My name is Rebecca Schwirtz and I have lived in Minnesota all my life and I don’t see myself ever leaving. I grew up in Aurora, MN, or as I lovingly say, “On the Iron Range.” I have two older sisters and a younger brother. Every 4th of July my siblings and I enter our town parade. Sometimes we make a float, other years it’s a weird outfit. There is an ongoing battle for first place against a guy I graduated with. It is my favorite day of the year. I met my husband in college and got engaged in front of the Parthenon. We have three wonderful kids who we Uber for endlessly. I like to volunteer. Currently, I am a Girl Scout Leader, PTO Chair, and Swim Team Booster Vice President.
Q: Please tell us a little bit about your family.
My husband, Bj, and I will be celebrating our 14th anniversary in April. We have three wonderful children – Greta, Evelyn, and Roger and a dog named Daphne.
Q: How long have you lived and/or worked in Big Lake?
We moved to Big Lake in 2009.
Q: Tell us about your current, past, or future career.
I started at Liberty 5 years ago as a cafeteria and recess monitor after volunteering in my son’s classroom every week. The office staff asked if I would ever be interested in working there. At the time, I had just left my 10 year travel career where I felt I was a number and not a valued employee who was making an impact in anyone’s life. By the end of the first year, I obtained my substitute teachers license. The one good thing Covid did for me was to invent a new position at our schools: Building Sub. I am there everyday, never knowing exactly which “job” I will be filling. I could be a classroom teacher, front office, a paraprofessional, recess monitor, or the nurse. I could also get sent over to the middle school or high school. I haven’t been all the way to the high school yet, but I am sure it will happen someday! This year I left my comfort zone and moved over to Independence. I love both our elementary buildings and the staff. I’ve heard people say, “Oh you’re just a sub?” plenty of times, but the staff at both buildings remind me that I am more than “just” a sub. I no longer feel like I am a number in a company and I know that I am impacting lives. I dislike the summers because I miss the kids and I cry big tears on the last day of school as we say good-bye to the students. The bonus for me not being “just a teacher” is that I get to see the kids who move schools again. I get to watch them grow. I hope to stay in this position until my youngest graduates. After that, I hope to make a bigger impact somehow.
Q: Have you ever had a nickname? What is it and why were you given it?
I have multiple nicknames depending on when you know me from. My best friends call me Bex, people I went to school with call me Becky, family members call me Beck, and an old friend/crush once gave me the nickname Bookie *boo-key*
Q: What is your favorite TV Show, Movie, Book? (Please list as many as you’d like!)
Current TV Shows I love: Ted Lasso, Abbot Elementary, and Shrinking. Favorite Movies of all time: Empire Records, The Royal Tenenbaums, The Breakfast Club, and Hook. Amazing Books I have read: A Prayer for Owen Meany, The Prayer Box, The Midnight Library, The Celestine Prophecy,
Q: If you could only eat one food/meal and have one beverage for the rest of your life, what would it be?
If I could only eat one thing for the rest of my life, it would be Vi’s Pizza. If you have never had it, you need to get to Biwabik, Minnesota on a road trip, perhaps go to Giants Ridge Ski and Golf Resort, but stop and get the pizza. Simply amazing. My beverage, water. I love it. I never get tired of it.
Q: What are some of your favorite hobbies or pastimes?
My husband would tell you I have a crafting addiction. The addiction is that I think I am a crafter so I like to hoard all the things you may use to craft. I crotchet, I sew, make jewelry, diamond art, paint, draw, write, repurpose furniture…. but I lack time, so most of it sits lonely in bins waiting for the day that my daughter takes up that hobby! I also enjoy all things summer: hiking, fishing, camping, and gardening.
Q: What is one thing on your bucket list?
Ever since I was a little girl I would wish to go on a hot-air balloon ride. Not sure why, but I have always wanted to ride in one!
Q: What would you buy/do if you won the lottery?
If I won the lottery, besides all the responsible things, I would travel. Traveling is the one thing I think people should do more of. And not to the regular places. I have traveled to Istanbul, Athens, Dubai, Paris, Australia, and the Dominican Republic to name a few. I have learned more traveling than I ever could reading a book.
Q: What has been a challenge you have had to overcome? (Life, School, Work, etc.)
My dad died when I was 12 of cancer. Depression has been a battle for me since.
Q: If you could change one thing about yourself, what would it be?
Finishing things I start!
Q: Who has been a hero in your life?
My mom. She is smarter than she thinks she is, stronger than she thinks she is, and more amazing than she thinks she is. I wouldn’t be the person I am if it were not for her.
Q: What is something even your family and friends may not know about you?
I was a SCSU Travel and Tourism student. For one of my college projects I was assigned a community to generate tourism. My community? Big Lake. My focus? Spud Fest and the mashed potato wrestling. Imagine my disappointment when we moved here and attended our first Spud Fest and there was no potato wrestling!
Q: What is your proudest accomplishment?
Greta, Evelyn, and Roger.
Q: What are a few of your favorite businesses / restaurants in Big Lake?
McPetes! My husband and I joined a mixed bowling league as a way to meet people when we first moved here and have been on a team ever since. Love the food and the staff! I also love PS I love You Occasionally! So many great things there.
Q: What is one of your favorite things about Big Lake?
I love all the parks we have. I miss my kids being little so that we could explore all the different parks, but I think it is great we have so many.
Q: What advice would you give to people living in Big Lake?
Get to know your neighbors and find a way to involve yourself in the community. We are better together!
Q: Who is an interesting person in our community that you’ve met and deserves to be included in The Faces of Big Lake project?
Kristi McAlpin. She was my daughters Girl Scout Leader who I now co-lead with and consider a friend. She is an amazing woman who gives a lot to our community.
