Tribe Receives Torch Award from FSU President

By Wanda Bowers

TALLAHASSEE, FL — On Sept. 9, the Seminole Tribe of Florida was invited by President of Florida State University (FSU) T.K. Wetherell to attend the fall meeting of the general faculty and Torch Awards presentation. The meeting took place in FSU’s University Alumni Center Grand Ballroom.

In attendance from the Seminole Tribe at this prestigious gathering were: Chairman Mitchell Cypress, Executive Assistant and Ft. Pierce Liaison S.R. Tommie, Florida Miss Seminole Christine McCall, her mother Wanda Bowers and the Brighton reservation Councilman Andrew Bowers Jr.

The MORES Torch, which FSU presents to persons who symbolize respect for customs, character and tradition went to the Seminole Tribe. This was the first time the MORES Torch Award has been presented to a group, the Seminole Tribe of Florida.

Chairman Mitchell Cypress was very honored to accept this award on behalf of the Tribe. Chairman Cypress said that he and the Seminole Tribe of Florida as a whole have always supported Florida State University and the use of the Tribal name, The Seminoles. In closing he taught the FSU faculty a word in the Miccosukee language, “she-hun-ta-mo” meaning “greetings; how are you feeling?”

Wetherell also invited Brighton Councilman Andrew Bowers Jr. to come up and say a few words. He expressed his appreciation for the awards presented to the Tribe. Bowers also taught the audience a word in his Creek language, “Estonko,” meaning “greetings” or “hello.”

Chairman Cypress has always been known to say if a Seminole Tribal citizen graduates from high school and wants to continue their education and enroll in FSU or any university, college or trade school, the Tribal Council supports them all the way.

The most important thing we teach our kids is that education is the most important tool you can have as you go out into the world. We will not deprive our kids of education weather it be cultural or academic.

The afternoon concluded with a reception and a television interview with Chairman Cypress, S.R. Tommie and Andrew Bowers Jr. That evening, members of the Seminole Tribe of Florida attended the Athletic Hall of Fame Induction ceremony and banquet to accept the Moore-Stone Award. Other award winners were Edgar Bennett and Kez McCorvey for football, Lisa Davidson Duran for softball, Terry Long for track and field, and Ken Suarez, for baseball.

Chairman Cypress accepted the award reaffirming the pride, courage and respect that we have for each other that make us who we are today. Every day is a day to be proud of where we come from, what we stand for and that even in today’s world we are proud to be known the Unconquered Seminoles. That is why Florida State University is proud to call themselves “Seminoles” because of our history and what we endured to have the respect that is so graciously given to us.

After the induction ceremony, Chairman Cypress called up Herbert Jim who proudly presented a new authentic Seminole warrior outfit made by the Seminole Ah-Tah-Thi-Ki Museum to be worn by “Osceola”. It took a few trips up to Tallahassee and back to make sure it would fit him right. Especially the moccasins, Herbert made those to fit Osceola perfectly.

The first test was to see if the outfit would pass the Renegade test. Earlier before the homecoming game on Saturday, Osceola took Renegade out for a test run with the new Seminole warrior outfit on. It passed with flying colors, the new outfit didn’t bother Renegade at all. Osceola proudly wore the new outfit during the game against Citadel.

I proudly say after both the induction into the Hall of Fame and the presentation of the new Seminole outfit the audience gave the Seminole Tribe a standing ovation.