Date: Fri 18-Jun-1999

Publication: Bee

Author: DOTTIE

Quick Words:

snapshot-Swetts

Full Text:

SNAPSHOT: TOM SWETTS

Occupation: I am in my fourth year of teaching at Newtown High School. I teach

a computer repair business in the high school that builds new systems and

upgrades and repairs computers. Next year we will be advertising it more. We

received a grant to start it. I taught in Bridgeport in the 70s, and then took

over my father-in-law's construction company, which I still have. I

volunteered for two years with the theater group at the high school before I

started teaching there. I have a bachelor's degree in technical theater from

Southern Connecticut State University and a degree in technology from Central

Connecticut State University.

How Long in Newtown: I have lived in Newtown for 24 years. When my wife and I

were first married, we lived in Waterbury. I was born and raised in

Bridgeport.

Biggest Change Seen in Town: The traffic in the center of town. I never go to

the hardware store between four and six in the afternoon.

Family: My wife, Cherie, and I have been married for 27 years. She works with

me at the high school, and we share the same office. We have two children,

Joshua, 25, who is finishing his internship for his master's in education at

Sandy Hook School, and Caitlin, 22, who works for a social services agency in

Westport. She just completed a major in Spanish and in sociology.

Pets: We have four pets, two cats, Azriel and Charlie, and two dogs, Bronson

and Snickers.

Hobbies: My wife and I enjoy mountain biking together, and we like to go to

Boston. We'll probably retire there some day. I spend all my extra time doing

theater at the high school with the kids. That's my true love. When I was in

high school, I lived theater, as stage manager, technical, or sound. I'm

amazed at how much I'm like my high school and college theater teachers.

That's me. Since I have been involved with the high school theater group, it

has grown from 35 kids to 150. I work on grants for the school and recently

received a grant for an inter-district summer theater program. You have to

know where the grants are. Once you get into a relationship with that group,

they call you. I like to go to Broadway shows, and usually take a carload of

kids with me. My favorite play is 1776. I saw it five times.

Favorite Books and Authors: I read mostly technical and trade magazines to do

with computers and theater.

Organizations: I am a member of Trinity Church, where I worked with the youth

group for a long time. I have realized after working with kids, there's hope

for the world. Great leaders are being born. I really believe that teenagers

are the most misrepresented group.

Most Vivid Memory of Newtown: The performance of Brigadoon last year. It

brought up the artistic quality of the shows and created a new standard the

kids try to emulate.

Favorite Vacation Spot: Mount Desert Island in Maine. We stay in Southeast

Harbor.

Personal Philosophy: I truly believe that what you give you get back many

fold, especially with kids.