Waynesville R-VI students, leaders and School Board members helped kick off April as the Month of the Military Child on Wednesday, April 8, 2026, at the Missouri State Capitol building. Waynesville students also visited briefly with Governor Mike Kehoe prior to the event.
Students from Partridge Elementary, Waynesville Middle School and Waynesville High School participated in the event. Kaden Crone, a WHS senior, spoke during the event as did students from Knob Noster, Sedalia and Warrensburg.
Col. Steven Bartley, Commander, U.S. Army Garrison Fort Leonard Wood, and Dr. Karla Eslinger, Commission of the Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education were among the speakers as well. Dr. Brian Henry, commissioner of the Military Interstate Children's Compact Commission for Missouri, led the event.
Waynesville students wore purple—the official color of the Month of the Military Child—and presented artwork to guest speakers and dignitaries in recognition of military-connected students.
Community members are encouraged to wear purple on April 15 for Purple Up Day as a show of support.
More than 60 percent of Waynesville R-VI students are military-connected. The district is designated as a Purple Star School District, recognizing its strong commitment to supporting military students and their families.
