GOP Mayoral candidate visits the St. Anselm boys’ swim team

Rev. Michel Faulkner Offers the Team Words of Inspiration

April 14, 2017 By John Alexander Brooklyn Daily Eagle

St. Anselm Angels boys’ swim team listens to Rev. Michel Faulkner. Photo by Josephine Lazzaro

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On April 6, Republican Mayoral Candidate Rev. Michel Faulkner spoke to the St. Anselm Angels boys’ swim team at their postseason celebration at the behest of Ted Ghorra, head coach and Commissioner of the St. Anselm/Our Lady of Angels (OLA) swim program. Ghorra also serves as chairman of the Brooklyn GOP.

Faulkner, a pastor and former player for the New York Jets, is seeking the Republican nomination, along with other declared GOP candidates Paul Massey, Rock De La Fuente and Darren Dione Aquino. They all hope to challenge incumbent Mayor Bill de Blasio in the upcoming mayoral election.

Faulkner delivered an inspirational (and completely non-political) message to the team, encouraging them to work hard in school, set high goals for themselves in life and to respect their parents and never quit.

“The kids loved it and they were completely engaged. The boys were very intrigued by Michel’s former NFL career and asked lots of questions — one of which was whether he still had his helmet and uniform from the New York Jets. Michel was a pleasure to have and loved speaking with the kids,” Ghorra said.

Combined, the boys’ and girls’ swim seasons span eight months during the school year. Regarding his work with the team, Ghorra said, “It is a competitive CYO program where we teach the kids all of the strokes you’d see in the Olympics, but even more importantly we teach them about life, striving for excellence, teamwork, sportsmanship and community involvement. This is a program in which myself and all the coaches volunteer our time for the sake of the children.”

St. Anselm principal James McKeon also proudly boasted about the girls’ swim team’s recent success. “Our girls’ team competed in a division with over 800 other girls at the championships and took 1st place on April 1 at the Nassau County Aquatic Center in Eisenhower Park, Long Island.

“We are extremely proud of these young ladies in reaching this pinnacle. We are also very proud of our boys’ team which finished in the top 3 and exceeded their regular season performance by nearly taking 1st place at their championship event as well.”