Seraphina Pursues Goals, Awarded Scholarships
My name is Seraphina, a senior Seton student, and heading out to college in Florida to pursue a music program this fall. I took piano lessons for 4 years until COVID, and then I started teaching myself.
For the past 5 years, I have been a proud member of The Orlando Children’s Choir, singing and performing with instruments at public events. In my freshman year, my church choir director and mentor guided me towards the organ, and I fell in love with it.
When my Church burned down due to arson, I volunteered to provide music for the Sacred Liturgy. Currently, I am the official organist at my parish. I also picked up the violin 4 years ago, and now I play with the FSYO (Florida Symphony Youth Orchestra). I am so happy about this wonderful opportunity.
What organization recognized the achievement?
-The American Guild of Organists (AGO), the Central Florida chapter, awarded me the Benjamin T. Lane Scholarship for Excellence in 2024 & 2025.
-The Florida Symphony Youth Orchestra (FSYO) awarded me the Ursula Oyler Sunshine Endowment Scholarship and offered me a chair as a violinist in Spring 2025. I auditioned and was selected to play with their upcoming 2026 summer tour orchestra at Carnegie Hall, NYC.
-Accepted at Rollins College, FL, and awarded the Dean’s Scholarship.
How did homeschooling help you achieve your goal?
Homeschooling helped me achieve my music goal by providing me the ability to make my own schedule and pace my school work in a way that helps balance my time for performances, auditions, organ job, and practice. I also improved my writing skills, thanks to Seton’s program; my essay submissions got me recognition.
What are your interests?
My interests are playing the violin, the church organ, piano, guitar, singing, and painting.
What are you inspired to do with your life?
I am inspired to pursue higher education and build a career as a musician, sharing my God-given gifts with those around me through Sacred music at Mass as the organist, public performances, and through education as a teacher.
What are your favorite subjects and why?
My favorite subjects are chemistry and biology because I enjoy learning about the composition of God’s creations, and studying the details of how things work and God’s hand in it.
The photo was taken at the FSYO 69th Season Classical Opener concert at the Linda Chapin Theater, Orlando, Florida.