Left: Mr. Swenson & pants - 1977 Above: Mr. Swenson - 1997

Mr. Gerald Swenson currently teaches all sorts of wonderful chemistry at East. 25 years ago he was teaching chemistry, of course, but he was doing it on the third floor, above the stage and next to the old band room. Chemical fumes were drawn out the windows, but the windows had no screens, so "bees, butterflies and pigeons would join the class." When asked how old he was, he said he couldn't count that high, but he was old enough to remember when "slide rules were 'fun.'" He said that, "One year the lab assistants blew up the fume hood while trying to make a smoke bomb for a band performance. That was one of only four fire drills I remember being real ones. I believe that lab assistant lost interest in chemistry and developed an interest in religion." He also claims that he never practiced "free love," as that was a biology thing.

	Left: Mr. Oloizia - 1973 Above: Mr. Oloizia - 1997

25 years ago, Mr. Randy Oloizia was over at Tosa West teaching physics, ecology, exploratory science and introductory physical science. He remembers the view that varsity athletics was for boys and teaching kids that "cheap electricity from nuclear fusion was 'just around the corner.'" Ah, just thinking of the failures of cold fusion and Tosa West athletics gives me a little chuckle. Anyway, Mr. Oloizia explained the fad in long sideburns by saying that "[they] helped keep your face warm before El Niņo." He's old enough to remember college tuition being $118 per semester, although Mr. Streff has him beat there; Streff paid only $180 for his freshman year at UWM. Mr. Oloizia also fondly remembers the "comfortable and inexpensive" leisure suit, and how he reluctantly gave his last one to Goodwill in the late 80's.

Mr. Oloizia also gave a story about how in 1971, a group of eight senior boys would drive the librarians crazy by doing a 5-10 minute choreographed routine with newspapers. They would turn the pages, change chairs, and cross and uncross their legs all in unison. In a related story, Kesus and M. F. Luder have announced plans to start a synchronized library drill of their own.

	Left: Mr. Vitrano - 1973 Above: Mr. Vitrano - 1997

Mr. Joe Vitrano was teaching Latin 25 years ago. He remembers there not being any air conditioning, making the third floor "stifling." When asked if he had any embarrassing stories about his first years teaching, he responded: "I was 'taken' to the office by a veteran [older] teacher for parking in the faculty lot. Apparently I looked too young to be a teacher." Also, when asked the obligatory "free love" question, Vitrano gave the curious reply, "There is no such thing as 'free love.'"