Post script to Seward graduation

Florida - Fifty-nine. That was the grand total of seniors in the Class of 2006 at the S. S. Seward Institute. Small class, small school, huge potential. Of those 59 seniors, 42 graduated with a Regents diploma, seven with honors and seven with advanced regents honors; 19 were members of the National Honor Society. What’s next? Forty-nine will be attending college next fall, either two-year or four-year schools. Valedictorian Janice Harter will be going to the Albany College of Pharmacy and salutatorian Alex Arzoumanov will be off to Harvard. An incomplete list includes Ithaca, Marist, Florida A & M, several SUNY schools (Binghamton, Oneonta, Cortland, Albany and several are starting at SUNY Orange.) It was a very diverse group which came together to form such a very tight-knit and competitive group. Harter is a third-generation Seward Spartan, following her father, John Jr., Class of 1975, and grandparents, John C. Class of 1950, and Leona Brunswick Harter, Class of 1955. On the other hand, Arzoumanov arrived here from Russia at age two, attended kindergarten in Warwick, then grades 1-12 at Golden Hill and Seward. Those two led their classmates in the processional. Together with the academics, the Class of 2006 boasted several superb athletes. Both the girls’ and the boys’ teams did well, a few individuals did better. Softball pitcher and outstanding hitter Melissa Oliphant has a scholarship to Florida A & M. Baseball players Mickey Collins and Brenden Myers set New York State high school career records for hits and stolen bases. Bryan Folkl, who caught almost every inning of every varsity game since the eighth grade, was a true Spartan. The graduation itself was a typical small town get-together with support coming from many sources. Jan Jansen once again provided the flowers and greenery that graced the portable stage. That stage and 750 folding chairs under the tent were set up under the direction of Grounds and Maintenance superintendent Thomas Andryshak. This was his 20th graduation. He smiles when he says he’s looking forward to 14 more. A lot of support also comes from the many Seward alumni who support the school financially and in spirit. The new sound system used for the first time at the graduation was just one example of that support. According to Alumni Association president James L. Sosler, more than $50,000 has been donated to the school in the past ten years for scholastic awards, land purchase and other projects. Superintendent of the Florida School District, Douglas Burnside, has been on the job for only two years. Both years seem to have been very productive. This one was a little special as daughter Kylie was one of the graduates. His reward? A week of golf with old friends. This was Seward principal Michael Rheaume’s first yea, a year that saw him quickly earn the respect of his staff, faculty and students. Rheaume is not a stranger to the area. He and his wife Vicky reside on VanSickles’ Hill near Pine Island. He says his daily commute through the unique Black Dirt area with Mounts Adam and Eve looming in the background energizes his day. For Thomas Coughlin, former teacher at Seward who presented the Knights of Columbus awards, this was his 43 Seward commencement. For another former teacher and award presenter, Elmeda Shuback, it’s been more than 50. The Class of 2006 paid special honor to retiring Seward librarian Dolores Angevine who worked with the class in their early days at Golden Hill, then moved with them to Seward to take charge of the new library/media center. She also helped the seniors get ready for the graduation ceremony, adjusting caps and gowns and pinning on corsages. Those flowers were watered by just a few tears of pride and joy. Justifiable pride might also be the word for the two veterans who left their high schools before graduating to join the Armed Forces. Diplomas were awarded them through a recent government program. Angelo Deconza was unable to attend. Robert J. Fabrizio had a front-row seat and accepted his diploma from principal Rheaume to a standing ovation. Amazing how a small-town graduation can touch so many lives. Perhaps it’s because so many caring people have also touched the lives of those 59 graduates.