Hoosick Falls quarterback leads on and off field

Mike Brewster has a busy schedule.

The high school junior and parishioner of Immaculate Conception in Hoosick Falls is captain of his school's varsity football team, a member of the school's basketball and baseball teams, a member of National Honor Society, a lector, on the parish council, in the parish music ministry, vice president of his class, and in a band.

In school, Mike maintains a 94 average. His course load in-cludes taking pre-calculus at Hudson Valley Community College in Troy, advanced placement history and advanced physics.

When asked how he balances all of his commitments, he credits his parents. "My mom and dad keep me on top of my game," he said.

That "game" most recently was football. Mike led his Hoosick Falls High School team to the Class C semifinals in Kingston. The team going into the game was 11-0. They fell to Bronxville. "We lost by one point," he said. "It was very emotional."

His coach, Ron Jones, picked Mike as a likely quarterback before his freshman season even began. "The kids really respect him," Jones said in a recent interview. "He sort of has the [John] Elway swagger. He is very confident, but not arrogant. We haven't had a junior that has been elected captain since I've been here."

Mike said he used the skills he learned at the Christian Leadership Institute, a week-long program sponsored by the Albany diocesan Office of Evangelization, Catechesis and Family Life, as captain of the football team. Mike attended CLI last February.

"I pray before each football game," Mike said. "I pray that I can lead as an example of Christ."

Mike said participating in CLI was a positive experience. Not only did he learn leadership skills, but he learned about the important role youth play in the Church.

He was recently pleased to see an idea of the parish youth come to fruition. This year, the parish youth ministry hosted a Thanksgiving dinner for those in need.

Stella Sawyer, office manager at Immaculate Conception, said the idea for the dinner originated with the youth. The young people wanted to serve those in need, she said. Then the youth discussed the different kinds of need, from financial needs to those in need of companionship. The youth decided to host a community Thanksgiving dinner for those in need of food or companionship.

Mike said his volunteer stint began with Mass. Then he and parishioners of all ages prepared 125 Thanksgiving dinners. Volunteers delivered meals to parish shut-ins, and then ate dinner with the guests who came.

Mike said that young people need to take an active role in the Church and shouldn't be afraid to share their gifts.

"You have to be confident in yourself," he said. "The Church accepts you for who you are."

While Mike is active in his parish and school community, he also enjoys spending time with his family. His family includes his father, Michael; his mother, Cindy; and younger brothers Matt and Levi.

One thing his family enjoys is playing music. The family has a band that plays at fundraisers, weddings and other events. The band is called "The Brewsters."

Mike plays guitar and sings; his father plays rhythm guitar; Matt plays bass; Levi plays the drums and Mrs. Brewster sings.

Mike said they play a wide range of music, including folk and gospel as well as Johnny Cash and AC/DC.

Mike did note that he and his brothers often play school events without their parents. "The girls call us the 'Brewster Brothers,' like the Jonas Brothers," he said.

(12-03-09)