Craven Chosen Asst. Principal Of The Year
John Craven
Assistant Principal John Craven was congratulated by Senator Thad Cochran after being awarded as the state’s assistant principal of the year. – Photo Provided
John Craven, Assistant Principal of Pearl High School, said that he had about as good a childhood as anyone could ever have. “We were such a close knit community that the whole community raised us, especially on Wood Street and at the ball parks.”
Craven, a 1968 graduate of WVHS and son of Jean and the late Jack Craven, was named Mississippi Association of Secondary School Principals’ Assistant Principal of the Year for the role he has played in Pearl High School’s success over his 18 years at the school.
He currently serves as Pearl’s 11th and 12th grade principal and as director of safety for the entire school district.
Craven traveled to Washington in April to attend the National Association of Secondary School Principals’ award banquet and to discuss education issues with Miss-issippi’s Congressional Delegation.
On his Water Valley roots, Craven noted that he had some great role models during his formative years. “Warren Ray, Frank Evans, Buddy Hart, Buck Suratt, Crip Tyler, Watkins Turnage and Tom Edwards to name a few.”
“All of these great men had an impact not only on me, but on all youngsters during that time,” he continued. “If we messed up, we would beg them to handle it and not tell our dads. Although many times they would also let dad know and that meant not a very good time at home that night.”
Craven added that Water Valley schools also had some great role models such as Clovis Steele, Alfred Reed, Elsie Ashford, Paulette Harvey and the person he most admired and patterned his own philosophy after, Coach Bobby Clark.
However, like many educators, Craven sees some problems with the way parents interact with their children now. “We see so many parents today who try to be friends with their young people, back them up in everything they do whether right or wrong. That’s what causes most of or problems today.”
Value Of Education
Craven taught and coached 20 years before he came to Pearl High School. The walls of his office are covered with autographed pictures of great athletes. “When I talk with students, I stress the importance of getting a good education. I point to the pictures and tell them that those people had problems in life, just as we all do. I tell the students that they can overcome problems through hard work.”
“Education will lead students down the right path.”
Craven and his wife, Cathy, have two children, both Pearl High graduates. Jack is a lieutenant in the Air Force and Emily is a freshman at Delta State.
