Luke Robinson’s sophomore year finds him at Mount Vernon High School, though he hasn’t always been a part of Mount Vernon.

Robinson transferred from Lisbon in July 2025 after considering it in the spring. Robinson was given a tour of Mount Vernon High School by Preston Pederson, Mount Vernon’s Strength and Speed coach, at the end of eighth grade, but he declined the opportunity.

Robinson realized that there were better opportunities academically and athletically at Mount Vernon as he got older, which led to his final decision. Before the transfer, not everyone agreed with his decision. “People at Lisbon did not want me to transfer because they felt as if they would have lost me as an athlete and wouldn’t be able to communicate with me very often,” Robinson said.

Before starting school at Mount Vernon, Robinson met many people at a classmate’s, Jakob DeLany’s, house. The gathering included Robinson meeting many sophomore boys and getting his hair buzzed off. “I got to know a lot of people,” Robinson said.

Due to student transfer rules, Robinson was given 90 days during which he couldn’t participate in any varsity matches. He didn’t think the penalty would actually go through, so he took a chance on it. The 90-day penalty was imposed because Robinson didn’t want his family to move to Mount Vernon, so they stayed in Lisbon, and he was given the penalty.

This devastation did not stop Robinson from transferring. “It did not change my decision one bit,” Robinson said. It took him some time to find a spot on his sports teams, but after being here for a semester, he feels as if he has built those relationships.

Robinson felt that his potential for both football and wrestling was dimmed because the coaches weren’t able to see what he could accomplish. But now that the 90-day period is up, he has been able to wrestle varsity. He is currently wrestling as a 190 pounder, and feels as if the coaches are now able to see his capabilities that were blurred.

The first semester at Mount Vernon is finished, and Robinson is loving the experience. “I really enjoy the amount of variety there is with the classes and the opportunities provided, which is appreciated,” Robinson said. He also claims that the classes are more difficult than at Lisbon, but they will prepare him better for the future.

Robinson’s favorite parts of Mount Vernon are the block schedule and leaving early on Wednesdays, which didn’t happen at Lisbon. He also adores the friendships, the environment, the sports, and the support everyone offers.

Not everything has left Lisbon, though. Robinson still maintains ties with a close family, the Happels, and many friends, classmates, and coaches there, showing that even as his life moves forward at Mount Vernon, Lisbon is still a place he calls home.