A.C.T Excavating 7,000-lb Donation Displays New Tradition of Sebring McKinley Senior Class
Sebring McKinley seniors have initiated an annual class tradition, leaving their mark on the school’s newest landmark, a 7,000-lb boulder, which displays their school spirit in the front lawn.
Bob Rinehart, a 1982 Sebring graduate and owner of A.C.T. Excavating, donated the boulder after receiving a phone call from Sebring Local Schools Superintendent Toni Viscounte.
“We saw this as an opportunity to support a local business and a Sebring graduate by purchasing a boulder from A.C.T. Excavating,” said Viscounte. “But Bob had another idea in mind by donating it. We’re very grateful for his generosity.”
Rinehart expressed the donation to be an honor to be able to support Sebring and the seniors’ artwork each year.
“I am proud to see Sebring Local Schools surviving in a tough world of finances and cuts in federal and state budgeting for education,” says Rinehart. “My youngest son Michael is open-enrolled in Sebring McKinley class of 2025 and is excelling in school. To all of the faculty and staff, thank you and keep up the great work with our kids!”
Class officers initially requested to bring back a former tradition of painting senior parking spaces. Instead, the rock was presented as an idea to stand as a more uniform collaboration, which can be seen more visibly from the street, and will continue to display the spirit of each senior class, with layers and layers of paint to come.
Senior class officer Blake Thomas represented the senior class by attending the official rock dedication ceremony at a board meeting earlier this school year.
“We’re excited to be the first class kicking off this new tradition and leaving the very first mark on the rock,” said Thomas.
The 2024 class covered the rock with their handprints, signatures and a special tribute to a classmate they continue to keep in their hearts.
“In loving memory of Emily,” is written across the top of the rock, to honor a former class member and friend, Emily Waseman, who they lost to a battle with cancer in elementary school.
“We wanted Emily to share in the tradition with us, so we made sure she left her mark, too,” said Thomas.
