There was never a doubt where Lee and Jennifer Paulls’ two sons would attend school once they reached the fifth grade.
Lee IV was a “Linsly Lifer” and is a member of the Class of 1984 and has been married to Jennifer for 22 years. At that time, no longer was the institution military related, but instead it was transitioned into an all-male college preparatory school. That had changed by the time Lee V and his brother, Collin, came of age. Now Linsly, founded by Noah Linsly in 1814, remains college prep but welcomes both males and females.
“I think Linsly does an excellent job of preparing you academically for college,” said Lee IV, president of Paull Associates Real Estate and Insurance. “I feel Linsly has a challenging curriculum, high academic and behavioral standards, a very dedicated and talented faculty, a safe, supportive environment, a school that stresses character development and a strong sense of community, a competitive athletic program, and much more.
“I feel parents have one chance to make sure our children are prepared for the challenges ahead of them,” he continued. “Linsly does a great job of getting the kids ready for all of life’s challenges.”
“The boys went to Wheeling Country Day School before Linsly until fifth grade,” explained Jennifer, a realtor for Paull Associates in Glen Dale. “I felt like I do today, scared of Lee changing schools, new friends, and new teachers. The first day of 5th grade at Linsly until his last day of high school, Lee has loved Linsly, his teachers, and has made the best friends.
“Lee looked forward to the traditions Linsly offers. I am the saddest that he did not get to experience senior week at Linsly,” she said. “They would have had all sorts of fun activities such as short signing, brick laying, white water rafting, and finishing with prom and graduation. I look forward to these experiences with Collin the next two years.”
And Then a Pandemic
The educators and administrators at The Linsly School immediately went virtual with classes, missing only a single day of online instruction, and they also developed most creative ways to honor the seniors who were forced to miss events staged at the school for decades.
“It is a huge disappointment because I have watched classes before me go through the end of year traditions which all of us were excited to go through,” admitted Lee V “I will miss seeing my friends every day. I am glad we will have more of a traditional graduation.”
When Linsly began admitting females in the late 1980s, the school’s student population increased enough to allow the Cadets to compete in Class AAA in the Ohio Valley Athletic Conference. Lee V was a member of the football and baseball teams but was forced to miss his final season on the diamond.
“I will always remember playing in big football games on Friday nights or Saturday afternoons at home,” the graduating senior said. “I will always remember the doubleheader baseball games and also the OVAC Championships. My favorite game was last year’s OVAC Championship game.”
Lee V will continue his education at West Virginia University come August just as his father did, and he is positive he is prepared.
“I do feel the education I received was great,” he said. “My teachers were always willing to help me, and that’s why I am confident that my education over the last eight years at Linsly has prepared me for college.”
The Blue Blazer and School Tie
Destruction has been a tradition, too, for many Linsly graduates when it came to dress code at 60 Knox Lane. The slacks and socks survived, but the blazer and necktie often did not.
A flex-rip down the back of the jacket usually spelled the end on that final day, and both the Aviator and orange-striped ties provided a good stoking for any fire.
“My plans have changed now because of how the school year ended,” Lee V explained. “I will give it to someone who will be able to wear it next year. Since our year ended early, I wasn’t able to do what I normally do with it at the end of the year.”
“As his mother,” Jennifer said, “I can tell you the plans for the blazer have definitely changed. Normally on the last day, Lee and his friends usually split their blazer up the back on their way to their cars the last day of school. I usually take it to get repaired and give it to someone a little smaller the next year.
“He went through eight blazers,” she added. “We buy a new blazer at the start of every year. It doesn’t matter how many buttons fall off or how short the sleeves become because he always wore it until the last day, mash potato stains and all.”
