Plymouth’s Katelyn Swingle earns $25k scholarship

PLYMOUTH — A senior at Plymouth High School has been selected from applicants nationwide for a $25,000 college scholarship.

Katelyn Swingle was one of the 105 applicants chosen for the honor by the Horatio Alger Association. The non-profit educational organization is a need-based and merit-based scholarship that honors the achievements of young leaders who have overcome adversity.

“Katelyn is one of the kindest and hardest working students I have had in my 15-year teaching career,” said Laura Ringler, Swingle’s FFA advisor.

“She has faced much adversity in her life and chooses to see the good and to follow the golden rule.

Swingle is involved in student council and a member of National Honors Society. She takes college classes at North Central State College, where she’s working towards an associate degree.

A five-year member of FFA, she’s held officer positions in the Plymouth chapter since her sophomore year. She currently serves as president.

She shows chickens and participates in career development events centered around poultry and food science.

“I love to be in charge of things and make sure things run smoothly,” Swingle said. “I love to be a positive light to people; one of my goals in life is to encourage people.”

Last summer, Swingle and her twin sister Kristen, the chapter’s vice president, secured a $4,000 grant to create vehicle safety kits for the school’s student drivers.

When asked what she believes makes a good leader, Swingle summed it up in one word: empathy.

“You have to be able to build a relationship with people, to be able to get to know how they feel so that way you can help them,” she said. “If you don’t build a foundation, if you’re not friendly or you’re not kind, you’re never gonna be able to lead.”

Nevertheless, Swingle said officers have to “know the line” between being a leader and a friend.

“You can be friends with them when you’re outside of doing things, but when you’re trying to get things done, you have to be able to take control of the situation and be able to lead people and be a guide to get things done,” she said.

‘God has shown me that everything happens for a reason’

Swingle’s achievements are an example of what it means to rise above heartache.

At just six months old, she and her sister were removed from the custody of their mother, who struggled with substance abuse. They’ve been with their grandparents, George and Sherri Lewis, ever since.

The couple provided the girls with a safe, supportive home environment, but couldn’t shield them from loss. Swingle’s aunt and uncle died during her sophomore year of high school. A few months later, she found out her biological father had also passed away.

“He passed away in January, but we didn’t find out until March,” she said. “He never had anything to do with us.”

The Swingle girls did have a relationship with their mother, who lived in Florida. They’d talk on the phone regularly and every few years, they’d go down to visit her.

Just a few days before Swingle started classes at North Central State College, her grandfather came up to the twins’ bedroom and woke them up — an uncharacteristic move for a Saturday morning.

Swingle said she knew immediately that something was wrong by her grandpa’s tone of voice. He sounded like he had when breaking the news of other relatives’ deaths.

Swingle said hearing that her mother had died was the most traumatic thing she’s ever endured.

“She passed away in her sleep. We don’t know what happened,” she said. “When you hear those words, it like penetrates your soul. It was the worst experience of my life.”

A month later, the Swingles buried their mother. Then they went to the Homecoming dance.

Katelyn credited her faith with sustaining her through the tough times.

“God has shown me that everything happens for a reason,” she said. “I know that (my mother) is in a better place. I know that if I still keep my faith strong, that I can be with her one day and see her again.”

After high school, Swingle plans to pursue a college degree in nursing.

“Even though I have been through what people call the worst thing imaginable, it never stopped me from going after my dreams,” Swingle said.

“It has taught me such a valuable lesson that no matter what you go through in life, you have to accept it and allow it to make you stronger. You can’t let your past and headaches define you.”