Annual Awards Night Gives Recognition
      Awards Night is a night where students are recognized for their achievements throughout the year at Mount Michael. This is a great chance for all the students to have the spotlight for a little while.

      Father Richard opened the night with a short prayer and the handing out of awards began. The awards ceremony began with the handing out of athletic letters. The first big award of the night, given by Father Mike, was the Bausch and Lomb award given to Han Bin Im. Mr. Robinson gave out the Excellence in Drama award, this award was received by Mike Gibilisco. Mike Gibilisco won another award, the Key Staffer, presented to him by Mrs. Ball. Mr. Struckman then handed out the HOBY award, received by Colten Venteicher, and the Sophomore of the Year award, received by John Lundgren. Mrs. Dowd announced the Humanities award winner, Paul Hotovy. The next award, the Omaha World Herald award, was given to Sam Weitkemper by Father Stephen. The big award of the night was the Mount Michael Benedictine Award, also known as the Mr. Mount Michael Award. The winner was announced by the school President Abbot Raphael Walsh, and Andy Ciaccio won the award. A contributing factor to Andy receiving the award was his editorial in the school newspaper saying that the award takes away from class unity. After all the awards were handed out, Mrs. Boeck along with many other mothers provided a reception of cookies and juice for all the students and their parents.

      A surprise award came about one-third of the way through the program, the award was given to Mr. Terrence Buschelman. This award was from Mount Marty College due to his lifetime achievements and his contributions to education.

      The ceremonies took close to two hours and 17 minutes. The amount of time it took to recognize all the achievements of these students goes to show how many exceptionally talented young men Mount Michael has.
                                     - Article by Michael Schulte & Photos by Chad Park