After graduation from GRHS, I went to college at KSC of Pittsburg. A science fair project I did in high school caught the attention of the judge, Dr. J. Carl Bass of KSC, and he encouraged me to go on to college.   I did, and he became my major professor.  I graduated with both bachelor's and master's degrees in biology/chemistry, and became a high school science teacher--CAREER #1. 

Also in college I met my husband, Curt Swisher. We were married days after I graduated, and he has been my partner, friend, and soul mate for 33 1/2 years.

Also in college, I met Jesus Christ as my Savior. (I grew up with an atheist father, and the first time I was ever in a church was on our high school senior trip.) Now my life had new meaning, and church (volunteer) work added new dimensions.

Curt and I had 4 children--David, Cindy, Karen, and Paula. Those years of raising children were the wonder years!  From baby's first steps to kindergarten to PTA and Christmas programs and soccer and gymnastics and piano lessons, etc.  Then there were scouts and 4-H, both of which were family activities for us.  I was a Girl Scout troop leader and also worked at the multi-troop level in things like camping and outdoor cooking.  I was also a Boy Scout merit badge counselor--herpetology and other biology-related badges.  Curt and I were leaders of our local 4-H club as well as county leaders and judges of various projects. One of our biggest projects as a family was raising rabbits.

As soon as I got the chance, I also went to seminary and got my Master of Religious Education degree.  Among other things in seminary, I was able to go on a Bible study tour in Israel--a once-in-a-lifetime experience and one of the highlights of my life.  When I graduated, I became a Minister of Education/Associate Pastor--CAREER #2.  My first church position was in Rockford, Illinois, and we have been living in Illinois ever since. 

The children grew up and left home for college one-by-one. Three of them have married by now and presented us with grandchildren (Travis, Lydia, Kelsey, and Robert).  Now, we had an empty nest, and that took some getting used to, but we did get used to it and were really enjoying that stage of life when our world turned upside-down.

In the year 2000, one of our daughters became very seriously ill and came back home to live with us, requiring a high degree of care.  A crash course later, I became a professional home care and rehab assistant for her, through the Illinois Office of Rehabilitation Services--CAREER #3! 

The 3 of us have settled into a workable routine, and are enjoying life on the Mississippi in Wood River, Illinois.  I love the barges and the ferries, but I especially love the wintering bald eagles and trumpeter swans, and the migratory pelicans, and the egrets and the ever-present gulls.  We travel a bit, especially to go see those wonderful grandkids, but also to Philadelphia, Washington D.C., Nashville, Dallas, the North Woods of Wisconsin, etc.

Curt's parents are in a nursing home in Abilene, KS, and his father is dying of cancer.  His only sister died in July, leaving 3 college-age sons and a teenage daughter.  My father died November 21st and my mother has moved to a senior apartment complex (Water Street Apartments) in Girard.  So, our energies are divided among several generations of our families. 

I'm also an avid scrapbooker and a cake decorator.  I've taught quite a few classes in each and have made 4 wedding cakes--2 of them architectural triumphs with stairways, a fountain, etc.  I still love to camp and hike--and have been on portions of the Appalachian Trail--though I hike a bit more slowly these last couple of years!  Curt works for Housing Resource Center, a subsidiary of Catholic Charities, in St. Louis, and he loves his job.

 So...that's what I've been doing since high school graduation. High school?  That was a lifetime ago!  Keep those bios coming in.  I am really enjoying reading about all our former classmates.  See y'all in June!

Jeannie Wigton Swisher