Le takes leap, seniors secure new boarder

Previously published in “The Mount” a publication produced by the staff of Mount Michael’s Journalism team. Follow the journalism team via Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and YouTube links on https://mountonline.org

BY GRIFF WYSE

With only one semester left of high school, the senior floor gained one more boarder at the beginning of 2021. Phong Le ‘21 moved all his belongings in, which marks the first time Le has ever lived away from home.

Phong Le ‘21 grinds out the evening’s homework in his dorm room.

“I wanted to board because I want to make memories with my brothers, and I felt like I could maintain my current lifestyle and schedule while doing so,” Le said. “I also feel like I will be more productive at school.”

Although Le has a room to himself, his presence is already being felt by everyone else.

“I’m excited to have another border on the floor, especially Phong,” Matthew Collins ‘21 said. “We have all made great memories together while boarding, and I think it’s great that Phong will get to experience that aspect of Mount Michael too.”

Boarding and living at home are known to be two completely different experiences, especially in the initial transition.

“I am most excited to spend more time with my friends, but I will definitely miss the food at home and being able to spend time with my family,” Le said.

With every other senior having a roommate, Phong’s boarding experience will look a bit different than everyone else’s.

“I think that having a room to myself gives me the best of both worlds,” he said. “I am used to having my own room at home, so having that here, while being able to live with all my brothers, is a great combination in my eyes.”

One might think that living with thirty other guys would be very distracting and make it hard to focus and get work done, but that is not the case for Le.

“I’ve already noticed an increase in my productivity levels while boarding which is something I had hoped for beforehand,” he said. “I definitely like the hour and a half study hall each night and the fact that everyone must work helps me focus.”

Another boarder means another responsibility for senior dean Tim Jacoby.

“I don’t think Phong is a troublemaker, so I’m not worried about that,” Jacoby said. “He is already fitting in great, so I am excited to have him on the floor for this last semester.”

Boarding is a once-in-a-lifetime experience that most will not get to experience, and living at college is nowhere near as tight-knit as at Mount Michael.

“I would strongly recommend everyone to try it,” Collins said. “Some of my fondest memories are while boarding, so I am glad Phong can get to experience that before college.”