Volume Two, Issue One

In recent years, the pride of Swanton has hit a revival. Between our exceptional high school sports, students excelling in academics, and general positive climate of our little corner of Northwest Ohio, Swanton has been doing outstanding. Swanton citizens are proud of their community, no doubt. This is why it is so crazy to fathom, that we continue to use the self-deprecating nickname that was given to us eons ago.

You know what it is: Swantucky. A name that is generally used by people who live in Toledo and are not familiar with our rural town, or used by our school rivals whose communities fit literally the same stereotype of being a small rural town. They use this name as if rural towns are not something to respect and accept. This derogatory nickname is something that not only outsiders use, but insiders use it as well. People who go to Swanton schools, are employed in Swanton, or live in Swanton, all hold guilt in calling our town Swantucky.

You may say Swantucky as a joke, or don’t really care when other people say it because you don’t think it should be taken seriously, but this name has far worse repercussions than we realize. We live in a town we should have pride in, and accepting this demeaning nickname completely invalidates any sense of pride that we deserve to have.

This nickname that attempts to stereotype Swantonians as rednecks and hicks could not be more far off. While we may not be the most diverse school, we definitely have a diversity of personality. Not all students/families fit the country-time stereotype. And- if we do- that is nothing to be ashamed of. To attempt to shame an entire community simply for living in a rural area which includes the possibility of living a rural lifestyle is just plain silly.

Swanton is a town full of pride, but we don’t always show it. It’s time we start. Reject Swantucky. Don’t play into it, don’t accept it as a part of who we are. Swanton is not so easily stereotyped. I think this is something we all know, but we are so used to this ageless nickname that we have accepted it. WE MUST stop accepting it. The pride and reputation starts in how we, as a town, view ourselves. If we respect ourselves to cut off the name Swantucky, then outsiders will too.

We aren't Swantucky. We are Swanton.