People of the Pack: Ellie Swanson

Ellie Swanson is a first-year physician assistant studies major major from Pukwana, SD.

Morgan Matzen: Have you ever moved?

Ellie Swanson: I have moved a maximum of six miles, that was when I was two, and then I moved a mile two years ago. I moved because my parents built a house, and then the second time, my parents remodeled my grandparents’ house and moved into that. We moved in after my grandparents both died, but we had been remodeling before that after we moved them into homes.

MM: How old were you when they passed away? What do you remember of them?

ES: I was a sophomore in high school when my grandma Betty passed away, and it was two years before that when my grandpa Walter passed away. I don’t remember much of Betty because she had Alzheimer’s, so we would go see her once or twice a year in her home. I know that she liked to bake a lot. She would bake all kinds of things — cookies, pies, cakes. She was known for her little tea parties when we came over. The only thing I remember is her sitting in the back porch with my grandpa when we would go to visit them before they both moved to homes. I remember lots of my grandpa. He was a fiery, grumpy old man. He used to give us Sunkists and cookies every time we went to see him. We’d bring him meals when he still lived in his house, and later when he had moved, we would take him to church every Sunday and go for hour long drives that he loved and we all had to suffer through.

MM: What are you most passionate about in life?

ES: I am interested in a lot of different things, but it’s a tie between two. Meeting new people is definitely a passion and making new friends, and seeing how people work. I really enjoy reading. I like to meet new people through others, or joining activities. In high school, I joined almost every activity I could just so I could meet people. I’m sort of trying to do that here. In high school I was in FFA, Student Council, I ran track and played volleyball and golf, I was in theater, band, choir and science club. Here, I am involved in honors association and the honors program. I’m a member of Random Acts of Kindness and AWOL.