By Janine DavisRecord Staff WriterWright City R-II School District Superintendent Dr. Chris Gaines was named Person of the Year during a brief ceremony at Friday night’s annual Wright City Strassenbash.“I’m extremely humbled and surprised by this,” said Gaines in accepting the award.Presenting Gaines’ award on opening night of the fall festival was Richy Kohler, president of the Wright City Area Chamber of Commerce, who noted the school leader’s deep civic involvement as well as his presence at state and national levels as a voice for education.Kohler listed Gaines’ many contributions to the community, including participation in the Wright City Area Chamber of Commerce, the Foristell Chamber of Commerce, the Warren County Fine Arts Council, and the Blue and Gold Dinner/Auction committee, in addition to spearheading community projects aimed at growing, enhancing and promoting the Wright City area.“In his spare time, he’s active in the Boy Scouts of America, and you can occasionally find him paddling around a river or lake,” said Kohler.“He’s taken the reins of the Wright City R-II School District, and through his vision and leadership, test scores in every building in the district have improved,” said Kohler. In 2012 and 2013, the district received the status of Accredited with Distinction, Kohler noted.

Dr. Chris Gaines, left, shown receiving the Wright City Area Chamber of Commerce Person of the Year award, has accepted the superintendent job in the Mehlville School District.