Larry Swan is the first face you’ll always see upon entering La Porte High School. A gatekeeper to all who enter these storied halls. Not a day passes that a teacher, student or parent doesn't see his face greeting and welcoming all to Slicer headquarters.
Swan is the Slicers' entry monitor and for four years, Swan has sat dutifully at his front desk, greeting hundreds of faces passing through every day.
"I applied for this job four years ago," recalls Swan. "Before this, I was driving a van for Council of Aging for La Porte County and helping people with medical treatments get where they needed to go."
While many take on jobs for reasons of supplementing income, Swan had a more noble reason for working with Council of Aging.
"I had a friend with cancer and wanted to help out," said Swan. "Once he passed away, I kept on doing it just to help people."
However due to complications, Swan had to end his time driving others but soon after that, a new opportunity would arise which would take him back to a place he never thought he would end up at: the halls of La Porte High School.
"I was satisfied with my job, but I had trouble with arthritis and had to stop eventually. However, I didn't want it to slow me down. I wanted to be busy at my age," said Swan. "I'm 70 years old, I have to keep staying active so I decided to come here since my neighbor was retiring from this job. I've been happy ever since."
For Swan, being an entry monitor has allowed him to engage in a love of his every day he walks into the school, meeting new faces and greeting old, familiar ones.
"I just enjoy people, all different types and varying as they come. I've seen colleges, recruiters, guidance people, social workers, and even Swanson Center people come in here. I just like dealing with so many types of people. I get to see people every day and it's such a joy to see them."
Along with greeting people from all walks of life, Swan credits the staff and student body as being positive beacons that have guided him during his four years at LPHS.
"The school, and this includes the entire organization including the staff, students, and parents, I love it all. The good and the bad and the indifferent, it keeps me sharp," said Swan. "This school only looks as clean as it does and runs as well as it does due to the staff and students that make it so great. Every day you see teams of custodial staff keeping this place clean and it's always been that way. The school is what it is because of the people that go here."
Of course, Swan, of all people would know this, for he also holds a special recognition that few can claim. Swan is a alumni of La Porte High School, hailing from the Class of 1963, the first graduating class to call themselves Slicers at the then, newly constructed school. He is also the only Slicer from his class to return to his alma mater to walk the same halls and go through the same doors he did decades ago as both a student and employee .
"I was part of the first graduating class out of this school in 1963 after it was rebuilt. I had a very good experience in this school, and the old one," said Swan. "Honestly, though, I never dreamed I would be back here, but since it was time for me to retire, it crossed my mind that this would be a great place to come back to. La Porte is an affordable city to live in and I'm hopeful that the City is going to grow and become even better than it is now."
Before coming back to his old stomping grounds, Swan left La Porte behind for 30 years and traveled all over the country working as an insurance manager for AIG. After living in seven different locations including Cincinnati, Toledo, and Detroit, Swan returned home to enjoy the rest of his days.
For this original Slicer, returning to the school that taught him, and living out his days in happiness is a goal that so many strive for in life, yet so few claim to find. While there is no exact science to how to achieve happiness, Swan shared some parting advice to all future Slicers looking for their share of happiness in life.
"Treat others how you want to be treated and always look for the good," said Swan. "Look for opportunities and don't be afraid to step out to find them.
As he shared this advice he pointed to a small bronze plaque hanging neatly above his desk. Its inscription is one that has stuck with Swan and serves as a heartfelt tribute to this lifelong Slicer.
"Don't be afraid of the ocean for the sight of the shore," said Swan as he pointed to the plaque. "That didn't come from my head, but from this inscription. I'm good at remembering things, which is another good thing to succeed in life."