Alumni Stories

by Dana Larkin Sauers ’74, HOH '26, P ’99, P ’03, P ’03, P ’09

Michelle (Sneeringer) Waiter ’89 enthusiastically shares that “one of the most impactful things that Delone has had on my life, besides basketball, is that the faculty nominated me to serve as an extraordinary minister of holy communion in high school. I was humbled and honored to do so.” 

She continues, “Father Phil Burger was the chaplain at Delone and the priest who trained us. He has also been an important part of my life journey. When I went to Shippensburg University, I was surprised to see that he was assigned there for campus ministry at Our Lady of the Visitation Parish for four years. I continued to serve as Eucharistic Minister while in college. Father Burger married my husband Brian and me at St. Aloysius in Littlestown on June 25, 1994 (actually on Father’s birthday— that I didn't know at the time).” 

“When I moved to Vermont with my husband, I served and attended St. John the Apostle in Johnson, Vt., for six years. Moving back to the area in Hershey, I became a member of St. Joan of Arc.” Michelle explains how surprised and delighted she was that Father Burger was assigned there shortly after she had moved back to the area. “We reconnected, and I continued to serve.” She has held that liturgical role for her current parish, Seven Sorrows Blessed Virgin Mary in Middletown, for a total of 38 years. 

“Father Burger baptized our son, Braydon, and also confirmed him. I feel blessed to have stayed in contact with him over all these years and for him to have a hand in so many of my life's important moments.” Michelle and Brian’s son, Braydon, is now 20 and a student at Lebanon Valley College (LVC). He graduated from Lower Dauphin High School and played varsity tennis for four years. He was a two-time Mid-Penn Champion, #3 singles, and #2 singles, respectively. 

Faith is a mainstay in Michelle’s life. “We always attended Mass as a family growing up. I feel grateful for the strong examples of my grandparents and parents. They always put God first and taught me to trust in Him no matter what comes our way. I continue to feel humbled to serve at the distribution of Holy Communion, and it has drawn me closer to the Lord. My mom's sister is a member of the Holy Spirit Adoration Sisters, a cloistered order, for more than 60 years. One of my dad's siblings, Sister Mary Dolores, was a religious at Sacred Heart most of her life. I have been surrounded by individuals with strong faith and great priests (like Father Phil). Currently stationed at Seven Sorrows Blessed Virgin Mary, Father Tim Sahd is my pastor, and Director of Vocations Father Josh Weaver is in residence. They help me draw closer each and every day to the Lord. Father Josh has been a mentor to our son, Braydon.” 

“The biggest obstacle in my life was losing my mother, Mary (Selby) Sneeringer ’55, unexpectedly in August of 1984, we believe, from a ruptured aneurysm that caused swelling in her brain that she never recovered from. My dad, Ben Sneeringer ’53, now a 91- year-old, showed amazing faith, courage, and perseverance. My parents had just celebrated their 25th wedding anniversary the February before. Both led by example in their faith. I remember during that summer of my mother's death going to daily Mass with her. My grandparents also went to daily Mass, so we had their example to learn from. My siblings are 9, 10, 11, and 12 years older than I am. Only one of my brothers was living at home at the time of my mom’s death. Of course, I questioned God and why this happened to my family. My dad was a rock for our family (even though I'm sure he didn't feel that way at the time). Our faith and extended family support certainly helped us to make it through.”

Michelle reiterates that basketball was a great outlet for her. “I put a lot of my energy into trying to become the best I could be with the talent God gave me. Coach Pam Duncan took me under her wing while in high school and was an important support for me.” 

“My dad eventually found another life-long companion in my step-mom Judy (Sneeringer), who has been another gift from God. They married in the fall of my junior year of high school and have been married for 39 years. She has been a second mom to my sister and me, and we are the daughters she never had. My dad and step-mom continue to be models of strong faith as they attend daily mass as much as possible.” 

After Delone Catholic, Michelle graduated from Shippensburg University with a Bachelor's degree in social work and a minor in coaching in ’93. She played basketball there from 1989-1993 and was a member of Tau Kappa, an athletic honor society. She graduated in 1997 from Johnson State College, Johnson, Vt., with a Master's Degree in school counseling.

These educational experiences led Michelle to Lamoille Union Jr/Sr High School, where she served as a school counselor for grades 7-9 from 1997-2000, while also coaching the junior varsity high school girls' basketball team. Since 2000, she has been employed by Palmyra Area Middle School as a school counselor. “There are three of us, so we follow a group of students from 6th through 8th grade, which is great because we get to see the huge change in their academic, personal, and social growth over those years. There is never a dull day; they keep me young, and I enjoy being a supportive individual for each of them during these tumultuous years. On average, I have about 300 students that I am working with. I teach classes throughout the school year (15 lessons, six different rotations) so that I will have all students by the end of the school year. I meet with each student at least one time per school year, and many students see me more often for check-ins and support. I run lunch bunch groups with many different students who sign up. I am in charge of our SAP team (Student Assistance Program), where we identify students who may be struggling and having barriers to their success in school. I am on our school district's flight team, where we may be called to support surrounding school districts who may be experiencing a crisis.”

“I have also been the Director of the Outdoor Education Program at PAMS for the last 24 years, this year being the 46th year of the program. I began as a five-day staff member during my first two years at Palmyra and fell in love with the program. When the opportunity came to lead it, I jumped at the chance. We take our seventh grade students to Camp Swatara.” 

Michelle is a member of the American School Counselor Association (ASCA) and the Pennsylvania School Counselor Association (PSCA). She was inducted into the Lebanon County Educational Honor Society in 2005. “I also coached PAMS seventh grade girls basketball team from 2001-2006, when I had my son.”

Michelle’s hobbies have included watching her son play tennis at LVC and “coaching my son's baseball and basketball teams from elementary grades until middle school, playing any type of recreational sports (pickleball, tennis, basketball, corn hole), walking and being outside, but mostly, spending time with family and friends.”

Her adventures are many. “Moving to Vermont in 1994, right after getting married to my husband, with no family or friends, was a challenge. His job took us there, and it was a great experience because I was able to obtain my Master's Degree at the college where he was employed as the Head Athletic Trainer. It was very hard being 12 hours away from family and friends. I joined a bowling league, a softball league, and played basketball and tennis with college staff to build connections and friendships. My husband and I developed a strong connection with an elderly couple who lived in front of us, and we became their ‘adopted’ grandchildren. We would go out to eat with them and listen to lots of great stories and experiences in their lives.”

“Ready to get back toward family, I was able to secure my current job at Palmyra Area Middle School in the spring of 2000. My husband secured a job with the Carlisle Area School District as a Health Teacher/Athletic Trainer, where he remains employed. We moved back to PA and have lived in the Hershey/Hummelstown area for the last 26 years.”

It is with true fondness that Michelle remembers Delone Catholic: “We would walk the hallways in the morning before homeroom, and I would stop in to the school store and talk with Coach Duncan (her first year at Delone was my first year there too) and other teachers along the way, such as Mrs. Lori Keeney '69 and Miss Anne Kerr. Coach Dave Zinn '73, former DCHS boys' basketball coach was my homeroom teacher my first year. Really, all of my teachers had a positive imprint on my life over my four years. The high standards that were set academically, and the faith and character of the teachers were displayed each and every day, as well as the fun and enjoyment that was brought to learning.”

“Sports have always been a big part of my life, so playing varsity basketball for four years is one of my best memories with my teammates. Coach Duncan became a huge part of my life (especially with the death of my Mom in the summer, going into my eighth grade school year). She was a great coach, mentor, and friend. Each of my four years, our basketball team improved its record. We won the Blue Mountain League in both my junior and senior years, and I also played in the District 3 Championship against Trinity. My senior year experience was a heartbreaking loss, as we were ahead most of the game, but we fell short in the end. It was one of the most difficult losses in my basketball career. I remember arriving back at school from the game and finding my dad in the parking lot. Knowing how upset I was, he was there to drive me home to make sure I was ok. His love and support meant so much to me. I achieved an awesome milestone in my senior year, becoming the first female 1,000-point scorer. I wouldn't have been able to achieve that goal if it hadn't been for all of my terrific teammates over those four years. Knowing the strong athletic tradition Delone has, it is an honor to be included in that company of players.”

“I am so grateful for my family. We grew up in Hanover, and all went to St. Vincent through eighth grade. My sister was a cheerleader, and my mom coached cheerleading for a time at St. Vincent. All of my brothers played basketball for St. Vincent as well. They all went to New Oxford for high school, where my sister was a cheerleader, and my brothers played basketball.” 

“Having four older siblings who grew up together and then coming nine years later, I always joked that I was an accident. God doesn't make accidents. I believe he had a purpose for me and my coming in later years. My brothers toughened me up growing up, which helped me develop my grit and drive in basketball. My brother Steve, in particular, would work out with me and help me develop my skills. My brothers Dave and Steve coached the boys’ teams for many years after high school at St. Vincent and Annunciation.”

“Despite our age difference, I am extremely close with all of my siblings. They attended all of my high school basketball games and traveled to many while I was in college. My dad and step-mom were there for as many games as they could attend. I am grateful for all of their love and support, not just while playing basketball, but supporting me my entire life and being great role models of faith.”

Michelle concludes that her time at Delone Catholic was instrumental in her life. “From the great teachers I had, to my journey as a basketball player, and personal connections that I have mentioned, helped to foster and deepen my faith while I was there. I learned faith, determination, integrity, and excellence while at Delone Catholic. I have learned that we need to give back and share the gifts we have been given. I feel blessed to be in a job that I truly love every day, working with students, striving to make a difference, and providing a support system. Between my job as a school counselor, directing our Outdoor Education Program, and coaching, I feel I have been able to share the gifts God has provided me.”