Reviews of Lone Oak Middle School (School)

Patrick Hawley

Lone Oak High School first gained fame during the Sixties when John Robinson was the Principal. He had the largest percentage of high school graduates attend college during his administration. He was a careful scholar who knew Milton and Shakespeare by heart. He always emphasized academics, although the school produced many quality athletic teams. In 1963 Lone Oak was the 21st largest high school in Kentucky in a State known for intermediate school districts. The school received SACS approval during the 1962 school year and offered 52 Carnegie Units of Credit. Paducah Tilghman, an athletic rival, was the 15th largest school in the State and was led by Mr. John Mutchler who was also a noted school leader. During subsequent eras- despite shifting politics of culture-the school became known as a leader in the State. Robinson trained many wonderful administrators who were noted leaders: Adams, Rushing, Dexter, and Stephenson come to mind. They led a strong tradition which concludes this year with the McCracken County School Consolidation. John Robinson always asked students to be gentlemen and scholars.( He EXPECTED it and so he achieved it.) He was nearly without peer in the high school milieu. Interestingly, every graduate could tell you the date of the Battle of Hastings? We call this careful scholarship; there is no substitute for it.