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By Kathy Romita
The city of Smallville mourns the recent loss of James Kwan, principal of Smallville High School. Kwan was killed in a freak accident when his own car pinned him against his garage door. Mechanics are still investigating what caused the vehicle to shift gears and hit Kwan, who died at the scene. There were no eyewitnesses.
When former principal Rupert Hughes resigned from Smallville High School last June and moved to Topeka for a new position, he recommended a "no-nonsense" educator as his replacement, the assistant principal from Metropolis High, James Kwan. Kwan was given the nod and started immediately.
Last fall, Kwan was injured when his car caught on fire in the school parking lot. He suffered from smoke inhalation and burns on his hands but made a quick recovery. Mechanics never discovered the cause of that fire.
Kwan insisted on honesty from his students, teachers and staff. His emphasis on education was evident when he suspended seven football players for cheating--even though the late Coach Walt Arnold was shooting for a new record. Kwan displayed a high moral standard at school and at home. Kwan leaves behind his wife, Teresa, and two children, Danny and Jessica. Principal Kwan was very active in
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local as well as national organizations. He served on the board of directors for Mobile Meals, the Metropolis Museum of Art, the Smallville Retirement Center and the Lowell County Teachers Association. Kwan was a member of the Sunflower State Principals Association, National Congress of Parents and Teachers, the American Association of School Administrators and the Teach Your Children Well Organization.
Chloe Sullivan, editor of the student newspaper, reflected, "I respected him, and I feel a great sense of loss over his passing. Principal Kwan wasn't just a teacher--he was an educator." Pete Ross, son of Judge Ross, commented, "I learned a lot from him. He never lost focus on what was important and right." A special service will be held in the school gym tomorrow morning followed by a private memorial.
In a terrible twist of fate, Principal Kwan's son, Danny, has admitted his guilt in the Justin Gaines hit-and-run accident that occurred over six months ago at River Bend and Sixth. Gaines has been recovering from his injuries and was recently released from the hospital. Last night, Danny Kwan walked into the sheriff's office and confessed to newly appointed Sheriff Ethan Miller. Formal charges are expected to be filed immediately following Principal Kwan's funeral tomorrow afternoon. It is unclear whether Principal Kwan knew about his son's involvement in that incident.
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