Swain County High School Alumni
Bryson City, North Carolina (NC)
Alumni Stories
Hanley Painter
Class of 1950
Mr Painter actually graduated from SCHS in 1946. At SCHS he played football. Following high school he enlisted in the US Marine Corp where he served tours of duty on the Marshall Islands, Saipan, Tinian, and Iwo Jima. He received two purple hearts for wounds suffered at Saipan and Iwo Jima.
After the war he returned to Lenior-Rhyne College where he played football. He was named All Conference and All State and was an Honorable Mention All American.
Mr Painter coached football at Lenior-Rhyne for 30 years. He was head coach from 1962-72. His teams won 12 conference championships and played in three National Championship Games. He was named NAIA District Coach of the Year four times.
He was atletic director at Lenior-Rhyne from 1972-83 and president of the South Atlantic Conference from 1980-82.
Honors:
Lenior-Rhyne College Hall of Fame
NAIA Hall of Fame
Catawba County Sports Hall of Fame
Swain County Athletic Hall of Fame
After the war he returned to Lenior-Rhyne College where he played football. He was named All Conference and All State and was an Honorable Mention All American.
Mr Painter coached football at Lenior-Rhyne for 30 years. He was head coach from 1962-72. His teams won 12 conference championships and played in three National Championship Games. He was named NAIA District Coach of the Year four times.
He was atletic director at Lenior-Rhyne from 1972-83 and president of the South Atlantic Conference from 1980-82.
Honors:
Lenior-Rhyne College Hall of Fame
NAIA Hall of Fame
Catawba County Sports Hall of Fame
Swain County Athletic Hall of Fame
Recent Members
| Charlie Richmond | 1973 |
| Dana Welch | 1988 |
| Jaiydn Jaiydn | 2024 |
| Jessi Loftis | 2007 |
| John Hardin | 1973 |
| Kathleen Brooks Kathleen Brooks | 1963 |
| Kim Barnes Shepherd | 1985 |
| Tammey Stanberry | 1998 |
Military Alumni
Honoring Our Heroes
This area is dedicated to our alumni that have served or are serving in our armed forces!
Lost Class Rings
Have you lost your Swain County High School class ring? Have you found someone's class ring? Visit our Maroon Devils lost class ring page to search for your class ring or post information about a found ring.
Do you have a fun holiday story or a great family tradition? Share them with our fellow Swain County High School alumni! Submit your own stories, achievements and photos in our Alumni Stories section. Read other classmate’s stories and see what they have been up to over the years.
Happy Holidays!
Happy Holidays!