Perryville Mayor Larry Riney visited Perry County Middle School on the morning of Feb. 10 to present a proclamation recognizing Gifted Education Awareness Week and to celebrate the students participating in the district’s gifted program.
Joining the students were Phoebe Pohlman, who works with gifted learners in grades 4-6 at the Perry County School District 32, and Superintendent Dr. Fara Jones.
The proclamation formally designated Feb. 9–13 as Gifted Education Awareness Week in the city and highlighted Missouri’s long-standing commitment to identifying and nurturing advanced academic potential. The document noted that gifted education serves students who require more challenging learning opportunities and often achieve mastery with fewer repetitions while demonstrating exceptional strengths in specific domains.
It also emphasized that gifted programs cultivate higher-level thinking skills — including complex reasoning, creative thinking, executive functioning and effective communication — while supporting the social and emotional development of students.
Riney opened his remarks by praising both students and staff.
“I’m here today with a bunch of you great young people and wonderful adults we have here in the room to help you with your education, and you’re doing an absolute fantastic job,” he said. “Thank you all for the great work you do for this absolutely outstanding school.”
A graduate of Perryville High School, Riney joked that he did not attend classes in the current middle school building.
“I’m a little older than the building,” he said with a smile.
The mayor invited questions, and students were quick to ask what it is like to serve as mayor.
“Oh, it’s great. I love it,” Riney said. “I am very privileged and honored to be the mayor of Perryville.”
He spoke about ongoing city projects and the importance of cooperation between city and county leaders. Riney said he and City Administrator Brent Buerck work closely with county commissioners to strengthen the entire community.“We feel that we are stronger together as a community if we work together,” he said. “Although we may have differences of opinion … we listen, and we express our opinion, and if a common ground cannot be found, that’s just the way it is sometimes. But we work well together, and we try to accomplish a lot of things for the citizens.”
Riney also shared a recent example of another proclamation he issued honoring a 101-year-old woman instrumental in founding the St. Vincent de Paul Thrift Store before turning his attention back to the students.
“I love coming over here and seeing the kids and seeing the teachers,” he said. “It’s just a great place.”
He reminded students how quickly their school years will pass ... with humor.
“In a blink of an eye, all this is going to be gone,” he said, laughing. “You’re going to have to find jobs, get married and have kids.”
The visit offered students both recognition for their academic talents and a reminder that their gifts — nurtured through challenge, creativity and support — can one day help shape the future of the community they call home.
