Kenneth Swiger:
CLASS OF 1976
Bradley Central High SchoolClass of 1976
Cleveland, TN
Kenneth's Story
Life
My Spouse
Becky. I used to throw paper wads at her in high school. Obviously she found that approach irresistable. Somehow I've managed to hang onto her for the past 29 years.
My Pets
My son has a 13 year old short-legged collie-mutt names Precious. Kind of a cross between a border collie and a corgi. We also have two large, long haired cats. I wear their excess hair with me everywhere I go.
My Kids
My daughter Amanda [age 25] just graduated with honors (Suma Cum Laude 3.97 GPA) from the University of Tennessee on May 12, 2006.
My son Alex [age 19] finished his first year of college in May. He looks forward to entering the Architecture program at UT.
My Job
For the past few years I have been doing project management in the engineering department of an x-ray inspection company. (We find things that don't belong in your food and remove it so you won't be injuredor grossed out). I expect to return to the mechanical design field again soon.
School
BIGGEST CRUSH?
Not the biggest crush, but definitely a notable woman in my young life - she actually caused me to change my name.
My freshman English Teacher was an attractive young woman who looked a bit like Jacqueline Smith (from Charlie's Angels). I remember she was calling roll the first day of class. Most of the kids she was meeting for the first time; so she called them by their last name, then the first.
But I had already met her (my mom was an english teacher too) so she knew who I was. When she came to my name she said "Ken" in a way that sounded both familiar, and somehow sultry also. All the guys reacted and were saying "whooo" and giving me a hard time because they heard it that way too.
After that day I always sought to be known as "Ken" (which seemed more adult than "Kenny".
CRAZY MEMORY
Funny (isn't it?) the things that stick ...Expand for more
in your memory and pop up from time to time.
I remember Mrs. Elsie Arrants asking a question in history class - what was the first thing that Andrew jackson did when he was elected president of the USA? For some reason I blurted out "Got drunk!"
I got some laughs from classmates. But obviously that was not the answer she was looking for. In response she said "You big dumb redneck!" She got more laughs than I did -served me right I guess.
INSPIRATIONAL TEACHERS
MRS. FITZGERALD.
I remember how much I enjoyed being in college prep english 12 in Mrs. Fitgerald's class. She possessed tremendous poise. I recall one marginal student who intentionally tried to get under her skin by writing his paper on the somewhat vulgar subject of toilet paper thickness and absorbency and its effect on the city sewer system. She didn't miss a beat. She got right in there with him, gave him guidance and direction, and made him write the paper correctly. She never complained once about the subject matter. She exhibited both class and wisdom.
MR. ADAMS.
Ernest Adams is the teacher that had the most significant impact on my life froma career perspective. I spent more time in his engineering graphics classes (3 hours a day for two years) than any other. I learned a lot from them and my association with him led me into the drafting field which I enjoyed immensely.
IF I HAD IT TO DO OVER - WHAT WOULD I DO DIFFERENTLY?
1. I guess I'd have paid more attention in the math classes I took. I passed them all, but I didn't really retain as much as I should have. I found out that I've had to use algebra, geometry, and trigonometry on a daily basis in mechanical design.
2. I'd have tried a little less hard to entertain other people (especially in my senior year) and would focus on being an honor student and going for scholarships for college.
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