At most high schools, students hone into distinct, permanent groups. Basketball players hang out with basketball players, and yearbook kids hang out with yearbook kids. However, something is different here. Most students are involved and participate in many different activities.

Jacob Gathje ‘20 is involved in almost too many things to count, including speech, cross country, track and field, student council, band, yell leading, and journalism. Even though being involved takes a lot of effort, it has taught him an important life skill.

“Being at Mount Michael has allowed me to do a lot of things, but it’s really taught me how to manage my time more than anything,” Gathje said. 

Eli Crnkovich ‘21 plays football, basketball, and baseball. Crnkovich says that the time he devotes to these activities is worth it.

“I’ve had so many great experiences and met so many different people. It’s helped me become a more mature person,” he said. 

According to Crnkovich, being involved in numerous extracurriculars is a part of Mount Michael culture; it is just what students do. 

“Everyone here does something extra, whether it’s playing three sports or doing three extracurriculars, and I think that’s what makes the culture here so special,” he said. 

Perhaps it is because the student body is 240 students, perhaps it is because being involved is encouraged and even required freshman year, participating in activities outside of class can make all the difference in a student’s high school experience.

“Being a part of a team is kind of like being  part of the community here, everyone supports one another,” Crnkovich ‘21.