Rick Swaim sits atop his bike, enjoying a day out on trails.
(Photo provided)

The community is invited to celebrate Rick Swaim, Warsaw Community High School guidance counselor and business teacher. Swaim, who has served the Warsaw community for 37, will be retiring this year.

Swaim, an exercise enthusiast, turned to mountain biking following a surgery that limited his ability to play basketball, a hobby he had enjoyed in the past. In honor of his love for the trail at Winona Lake, friends, family and colleagues banded together to organize an event to honor Swaim and his work at WCS.

From 3:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. Friday, May 29, those in the community are asked to visit the Winona Lake Senior Citizen Center, located at Winona Lake Park, for a reception celebrating Swaim. After, attendees are invited to embark on a special bike ride with Rick through the trails at 5:30 p.m.

When asked what he will miss most about his time at WCS, Swaim stated, “Working with young people and seeing the moment they start to understand the effort they put forth will pay of not only in school, but in life.”

Swaim, a Winona Lake resident, also participates in the Winona Lake Parks and Recreation Board and is a member at the Winona Lake Free Methodist Church. He plans to run for Winona Lake Town Council in the fall.

Following retirement, Swaim states he will likely continuing working and hopes to continue in the counseling and education field at a local college or technical school.

It is requested that in lieu of gifts, donations in Rick’s honor be made to the Limitless Park at Winona Lake, which will conclude phase one of its building project this weekend.