David Sellwood invited me to say a few words of welcome to you today. Initially I thought it a little odd that as new members of the Stewart Home School family I would be invited to offer my thoughts in a welcoming regard, but then I thought what a wonderful opportunity to explain how welcomed we feel as new members of the Stewart Home School family.

Perhaps it might be useful to share a little of how we have come to be participants of this Family Weekend and introduce ourselves a little bit. Our son Richie is 29 years old and was born very premature. In addition to his intellectual challenges he is completely blind and lacks fine motor skills on his left side.

We live in Park City, UT and prior to 2010 we had no idea SHS even existed. Then I had the occasion to be talking about my son with an associate while we were both working in India. My friend also has a special needs son and he told me about this wonderful place for special folks in Kentucky. Richie had always lived in our home and was working as a greeter at our local Walmart, but we were always hopeful we could find a place for him where he could go on to live a more independent life. Mary Ann, Richie’s mom, had spent the majority of her adult life working with Richie and organizing a myriad of activities for him. His life was quite full but all we could find were group homes where the residents were doing more vegetating than anything else. We could never find anything that we could remotely consider. So we Googled this place call Stewart Home School and spent most of 2011 looking over the website and studying what Stewart Home School had to offer. Additionally, my friend told me I needed to talk to this woman by the name of Sandy Bell.

Well we had several calls with Sandy and multiple emails and then in January 2012 we took a trip to Frankfort and visited the school. To say we were completely impressed would be an understatement. When we left the school we told Sandy we really wanted to see Richie enrolled, but didn’t know when we could make it happen. Over the course of the next couple of months we evaluated our situation and we received what turned out to be an unexpected blessing. Walmart eliminated their greeters and Richie lost his job. That was the catalyst to get us to commit to the idea of Richie attending Stewart sooner rather than later. We went about the business of filling out the application and then we took it to the Post Office to mail. After dropping it in the mail box Richie said, “Now the sweating begins”. Richie was approved and he started his life at Stewart in June, almost a year now.

When the big day came I’m sure we experienced all the feelings thoughts and emotions all those who join this family feel. Richie was assigned to Franklin Hall and was introduced to his new friends and dorm mates. We were amazed at how friendly everybody was and just how much everyone seemed to care. Soon we were introduced to Peggy Gould who would be Richie’s correspondent. Now I’m sure we are all prejudiced about how wonderful our correspondents are, but I don’t know how anyone could be more caring with Richie than Peggy. We are confident Peggy’s interest in Richie comes not from Richie being part of her job, but rather a pure love she has for our son. And you know what, we have grown to love Peggy also and now consider her part of our family.

The care that we see in Peggy can also be seen at least in some degree in everyone else who is a member of this wonderful extended family at Stewart Home School whether it be faculty or students. We are truly grateful to both the faculty and the students who team together to help Richie have the best possible experience he can here.

In preparing my comments, I took the time to do a little research. One of the articles I ran across comes from a 2007 article from the State journal where David Sellwood was interviewed. One of the questions that was asked was, “What about emotionally? What are some of the things you offer?” I think David’s response pretty well sums up what this wonderful place is all about. David said, “Emotionally, I think I could just state it in just a very simple term of just unconditional love. They have a secure environment here. We have a very loving population and we want them to be safe. We do everything we can to love them through anything.”

I’ve had the opportunity to participate in three campus tours conducted by David. The thing that stood out most to me in those tours was how much the students love him. It is amazing to see them run up to him calling, “Coach, Coach” and throw their arms around him to give and get a hug. The only way for them to have that kind of unconditional love for him is for it to be a great love that is being reflected back.

I believe our loved ones who are students here are indeed very special. I believe the love they feel is the most sincere. I think in the council given in Mathew 25 V40 when the Savior said; “Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me” is the spirit that lives here. I think the Savior was referring to our love ones here and that those who labor here with them do so not so much for the purposes of employment, but rather because they feel a calling to this work of love.

To Dr. Stewart I would like to express my gratitude to you and your family for perpetuating this institution. You know I have a couple of things in common with Dr. John Quincy Adam Stewart the founder of Stewart Home School. We both graduated high school from military academies that would go on to ultimately fail. In my case what was the beautiful campus of my school has become blighted and even though we have an active alumni association, it is sad to see the wasting of the facilities that was my home during my high school years. On the other hand, John Quincy Adams Stewart bought this campus when the Kentucky Military Institute abandoned it and started this wonderful legacy that lives on today. Dr. Stewart I say thank you again to you and your fore fathers for creating and maintaining this place called Stewart Home School.

To sum up my remarks, I want to tell all those who can hear my voice that we feel very welcome indeed and hope you do too. Thank you.

Here is how awesome we did!

50M Dash
Peter C- 4th
Kevin F- 5th
Jack H- 2nd
Kenny L- 3rd
John S- 6th
Aris V- 1st
Gentry F- 3rd
Michael H- 5th
Ross P- 1st
Tim S- 4th
Drew H- 5th
Marti B- 2nd
Janie B- 1st
Emily F- 3rd
Jennifer G- 4th
Jamey M- 4th
Sarah M- 2nd
Peggy S- 1st
Wendy T- 5th
Tina E- 1st
Katherine H- 4th
Rachel- 2nd
Megan S- 3rd
Gianna M- 3rd
Melissa S- 4th
……………….
100M Dash

Peter C- 4th
Kevin F- 6th
Jack H- 2nd
Kenny L- 5th
Rob M- 3rd
Aris V- 1st
Gentry F- 3rd
Michael H- 3rd
Ross P- Participation
Tim S- 5th
Drew H- 4th
Marti B- 2nd
Janie B- 1st
Emily F- 2nd
Jamey M- 4th
Sarah M- 3rd
Peggy G- 5th
Wendy T- 6th
Tina E- 4th
Katherine H- 6th
Rachel P- 3rd
Megan S- 5th
Gianna M- 2nd
……………

200M Dash

Rob M- 4th
……….

50M Walk

John S- Participation
Mark W- 4th
Anne D- 1st
Jane E- 5th
Shannon F- 4th
Jennifer G- 3rd
Lara M- 3rd
Alva- 2nd
Eileen S- 1st
Ellen T- 6th
Mary Ann- 3rd
Melissa S- 2nd
…………..

100M Walk

Anne D- 3rd
Jane E- 2nd
Shannon F- 4th
Lara M- 3rd
Alva P- 1st
Eileen S- 1st
Ellen T- 4th
Mary Ann- 1st

Spring finally showed up! The wettest, coldest March in recent memory has yielded to the flowers blooming, birds chirping and students and staff gearing up for Family Weekend. We are celebrating our 120th year of providing an environment for our students To Live, To Love, To Learn!! What our staff does every day is Holy work in that everything we do facilitates others a better life.

While we will celebrate at Family Weekend – Through the Years – we will in the fall recognize our “Birthday” once again as the first brochure of the School in the early 1900s confirms that Stewart Home and School (as it was first called) was founded on September 1, 1893. It is fitting that I devote the rest of my notes to a description of Dr. John Quincy Adams Stewart, our founder.

“In manners he was most engaging, his habits were always perfect, and he was the ideal ‘Family Doctor’.

The world is better for his living, and his days, nearing as they did the limit of the psalmist, full as they were of noble deeds and tender memories, have now been crowned by the milk-white flower of a stainless life.”

We all walk in his vision and what an honor it is! Thank you for being such a big part of it!

Karla & Alisa receiving their awards

Stewart Home School student Alisa (far right), along with SHS Health & Wellness teacher Karla Williams (center) receiving awards for Alisa’s participation as a teacher of a health and wellness study with the University of Kentucky & the University of Illinois at Chicago. GREAT job, ladies!!

Rachel and Sarah were terrific representatives of Stewart Home School and the Commonwealth of Kentucky! We are all so proud of them both!

” “Sarah presenting Congressman Sessions with his award.”>

We would like for all families and friends to submit their favorite recipes for the 120th Stewart Home School Anniversary Cookbook (Through The Years).

These cookbooks will be for sale during Family Weekend 2013.

Please submit your recipes by March 15, 2013 to David Sellwood at Stewart Home School, 4200 Lawrenceburg Road, Frankfort, KY 40601 or you may e-mail them to dsellwood@stewarthome.com

Thank you!

There is a movement afoot, and it is gaining popularity on a weekly basis.

The idea is to wear red every Friday, as a show of support for our troops. We need to remember all of our soldiers, their families, and the great sacrifices they are making everyday to keep us safe.

Many Americans, like you, me and all our friends, simply want to recognize these sacrifices, and to let people know at a glance that we support our troops.

Students, and Staff at SHS will wear red on Fridays to support our troops!

We will wear red to show solidarity and support for our troops beginning tomorrow, March 1 – and will continue each and every Friday until the troops all come home. Spread the word – let’s make the United States a sea of red on every Friday – much like a homecoming football game in the bleachers. If every one of us who loves this country will share this, it won’t be long before the USA is covered in RED and will let our troops know that we are on their side!

Won’t you join us?

Parents and guardians, check your email! The trip letter and permission form for Walt Disney World has just been sent out! Permission forms are due by February 28.

Also…coming October 7-11, 2013 – SHS takes a trip to the Lone Star State – San Antonio, Texas!