Elkhorn South, Mount Michael to honor student who died in car accident in Nebraska

Two Elkhorn-area high schools that typically are opponents on the football field will come together on the gridiron tonight to honor a student killed a week ago.Nate LaFave, 15, was a straight-A student who ran cross country and played soccer at Mount Michael Benedictine High School. He died as a result of a car accident near Gretna last Friday. He was a few weeks shy of his 16th birthday on Nov. 5.Tonight, Mount Michael meets Elkhorn South at 7 at Elkhorn High School.So students organized what Elkhorn South is calling a "red-out." Mount Michael's colors are red and black. Elkhorn South students will wear red, and cheerleaders will sport red pompoms. Even the students who paint themselves for games will go red. Mount Michael will wear black.Mark Kalvoda, Elkhorn South's principal, said the theme for the night is "Two Schools, One Team." They'll display a banner signed by students from both schools and hold a moment of silence for LaFave and his family."We're trying to be one community tonight," he said.Dave Peters, Mount Michael's head of school, said he was touched to see Elkhorn High School students wearing black ribbons on their uniforms in LaFave's memory Thursday during the district cross country meet Mount Michael hosted."It was very moving," he said.Peters said many Mount Michael students and staff and others wore red felt hearts with "Nate" in the center, made by students from Duchesne Academy. The girl's school also participated in the meet.The collision also involved driver Madeline Shely, 16, and passenger Carly Anne Kelly, 15. Both are sophomores at Marian High School.Carly Anne's condition on Friday remained critical, a hospital spokesman said.Meanwhile, Madeline was released from the hospital and on Thursday transferred to Madonna Rehabilitation Hospital in Lincoln for rehab, said Madonna spokeswoman Molly Nance.