Lawton Chiles Middle Academy in the News

As a rascal student at this school--then called Lakeland High School--Lawton loved to take dares. Once he (gasp) tread water for several hours in Lake Wire next to the high school. Most of his social life in those days took place in a six-block stretch between Lake Morton and Munn Park. His childhood seems like so much fun, and it made the chapter a joy to write.

About the only tribulation of consequence occurred senior year. The football team, called the Dreadnaughts, won zero games. Some enterprising fellows sick of defeat became cheerleaders.