Phil Schulte Named Athlete-of-the Year at Father-Son Banquet

     Mount Michael students and their fathers, friends, and family gathered at the Indian Creek Country Club this past Wednesday to celebrate the annual Father-Son Banquet.

     Using the two school buses, students were transported by class to the country club and met their fathers to find seats and have social hour. At 7:00, Abbot Rafael Walsh led the guests in a prayer. Then it was time for the food. Hap Abraham’s catering company served students and their guests with an appetizer of dinner rolls and Caesar salad. They were then given the main dish of stuffed chicken bruschetta, cooked vegetables, and bow tie pasta topped with red marinara and mozzarella cheese. To finish it all off, guests were then given a dessert of apple cobbler and vanilla ice cream.

     Emcee Jim Schulte then came to the podium to introduce the head table that consisted of athletic director Jason Mackeprang, Principal Tom Ridder, guest speaker Congressman Jeff Fortenberry, and Schulte’s sons Phil and Mike. Schulte then took the time to address the senior class about the last four years that they have spent at the Mount. “We applaud you whether you’ve picked yourself up from defeat or stood high as a champion”, said Schulte. He then introduced Mackeprang who awarded Phil Schulte with the Athlete of the Year award. Phil Schulte thanked all of his coaches and then stressed the fact that hard work will bring success, saying, “I don’t consider myself to be extremely athletically gifted but I do consider myself a hard worker.”

     Next up was Congressman Fortenberry, representative for the First District of Nebraska. Fortenberry gave his speech and stressed on the fact that a strong family is what makes the nation strong. He then was open for questions and shared his views on topics such as immigration, the social security system, the Omaha School District, gas prices, and the presence of U.S. forces in Iraq.

     Once it was time for the fun to end, Father Michael Liebl led the gathering in closing prayer. Students were then taken back to the Mount by their family and friends, putting an end to this year’s Father-Son Banquet, and setting the bar high for future gatherings.
                                        - Colten Venteicher