Soldier Surprise

Adam Schwiederowski and his daughter, Autumn

When Chartiers Valley alumnus, Adam Schwiederowski, SSgt, USAF, stepped out of the “Mystery Reader” box in the Chartiers Valley Primary School gym, first grader Autumn Schwiederowski was stunned. Of all people, she wasn’t expecting to see her dad.

Sgt. Schwiederowski, Autumn’s father, returned home from Afghanistan this weekend and has been waiting to surprise his daughter at school. Today was the day. This morning he arrived at the Primary School and hid in a Mystery Reader box in the school gym. Autumn’s first grade class, along with two others, gathered in the gym for story time.

When the mystery reader finished the story, Mrs. Kaupinis, Autumn’s teacher, asked the students to guess who they thought it might be. After a few creative guesses – including “Another teacher!” and “The Middle School cheerleaders!” – Sgt. Schwiderowski stepped out to surprise his daughter.

What Sgt. Schwiderowski didn’t know was the Chartiers Valley High School Showband was behind the curtain in the gym. As he embraced his daughter, the curtain opened and the band began playing. Sgt. Schwiderowski is a Chartiers Valley alum and was in the band when he was in school.

At the end of the celebration, Autumn got an early dismissal and a night without homework so she could spend some quality time with her father.

View photos of the reunion on Chartiers Valley's Flickr page>>

Watch video of the reunion on Chartiers Valley's YouTube page>>

Watch WTAE's coverage of the surprise reunion>> 

Read coverage from the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette>>

Read coverage from Trib Total Media>>