Staff Writer
MHS: Then And Now
by Sonia Shah
Staff Writer
As we navigate the crowded hallways and locker areas of the high school, many of us question what we are gaining from our years here. We asked just that to two Mentor High alumni. Len Pagon, graduated from Mentor High School in 1983. Seema Swetlin (nee Patel),graduated in 1986. They both attended Mentor for their sophomore, junior and senior years.
What was your graduating class size?
Pagon: “I think it was around 890.”
Swetlin: “My graduating class size was 792.”
What were some of your favorite classes?
Pagon: “My favorite classes were Physics (Mr. Gilbert), Calculus (Mr. Korcheck), and Electronics (Mr. Kawalke)”
Swetlin: “I enjoyed my English and Spanish classes.† In addition I enjoyed Chemistry, Physics, Geometry and†Calculus.”
Do you remember any particular teachers that you had?
Pagon: “ I remember the ones above...Mr. Gilbert ran the bridge building contest ... They all challenged me individually and tried to make the classes fun and interesting. Also remembered Mr. Mackar both from Gym and he was my soccer coach for 3 years. He was a great man and a very important person at a formative year in my life. Also remembered Mr. Green the track coach and gym coach.”
Swetlin: “I had Mr. Covetta for Chemistry, and Mrs.Carion for Spanish.”
What do you remember not liking about Mentor High?
Pagon: “I always felt like I didn’t completely fit in and often felt awkward and lacked confidence. I wasn’t completely in the center of any one group. I hung around lot’s of people, but was always a little outside - not in the center or core of the group - this often bothered me. I also feel like I was always somewhat stressed about classes too, even though I kind of glided my way through. I was a procrastinator and didn’t have great work habits because school was somewhat easy for me.”
Swetlin: “The class size was so large that it was hard to know everyone. I wish the class sizes were smaller.”
Did you feel that Mentor High School prepared you for your future?
Pagon: “I actually feel like anything is what you make it. I didn’t put the school work in enough and learn very good work habits, mostly because class work mostly came easy for me. The lack of work, good habits, and study skills became a big problem when I got to Case Western Reserve. Today I don’t think this is as much of an issue because schools work you dramatically harder from the time you are in elementary school. I was actually challenged in English and learned quite a bit in Mr. Young’s class and Mrs. Williams’ English Honors classes. That is where I first learned to interpret what was not on the written page. At the time I really didn’t enjoy reading or writing. I enjoy reading a lot now.”
Swetlin: “Yes! I took some advanced science classes and that helped me in college.”
What did you do after graduating from Mentor High?
Pagon-“Went to Case for BS in Electrical Engineering. Met my wife (of 21 years) Kata there. Got married and had three boys. Started my own business, Brulant, in 1989, which is one of the top 20 Interactive Firms in North America (we do websites, SEM, etc. for our clients). One of my proudest moments (besides my kids being born and kid related things) was being inducted into the fourth class of Mentor High Hall of Fame in 2000.”
Swetlin: “I went to Kent State University for my undergraduate degree, The Ohio State University College of Law for my law degree and CWRU for my Masters of Law.”
What are you currently doing?
Pagon- “Running Brulant, spending time with my family, and trying to stay fit and very active. I still play and am very involved with Soccer too. Like to ski, vacation/traveling, reading, soccer, biking, triathlons, dive, fish, hike, etc., just about anything outdoors.”
Swetlin(Patel) -“I am an attorney working for Squire, Sanders and Dempsey LLP.”
If you had the chance to go back to high school, what would you do differently?
Pagon-“I would date much more” (I was very, very picky). I would study harder/consistently, and relax and have more fun.”
As Len Pagon said, our future is what we make of it. Many of us will gain a lot from high school, while others will not. It all depends on how we spend our high school experience.