Article published Jul 30, 2006

Leaving the nest early

Ralph and Joan Mahalak didn't think they would have to tackle the issue until their daughter was 18 years old.

They assumed Anna Mahalak would attend St. Mary Catholic Central, her father's alma mater.

Four years later, she would go to college.

Anna Mahalak had other plans.

She told her parents she was interested in going to a boarding school three and a half hours away in Indiana .

Her parents didn't take the news all that well.

"I'm the mom who didn't want her to go to all-day kindergarten," Joan said. But they eventually warmed up to the opportunity.

"Now that we're used to it we love it," Joan said. "Just watching her and the way she operates with her determination is amazing. It's fulfilling for us as parents to know we've done a good job."

Anna has developed into an amazingly well-rounded teenager since leaving Monroe to attend Culver Academies in Culver, Ind.

She already boasts an impressive list of accomplishments, and she's only going to be a junior in the fall.

The 16-year-old recently received a Gold A Award for having a grade-point average of 3.7 or better. She also was awarded the coach's award in lacrosse and the Vedette Pen for excellence in journalism. She also participated in volleyball and basketball during the school year.

She went on a 12-day mission trip to South Africa this spring in addition to attending a journalism camp at Indiana University this summer.

"Up until the eighth grade I never even thought about going to a boarding school. But I got a brochure and saw that 99 percent of their graduates go to top colleges. I at least wanted to give it a try," said Anna, who attended St. John's from first through the eighth grade.

"My parents had never really heard about it before. I was the one who pursued looking into it. They weren't really sure about it. They weren't ready to lose their little girl, but they came around when they saw all the great things about Culver," she added.

Culver, which is located about an hour south of South Bend , stresses self-discipline, responsibility and leadership. It has an enrollment of more than 750 students from 35 states and 20 countries.

The boys school was founded in 1894, while the girls school started in 1971.

Anna is one of three Monroe residents who attended Culver during the previous academic year. Kristin Beste graduated and Patrick Metzger will be a senior in the fall.

"I miss my family sometimes. It's nice to have that comfort, but I've adjusted well. Culver makes it really easy," she said. "I miss my friends a lot, but I've made a lot of friends at Culver too. I have the best of both worlds."

Culver has its benefits, but it's not a teenage oasis away from home with no rules. The school is strict.

Culver enforces an 11 p.m. curfew on Friday and Saturday nights. It also adheres to a stringent uniform policy - the only clothing allowed every day of the week except Saturday is school-issued attire.

"I don't really mind it too much. A lot of times you're defined by what you wear or what brand it is. Culver eliminates that," Anna said.

Anna has been chosen to be the editor-in-chief of the school newspaper (The Vedette) in the fall. She will have a staff of 15 writers, editors and reporters under her direction.

"I've always liked to write and express my opinion on paper. I like how journalists have the power to persuade and inform people and have lot of influence in the community," she said.

Anna gained a lot of experience at the recent five-day journalism camp in Bloomington .

She learned about plagiarism, balanced reporting, interviewing techniques, management skills and tips for generating story ideas.

"I really loved it. I feel a lot more prepared," she said.

The trip to South Africa also was rewarding. 

Her first stop was in Johannesburg . She soaked up knowledge about the culture, but also was exposed to its poverty.

"It was really an eye-opening experience," she said.

Then she went to Cape Town to work in Christel House - a school for the most disadvantaged kids in the city.

"No matter where you go, kids are kids. They were so happy and full of life. It made me not take things for granted so much here in the United States ," said Anna, who also squeezed in a youth leadership conference and a basketball camp this summer. "It also made me realize that Americans aren't really knowledgeable about what's going on overseas," she said.

Anna is the oldest of three siblings. She has two younger brothers - R.J. and Matt, who are standout hockey players.

Anna played on the JV volleyball and basketball teams, and she split time between the JV and varsity for lacrosse.

She plays forward and center on the basketball team and defense in lacrosse. Anna is not going to play volleyball this fall so she can concentrate on other responsibilities.

"I love playing sports. I wouldn't say I'm too competitive but I like working for a team and toward a common goal. Sports have been a big influence on me," she said.

After her busy summer, Anna will return to Culver Aug. 16. School begins a week later. Her mom doesn't want her to leave.

"It's tough when there's a family get-together and she's not there," she said.

Anna knows it's worth it.

"Culver has just opened up so many opportunities for me. It has a great alumni network. It's great for looking for a job or college, and I plan to use those connections," she said.