CONNEAUT — “To have a good friend one finds himself very fortunate. To have a loyal friend for life one is a rich man,” said the Rev. Roger Hogle, South Ridge Christian Academy administrator. February is Appreciation Month at SRCA and so, this article is dedicated in appreciation toward long time pillar of South Ridge ministries, Floyd Huston. Huston, then a local contractor, joined the staff of SRCA in 1973 when the academy was in its infancy. He has been an irreplaceable icon ever since.
Over the years, Huston has led in major building projects such as the construction and remodeling of SRCA, South Ridge Baptist Church, a home for housing missionaries and WGOJ radio station. He also led in the building of a school in Cap Haitian, Haiti, for an orphanage.
“Floyd was the first person I hired. I knew if this ministry were ever to grow it would need buildings and he has fulfilled that need,” said Hogle. “Floyd is not only my friend, he is called of God to serve South Ridge ministries and has done it extremely well. I cannot praise him enough!”
Huston is a hard-working man of few words who quietly does his job without seeking any applause.
Academy principal Stuart Watson related, “Having worked with him (Huston) for several years while working my way through college, I gained the utmost respect for him, his work and his character. He is a genius in his trade! If it were not for his skill and innovation, much of the physical plant here at SRCA would not exist. To this day he continues to labor faithfully and quietly behind the scenes, desiring to stay out of the lime light, away from public attention.”
To fully understand the character of Huston, teachers and friends were asked to give one word that, in their eyes, fits him best. The words: humble, trustworthy, dedicated, efficient, quiet, faithful, talented and even prankster were given.
There is a mischievous side to Huston that few know about, but those who have caught a glimpse of it find it unforgettable.
“He doesn’t seem like the person who would play jokes, but behind the scenes he always has something planned. He likes to sit back and see the reactions of people who discover what he did,” said teacher Carolyn Dilemme, who has known Huston since her school days at SRCA.
SRCA graduate Bethany Cole experienced Huston’s humor first hand on a Haiti mission trip. “I had gone to fix breakfast for the team and my roommates accidentally locked Mr. Huston in the building where we stayed,” she said. “We thought it was strange when he didn’t come to breakfast and then realized what happened. That night, our stuff was on the porch, we were locked out and he was inside laughing!”
Whether hard at work or just having fun, Huston has always been a good role model to those around him. Over the 36 years Huston has been with South Ridge, he has positively impacted the lives of many.
“He’s always been around and with him things always get done,” said teacher Shannon Fralic. “He’s the unseen hero around here.”
“He is the quiet force behind many of the buildings and structures here at South Ridge,” teacher Marilyn Brown said.
Academy secretary Melissa Rzeszutek said, “What doesn’t he do? He’s a jack of all trades. You tell him what you want and he does it.”
“To me he is the perfect example of faithfulness,” said South Ridge Baptist
Church secretary Linda Cole. “I don’t know of anyone else who is as gifted in construction. I have looked up to him and his wife Eleanor since I came here as a teen-ager.”
Huston’s example is one from which SRCA students and many others should learn. The lessons of dedication, faithfulness and humility are just a few things that can be learned from this quiet, unassuming man. Some may wonder at the source of his success. Perhaps, it may be traced back to the pastor’s office where every morning Huston and Hogle begin each day with prayer.
Next Generation
Related Photos
Discussion
Huston a great example of dedication, faithfulness with little bit of mischief
South Ridge Christian Academy with CRYSTAL WATSON
- Next Generation
-
-
Pymatuning Valley student may be petite, but she has big goals as she prepares mission trip to South Africa
Courage, selflessness, sacrifice: words to define a hero. They define a person who has a certain quality of mind that allows him or her to overcome adversity, a person who is willing to forfeit something valued for something of greater claim. A hero is someone noted for feats of courage and nobility of purpose. At Pymatuning Valley, Ami Turner fits that definition well.
-
Ss. John & Paul celebrates prom with 'Masquerade' theme
Ss. John and Paul High School was filled with excitement for this year’s prom. The dance took place May 15 at Martini’s Restaurant.
-
Graduation on the horizon for seniors, retirement for four Geneva educators
The 2009-2010 school year has been a time of innovation and continuing successes at Geneva High School.
-
GRA lacrosse team a big hit
This past year has been a year of firsts for Grand River Academy. GRA’s first football team in 75 years was launched last fall, students participated in several new academic competitions, lights were added to the tennis courts; and to finish off the year, another GRA sport was created, the hard hitting game of lacrosse.
-
Crash dramatization gives students a shocking view of what could happen if they make a wrong decision
Broken glass, the smell of blood, pain- induced moans and cries for help. As you approach, you see the results of an automobile accident and see the victims, teen-agers who have just recently left their senior prom. As sirens become louder, you realize the magnitude of the situation and witness such bright futures end early because of one bad decision. This scenario is one that every parent is afraid of on prom night. This is where Officer Tim Blon and the rest of the Jefferson Emergency Services come in to help ease the fears that haunt many parents on the night of prom – a drunk driving car crash simulation for Jefferson Area High School students.
-
Powder Puff games fun year-end event for Grand Valley
Grand Valley High School seniors are happily counting down to graduation day. Commencement will be held 7 p.m. June 4 in the Grand Valley High School Gymnasium.
-
As the school year nears an end, Edgewood's calendar is packed with awards ceremonies, class of 2010 graduation
As the school year comes to a conclusion, the final parent teacher conferences are held, prom occurs, the band and choir perform, awards are given and seniors are realizing their achievements.
-
LEAP growing in popularity as force for promoting a positive atmosphere
Lakeside High School has been busy with balancing education and activities to keep students involved. Lakeside Encouraging Acceptance Promoting Peace, an organization that was formed in December 2009, represents a positive atmosphere at LHS and in the community.
-
Grand Splendor, trip to Washington is the finale for seniors at SRCA
As the 2009-2010 school year comes to an end, South Ridge Christian Academy is as busy as ever. The next event on the calendar is Grand Splendor.
-
Vocational school welcomes hundreds of future students, parents at orientation
“Back to school” might seem like a weird statement seeing how we are just about done with the school year, but on April 20 students from across the county turned out at the Ashtabula County Joint Vocational School to look at the facilities and meet with teachers and school officials. People began arriving before the event’s official starting time of 6:30 p.m.; more than 500 people attended during the evening.
- More Next Generation Headlines
-
