Seward baccalaureate continues long tradition

Florida - The 2006 S. S. Seward Institute Baccalaureate Service at the First Presbyterian Church in Florida continues a long and lasting connection between the school and the “Big White Church on the Hill.” When Samuel Sweezy Seward’s private institute closed its doors in 1890, it brought to a close a school that was chartered by the New York State Regents in 1848. For one year the former Randolph Hotel stood quiet on Florida’s North Main Street. In 1891, however, through the effort of Seward’s grandson and namesake, the Rev. Samuel S. Seward, and the Rev. David Bonner, pastor of the Florida Presbyterian Church, the Institute, the grounds, furnishings, books, etc,. were turned over to the public school system. One stipulation was that the original name be retained. The new S. S. Seward Institute, now a public school was re-opened. A new brick school was built in 1892-93. For several years the commencement exercises were held in the Presbyterian Church. Nothing much has changed. The school is still there; the church is still there. That first graduating class in 1896 consisted of two students. One hundred and ten years later there are sixty graduates. More than 50 of them filled the old, now-painted pews of that church last Thursday evening for the Baccalaureate Exercises. The Rev. Heather Brown-Huston of the host church introduced representatives from all the local houses of worship. In her meditation, she urged the Class of 2006 to “Live well, laugh often, love much. Live with compassion and grace. Be able to laugh at yourselves and make the best use of your talents.” The invocation was given by the Rev. Patrick Buckley of St. Stephen’s/St. Edward’s. Scripture readings were presented by Sandra Tuckfelt, Ph. D., of the Temple Beth Shalom and the Rev. Joseph Tokarczyk, pastor of St. Joseph’s. Florida’s Superintendent of School Douglas Burnside also spoke words of welcome and Seward principal Michael Rheaume delivered a sincere “Charge to Family and Friends.” He told them to “Expect the highest level of honor and integrity from your child. Stand by them and continue to believe in your graduates.” He also extended his good wishes to the Class of 2006 and praised what he considers a first-rate group of graduating seniors. Lynn Harter, a senior class advisor, together with Mark Stewart, brought out that “Laugh often” theme to the congregation with her display of off-beat hats worn by her former students, hats that she could not bear to discard. One was a starfish hat, and one belonged to Matthew Linton, a recent graduate of the U.S. Military Academy at West Point. A few lingering guests even got to glimpse the name, “S. S. Seward,” that still remains in large black letters under the cushion of one the pews. Samuel S. Seward, the school’s founder, was a member and a trustee of that church, dating back to the early 1800’s.