Dale Stewart wasn’t going to go to college. But, a former principal made such an impact on Stewart that he decided he wanted to follow in those footsteps. Stewart went on to have a long educational career that includes pioneering the phrase “Always an Eagle Family” while he was the principal at Apollo High School. Now, the private access drive at the school will soon be renamed in his honor.
Stewart currently serves on the Daviess County Board of Education. The board approved renaming the drive Dale Stewart Way during their meeting Thursday.
Stewart said Superintendent Matt Robbins approached him about the idea last year but he was at first reluctant.
“I do believe in the Eagle family. It takes a village,” he said. “Matt kept talking to me about it and I finally agreed to do it. It means everything to me.”
Reflecting on his own days at Daviess County High School, Stewart said he wasn’t going to go to college. Mr. Wheeler, the DCHS principal at the time, gave Stewart a phone number and said to call it to make sure he got into college.
“How he did that made an impression on me. From then on, I decided I wanted to be a principal, and the rest is history,” Stewart said.
The 2023-2024 school year marks Stewart’s 53rd year in education.
He first entered the classroom at Apollo High School in the fall of 1973 after graduating from Kentucky Wesleyan College. While serving as a classroom teacher for the first 10 years of his career, Stewart obtained his Rank 1 and master’s degree from Western Kentucky University.
In 1982, Stewart transitioned into the role of work study coordinator at AHS and served in this role for 5 years. With a love for athletics, he also served 2 school years as the athletic director prior to becoming assistant principal in 1987.
Stewart went on to serve as principal of Apollo High School from 1995-2002.
With a deep commitment to the school and a love for athletics, Stewart also served as the Assistant Basketball Coach from 1977-1984, with the 1978 team achieving a regional championship. He was also the head baseball coach from 1977-1983, leading the team to a record of 130-74 during that span.
“Mr. Stewart has lived a life of dedication and service to Apollo High School and Daviess County Public Schools,” Robbins said. “He has molded and shaped the lives of many students in a variety of ways as a teacher, coach, athletics director, assistant principal, principal, and most recently as a school board member. He is a highly respected educator in Daviess County Public Schools and invested his life in making our Kids First, while achieving excellence all along the way. It is a great honor to recognize his significant contributions.”
Stewart’s list of awards and honors of his career includes Jaycee’s Outstanding Young Educator Award (1984), Athletic Director of the Year (1987), Kentucky Department of Education, Principal of the Year (1997), AHS Blue Ribbon School (2000), National Association of Secondary School Principals Kentucky Principal of the Year (2001), KHSAA board of control member, DCPS Board Chair. Outside of education, he also boasts being a 2-time Boston Marathon Qualifier (1991 and 1993).
Stewart currently serves as a member of the Daviess County Board of Education, a position he has held since 2016. Some of his most notable accomplishments while serving on the board include the complete renovation of Apollo High School and a new Daviess County Middle School, along with major renovations to athletic facilities.
Stewart and his wife Jane created a scholarship for Apollo seniors in 1995 and have given approximately $35,000 to help students offset college expenses.
“Mr. Stewart’s unwavering commitment to Apollo High School is well renowned,” said Bob Dych, Apollo High School Principal. “His love runs deep for this school and he has dedicated his career to working to provide students and adults with opportunities to reach their greatest potential, and we know that 2280 Tamarack Road is at the heart of that work. Mr. Stewart was the inventor of the phrase ‘Always an Eagle Family’ and to him and those that are a part of this family, these are more than just words; it is a dedication to a lifestyle and a mindset that spurs us to take care of one another in all things and to work in a way that ensures Apollo High School is the best it can be.”
A recognition ceremony will take place in the spring of 2024 where the private drive will officially be named Dale Stewart Way.
