In a heartfelt act of gratitude and community spirit, longtime educator and former Nehalem Elementary swim instructor Sue Aalykke has pledged $35,000 to support the North County Recreation District’s (NCRD) Aquatics Program and the new Aquatic Center. Her contribution, structured as a Qualified Charitable Distribution (QCD), reflects a lifetime shaped by water, instruction, and service, and a desire to give back for the “life-gifts” she herself received.
Aalykke, now 73, taught Physical Education and Red Cross swim instruction to Nehalem Elementary students from 1978 to 1993, continuing a tradition born in 1930: weekly swim lessons for children in grades 1–6. Thousands of North County children learned foundational, intermediate, and advanced swimming skills under her guidance. From stroke work to diving safety on the high board, from level cards to annual swim challenges, Aalykke helped build both ability and confidence in generations of local youth.
Her passion for swimming began much earlier with free swim lessons she received as a child through the Spokane Parks Department.
“With four kids in our family, swimming lessons wouldn’t have been possible otherwise,” Aalykke shared. “Those free lessons truly changed my life.”
By high school she had earned lifeguard and WSI certifications, going on to work for the Spokane Parks Department, put herself through college, and even taught overseas at the Tokyo American Club, where she assisted with scuba courses and earned her PADI Divemaster certification.
“Swimming has shaped my life in every possible way — my health, my career, my travel, my friendships,” she said. “I’m at a time in my life where I’m reflecting on what I’m grateful for. I want to give back for the gifts I was given.”
A Gift Designed for Today’s Children
Aalykke’s pledge will support two primary purposes:
• $25,000 to establish the Sue Aalykke Master Swimming Scholarship, providing free intermediate and advanced swim lessons for children from low- and middle-income families. These lessons will be separate from swim team practices and offered outside of school hours.
• $10,000 for the new NCRD Aquatic Center, at the Executive Director’s discretion (excluding demolition of the old pool).
Her first distribution of $16,000 will be made by the end of 2025, with the remaining $19,000 to follow by June 2026.
“This legacy donation is my way of helping kids achieve the advanced skills that open doors, not just for safety, but for joy, recreation, and opportunity,” Aalykke said.
Honoring a Lifelong Educator
NCRD will also install a plaque at the Aquatic Center recognizing Aalykke’s years of dedication and her belief in the lifelong benefits of swimming. Her chosen inscription reads:
“Sue Wise Aalykke, PE/swim instructor, 1978–1993, Nehalem Elementary NKNSD Master swimming for safety, healthy pleasure, and endless opportunities.”
NCRD Executive Director Justin Smith expressed deep appreciation for Aalykke’s generosity, “Sue’s legacy is woven into the history of swimming in North County. This gift honors that history and ensures future generations will continue to learn, grow, and thrive in the water.”
NCRD Board Directors Frankie Knight and Mary Gallagher, who joined in the agreement, echoed the sentiment, noting that Aalykke’s contribution upholds nearly a century of community commitment to water safety and youth access.
A Call to Community
Aalykke hopes her story will spark reflection in others. “I want people to think about the gifts they’ve received in life, the ones that shaped them, and consider how they might give back,” she said. “We all have something to offer.”
Her pledge serves as a powerful reminder that community programs are built not only by institutions, but by individuals who choose to invest in the next generation.
If you would like to contribute to the Sue Aalykke Master Swimming Scholarship, contact Justin Smith, Aquatics Executive Director, NCRD. The phone number is 855-444-6273