Page 9 - Fall Winter 2023 FINAL FILE FOR WEBSITE USE

Spotlight on Alumni, continued...

When not guiding, Mike enjoys spending time visiting from each day. It is in our lives more than we realize.
with good friends and family as much as he can. “Sheri When you have a breakdown with a vehicle or equipment
and I have been blessed with a beautiful family that are while hunting or fishing in a remote area, you will need to
all in Aroostook County and we enjoy every minute with engineer a temporary solution to your problem. Farmers
our children and grandchildren.” need to engineer new things every day to be productive
and efficient. Learning and teaching new ways to help
industry as well as society is an especially vital role since
Houlton is still his go-to town for the beginning of time and will continue to be vital forever.
Engineers in any field are the backbone of the world, in
many activities with his family. my opinion.”

Mike says his immediate plans are to retire in 2024.
Mike grew up in Monticello, and still lives there today. Michael Swimm; just one more example of the many
When I asked if he had any favorite memories of outstanding alumni from Houlton High School who are
growing up in the area, he had plenty! One special making a difference in their communities.
memory he had was fixing up an old car and driving to
the parking lot next to the Temple Theater, the popular
hangout at the time.

Mike says that “Many life lessons were learned there.”

He was not very active in extra-curricular activities
during his high school years but did make many
lifelong friends there. There were two teachers, in
particular, who had a significant impact on him, Mrs.
Edwards, and Mrs. Penprase.

“I have seen many changes in the 43 years since
graduating, most of them not for the good. I think today’s
youth are missing out on the experiences we had growing
up in a time when it was fun and safe to hang out,
hitchhike, and have many close friends gathering in the
parking lot.”

Houlton is still his go-to town for many activities with
his family. He has been at every July 4th parade for as
long as he can remember.

When asked what advice he might give to todays’
students, he said,

“For anyone considering the study of engineering, I say go
for it in a big way. Engineering is something we all benefit Mike’s Senior Photo – 1980

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