Student spirit is an important aspect of Cape Coral High School with the Seahawk Fight Chant taking charge. However, what most students don’t know is that security guard “Mr.” Edward Kelly sings and wrote it himself.
Kelly has so much of a heart for the students that he recorded a fight song for the sports team, raising the school spirit beyond the roof. “I just created a jingle to give some motivation to the students,” stated Kelly.
The best part of the song is that it was created by someone who’s a keystone figure in the nest. “It’s great having someone from our school that’s writing our fight song for our football program, and really all our sports too,” explained Principal Ryan Jackson.
The song has much potential for use throughout the school, and there are plans to incorporate more for the students. Jackson stated, “We’re going to try to play it on certain Fridays or for big events so it’ll be for everybody.”
While it may seem a bit unexpected, Kelly is no foreigner when it comes to singing. Since he was 16, Kelly has known he could sing. Apart from this one, he’s recorded two other tracks: one for his mom and one for his dad respectively.
Kelly also uses his voice in church, singing mainly at the St. Paul Missionary Baptist Church, but also at other churches, weddings, and funerals on occasion.
His involvement in the community does not stop at church. Throughout his life, Kelly has worked a multitude of jobs that directly help those in their work spot. “I used to go to a rehabilitation type center, I think about once a month, and do a little hour [of] entertainment for the residents there,” explained Kelly.
It doesn’t stop there, as he also did work in prisons. “Also I used to do prison ministry,” stated Kelly. “I did raps, then I did gospel prison ministry.” It’s no surprise that Kelly is embedded into the community given the other roads he’s taken in the past.
While Kelly has only been a Seahawk since 2020, many students and staff can’t imagine Cape High without him. “It wouldn’t be as I think upbeat,” explained Jackson. “Like for me, every day I get he comes in, every day I get a handshake, every morning at 6:20 when he comes in, I’d miss that.”
While saying nice things about him, Kelly is grateful and humble through all the love and support, stating, “Well, I give God the glory, and I try to treat people the way I want to be treated.”
Kelly’s passion for his students traces back to his roots working in the school system, as he has been involved in the Lee County School District for 27 years. His connection not only to these students, but also to former Head Coach Lary Gary has played a crucial role in his passion for Cape High.
“Mr. Kelly was a student of mine,” stated Gary. “Never had any concerns with Mr. Kelly. Class act guy was a model student.” Ever since his high school days, Kelly has always been a role model to those around him, staying out of trouble and focused on doing good in life.
Fast forward to the present day, Kelly is the same upstanding man as he was back then. “He is a stand up, outstanding guy,” stated principal Ryan Jackson. “He’s just a downright awesome guy.”
Although Kelly is known for being the blueprint for an honest man, most of his popularity is attributed to how he has impacted the student body. “He’s somebody that’s very reliable, very trusting, and the kids, all of the staff and students see that,” stated Jackson. “He’s like a father figure for a lot of kids.”
“Mr. Kelly exemplifies the leadership that kids need to learn to follow to be a productive person in life,” stated Gary, explaining how Kelly is a role model for the student body.
Not only do the staff see Kelly as extraordinary, but the students do as well. “I think Mr. Kelly is a great person for a school to have, as he doesn’t just look at his job as a job,” stated junior Tafari Wynter. “Mr. Kelly gives advice if you need it and ask him for it. He gives you food when you’re hungry and have nothing to eat.”
What sets Kelly apart from the crowd is his inevitable involvement in the student’s day, whether it be greeting them in the morning or seeing them in the hallways. “When you see the kids getting off the bus with the fist bumps, hugs, high fives, you see that’s part of a difference maker,” explained Jackson. “He’s got a huge heart for the kids and they see that.”
