Hundreds of seniors from Wesley Chapel High School walked across the stage to get their diplomas Friday night, but there was one seat left empty for a teen who didn’t live to see this day.
- Sean Bartell passed away in 2014
- School helped family set up cap, gown, empty seat at ceremony
Sean Bartell’s parents and his brother accepted a diploma for Sean during Friday's graduation ceremony. The teen passed away in late 2014.
“Since his immune system was compromised, MRSA got into his system and it activated, the MRSA, and gave him a blood infection,” Sean’s father Paul said. “He went into cardiac arrest within an hour and he never came back.”
Paul is known in the Pasco community as Santa during the holidays. However, on Friday night at the graduation he was just 'Dad.'
A dad celebrating his son’s life and what would have been his high school graduation.
“Hug your kids at every chance," said Paul. "Kiss them. Time is very precious.”
Just as precious was the empty seat draped with a cap and gown and a picture of Sean. The teen’s mother, Jaime, and the school set it up.
“We just thought it was very important, because school was very important to him," said Jaime. "Since he couldn’t be here, we thought we would be here representing him. He’s not getting to do what he worked so hard to do, but we’re very thankful that they’re letting us do it.”
It’s a representation that no one could ignore inside of the packed graduation ceremony at the USF Sun Dome. The family is hoping the 2016 graduates won’t soon forget the kid who always helped his classmates with their work and left an indeliable mark at Wesley Chapel High School.
“Walk across the stage. Do what you gotta do. But as you go and you graduate and you leave, just keep him with you.That’s the most I can ask for,” said Sean’s brother James.
The Bartell family has set up a scholarship fund in their son's name. They say they'll continue to help students every year and keep their son's memory alive.