Perryville High School has selected Simon Wibbenmeyer to deliver the student commencement address on May 17, when 168 seniors will receive their diplomas. PHS Commencement will be held at 7 pm Friday, May 17, 2024.
Simon is the son of Greg and Julie Wibbenmeyer of Perryville, and brother to Aaron and Lucy. His grandparents are David and Rosella Bohnert of Perryville, and Mike and Cindy Wibbenmeyer of Friedheim.
Simon has recently been in the news for his accomplishments in the world of science and engineering. He invented a device that can generate electricity from any home water source including faucets, spigots, and gutters. Simon used a 3-D printer to manufacture the device, has won several regional and state science awards, and has qualified for national and international competitions. He is Missouri’s Representative for the U.S. Stockholm Junior Water Project, and will attend the Regeneron International Science and Engineering Fair in Los Angeles from May 11-17, returning home just in time for graduation. He recently returned from the National Junior Science and Humanities Symposium in Albuquerque, NM.
During his time at PHS, Simon has been involved with the robotics team and currently serves as team captain. He is vice-president of the STEM Club, and is a member of the academic team, Spanish Club, and FBLA. He is president of the National Honor Society and a Science Coach researcher. Simon played for the Perryville Pirates Soccer Team, earning his varsity letter. He has participated in the NHS nursing home bingo events, highway cleanup, and Veterans Day assemblies. He and the robotics team also provided a special presentation for the regional Eclipse Conference. He has consistently been on the honor roll, and has been named the PHS Student of the Week.
Simon’s achievements also include winning at the FIRST Tech Challenge Regional Tournament, competing at the FBLA State Conference in personal finance, winning first place in his category of Engineering and Technology at the JSHS State Competition, first place overall and first place in his category at the SEMO Regional Science Fair, and earning the Naval Science Award and Yale Science and Engineering Association Award at the SEMO Regional Science Fair.
Simon said several teachers and coaches have made a lasting impact on his life.
“Dwyane Hadler, soccer coach at PHS, taught me what leadership really means,” he said. “It isn’t just bossing someone around, in a way there’s kind of an art to it. He also supported me in something I always wanted to do - play a sport. Math teacher Dr. John Cross always helped me stretch my brain. I’m really appreciative of that, after all, without a challenge what am I to do? Math is occasionally fun, what can I say?
“And the late Steve Koeln, who was our shop teacher at PCMS, was one of the kindest men I have ever met. If I had to use one word to describe him, it would be respect. The respect he had for me and many others, in teaching about woodworking and overall life lessons was unlike anything else. Though he has passed, he is one of the most respectable men I believe I will ever meet, and his lessons about self-respect and integrity will be with me forever.”
He said his favorite high school memories include Homecoming, being on the robotics team, and playing soccer.
“Homecoming court as a senior was amazing,” Simon said. “I had a great time, driving around town in an old car, waving like the King of England, and throwing candy; it was just a lot of fun, and I’m so glad I got the opportunity to do it. My friend started the PHS Robotics Team when we were both sophomores, and over the years I enjoyed building up the team to the highest it has ever been. This year the team got in the 1st Place Regional Alliance and took home two trophies. It was, without a doubt, a memorable moment when the hard work paid off.
“Playing soccer was something else, but not in a bad way,” he said. “I had never played a sport before, in fact, I had been cut by two other teams. The coaching staff took me in, and in no time I was having a blast and supporting the team. Learning the sport, making friends, and having fun, are all things that I remember. I don’t even remember the wins or the losses, just the great times I had with my first sports team. I ended up playing at the varsity level at the end of my second year.”
Simon will attend Missouri University of Science and Technology to major in mechanical engineering. He has earned the Missouri S&T Groundbreaker Scholarship ($8,000 renewable for 4 years), the Missouri S&T Trailblazer Scholarship ($2,000, renewable for 4 years), the Perry County Community Task Force DEFY Scholarship ($500), the Procter & Gamble Engineering Scholarship ($500), the John & Hazel Budack Scholarship for Engineering ($2,000), and the Kummer Vanguard Scholarship ($2,000, renewable for 4 years).