Cub Academy Students

The Cub News September 12, 2011 Ad Majorem Dei Gloriam Volume 93, Issue 1 Cub Community Walks the Walk Photo: Nick Bergeman ‘12 U of D prides itself on molding it’s students into “Men for Others.” Nick Bergeman ‘13 was one of the many Cubs who dedicated time to volunteer this summer. Nick Bergeman ‘12 students in the Academy, includ- An unfortunate truth is that stu- very informed answer. I tell them spends his summer doing Sum- Co-Managing Editor ing myself, allowed the mean- dents do not usually arrive at U about the rigorous academics, I mer in the City instead of sleeping ing of these phrases to just zoom of D as “Men for Others,” but cackle through recanting my fun- in and getting a job that pays, a eginning on the over their head, and ignored their rather it is something that be- niest stories, I recall the most ex- man who goes to an away basket- Bday that students attend meaning due to an unfortunate comes part of their education. citing moments, and assure others ball game to join a student section orientation the first time at U of lack of perspective. Most fresh- After six years at U of D, that Detroit is not a frightening twice the size of the home team’s, D, they hear booming words that men will still fail to grasp those I have seen almost everything that place at all. However, I cannot and a man who opens a door for are meant to affect them deeply phrases’ true meanings until some a student can see at “the High.” I wait to share with everyone the a woman walking behind him like “Men for Others” and “Ad point during their year when they know U of D better than I know crown jewel in the U of D trea- into a restraint. Graduates of the Maiorem Dei Gloriam” (“For the decide to become involved with myself, and whenever anyone sure: what becomes of a U of D University of Detroit Jesuit High Greater Glory of God”). Most a service program of some sort. asks me about U of D, I can give a man. A U of D man is one who Continues on Page 3 Cub Earns Eagle Alzheimer’s Disease Scout Status Teaches Life Lessons Conrad Kovalcik ‘13 ranking of Eagle Scout, joining Nick Norton ‘12 Charles, has been diagnosed with still himself though, a funny and Layout Editor the company of Neil Armstrong, Co-Managing Editor Alzheimer’s, which is defined as charismatic retired Ford engineer. Gerald Ford and Steven Spielberg. “a type of dementia that causes He was an expert mechanic, a hroughout the Eagle is the highest scout rank- his past summer I problems with memory, think- war veteran and a doting grand- T hustle and bustle of last ing, and according to usscouts. Tunexpectedly spent the ma- ing, and behavior. Symptoms father to myself and my sister. school year, many students here org, only two percent of all Boy jority of my time at my grandpar- usually develop slowly and get Progressively his afflic- at U of D, including myself, were Scouts will accomplish this. In ent’s house. I still had opportuni- worse over time, becoming se- tion worsened. He appears con- unaware of the elite achievement order to become an Eagle Scout, ties to hang out with my friends vere enough to interfere with dai- stantly in a fog and asks me to Photo: Jake Kmiecik ‘11 Kmiecik Jake Photo: Photo: Conrad Koch Photo: Nick Norton ‘12, second to right, his grandpa, far left, and family. and be social, but I obviously had ly tasks.” Tell me about it. A few take him home to Detroit even free time. I was asked to assist my years ago my grandfather was though he hasn’t lived there since Rober Koch ‘12 earned Eagle Scout status. grandparents, as my grandmother what I would classify as just a lit- the early 1950s. I was puzzled as of one of our fellow Cubs. Last Robert needed to become a works and my grandfather can- tle senile. He would forget things to how I was supposed to respond April, Robert Koch ‘13 earned the not be left alone. My grandfather, and get a tad disoriented. He was Continues on Page 4 Continues on Page 2 Cub Life, 2-4 Honduras Mission Trip, 5 Senate Update in On Campus, 6 Page 2 The Cub News, September 2011 WORLD Egypt’s Alzheimer’s Disease Predicament Teaches Life Lessons tragic because this wretched dis- Sai Nimagadda ‘14 it’s just that you’re asking a me- Continued From Page One would frequently become more Co-News Editor chanic to remove your tonsils.” to his questions. I would tell delirious and upset in the evening. ease eats away at him one day At this point the SCAF are him that “this is your home, Finally when everyone was able at a time. After acting as one of n January of 2011, in the unenviable position of be- here in Westland” but noth- to get in bed, I sometimes would his caregiver’s though I learned as most of us know, the rag- ing criticized quite correctly for ing sinks in. Eventually his per- overhear him wandering through many things. Firstly life is short, I sistence would irritate me and ing fire of revolutions brought the their mishandling of the daily se- the home. He knocked on a neigh- and being grateful for my current end of Hosni Mubarak, dictator curity issues, their inability to get then we were both irritable. bor’s door asking for them to take physical and mental capabilities of Egypt for 31 years. Now that ordinary police back to work, their When I later read up on him home a few times. Another is imperative. Those faculties he has stepped down, the mili- detention and abuse of protesters, Alzheimer’s in my spare time I time he fell over a stationary fan may not be there when age, dis- tary council, better known as the the lack of information and prep- learned this was absolutely the in the kitchen causing a nasty ease and life get to me. This situ- SCAF, is currently in charge. aration for democratic elections, worst way I should respond. head wound to himself. My fam- ation taught me how important These few months the lack of effort on the part of Chuck, as his friends call him, ily and I have done everything patience really is. Keeping calm after the fall of dictatorship were the ministries to assist businesses is no longer able to operate on a remotely possible to help him. and collected guaranteed that at a joyous time for the people of or the farmers. They were given a rational level. Alzheimer’s took We locked the gate so he cannot least I maintained my head. Most that away from him. Extreme get lost in the neighborhood, re- importantly I learned the power emotional anxiety is the result of moved the fan and other objects of empathy when dealing with his constant confusion. As he at- he might fall over, and continued people struck with fatal and hor- tempts to express these feelings to console him with whatever rible diseases. I try every time to me or any of his other caregiv- emotional support we can muster. I see him to treat him the way I ers, the last thing he needs is for Despite these measures the Al- would like to be if I ever am in us to snap at him, or utter cutting zheimer’s continues to progress the same predicament. In the end Photo: newslinemagazine.com Photo: sarcastic remarks. As the summer and nothing we do can stop it. all we can do is remain compas- progressed I learned healthier My grandfather’s story is sionate even when life is just sad. ways to combat these issues. I healingwithnutrition.com Photo: would remain calm, talk loudly, remembering to speak in simple sentences. As someone who likes to speak very verbosely this was a particular challenge for me. Daily A protest demonstration in Egypt. exercise like walking around the Egypt. However, what they had job that they were not prepared to block allowed him to unwind a not planned on was the corruption do, and that many argue they had bit, so we walked often. It is still of the next group of people who no real intention of actually do- difficult to remain patient while took over. A post on a blog by the ing properly. If, in fact, they have caring for him, but I have to re- son of a military man states that been working with honorable in- member to remain compassionate. the army/SCAF “may be great at tentions, perhaps they should be Evening time and the ear- doing their job of protecting the asking for some help to accom- ly morning are another animal to people, but they’re certainly not plish this task. At the very least, tackle. After spending a few nights knowledgeable, trained, experi- they could arrange that the “bad a week over at my grandparents I enced or ready to do a totally dif- guys” of the old regime will not witnessed his severe insomnia in ferent job of leading a country of be appointed to current positions addition to what is called Sund- 85 million people in a pivotal point of power. The current policies owner’s syndrome. Sundowner’s of its history.” He went on to say do leave everyone asking wheth- syndrome is a “range of behaviors that “it doesn’t mean they’re bad er they can be trusted to help to not usual for the person” occur- people, it doesn’t mean they’re run honest elections if and when ring after sunset.

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