvilleschoolsfoundation.com/_files/ugd/a24d3c_140328789ae8470fa7bc0fe6d165fc3b.pdf.

The Waynesville High School varsity cheerleaders took 4th place in the State Cheerleading Championship in class 5A competition over the Feb. 21 and 22, 2025, weekend. There were 14 teams competing in their division. In addition, the JV team scored 5th overall at State from among 11 teams competing in their division. #wayschools

Friday, Feb. 21, 2025, will be a traditional snow day. There will be no in-person school and no AMI (virtual) learning. We are so proud of your outstanding work during this challenging winter season! Enjoy your snow day and we will see you on Monday!

The Waynesville R-VI School District has been awarded the 2025 Purple Star School Designation this year, as announced on Tuesday, Feb. 18, 2025, by the Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education. The Missouri Purple Star designation is earned by military-friendly school districts or school buildings that have demonstrated a major commitment to students and families connected to our nation’s military including active duty, National Guard, or reserve service members. The Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education Purple Star Review (DESEPSR), formed by the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE), reviews all applications for the award. The DESE Purple Star Award will be for three years. This is the second time the district has received the distinction since the award's inception in 2022. "We are proud and honored to serve our military families and to offer the services that help us qualify for the Purple Star Designation; while this award is specific to military students, the services we have in place benefit all students who transition in or out of our school district." said Superintendent Hilary Bales. Waynesville R-VI is among 25 schools and districts recognized this year for their dedication to military-connected students. The school districts include: · Cole County R-V School District · Henry County R-I School District · Holden R-III School District · Laquey R-V School District · Plato R-V School District · Risco R-II School District · Sedalia School District 200 · Southern Boone School District · Waynesville R-VI School District The schools being recognized are as follows: · East Middle School (Joplin Schools) · Fort Zumwalt East High School (Fort Zumwalt School District) · Heber Elementary (Sedalia School District 200) · Horace Mann Elementary (Sedalia School District 200) · Loftus Early Childhood Center (Sedalia School District 200) · Maple Grove Elementary School (Warrensburg R-VI School District) · Martin Warren Elementary School (Warrensburg R-VI School District) · Parkview Elementary (Sedalia School District 200) · Ridge View Elementary (Warrensburg R-VI School District) · Sedalia Middle School (Sedalia School District 200) · Skyline Elementary (Sedalia School District 200) · Smith-Cotton Junior High (Sedalia School District 200) · Sterling Elementary (Warrensburg R-VI School District) · Warrensburg High School (Warrensburg R-VI School District) · Warrensburg Middle School (Warrensburg R-VI School District) · Washington Elementary (Sedalia School District 200) DESE is hosting an award ceremony in April to honor the 2025 cohort.

There will be no in-person school in the Waynesville R-VI School District on Thursday, Feb. 20, 2025; however, Waynesville R-VI students will attend school virtually on Thursday morning as this will be an AMI day. School will be in session using an Alternative Method of Instruction (AMI online) from 8:30 a.m. to noon for grades K-12 and Parker Preschool. Williams Early Childhood Center AM classes will be online from 8:30 to 10:15 a.m. and Williams PM classes will be online from 10:15 a.m. to noon. All AMI days begin at 8:30 a.m., including Wednesdays.

Mark Sabala has been named the new WHS Head Track Coach for the Waynesville Tigers and will be taking over the program from long-time Coach Mike Rawlings starting in the 2025-26 school year. “Mr. Sabala is a passionate track and field and cross country guru with 30 years of experience,” said Cory Ace, director of MSHSAA activities and athletics at Waynesville R-VI. “Since 2004 at Hermitage High School, he has helped shape champions within the school’s cross country and track and field programs.” Sabala is a 5-time MTCCA Boys Cross Country Coach of the Year, 9-time SWMO Cross Country Coach of the Year, and a 2-time track and field Coach of the Year. “His leadership has created a culture that has earned the school multiple cross country district titles, a MSHSAA State Championship in Track and Field during the 2023 season, and a 4th place MSHSAA Track and Field finish in 2024,” Ace said. Prior to coming to Missouri, Sabala served in multiple coaching roles in the states of Nevada (1995-1999) and California (1999-2003). In addition, Sabala has helped create both the Middle School and Track and Field State Championships within the state of Missouri, which have seen more than100 schools participating since its development. “He is committed to fostering young talent and elevating athletic excellence, one finish line at a time and we are proud to welcome him within the athletic program at Waynesville,” Ace said.

Waynesville High School students conducted a food drive, setting out to make Valentine’s Day extra special for 100 high school and middle school students and their families, and along the way, far exceeded their goals. Throughout January and the beginning of February, the WHS Student Government Association Student Leadership Class—in conjunction with Family, Career and Community Leaders of America’s star event projects—conducted a food drive called Meals that Matter to put together meal kits for WHS and WMS families enrolled in the Snack in a Pack program. The students wanted to be able to send home the ingredients to make two family meals that would go home on Feb. 14 for the long weekend. “The students started this project in hopes of getting 1,000 donations to put together 100 meal kits,” said Student Leadership Advisor Joshua Mize. “Ultimately, the students collected enough to make 160 meal kits and collected over 1,800 goods.” Clubs at WHS were challenged to bring in food items that would be needed for chicken dumplings and a pasta dish, as well as participate in the community collections. Student volunteers spent two weekends partnering with Price Cutter, working in shifts collecting items to benefit their cause. In addition to the meal kits, an additional 478 items were donated to the district’s Snack in a Pack efforts. “I am extremely pleased with the planning, effort, and dedication shown by the students—Mackenzie Henderson, Mackenzie Workman, Danika Em, Jade Anderson, Chloee Santos, Remington Minard, Kelise Johnson, and Shelby Cannon—in making this project such a success,” Mize said.

The Waynesville R-VI School District is hosting a teacher recruitment event Thursday, February 27, 2025, from 4:30-6:30 p.m. at Parker Educational Center. #wayschools

There will be no in-person school in the Waynesville R-VI School District on Wednesday, Feb. 19, 2025; however, Waynesville R-VI students will attend school virtually on Wednesday morning as this will be an AMI day. School will be in session using an Alternative Method of Instruction (AMI online) from 8:30 a.m. to noon for grades K-12 and Parker Preschool. All AMI days begin at 8:30 a.m., including Wednesdays. Williams Early Childhood Center AM classes will be online from 8:30 to 10:15 a.m. and Williams PM classes will be online from 10:15 a.m. to noon.

The Waynesville JROTC Drill Team has qualified for Nationals by competing in the 3rd JROTC Brigade Drill Championship and Nationals Qualifier on Feb. 14-15, 2025, at Smith Cotton High School in Sedalia, Mo. In a field of 15 other high schools from Missouri, Kansas, Oklahoma, Iowa and Illinois, the Tiger Drill Team finished 3rd overall in the Masters Division, 2nd Place overall in the Unarmed Division, and 3rd overall in the Armed Division. The complete results are below: 2nd Place Unarmed Exhibition 2nd Place Armed Inspection 2nd Place Armed New Cadet 3rd Place Armed Exhibition 3rd Place Unarmed Regulation 3rd Place Unarmed Inspection 1st Place Unarmed Exhibition Solo Annalyse Rivera 2nd Place Unarmed Exhibition Solo Emily Totten 2nd Place Unarmed Exhibition Dual Peyton Stuart and Addison Smith 3rd Place Armed Exhibition Solo Aiden Rivera 4th Place Armed Exhibition Solo Lord Torres 5th Armed Exhibition Solo Joseph Mendiola 4th Place Armed Exhibition Dual Max Jorgensen and Aubrey Ellison The drill team's next competition is March 1, 2025, at the Blue Springs South High School in Kansas City.

The Feb. 18, 2025, Waynesville R-VI Board of Education meeting will be held virtually at https://us02web.zoom.us/j/82079684329#success