HOWARD, WI (WTAQ-WLUK) – A high school diploma is what brought Dave Steinfeldt and Tom King together in this Howard home this morning (WED).
Steinfeldt found the 110 year old diploma belonging to Mayme Swetters in the rafters of his previous home in Green Bay. She graduated from Green Bay West High School in 1909.
Tom King is Mayme Sweaters grandson. King says he plans to have the diploma framed and give it to his grandson.
GREEN BAY, WI (WTAQ-WLUK) – Calling all graduates of Green Bay West High School’s class of 1909: One of your classmates’ diplomas has turned up.
“That thing is 110 years old,” said David Steinfeldt.
He’s been holding on to the high school diploma of Mayme Swetters since the early 1970s, but tells FOX 11 now he wants to find Swetters’ family and return it.
“If they want it, otherwise I want to donate it either to the school or to the museum.”
He found the diploma inside the wall of a home he bought and renovated on Division Street on the west side of Green Bay.
“It’s old and I like old things, and I thought ‘I’m going to hang on to it.’
He thinks the diploma could’ve slipped through old floorboards and ended up in between two walls.
“It was rolled up, dirty as heck.”
Since the diploma has been in Steinfeldt’s care, he’s taken measures to make sure to preserve it, having it covered with plastic and flattened to preserve.
A librarian at Green Bay West High School tracked down some old yearbooks and commencement programs from around that time, including 1910 and 1914, but she couldn’t find 1909.
Green Bay West High School looked through some of its old yearbooks and commencement programs to try to find Mayme Swetters. The earliest that could be found are from 1910 and 1914.
Steinfeldt is hoping to finally put a face to the name on the diploma.
“What I’m hoping to see is maybe a photo.”
If you are related to Mayme Swetters or know someone who is, Steinfeldt says feel free to call him at (920) 660-6823.
