We are so proud to celebrate Mrs. Elaine Schmidtberger, who has been named the Archdiocesan High School Counselor of the Year. Even more exciting, this is the inaugural year for the award, and Mrs. Schmidtberger is its very first recipient. A beloved member of the Bishop Miege community, Mrs. Schmidtberger has spent her career helping students find their path, supporting them with compassion, wisdom, and a deep commitment to their success, whether that means navigating high school or preparing for college and beyond.

Superintendent Dr. Vince Cascone shared these words:

Elaine Schmidtberger is THE  Catholic counselor. Her heart is huge with the love of Jesus, and she pours it into dozens of kids every day. She has changed lives and given hope to generations of high school students. Her beautiful soul radiates with the gift of listening, compassion, and solid advice for students.  

In her 35-year tenure as a counselor at Miege, she has written hundreds of college recommendation letters for students. When you talk to her, she can rattle off where “her kids” have gone. Mrs. Schmidtberger keeps in touch with hundreds of students. Because she has been at Miege so long, she is known as the “generational counselor.” Imagine knowing grandparents, parents, and current students from the same family, all positively influenced by Elaine Schmidtberger. At many events people come up to hug her, one after another. She is bigger than life in the Miege community.  

In her faith, she is a role model. You will see her at daily Mass, adoration on Friday and praying with students in her office. She lost her husband and raised four boys by herself. What strength and tenacity. She carries these strong characteristics into her daily work at Miege. There aren’t enough words to describe her beauty and strength. She is a Saint in the making, for sure!

Mrs. Elaine Schmidtberger has been a cornerstone of Bishop Miege for over four decades. As the Archdiocesan Counselor of the Year, she has tirelessly advocated for students’ mental health and academic success. She shares her faith and love with every student who steps in her office, embodying the spirit of our Catholic values.

There’s a lot of people that continue to reach out because they know I love them. That’s really the bottom line to this ministry—loving the students where they are and helping them navigate their years of adolescence.