There are many students who have left Weedsport and become alumni who set examples we can look to follow. Andrew Seward graduated two years ago and is currently attending Cayuga Community College, but he continues taking part annually in the St. Baldrick’s charity to raise money for cancer treatment. This charity has a strong Weedsport connection that has impacted Seward’s life for as long as he can remember.
The most recent Syracuse St. Baldrick’s fundraiser in March raised $400,000 to support funding for childhood cancer research. In the past 20 years, the fundraiser in Syracuse alone has raised over $8 million for childhood cancer research.
Seward feels that being at Weedsport was good for him, and that he does miss it. When asked what exactly he felt Weedsport helped him in the past, he cited that it was a smaller school, which could have both positive and negative effects.
He said, “What I learned from going to Weedsport is that you build very good relationships with staff and friends because of the size and the community built around it.” He found during his college experience that you would always have to put yourself out there more. A small school makes it easier to become closer to people, but you will have to try harder outside of it.
Of course, Seward has spent much of his life volunteering for St. Baldricks, and getting his head shaved every year since he was six years old, after the tragic passing of his friend Michael McBride. Seward feels especially strongly about Michael’s passing, due to being very close with the McBride family.
“The McBride family has been a huge part of my life. For everyone who does not know, Michael and I were best friends until his life was taken from cancer. Michael and I went to pre-school and kindergarten together. I would spend days on days with Mikey and his brother Parker riding snowmobiles, fishing, and causing trouble. I remember spending many nights while Mikey was in the hospital playing video games and trying to help my friend get through his tough times”
During Michael’s hospital stays, Seward describes being there the entire time, “Trying to help my friend get through the tough times.” Seward was especially close to the family after Michael’s passing, and he views them as a second family.
“The McBride family took me on vacations and treated me like their own kid. I look at Brian and Aimee like second parents, and Parker like a brother, and I know they will always be there for me.”
About his actual experience with the charity, Seward states that, “Being a part of St Baldrick’s is a huge part of me and it has taught me a lot over the years.” He has been on the receiving end of naive comments after shaving his head, but feels that shaving his head yearly to honor Michael is worth it.
“Well, everyone probably knows that Mr. Seward is my dad, and we all know that he has “ZERO HAIR” It does make me a little nervous that it won’t grow back. Our team usually shaves around the beginning of March, so my head gets very cold, and it does make me miss my hair.”
Seward believes it is important to remember Michael’s legacy, because he had a huge impact on many people, even though his time was short.
