Winter Sports information is attached below. For more information please contact our Athletic Department at 573-842-2450. #wayschools
The Waynesville High School boys soccer team hosted Youth Soccer Night on Thursday, Sept. 26, 2024, at Anderson Field near East Elementary on State Road F in Waynesville. Each varsity and JV player walked out with a youth player to be recognized during the announcement of the starting lineup. During halftime of the JV game, the varsity athletes participated in a scrimmage with youth players.
The Willard Tigers won the game 2 to 0. The next home boys soccer game will be on Monday, Oct. 7, against the Camdenton Lakers. #wayschools
The newest inductees into the Wall of Leaders or their family members were recognized during halftime of the varsity Homecoming football game on Sept. 27, 2024. They are the late William C. Anderson Jr. and Jim Bales who were named Lifetime Achievement - Alumni Award recipients and Erwin “Erv” Morriss and Lula Mae “Luge” Hardman who were named Outstanding Educational Professionals. Pictured on the track are Dr. Monica Fulton representing the late William C. Anderson and Luge Hardman.
Perimeter Behavioral won 1st place in the Homecoming Business Window Decorating Contest and was recognized during halftime of the varsity Homecoming football game on Sept. 27, 2024.
In the district float competition, Waynesville Sixth Grade Center took 1st place, Freedom Elementary took 2nd place and Thayer Elementary took 3rd place.
In the high school parade category, Theatre and Thespian Troupe 1669 took 1st place, the senior class took 2nd and the junior class took 3rd.
The Waynesville Tiger Pride Marching Band performed their halftime show, “RadioActive” on Friday, Sept. 27, 2024, during halftime of the varsity football game. The selections included “Natural” by Imagine Dragons, “A Million Dreams” from The Greatest Showman and “RadioActive” by Imagine Dragons.
The band’s first competition will be Saturday, Oct. 5, at the Valhalla Marching Festival at Parkview High School in Springfield.
The band is under the direction of Jared Sabatasso, Nathan Gargus, Chance Inman and Andrew Tiefenbrunn. The Color Guard is under the direction of Bailey Poncia. #wayschools
The seventh annual Rick Vernon Homecoming Player of the Game Award went to senior Michael Kelsey Jr. for his efforts during the varsity Homecoming football game on Sept. 27, 2024.
#wayschools
For Homecoming, the Waynesville Tigers took on the Ozark Tigers on Friday, Sept. 27, 2024, in varsity football with the final score 19 to 27.
The Waynesville JROTC Color Guard presented the Colors before the game. During halftime, nearly 80 members of the cheer team, WHS guard and dance team presented a Disney-inspired collaborative performance on the field.
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.