In the final minutes before his first announcement as the new Apollo High School principal in 1995, Dale Stewart was searching for a phrase to unite the students. He came up with “Always an Eagle Family,” followed by “Thank you for listening.” So began Stewart’s legacy at Apollo, and he’s continued leaving his mark over the last 3 decades. On Friday, the private access drive at the school was renamed in his honor.
“When I became principal, I was trying to put something together that would work for everyone,” Stewart said. “I wanted to have every student here feel comfortable.”
He had no idea the phrases would not just stick, but remain a part of the daily life at Apollo ever since.
“What I didn’t realize is that the kids hadn’t had somebody thank them for listening to the announcements, and that picked up as much as ‘Always an Eagle Family.’ It’s still going today. It’s been very rewarding that that has stayed with us,” he 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, serving as a classroom teacher for the first 10 years of his career. In 1982, Stewart transitioned into the role of work study coordinator at AHS and served in that role for 5 years. He also served as the assistant basketball coach from 1977-1984 and was the head baseball coach from 1977-1983.
Stewart served 2 school years as the athletic director prior to becoming assistant principal in 1987. He went on to serve as principal of Apollo from 1995-2002.
Stewart has remained dedicated to education, currently serving as a member of the Daviess County Public Schools Board of Education. He and his wife also created a scholarship for Apollo students and will give out the 36th one this year.
Earlier this year, the DCPS board approved renaming Apollo’s access drive Dale Stewart Way. A formal ceremony and sign unveiling was held Friday, with numerous family members and school officials present.
Apollo Principal Bob Dych said Stewart worked to establish a legacy that is still being carried on and talked about today.
“When you look at what he meant for Apollo, and then you expand upon that about what he’s meant for Daviess County Public Schools as a whole and the legacy that he’s left, I think this is a fitting tribute,” Dych said. “I think it is something that will allow a physical legacy to be here with everything else that he’s done to have a positive impact.”
DCPS Board Chair James Morgan pointed to how Stewart helped Apollo through some hard times.
“We’ve gone through a lot of victories at this school, but we’ve had a lot of heartaches, too,” Morgan said. “After the flood of ’97, a lot of our students were out of homes because of flooding issues. Then the tornado of 2000 devastated our whole community here and this building we’re in right now. But it was really neat to see how the Eagle family pulled together to get through those times. I think a lot of that is due to (Stewart).”
DCPS Superintendent Matt Robbins called Stewart “Mr. Apollo.”
“We try to recognize excellence across our school district on a consistent basis, always understanding that’s a very high mark that’s set and established,” he said. “Today is about recognizing the excellence of servanthood for an individual who is 53 years in education and still going, and someone who, during his tenure here at Apollo High School, was just a fixture and anything that was going on. The caring spirit and attitude that he exuded carried over to so many people. In essence, when you think about Apollo High School, that name is synonymous with Dale Stewart. And that brings us here today to honor him and recognize him in the way that we’re doing.”
Stewart gave thanks to his wife for her support over the years, also saying the community and other school officials helped him find success. He reflects fondly on his time in education.
“I have loved this school,” he said. “I have loved education and the Daviesss County school system. It’s been a very rewarding career for me.”
