“Grandma” and fellow volunteers honored for their impact on the district

Rushing volunteers three days a week and says the welcoming environment keeps her coming back. “Everyone has been so kind and helpful—it’s always a pleasure to be here,” she said.

She began volunteering just three months ago and, at age 90, is believed to be the district’s oldest volunteer.

“I do whatever they need,” Rushing said. “I labeled thousands of bags for the Snack in a Pack program, and today I filled 350 oatmeal sacks.”

Rushing encourages others to become involved and to volunteer their time. “Don’t sit at home and stare at the walls,” she said. “That’s what makes you old.”

Rushing was one of the many Waynesville R-VI volunteers who were honored for their dedication—from supporting classrooms to helping with extracurricular activities—during the Annual Volunteer Banquet held on April 7, 2026, at the Waynesville Career Center.

In addition to individual volunteers, groups were recognized, including Parent Teacher Organizations, Partners in Education (military units that volunteer with our schools), WayConnect Mentors, Snack in a Pack volunteers, Community-Based Instruction classes, the Choices Program through the Waynesville-St. Robert Chamber of Commerce and others who serve across the district.

The Partners in Education (PIE Partners) were recognized as follows:

· GLWACH, Williams Early Childhood

· DENTAC, Parker Preschool Educational Center

· 31st Engineer Battalion, East Elementary

· 84th Chemical Battalion, Freedom Elementary

· 2-10 Infantry Battalion, Partridge Elementary

· 1-48th Infantry Battalion, Thayer Elementary

· Air Force 368th Training Squadron, Wood Elementary

· 795th Military Police Battalion, WSGC/ Pick Educational Center

· 701st Military Police Battalion, WMS

· 787th Military Police Battalion, WHS/ WCC

· 58th Transportation Battalion, Tiger Learning Center/ Perimeter

Individuals were recognized for 100 or more hours of volunteer service as follows:

Bronze

100-249 Volunteer Hours

· Candace Tucker (100+ Volunteer Hours)

· Courtney Mitchell (100+ Volunteer Hours)

· Memrie Schrump (110+ Volunteer Hours)

· Lastanton Neal (120+ Volunteer Hours)

· Alexandra Holtkamp (132+ Volunteer Hours)

· Delavin Gilliam (147+ Volunteer Hours)

· Hayley Shields (163+ Volunteer Hours)

· Mary Hoare (167+ Volunteer Hours)

· Betty Breedlove (179+ Volunteer Hours)

· Nina Bergmark (185+ Volunteer Hours)

· Sophia Sisson (197+ Volunteer Hours)

· Sheree DeWitt (237+ Volunteer Hours)

· Andera Chaves (245+ Volunteer Hours)

Silver

250-499 Volunteer Hours

· Amanda Trujillo (309+ Volunteer Hours)

· Emily Pinegar (310+ Volunteer Hours)

· Eunice Otong-Tatingal (376+ Volunteer Hours)

Gold

500 or More Volunteer Hours

· Pamela Tetreault (723+ Volunteer Hours)

Lifetime Award AmeriCorps members

4000 or More National Service Hours

· Justin Lopez - Johnson (4507.49 + Service Hours)

· Janis Belanger (5636.36 + Service Hours)

· Abigail Tromblee (6089.05 + Service Hours)

To volunteer in the district, please call (573) 842-2250 or go to this website for more information https://www.waynesville.k12.mo.us/page/volunteering-in-the-waynesville-r-vi-school-district.