Pete Swanger, who has served Mount Union Jr./Sr. High School for more than three decades, is pictured in the senior high office.
By SYDNEE HARRIS | Journalism Student, Mount Union Area Senior High School
Mount Union, Pa. — This month’s Staff Spotlight features one of Mount Union Area School District’s custodians, Pete Swanger. He is being recognized for his dedicated and valuable service over the years.
Mr. Swanger is one of Mount Union’s most beloved custodians. His hard work never goes unnoticed, and his love for the district and the community is irreplaceable.
In April of this year, Mr. Swanger will have been part of the district for 32 years. Before taking this job, he worked in construction, which often left him three to four hours away from home. Since Mount Union Jr./Sr. High School is only four miles from his house, accepting the custodial position was an easy decision. This job gave Mr. Swanger the opportunity for a more stable routine. When reflecting on his role in the district, he explained that he “was just someone who was willing to help out.”
When he first started in the district, Mr. Swanger worked second shift and remained in that position for 16 years. In 2010, during the school’s renovation, he was asked to switch to the daylight shift to help move classrooms, clean, paint, wax floors, and more. “I have remained since,” he stated.
Throughout his time in the district, Mr. Swanger’s responsibilities have changed, but his dedication has remained the same. His day begins at 5:30 a.m., and no two days are ever exactly alike. He completes a variety of assignments each day, often fixing items around the building or assisting teachers when needed. When asked if there was ever an unusual task he had to complete, Mr. Swanger replied, “There are too many to list.” He takes the greatest pride in working throughout the summer to ensure the school is fresh and clean for students’ arrival in August.
Over the years, Mr. Swanger has served in a variety of roles. At one point, he was an assistant coach for the wrestling team, and he will never forget “being center mat at the Giant Center watching Mount Union’s fourth state champion win.”
With more than three decades of service behind him, Mr. Swanger is preparing for his next chapter. His time with the district is drawing to a close after years of hard work and commitment. His official retirement date is June 2, 2026. During retirement, he plans to “not slow down and keep as busy as possible.” He hopes to spend more time with his wife and family, as well as travel as much as he can. His wife, Lisa, owns a cleaning business that he also plans to help with.
While Mr. Swanger is ready for retirement, he will miss the acquaintances he has made and seeing students every day. He emphasized his gratitude for the district and the memories he has made along the way, stating, “Thank you to everyone for the experiences I’ve had the last 32 years.”
This article was published as part of Ms. Dimoff’s Journalism class at Mount Union Area Senior High School.
Leave a Reply