September 5FeaturesSung Han Yoon | Staff Writer

“It is my responsibility to ensure that my boys are diligent in their studies and maintain a sense of responsibility regarding their work,” new sophomore dean, Sean Albright, said. Each dean approaches the job a little differently but all have this philosophy at the heart of their work. In any case, they have come to the boarding program with different backgrounds. Some experienced the school as high school students and others discovered it from connections to people associated with Mount Michael . Freshman dean Tim Struckman, who came to Mount Michael in 2001, learned about the school at a boarding school fair. “Brian Osborne found me at a convention in Wisconsin and thought the school and I could have a symbiotic relationship,” Struckman said. According to Struckman, the majority of the deans were monks when he fi rst came to Mount Michael. At the other end of the spectrum, Albright is only in his second month as dean. He heard about Mount Michael from his cousin, current senior dean James Bender. “Mr. Bender has been a dean here for several years now and speaks very highly of the school and the people both working here and attending here,” Albright said. He appreciates what he has learned in the fi rst few months “It turns out that Mount Michael has a very rich history and takes a great deal of pride in all that they do. I love this aspect of the school,” Albright said. Bender, who is a 2007 Mount Michael

graduate, started as a dean the fall after he graduated college in 2011. His ultimate goal, is obtaining a position in education, so he chose to become a dean because it would be good experience, “I saw working with kids as a good opportunity” Bender said. One thing that Bender particularly appreciates about the job is the commute. “I wake up and I am at my job.” Bender said. When he fi rst started he was a little worried about working with people who were once his dean but it ended up being an easy transition. Along with Bender, Junior Dean Matt Luettel is also an alumni. Luettel became a dean fi ve years ago, replacing a dean who was leaving to attend dental school. “I saw it as my chance to not only give back to the school but also to fi ll an important need as an athletic trainer.” Luettel also puts a lot of time in football and track. Finally, just like boarding students, deans can’t work twenty-four hours a day just because they happen to live where they work. After deans get done with their jobs, they normally spend their time relaxing. Luettel said “In my free time I enjoy hunting, fi shing, playing sand volleyball, and hanging out with friends and family.” Whether in study hall or during their free time, in end the relationship with students is what truly defi nes a deans job. For Albright, “being someone these kids look up to, offering advice to the boys, offering an open ear and seeing these boys succeed,” is what it is all about.

The Dean’s Life We all experience it. That annoying ring every morning. The alarm slowly begins to resonate in our ears and thoughts begin to fl ood our mind. “No, no, no. It’s too early. My alarm is broken. It can’t be 6:45 already.” Much to our dismay, the time is correct and we are again forced to crawl out of bed, back into the school day. For the rest of the day, the only pleasure we can imagine is being back in our warm and cozy beds. We dream of the soft memory foam pressed against our face and being cocooned in blankets so snugly it takes us ten minutes to get unraveled. Sleep, or lack thereof, is the hallmark of the high school experience. We crave sleep, and when we’re not sleeping we want to be napping. Teenagers are constantly faced with the struggles of school, social lives, athletics, acceptance to college, and the innumerable things that we are challenged by everyday. And when we’re faced with these problems, we need energy to get through them. When we’re deprived of sleep, we lack this vital energy that helps us get through the day. Think about it. Compare how you feel during your fi rst period class compared to your last period. Often times, fi rst period classes encompass groaning, yawning and a whole lot of silence. During your last period, your mind is active and you’re able to think more clearly. The Sleep Foundation, an organization dedicated to all things sleep, says that an average high schooler should be getting a little over nine hours of sleep per night. At Mount Michael, this is usually not the norm. In order to get nine hours of sleep and wake up at 7, one would have to go to bed at 10 o’clock; something that is made nearly impossible due to nightly prayer. At a school as rigorous as Mount Michael, a majority of students are stressed beyond normal levels with

Kevin Jewell | Staff WriterCatchin Zzzs

school and challenges that it provides. Unable to sleep our proper amount, we become the cranky, whiny teenagers that are known best by our teachers. Sleep is not something to be messed with. Northwestern head football coach Pat Fitzgerald recently instituted team naps and began to control sleep schedules of his players. Now a nap could give a little more boost of energy, but by controlling sleep schedules, the Wildcats have gotten off to a 4-0 start and are winning by an average of 17.5 points. Fitzgerald avoids early morning practices and even shifts practice times to coincide with time changes for away games. Sleep is an essential part of our everyday life. It replenishes us and gives us a chance to be more energized and attentive in class. Though naps make us feel amazing immediately after, they really can end up hurting us. The Sleep Foundation recommends powering through tired phases, making your actual sleep that much better. We eat, breath, and sleep…. sleep. It’s part of who we are. I can’t think of too many people who don’t enjoy rolling their eyes back and catching a few z’s. Its importance can’t be ignored. Without sleep, it’s almost as if our gas tank is running on empty for the rest of the day and that can really damage your body. Sleep is necessary and important, but all within good reason. We should sleep at night, not during class (Beware of Mr. Cormier kicking your desk). We should go to bed at around the same time every night (not 2:00 A.M.). Most importantly, we should get plenty of sleep other than naps because, as we all know, “You can never have too much of a good thing.”

school and challenges

Unable to sleep our proper amount, we become the cranky,

that are known best

photo by Brian Kim

photo by Brian KimJewell

Sean Albright works tirelessly in his offi ce.

graphic by Brian Kim