Seward alumni gather at 2006 reunion

FLORIDA — They came from all over. Conrad Matuszewski, class of ‘58, came from St. Louis, Missouri. Dennis Sosler, class of ‘66, came from Wellington, Florida. Joyce Coleman Warren, class of ‘56, came from Sierra Vista, Arizona. There were doctors and lawyers, bank presidents and teachers — folks from all walks of life. They were graduates from S. S. Seward Institute, from classes as far back as 1932 (Adam Weslowski) and 1933 (Louis Sherwin), to a large contingent of the class of 2006, including valedictorian Janice Harter and salutatorian Alex Arzoumanov. Florida School District superintendent Doulas Burnside was in attendance playing a duo role as administrator and, with his wife Lisa, parent, as daughter Kylie was one of those soon-to-be graduates. Seward Institute Principal Michael Rheaume announced two $1,000 alumni scholarship winners, Kerri Verblaauw and Bryan Folkl. Class of 2006 advisor Lynn Harter introduced her daughter Janice, a third-generation Seward graduate. She follows her father, John, class of ‘74. and grandfather, John C., class of ‘50. There were 27 members of the 50+ Club — those members who have graduated 50 or more years ago. Adam Weslowski and Louis Sherwin led that group in longevity. Raymond Green also represented the ‘30s, having graduated in 1938. Two graduates from the ‘40’s returned to recall their school years and the effect WW II had on their lives. There were also 13 “youngsters” who graduated in the ‘50’s. Alumni president James L. Sosler served as toastmaster and also introduced Dennis Sosler, class of ‘66, who in turn introduced the seven members of their class celebrating their 40th reunion. Patricia Brunswick Higgins, honor class of 1956, presented framed certificates to the other 12 members of her class who were present. One member of that class, Joyce Coleman Warren, performed a tap dance to the music provided by DJ Joseph Urbanski, class of ‘67. Five new honorary members were inducted into the alumni association. Two were present to receive their certificates — Susan Rich is retiring as a long-time art teacher at Golden Hill Elementary, and Richard Warner was making a sort of homecoming. Warner began his career in 1965 at Seward Institute as the head of the guidance department. He later became an assistant principal under Walter R. Paul at Seward, then moved to Golden Hill as principal when that facility opened in 1976. He moved to Minisink Valley Elementary as principal, where he worked until he retired. Coming full circle, however, he returned to Seward as interim principal after retirement. The guest speaker was Michael Pillmeier, class of ‘60’, the new majority leader in the Orange County Legislature, who praised the achievements of the Class of 2006. There was a large display of school memorabilia, going back to the early 1900s, causing some of the participants to exclaim, “Oh, I remember that” and “That can’t be me!” It was a night to pass the torch from generation to generation. That torch was first lit in 1892 and continues to burn in 2006.