A member of the Class of 1964 has been selected by the Perryville High School Alumni Association as this year’s PHS Distinguished Alumnus Award recipient.

Mrs. Velda (Statler) Haertling, a 1964 graduate of PHS and retired principal of Perry County Middle School, has been selected for the award for her service to her school, church and community. She will be honored during the All-Alumni Reception on Saturday, Oct. 15.

The All-Alumni Reception begins immediately after the Homecoming Parade, and will be held in the Perryville High School Library. The library will be open from 10:30 am to Noon, and provides a comfortable area for classmates to visit.

At 11 am, a brief ceremony will be held to recognize Grand Marshal Jennifer Streiler, and this year’s PHS Distinguished Alumnus Award recipient, Mrs. Velda Haertling.

Haertling is a 1964 graduate of Perryville High School. She holds an associate degree from St. Paul College in Concordia, Mo., and a bachelor of arts in education degree from Concordia College in River Forest, Ill. After teaching a year in St. Louis, Haertling returned to Perryville in 1969 to teach second grade at Immanuel Lutheran School.

While at Immanuel, she also taught kindergarten, and in 1990 began teaching seventh grade, as well as English and literature for Grades 5-8. She coached volleyball and cheerleading, sponsored the school’s youth group, and for years was the driving force behind the ILS Youth Auction.

“That’s when I fell in love with middle schoolers,” she said. “I’d learned so much about that age, developmentally, and I also realized that students in those middle school years really need someone to care for and about them.”

In 1998, after earning a master’s degree in elementary education from Southeast Missouri State University, as well a middle school certification, and her specialist degree in administration, Haertling was hired as the assistant principal at Perry County Middle School. In 1999, she became principal, and it’s a job she loved for 16 years. She retired in May 2015.

“I loved working with my students over the years,” she said. “I want to be remembered for not only doing what is best for students, but that I did so out of my passion for caring about them. I always tried to see them as a whole child, not just a school student. I wanted to serve them academically and also in their social, emotional, spiritual, and physical being.”

Haertling was instrumental in bringing character education to District 32. Under the umbrella of character education, the district implemented CharacterPlus, as well as the Olweus Bullying Prevention Program and the Positive Behavior Support Program. In 2010, PCMS earned the Missouri School of Character award, sponsored by the Character Education Partnership and participating State Schools of Character sponsors. In 2015, CharacterPlus presented Haertling with an award of appreciation for her work in advancing character education programs in the state.

She said she misses the busy-ness of a middle school.

“Oh, I do miss the constant motion of middle schoolers,” she laughed. “No two days were ever the same, and time flew by because there was always something happening.”

It’s no wonder then, that Haertling remains active in retirement.

“I’m still working with the Regional Family Crisis Center, and serve as president of that board,” she said. “I’m very happy to work with Betty Pannier and her staff, and proud of the many improvements we’ve been able to make there, due to some grant funding that’s become available.”

“I am helping to plan the 150th Anniversary celebration for our church, Immanuel Lutheran in Perryville, and have been asked to emcee the dinner in October. I’m also working with Thrivent Financial, through Kendra Troncale’s office, on Community Partnership Projects. These service projects help us direct resources into our community to meet important needs for groups like children and veterans.”

And while she’s still busy, she said she’s enjoying having freedom from a routine. “I love the ability to do what I want, when I want,” she said. “I love that if my kids or grandkids need me, I am available for them. I’m beginning to read for pleasure again — and I’m thinking seriously about a book idea focused on my career and what I’ve learned from students. I always joked that someday I’d write a book, and it would be called ‘Just When You Think You’ve Seen It All …’ and I just might write it!”

Velda and her husband Gene have three children — Caliena Wilson, Ted (Melissa) Haertling, and Andy (Tiffany) Haertling — and four grandchildren: Tucker, 15; Amelia, 9; Alaina, 5; and August, 2. Gene has also been an educator, with 25 years of service at Meadow Heights School District. He now drives a school bus for District 32.

While a student at PHS, Haertling was a member of National Honor Society, and participated in activities like cheerleading and band. She said that she reminders two particular teachers who had an impact on her life: Mrs. Barbara Minton, Ms. Ardinger, and Mr. S.E Seabaugh.

“Mrs. Minton was a strong influence in my pursuit of an English and literature minor in my college degree and on into my teaching career,” Haertling said. “I remember (fondly) diagramming sentences in her class. She helped me develop my love of reading and writing. At that time, she also taught shorthand and typing which I took.

“I also vividly remember my speech teacher, Ms Ardinger; she was a very active and non-traditional teacher! We often spent evenings at her home sharing stories or watching TV. I was in her class during my senior year when we learned of the assassination of President Kennedy. That event had a major impact on all of us and I especially remember how Ms Ardinger reacted as she was so somber and seemed frightened about the future.

“Then there was Mr. Sebaugh who somehow got me through my years of Chemistry which saved me in those classes during college. My high school years were filled with good friends and lots of family time and active work in my church youth group...much different times then now for high school students!”

She said that she was “very surprised” to learn she’d been selected as this year’s Distinguished Alumnus Award recipient.

“I am honored and humbled,” she said. “I know many people who have also given their lives to education and to serving, so to be chosen is something I value. Perryville and this school district are my home. I take pride in being part of both my community and my school family. To be honored by those I hold in such high regard is a source of pride for me.”