Wednesday, October 28, 2015

More than Meets the Eye: Nick Snyder

Joey Recker | Guest Writer for THE MOUNT

In tight knit communities, such as Mount Michael, people have the chance to really get to know each other, especially if the community is small. People who see each other every day also start to form what they think is a relatively accurate idea of who the others surrounding them are, but in reality, they can be wrong.

Take Nick Snyder for example. He is the ideal student. In fact, one of his goals this year is to make a 4.0 grade point average. He is focused, organized, and extremely relaxed. A calm and collected guy.

“He listens,” said Spanish I teacher Carolina Westling. “There is nothing bad about him.”

Mrs. Wessling also praised him for being very studious when he was in her class as a freshman
“He is a great representative of the Mount Michael community.” she said. Fellow classmate Jacob Idra said something along the same lines.

“Nick is a cool dude, he will listen to anything.” While another classmate, Tommy Weekly, noted that Nick is very tolerant and patient.

“He let’s me steal his Pepsi,” Weekly said. The two clearly get along very well.

But there is so much more to Nick’s character than these things. Idra met Snyder on the tennis courts freshmen year. He made friends with Nick easily, and the two enjoyed the season together.

“We always had a good time, he made it a better experience.” Idra said.

In fact, the two became close enough that Nick persuaded Jacob to join choir sophomore year, an activity that Idra never would have seen himself doing if it was not for Snyder.

Classmate and friend Tommy Weekly appreciates Snyder’s sense of humor, specifically because they find the same things funny. But what is most important to Weekly is that Snyder “is a good friend to keep around.” Tommy remembers sharing shows and books with Nick, and of course, he always listened.

Snyder is also a ‘car guy’ according to his close friends. One of his favorite hobbies is to work on his car on the weekends, a ‘92 Pontiac Firebird.

“It needs some work,” Nick commented. “It has panels coming off, no stereo or air conditioning.” But this does not phase Nick. He is passionate about putting in work on his car, and really enjoys driving on the weekends. One of his idols is Elon Musk, the founder of Tesla Car Company. In Snyder’s eyes, Musk is a visionary and someone to model himself after.

In fact, one of his dreams is to become the CEO of a big company when he gets older, but this is only one of his dreams. He said that he could see himself becoming a doctor or an engineer. Whatever it is that he chooses his ambition and great communication skills will get him there. And he will probably listen to the people around him.

Monday, October 26, 2015

Knights Capture State XC Championship

The Mount Michael Knights came away with the another state championship by the narrowest margin possible, one point over surprise Plattsmouth.  This is the 9th Cross Country Championship for the Mount the 6th under coach Gathje.

The Knights were led by Zach Hytrek with a 7th place medal while Nick Carson earned a 10th place medal.  Sam VanHaute & Peyton Hottovy just missed out as individual medalist with 17th and 18th place finishes.  The teams long term goal was accomplished.  State for Nate.  Nate LeFauve would have been a senior on the cross country team. As all familiar with Mount Michael know his life was cut short in a tragic car accident in October 2013. Nate's mother was present and assisted Coach Gathje in presenting the team with their championship medals.

Top 5 Teams
1. 50 Mount Michael Benedictine
2. 51 Plattsmouth
3. 78 Lexington
4. 86 Skutt Catholic
5. 90 Aurora
Standing Nick Huetter, Tom Swanson (asst. coach), Zach Cairney, Dylan Parlor (asst. coach), Charles Dudek (asst. coach), Coach John Gathje, Peyton Hottovy, Eric Crawford (asst. coach), Jack Blaser,
Kneeling: Sam VanHaute, Zach Hytrek, Nick Carson.

Thursday, October 22, 2015

Will Denton '10 assits with Biomechanic Research

Mount Michael alum Will Denton as a graduate research assistant at UNO is currently collaborating on wearable technology to assist individuals suffering from COPD. The article below was taken from the UNO Magazine.

Monday, October 19, 2015

State Tennis Champions

The Mount Michael Knights wrapped up the season in grand fashion by winning the 2015 Class B State Championship.  This is Mount Michael's 5th tennis championship and the first since 2005.

Trophy Presentation at Homecoming Football Game photo by Linda Hitzemann
Besides the team championship they earned individual honors also.
#1 singles: Matt Amao was State Runner-up
#2 singles: Luke Krajewski was a Quarter-finalist losing to the eventual champion
#1 doubles: Jack Hitzemann & Alex Stoupa were State Champions
#2 doubles Logan Baumberger & Douglas Lorcan Jamal were State Champions

Photos by Dr. Peters - Omaha World Herald - Lincoln Journal Star (Great Article)

Class B State Tennis Champions photo by Dr. Peters
Standing: Coach Chase Petersen, Luke Krajewski, Matt Amao, Jack Hitzemann, Douglas Jamal, Alex Stoupa, Logan Baumberger.
Kneeling: Colin Mallisee, Jacob Bova, Joe Hitzemann

Team Scores
Mount Michael Benedictine50
Elkhorn41
Gretna37
Elkhorn South30.5
Grand Island Central Catholic26.5
Waverly22
Ralston20
Kearney Catholic18
Adams Central16
Omaha Gross Catholic16
Lincoln Christian14
Hastings12
York12
Holdrege10
McCook10
Scottsbluff10
Alliance8
Gering4
Lexington4
North Platte4
Omaha Skutt Catholic4
Beatrice2
Omaha Brownell-Talbot/Concordia2
Omaha Roncalli Catholic2
South Sioux City0

Saturday, October 17, 2015

Homecoming: First Knight Award

Three Mount Michael seniors were nominated by their fellow classmates to receive the First Knight Award.  Those nominated are recognized for their strong character and discipline; their ability to place others before themselves; their vow to be loyal, generous and humble in deed; and their embodiment of the five Benedictine values of moderation, service, integrity, community and hospitality. First Knight Photos by Eric Coldiron

Those students nominated were: Michael Fischer; Luke Krajewski ; and Jacob Ramaekers. This past week, all members of the Mount Michael student body voted to determine the winner.
Dr. Peters (Head of School), Robert, Jacob, and Michelle Ramaekers; Machell, Luke & Matt Krajewski; Kris, Michael & Brett Fischer. 
 Michael Fischer son of  Dr. Brett and Kris Fischer.  Michael is from Fremont where he attended Clarmar Elementary and Bergan Middle School.  Michael is the Student Body President and represented Mount Michael this summer at Boys State.  He is a member of the National Honor Society and a member of the 2015 Small Schools State Champion Academic Decathlon team.  He is active in sports, including as a member of the Mount Michael tennis team, the District Champion bowling team, the golf team and regularly powerlifts.  During his summers, he volunteers at the YMCA summer camp in Fremont and is a Lifeguard.  He is also a member of the 2016 Mount Michael Mission trip that will spend their spring break serving others in the mountains of Mexico.  Michael is planning to major in International Business and Political Science and is planning to attend either Rockhurst or Benedictine College.

Luke Krajewski is the son of  Matt and Machelle Krajewski.  Luke attended elementary school at St. Wenceslaus, where he is currently a Lector and Eucharistic Minister.  He is a member of the STATE CHAMPION Mount Michael Tennis team as well as the varsity basketball team and plays golf for the Knights.  Luke serves as a member of the Mount Michael Men of Benedict and represented the school at the University of Nebraska’s Chemistry Field Day.  He was a member of the 2015 Mount Michael Mission trip to the mountains of Mexico where they built a chapel for local villagers.  He is planning on participating on the Mission Trip again this spring break.  Luke is a member of the National Honor Society and is planning to major in Pre-Med at Notre Dame, Creighton or the University of Nebraska- Lincoln.  Luke plans to become a doctor.

Jacob Ramaekers is the son of Robert and Michelle Ramaekers.  Jacob attended elementary school at St. Vincent DePaul’s in Omaha.  He was a member of the 2015 Small Schools State Champion Academic Decathlon team where he placed 2nd in National Academic Decathlon competition. Jacob plays drums in the Mount Michael band has been a multi-season Yell Leader for the Knights.  He is active in wrestling and cross country at the Mount, and is a member of the National Honor Society.    Jacob remains active in his church through ongoing participating in the St. Vincent DePaul Youth Group and has spoken on the Spirit Catholic radio show “Witness”.  He works with his brother to restore rental properties in the area and plans to attend a four year college.

Dr. David Peters presents Michael Fischer with the 2015 First Knight Award