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PERRYVILLE, Mo., (KBSI) — The Perryville High School Class of 2025 has accepted $1.6 million in post-secondary scholarships, announced during the Senior Signing Day celebration at Perry Park Center on May 16.
The event recognized students enrolling in trade schools, colleges, universities, internship programs, and those joining the United States Armed Forces.
Students’ Post-Secondary Plans:
American Welding Academy: Brandon Stephens
Associated Training Services: Austyn Wolk
Cape Career & Technology Center: Kacy Fahnestock, Ellie Gerler, Raina Manche
Central Methodist University: Brett Bohnert, Hunter Elder
Culinary Institute of America: Chamberlain Chapman
Drake University: Emily Baker, Kallie Muench
Jefferson College: Aubrie Bell, Carter Blechle, Jake Cissell, Caroline Gremaud, Jeremy Reisenbichler
Juste Moi Spa: Faith Endicott, Anelia Miller
Lindenwood University: Xavier Pfaff
Mineral Area College: Jacob Casillas, Mason Cottner, Erin Crannick, Reiley Daniels, Ava Day, Wyatt Duncan, Hailey Easton, Samantha Ernst, Alexis Erzfeld, Hallie Figge, Kaelyn Foglietta, Kaydence French, Morgan Hahs, Kassie Hejnal, Eli Hemingway, Savannah Lukefahr, Allie McGee, Emma Michael, Kassidy Miller, Isabella Pingel, Landyn Pingel, Chase Richardet, Katelyn Richardet, Lacey Scamell, Clara Schumer, Marley Seabaugh, Aubrie Tucker, Londyn Tucker, Kenzie Weinkein, Kendra Welker
Missouri State University: Kathryn Broeking, Taylor Ebersohl
Missouri University of Science & Technology: Logan Hudson
Missouri Valley College: Dalton Fritsche
Missouri Valley Line Constructors: Evan Hayden
Missouri Welding Institute: Trevor Manche
Northwest Missouri State University: Josephine Lohmann
Ozark Technical Community College: Jedani Aguilar Montijo, Emily Sticht
Palm Beach Atlantic University: Rosemarie Baker-Mosely
Perryville Area Career & Technology Center: Abigail Birk, Faith Endicott
Ranken Technical College: Ashtyn Balsman, Gregary Bartusch, Teddy Beegle, Colton Buerck, Grant Hotop, Preston Johnson, Trenton Lorenz, Toby Lucas, Kaiden Morgan, Landen Nuyt, Connor Richardet, Maya Sanchez, Eli Schott
Renaissance Beauty Academy: Sarah Sneed
Saint Louis University: Maria Mattingly Hernandez
Skin Institute: Jewel Riney, Leah Traut
Southeast Missouri State University: Blake Bodendieck, Sofia Buerck, Zachary Crowder, Allisan DeWilde, Fallon Faulkner, Russell Giesler, Kaleb Huber, Abygail Mercado, Ava Moll, Bhavya Patel, Reagan Pingel, Jamie Rogers, Ayla Schuler, Savannah Young
Southeast Health College of Nursing and Health Sciences: Elise Lauck
Southern Illinois University-Carbondale: John Pippin
Southern Illinois University-Edwardsville: Ty Peeler, Lydyah Boland
Southwest Tennessee Community College: Troy O’Keefe
St. Charles Community College: Grace Zoellner
St. Charles Community Living Inc.: Treven Comstock
State Technical College of Missouri: Alexandria Johnson, Nathaniel Moll, Aaron Weber
Tag Truck Center: Austin Runge
United States Air Force: Damon Chandler, Cooper Leible, Johnny Miner, Elizabeth Rhoden
United States Army: Nickolas Kramer, Trace Austin, Drake Behrle, Brayden Johnson, Jeffrey Redecker, Dominic Seiler, Ethan Sutterer
United States Marine Corps: Brett Coffelt, Gavin Hemmann, Porter Johnson, Christopher Linhorst, Kolten Little
United States Navy: Devon Moll, Wyatt Schremp
University of Arizona: Marilisa Lopez-Herrera
University of Kansas: Grady Warren
University of Missouri-Columbia: Gwynivere Newbrough
Washington University of St. Louis: Lydia Barrows
West Star Aviation: Kara Williams
WyoTech: Katelyn Thurman
Mr. Justin Dreyer, assistant principal and athletic director at Perryville High School, delivered a heartfelt speech to the Class of 2025. A 2002 graduate of Perryville High School himself, Mr. Dreyer has spent 18 years working at the school.
“I was born and raised in Perryville, and to be honest with you all, I wouldn’t want to be in any other place,” Mr. Dreyer said. “The town of Perryville, Perryville High School, my family, and my friends have all shaped me into the person that I am today.”
Mr. Dreyer reflected on his time at Perryville High School, noting that it taught him valuable life lessons. “I want you to think about the life lessons that you have learned during your time at Perryville High School… most of these life lessons, you won’t even realize until you are a bit older and have more responsibility.”
He shared two personal anecdotes, highlighting the importance of perseverance and parental guidance. Mr. Dreyer credited his teachers for pushing him to excel academically, saying, “They saw more in my abilities than I saw in myself.”
Regarding his parents’ curfew, Mr. Dreyer acknowledged, “Now that I am older and have three kids of my own, I realize that the curfew wasn’t a punishment… it was made out of concern and love.”
Mr. Dreyer commended the graduating class for their growth, both academically and personally. “You’ve learned to lead, to listen, to collaborate, to speak out, and sometimes, to stand alone. These are not just skills; they are the building blocks of your character.”
He offered six key takeaways:
Time Flies – Use It Wisely: “Don’t waste time on drama or procrastination – every moment counts.”
Your Effort Matters More Than Natural Talent: “Effort can take you further than talent alone.”
Failure Is Not the End: “Every setback is a setup for growth.”
Be Kind – It Costs Nothing: “Small acts of kindness can make a big difference.”
It’s Okay Not to Have Everything Figured Out: “Most adults are still figuring it out.”
You’re Stronger Than You Thought: “Everything you went through made you stronger than you ever realized.”
In closing, Mr. Dreyer encouraged the graduates to create their own path, embracing challenges and uncertainties. “The future isn’t something you enter – it’s something you create… go forward boldly. Make mistakes. Make changes. Make meaning. Congratulations, Class of 2025!”
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