A Century of Excellence
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Sweetwater High School's Century of Excellence
A year of celebration
Sweetwater High kicked off a year-long Centennial Celebration on Nov. 4, 2011 with events stretching to Oct. 13, 2012. The opening celebration event paid tribute to the school's first graduate, Miss Essie Pennington, May 15, 1914. SHS Principal David Watts' opening remarks best summed up the celebration: “Since her inception 100 years ago, SHS has continued to provide a quality education for her students. Although the school looks much the same on the outside as she did in 1928, we know that many changes have occurred in academics, cosmetics, faculty, staff, and students. She has witnessed years of superior success but has also felt the crunch of hard times. She has seen her graduates leave her hallowed halls to become doctors, lawyers, dentists, teachers, mechanics, factory workers, politicians, community leaders, ministers, nurses, carpenters, farmers, electricians, and the list goes on and on.”
YOUR FUTURE IS HERE Congratulations
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Sweetwater High School on 100 years!
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Above: Current Sweetwater High School Principal David Watts on Nov. 4, 2011 kicked off the yearlong Centennial Celebration with the opening remarks included above. An empty chair was placed in tribute to Sweetwater High School's first graduate, Essie Pennington (right), who graduated May 15, 1914. In those days, classes could be very small and in this case, have only one graduating senior.
Essie Pennington
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Sweetwater High School's Century of Excellence
Sweetwater High School's Aug. 27, 1898-The school directors of the City of Sweetwater purchased the Bachman building on College Street for $6,000. The building was to be used by Sweetwater schools.
May 15, 1914-Miss Essie Pennington became the first graduate of Sweetwater High School.
September, 1926-A contract was awarded to build Sweetwater High School at a cost of $100,000. Young and Stoner were awarded the contract. The building was to be 267 feet by 105 feet, rough brick. The building was to encompass 14 classrooms, a gymnasium, an auditorium/study hall and an apartment for the principal or caretaker. The total cost of the building and equipment was $136,000. As a result of the need for fill dirt for the new building, the area in front of the building was excavated for the fill dirt. Thus the bowl was created.
Dec. 10, 1914-The Sweetwater News reported the high school team closed its season on Thanksgiving by defeating the TMI Scrubs, 13-0.
Nov. 24, 1926-The Sweetwater News reported the Sweetwater 11 (SHS football team), now style themselves “The Tornadoes.�
September, 1916-Sweetwater High School moved to its new site, the former home of Sweetwater Military College and the future home of Sweetwater Hospital.
Oct. 26, 1927-The Sweetwater News reported the Sweetwater Wild Cats held Copper Hill School to a 7-7 tie.
Sept. 9, 1912-Sweetwater High School opened at the Bachman building on College Street with the enrollment of 35 students, three teachers and Principal E. Gatewood Hall.
1917-Henry Jacobs was granted a diploma from Sweetwater High School for his service in World War I. Dec. 12, 1923-The Sweetwater News reported a banquet honoring the football team, sponsored by the senior girls in the dining room which was decorated with school colors, olive and gold. July, 1926-The Monroe County Court voted to fund a new high school in Sweetwater and to purchase 14 acres of the Cannon farm located on Athens Pike, as a site for the new school. The cost of the land was $7,500.
Sept. 17, 1928-Sweetwater High School opened the new building with a student body consisting of 240 students, five teachers and Principal R.M. Ivins. The curriculum included: business, Latin, science, English, math, history, French and home economics. March 17, 1930-The Sweetwater PTA approved the expenditure of $10 to place the words SWEETWATER HIGH on the bank of the bowl. 1934-The last football games were played on the fairground or Kiwanis Field, which was located in the area of the present Willow Creek development.
1935-All home football games were played on the TMI field.
1941-45-Many students left SHS to enter the service during the World War II.
1935-The Works Progress Administration began work on a new football field adjacent to the school building. Cost of the field was $4,722. The field was higher on the north end, thus the home team desired to defend the north goal the fourth quarter.
1946-SHS football field was named F.A. Carter, for the former president of Sweetwater Woolen Company. Mr. Carter was chosen by student body vote as a result of his service to the community and to SHS.
Oct. 16, 1936-Sweetwater News reported SHS would play Tellico Plains at the local field for the first night game in Sweetwater.
CONGRATULATIONS Sweetwater High School!
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Sweetwater High School's Century of Excellence
Sweetwater High School's September, 1950-14 members of the SHS football team were ordered to active duty with the 278th Regimental Combat Team at the beginning of the Korean War. 1963-A multiple purpose cafeteria/ auditorium was built at the north end of the main building. The former cafeteria was developed into a school library and some administrative offices.
1964-Sweetwater High School was integrated and welcomed 40 new students and one teacher, Gladys Maxwell, from High Point High School.
1971-Sweetwater High School won its first State Football Championship defeating Whitehouse 20-0 with head coach, King Berrong.
1965-The round building was constructed at the southeast end of the main building and housed classrooms, dressing rooms, and a gymnasium with a seating capacity of 1,500. The former gymnasium was renovated into a large agricultural shop, classroom and band room.
1980’s-A new stadium was built by civic clubs and citizens of Sweetwater with a seating capacity of 3,500 people. The stadium was named for former coach, King Berrong. The press box was dedicated to Lynn Sherlin, a loyal fan and former announcer of Wildcat football and basketball games. 1992-1995-A major renovation was made to the existing building. Eight classrooms were added, and an elevator and chair lift were installed. Air conditioning was added to most of the building. 1993-Sweetwater High School won its third State Football Championship defeating Milan 10-6 with head coach, Bill Dupes. 1994-SHS won its first State Basketball Championship defeating Giles County 71-53 with head coach, Danny Green.
1995-1996-Sweetwater High School received Southern Association Accreditation. 2002-The new field house was dedicated to Coach Bill Dupes. 2003-04- SHS opened a new 11-room, $1.9 million addition. 2011-On Oct. 27, Governor Bill Haslam and his wife Crissy visited SHS to congratulate the staff and students on their academic performance, graduation and attendance rates. He was accompanied by Speaker of the House Beth Harwell, Sen. Randy McNally, and State Reps. Jimmy Matlock and John Forgety. Sweetwater High celebrated dramatic improvement in test scores and the graduation rate, getting off the state's “High Priority” list. Principal David Watts was named as one of the top principals in the state. On Nov. 4, the Centennial Celebration began with an opening ceremony in the SHS gymnasium.
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Sweetwater High School's Century of Excellence
The Roaring 20's The Sweetwater High School basketball team for 1926 consisted of from left, Glenn Harwell, Capt. Douglas Seymour, Bill Robinson, Joe Grubb, Rue Gallant and Harry Lee Heiskell. Not pictured is E. Seymour. One of the most popular films of 1926 was the silent comedy “The General.”
Congratulations Sweetwater High School! City of Sweetwater 203 Monroe Street • 337-6979 Hours: 8:30 am - 4:30 pm Monday - Friday
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Sweetwater High School's Century of Excellence
The Turbulent 3o's At left: Sweetwater High School graduating class of 1932. Some of the names were not known, and are listed as so. First row, Helen Wiggins, Reba McCrary, Stella Fitzgerald, Odolite Moorem, Maude Foster, Agnes Johnson and Martha Edgmond. Second row, Mrs. Fochee (Mary Ruth Godsey), Charlotte Kyker, Ruth Huffine, Lily Mae Cousins, Madge Hunt, Goldie Tennyson, Mary Sue Cansler, unknown and Lena Kyker. Third row, Tom Martin, Moree, Clarence Trotter, Carl Howell, Doyle Wattebarger, Roy Wattebarger, Jimmy Axley, Lee Miller and Raymond Best. Below: Girls too have a long and storied history in Sweetwater High athletics as evidenced by this photo of the 1932 girl's basketball team.
On your 100th Anniversary, we’d like to say Congratulations SHS! Thank you for providing quality education to our community for 100 years.
Congratulations On 100 Years!
SWEETWATER UTILITIES BOARD
(423) 337-5081 “Serving the Sweetwater Valley since 1939” www.sweetwaterutilities.com
Hwy. 411 • Madisonville
442-2128
Sweetwater High School's Century of Excellence
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The Swingin' 40's
At left: The style of dress has varied over the years as evidenced by this picture of 1946-47 Homecoming Queen Margret Caylor. Below: Sweetwater High School class of 1946: front, Betty Crumby, Josephine Howard, Betty Wiggins, Juanita Clark, Jenness Shope, Lucile Patterson, Joyce Barnett, Frances Lawson, Agnes Ingram and Betty Raley. Second row, Maxine Latham Gourley, Wanda Camp, Jeanne Bell, Alene Pruitt, Jeanne DeButy, Jacqueline Sprinkle, Helen Ruth Speed, Betty Jo Tennyson, Evelyn Thomas and Jennie Studdard. Third row, Glen Pardue, Donald Wolfe, Ada Lou Ewing, Willie Mae Camp, Eloise Bilderback, Kathleen Plemons, Miriam Hester, Pauline Johnson, Henry Thompson and Charlie Price. Fourth row, Ted Crabtree, Burton Bilderback, Kenneth Dawson, Sammy Bledsoe, Bill Sample, Leroy Sherrill, Vernon Rudd, John Jackson and Lester Smith. Not pictured are Marvin Tilley and veterans, J.C. Bright, Leon Everett Dunsmore, Thomas Grant Haskins, Sam E. Parker, Edwin Shelton Prigmore, Sammie A. Reed, Robert W. Stakely, Mack Lloyd Waters, Kenneth White and Ralph B. Zimmerman.
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Sweetwater High School's Century of Excellence
The Nifty 50's
Just as now, lunch time in the 1950s was a time to relax and socialize. After school was a time to hop in a car and go to Atkins Restaurant for a snack in simpler times.
Congratulations Sweetwater High School!
(423) 337-6616
Highway 68 • Sweetwater www.thelostsea.com
Above: Sweewater High has an outstanding tradition of clubs and activities. The Glee Club from the early 1950s is pictured here. At right: Dot Snyder was homecoming queen in 1952-53. Below: These girls look ready for a prom dance. The No. 1 song during the spring of 1954 was Perry Como's “Wanted.”
Sweetwater High School's Century of Excellence
The Unifying 60's Sweetwater High School was desegregated in 1964 with black students from North Point School attending SHS. It was soon common to see black and white students enjoying school activities together.
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Sweetwater High School's Century of Excellence
The Groovy 70's The Sweetwater Wildcats, led by legendary coach King Berrong (holding the No. 1 sign), celebrated back-to-back state football championships in 1971 and 1972. Anthony Oggs (No. 42) set a state scoring record and had lots of help from a host of great players.
Sweetwater High School
Congratulations From Your Neighbor
City of Madisonville 400 College Street, North 423-442-9416
Alfred McClendon, Mayor City Board: Bobby Bruner Linda Garrett-Hensley Sherri McCrary Glenn Moser Bill Spradlin City Recorder: Ted Cagle City Hall and All City Employees
The early 1970s were a hey day for sports at SHS. Here, some athletes, cheerleaders and students pose in the “Bowl� in front of the school.
Sweetwater High School's Century of Excellence
The 1980s were a period of big hair, but even bigger music. The brighter the colors and the louder the music, the better.
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The Rockin 80's
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Sweetwater High School's Century of Excellence
Right: The 1990s were a golden era for sports at Sweetwater High. Not to be outdone by the football team, the boy's basketball team captured the AA state title in 1994 with a 71-53 win over Giles County. The team, led by coach Danny Green, made constant trips to the state finals in the early 90s.
Two decades after the 1970s title runs, the Wildcats football team captured a state title in 1993 under another legendary coach, Bill Dupes.
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Sweetwater High School's Century of Excellence
Sweetwater High's Valedictorians and Salutatorians YEAR
VALEDICTORIAN
SALUTATORIAN
YEAR
VALEDICTORIAN
SALUTATORIAN
1914 1918 1919 1920 1921 1922 1923 1924 1925 1926 1927 1928 1929 1930 1931 1932 1933 1935 1936 1937 1938 1939 1940 1941 1942 1943 1944 1945 1946 1947 1948 1949 1950 1951 1952 1953 1954 1955 1956 1957 1958
Essie M. Pennington Eva Gallaher Robert L. Mims Hilda McGuire Stella Gallaher Martha Airheart Gladys Brown Frances Shepherd Alice Kizer Mattilee Pennington Thomas Barnhill Jean McGuire Julia Lowry Elizabeth Young Emma Pennington Mary Cate Walker Mary Dyche Minnie Mae Gallaher Nelle Culvahouse Anna Wade Endsley Sarah Louise Young Sarah Fleming Mary Johnson Dixie Galyon Mamie Humphrey Clara Belle Puryear Barbara Moore Mary Peoples Roy E. Cook Gladys Cofer Hugh Eller Sara Rose Bradley Willie Kate Best Mary Jenkins Helen Foster Ina Rose Timberlake Lois Wood Ivan Timberlake Helen Slack Arnett Kilpatrick Katherine Ann Thomas Mary Frances Keirn Margaret McKinney Frederick Jenkins Anna Blanche Campe Clarence Barnett Reba Lance Lucile Kile Gordon McDaniel Charlye R. Price Vail Wilhite Agnes Howell Norman Davey Ann Hill Bilderback Helen Eulene Case Henry Thompson Willie Mae Camp Edward Seiler Gwen Gallent Glenn McNabb Leon Hill Emma Margaret Brown Mary Paul Bussey Marlyn Richesin W. O. Webster David Hall Gaynelle Cooper Annabelle Sizer Letha Brackett Patsy Armstrong Graham Smith Billie Clark Arlene Stepp Donna Kay Babb Betty Robinette Jean Cooper Wayne Roach Jackie Crabtree Beverly Anderson Judy Pack Janette Patterson
1959 1960 1961 1962 1963 1964 1965 1966 1967 1968 1969 1970 1971 1972 1973 1974 1975 1976 1977 1978 1979 1980 1981 1982 1983 1984 1985 1986 1987 1988 1989 1990 1991 1992 1993
June Ragon Jane Pack Florence McCowan Betty Barnes Lucy Browder Margaret Endsley Louise Vineyard Janice Yena Missy Cowan Linda Noble Gerri Timberlake Judy Blair Judy Garrett Shelley Seaver Doug Lynn Freda Steinberger Deborah Watson Steve Humphreys Lillian Jenkins Rachel Whited Len Moore Kelly Lish Beth Goode Fred McCallie Lisa Archer Joe Galyon Tammy Underwood Brian Hitson Gary Crisp Sherry Underwood Tammy Estes Christopher Gourley Betsy McCampbell Steve Underwood Brian Powell Crystal Ingram Jessica Bradberry
Mary Chappell McQuiddy Roma Ann Cate Shirley Ball
** Please note: There are some missing years, as records could not be found for those years.
Amanda Buckner Benny Layne Priscilla Long Charlotte Walker Lulie Jones Martha Chaplin Betsy Loomis Dorothy Gibson Sharon Upton Alan Cleveland Linda Oaks Ruth Ann Cleveland Patricia Rogers Kirk Thomas Sara McCulley Robert Hickey Dena Whited Gail McCallie Lisa Watson Kevin Fleming Tim Cooper Tammy Swainson Keith Whited Bobby Hicks Wendy Saint Scott Lance Holly Campbell Pam Mincy Jerilyn Upton Elise Woodruff Kristi Clark Andy Tucker
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Sweetwater High School's Century of Excellence
Sweetwater High's Valedictorians and Salutatorians YEAR 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998
Kristi Fain Heather Lance Erica Sutton Adrian Parton Kristi Thomas
VALEDICTORIAN
SALUTATORIAN Chuck Whited Shannon Littleton Jill Orr Levi Frye Rebekah White
YEAR 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010
Deana Duggin Erica Campbell Tara McDaniel Sierra Garbett Victoria Zickgraf
VALEDICTORIAN
1999
Daniel Kyle
Paul (Casper) Keller
2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005
Lauren Rotters Emily Cleveland Chad Jones Rachel Salsbury Jeremy Fairbank Nick Prince
Dana Price Ivy Griffin Kesha Thomas Ben Evans Kelly Lane Joel Sadikoff
2011 2012
Ross Houston Shivani Patel Jonathan Summitt Kayla White Ryan Daggs Brandon Darr Callie Mashburn Holly Wayman
Recollection of Memories Do you ever look back and recall the time The high school years and the friends who come to mind, The days when there seem to be no strife, And the newer days hadn’t appeared in life? The football games, the plays on stage The little things that were fun These were the good times that had just begun. We were always glad to be at our school And no one doped up, we followed each rule. We danced in the gym to music back then Square dance, jitterbug, waltz, whatever the trend. Everyone there was on the same level that was the thing; No one thought they were the queen or king. The talking with friends while walking home, This was the time when you did not go alone. Everyone gathered together, each one a friend, It was always like that way back then. We were just regular high school kids; We mingled and we had fun in all that we did.
It’s probably a little different now and that’s so sad, Because things along the way may have turned bad. So, as you look back a hundred years since it began, Hope some of these students will pass by this way again. For there’s doctors, lawyers, teachers, who will remember the day And just every day people who remember the way. Of their very close friends, they’ve known through the years; Their teachers, their mentors and all of their peers. So, a hundred years have passed and gone away But all of the memories of these times will always stay.
Doris J. Burleson
2012
SALUTATORIAN
Mary Katherine Mercer Callie Fox Hollie Long Kayla Kerns Brittany Cooper
Sweetwater High School's Century of Excellence
Did you know???
Special thanks to Joe Sherlin, Pidge Collette and the rest of the 100year Celebration Committee for their work gathering the material for this special publication.
Did you know that....
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The Sweetwater High School Building located on College Street (1912) consisted of six classrooms and an auditorium, each heated by a stove. The building had no inside restrooms.
•
The faculty consisted of E.G. Hall, Principal C.B. Brown, C.W. Hicks and Lillie Mae Pettyjohn. Academic subjects offered the • first year included: math, English science French, Latin and home economics.
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Extracurricular activities were tennis and baseball. Per student expenditure for • Sweetwater High School in 1917 was
$25. Per student expenditure in 2011 was $8,081.
• In 1916, Sweetwater High School moved to the building for-
merly occupied by Sweetwater Military College (present Sweetwater Hospital site).
•
Since there was no public transportation for public schools at that time, faculty and female students were offered room and board in the new home os SHS. The building had five kitchenettes and 20 furnished private rooms. The building also had hot and cold running water and steam heat.
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Early school colors were olive and gold.
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The football team was once referred to as the Tornadoes.
• The Wildcats played their first night football game in 1936.
Turpin brothers attended • Five The cost of room and board • SHS, and all five were captains or cowas $147 per year. Boys who desired room and board were placed in private home.
• Superintendent Ivins reported the system realized a profit of $600 per year from the rental arrangements.
During the school year, each • Sunday students were to take part in community activities; should read scriptures in class daily, not less than 10 verses a day without comment. They should refrain from social dancing and prohibit the same on all school premises, during the term of their contract.
• July, 1926, the Monroe County Court voted to build a new high school in Sweetwater to meet the needs of the community for 25 years.
•
The new building was completed and occupied in 1928.
captains of their respective football teams.
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Ralph McNabb, class of 1938, was the first casualty of World War II from the Sweetwater area. Gordon McDaniel, class of 1942, • became an Ace of Aces during World War II, shooting down five German FW 190’s (fighter planes) in one day.
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Joyce Newman, class of 1951, is the first and only woman to have served as principal of Sweetwater High School.
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Dr. Thomas Floyd, class of 1936, and Joyce Newman, are the only graduates of SHS to served as principal of the school. Cherry Oliver, class of 1961, • served as secretary of Sweetwater High School for a record 45 years.
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Thirty-one students who dropped out of school to serve in World War II, returned after the war to complete their work for a diploma.
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Fourteen members of the SHS football team were called to active duty as a result of the mobilization of the 278th Regimental Combat Team during the Korean War.
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Coach Bill Dupes, class of 1947, was inducted into the Tennessee Sports Hall of Fame in 2010. John Zimmerman, class of • 1971, was a member of the team
who developed the MRI machine and Pixar technology.
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Sweetwater athletes who attained All-American Status included: David Berrong, football, class of 1966, Memphis State University; Larry Arwood, football, class of 1995, Emory & Henry College; Morgan Gruenenfelder, soccer, Multi-year AllAmerican, Carson-Newman College.
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The Sweetwater High School Dairy Cattle Judging Team won the National Championship in 1960. Members of the team were: Claude Lance, class of 1961; Blaine Oliver, class of 1961; and Jerry Arp, class of 1961.
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Sweetwater High School's Century of Excellence
SHS students remain active like girl's soccer star Kellie Collins.
The grand old main building still looks great today after opening 84 years ago.
During the opening to the year-long Centennial Celebration, the two oldest living SHS graduates at the time, Goldie Cooley (now deceased), left, and Lillie Mae Cousins, were honored.
The Techno 2000's
Tennessee Gov. Bill Haslam came to Sweetwater High on Oct. 27, 2011 to congratulate the school for getting off the state's “High Priority� list with improved test scores and higher graduation rate. Haslam was a hit with students when he climbed into the gym bleachers for pictures.