Florida School District Celebrates Homecoming Weekend
The Florida Union Free School District had a celebratory Homecoming Weekend last week, with a Pep Rally, Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony, two varsity sports games and two school dances.
Students showed up with spirit to the annual Pep Rally on Friday in the S.S. Seward Institute Gymnasium, decked out in class colors, masks, tutus and other colorful decorations. Senior shirts were emblazoned with Buzz Lightyear’s iconic Toy Story slogan “To infinity and beyond,” while several seniors wrote “SENIOR 2027” on their bare legs or jean pant legs.
The rally began with each sports team running through banners they decorated earlier in the week, followed by games including soccer and volleyball.
Teachers handed out senior superlatives and crowned the king and queen of each class, ending with the crowning of the homecoming queen and king from the senior class. Superlatives included “most musical,” “most theatrical,” “best dressed” and “most school spirit.”
Principal Michael Maesano also announced that Seward won the Middletown Record’s poll for Best Mascot earlier that week, garnering thunderous applause and cheers from the students.
Maesano later said he believed the Pep Rally was an event that affirmed the school community’s strong ties.
“We are a district that is rich in history and tradition, and it is through celebrations like our Pep Rally that we build our sense of community and belonging,” he said.
On Saturday, the Florida community showed up to a variety of events to honor past and present Spartans. 
Maesano and Coach William Steele led the 17th Annual Seward Alumni Sports Hall of Fame Induction, honoring seven alumni who graduated from Seward between 2011 and 2015: Dylan M. Bricker, Rob Gorski, Anthony M. Bailey, Anthony Gonzalez, Anthony Rico, Kim Kocot, and Sinead Brosnan.
Steele affectionately referred to them as “my dodgeball champions” and said he was proud of all they had accomplished at Seward and beyond.
Anthony Bailey, Seward Class of 2012, said it “feels good to be part of history” and joked it also “makes me feel old. Time flies!”
Bailey graduated from Centenary University in 2017 with a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration, and is employed as a Physical Education teacher and a Basketball Coach at the Empowerment Academy Charter High School.
Rob Gorski, Seward Class of 2011, said he was glad to be back at the school for the ceremony.
“I feel honored,” he said, “I feel humbled. I felt a lot of nostalgia. It’s good to see the community that Florida has and continues to have here.”
Gorski graduated from SUNY New Paltz in 2015 with dual Bachelor’s degrees in Business and Nutrition, and currently resides in Miami, Florida.
Later on Saturday, Seward’s varsity girls soccer tied 2-2 in their match against Rockland Central High School, and the varsity boys soccer team won 3-0 against Chester Academy.
Students closed out the weekend by letting loose at the middle school and high school dances, held in the Seward Gymnasium.
Maesano said he is glad the students and alumni had a great weekend, and he is proud of his students for their school spirit and good behavior.
“It is such a privilege to serve students who show such maturity and class while having a great time,” he said. “Many of them made a point of expressing their appreciation to the adults who make it all possible.”
He also anticipates a great season for Seward’s sports teams, and calls on the Florida community to rally their support.
“As we look ahead to October, I encourage the entire Spartan Nation to keep showing up in their orange and blue to support our student-athletes as they begin their playoff push!” he said.