Friends Recall Toughness, Kindness of Injured St. John's Student

Sam Seward has always been one tough kid. He likes to watch wrestling and play sports. And he also leads the way when it comes to trampoline tricks.

Those descriptions come from Spencer Dyvig, who lives two houses down from Sam. Spencer recalls one time when the two were jumping on a trampoline. Spencer had front flips down but couldn’t quite master back flips. Sam easily performed a back flip, giving Spencer the confidence boost he needed.

Sam needs all the toughness he can muster right now. The 10-year-old  student is in critical condition at Hennepin County Medical Center after being Tuesday in Minnetonka.

The whole experience has left Spencer nervous and sad. He's worried for the friend he's known since they were toddlers—hoping Sam returns to play Xbox, ride bikes and have Nerf gun fights. Spencer and his family have already made plans to visit Sam in the hospital and deliver a card. 

“He’s really nice, and he doesn’t really say bad things—like hurtful things,” Spencer said.

St. John’s Principal Kathleen Segna noted the same toughness and love of sports. She also calls him “worldly.” He has two siblings in the military who he visits frequently, and he’s learned a lot in his travels. He also looks up to their military experience. When St. John’s performed The Sound of Music this weekend, Sam was delighted to be a military guard in the play.

Sam is very much in his classmates’ thoughts. The students prayed for him at their daily mass, and cards they made were delivered to Sam at the hospital.

"We're doing as good as we can do," Segna said.