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Class of 2006: Island School Graduates Nine Students
This year, 81 students were enrolled in the K-12 school. Most of the senior class grew up together and have known each other their entire lives. "We all know each other very well," said Tyler Finkel. "When we think about childhood, we will remember each other." Commencement will take place in the school gymnasium Friday, May 26, at 7 p.m. Eric Cowell, this year's valedictorian, will address the class and share with the community his memories of school on Mackinac Island. Former Superintendent Gary Urman will be the commencement speaker and Superintendent Jack Dehring will join School Board President Ben Mosley in awarding diplomas. Teacher Karen Allen will present a video commemorating the seniors. Immediately following the graduation ceremony, the parents of the graduates will hold a party in honor of their children in the all-purpose room at the school. Being graduated are Melissa Bunker, Eric Cowell, Tyler Finkel, Sam Kamphuis, Christina McLean, Miranda McMahon, Ben Mosley, Jason Pettit, and Emily St. Onge.
Melissa Bunker, the daughter of Clark Bunker and Betsy Putnam, has lived on Mackinac Island her entire life with her father and extended family. Her mother and a half-brother and half-sister live in St. Ignace. While a student at Mackinac Island Public School, Ms. Bunker has been a member of the volleyball and soccer teams and participated in the work-study program. This summer, she will be working as a waitress at Horn's Gaslight Bar and will be working part-time at the Mackinac Island Tourism Bureau, where she has worked previously. Ms. Bunker plans to attend Grand Rapids Community College in the fall, where she hopes to obtain an associate's degree in business. She then plans to attend a larger university for her bachelor's degree. "I'm just excited to see what the future brings," she said. "I'm planning to take it one step at a time." Eric Cowell Eric Cowell, the class valedictorian, was born on Mackinac Island and moved to Cheboygan when he was 10 years old. He returned to Mackinac Isl a n d P u b l i c S c h o o l for his senior year and said that he was glad to be back with the people he had grown up with.
This summer, Mr. Cowell will be working at the bike rental shop at the end of the Arnold Line Dock. In the fall, he will attend Saginaw Valley State University on a full scholarship. He would like to attend the University of Michigan for graduate school, where he hopes to study mechanical engineering. Mr. Cowell is the son of Jim Cowell and Kendra Wolfgram. Tyler Finkel Tyler Finkel has lived his entire life on the Island with his parents and sister. While attending Mackinac Island Public School, he has been a member of the basketball, track, soccer, and golf teams. He also had the opportunity to be an exchange student in Japan last year. Mr. Finkel will attend Michigan State University in the fall, although he has not yet decided what field he will pursue.
Sam Kamphuis Sam Kamphuis has lived on the Island and attended Mackinac Island Public School since he was in ninth grade. Before coming to the Island, Mr. Kamphuis lived in Holland, Michigan. While attending Mackinac Island Public School, he was a member of the soccer, track, and basketball teams. He said he enjoyed the small school environment. "It has been a privilege going here," he said. This summer, Mr. Kamphuis will be working as a waiter at The Gate House. He plans to attend Grand Valley State University in the fall, where he intends to study engineering. Mr. Kamphuis is the son of Don and Karen Weersing and Kirk and Diane Kamphuis. Christina McLean Christina McLean lived on the Island year-around until she was 10 years old and then moved back to the Island when she was 16. She lives with her father and brother. When she wasn't living on the Island, she lived in St. Ignace with her mother, sister, and two other brothers. While attending school on the Island, she was a member of the volleyball, soccer, and track teams and participated in Close-up.
This summer, she will work at Cindy's Riding Stable, where she has worked previously. Ms. McLean is the daughter of Gary McLean and Laurie McLean. Miranda McMahon Miranda McMahon has lived on Mackinac Island since she was a toddler, moving here from Cedarville. As a student at Mackinac Island Public School, Ms. McMahon was involved in art, the school newsletter, and yoga. She has one younger brother and an older sister. This summer, Ms. McMahon, who has worked a different job every summer, will be working at Mackinac Outfitter and Marine Supply. In the fall, she will attend Aquinas College in Grand Rapids and will possibly be majoring in business and communications. She is excited about experiencing big city life, as she is most familiar with the Island.
Ben Mosley Ben Mosley has lived on Mackinac Island his whole life with his parents and three sisters. He said he is "ready to move on," but is grateful for the small classes provided at Mackinac Island Public School, where he was a member of the soccer, basketball, and track teams. This summer he will be installing sprinkler systems in Petoskey. He plans to become an apprentice and wants to become an electrician. Mr. Mosley is the son of Ben and Louann Mosley. Jason Pettit Jason Pettit has lived on the Island his whole life with his parents and sister. While attending Mackinac Island Public School he has been a member of the basketball, soccer, golf, and track teams. In past summers he has worked at various bike rental shops, but this year he is unsure of where he will be working. Mr. Pettit plans to attend Grand Valley State University in the fall. Although he is undecided about what he will major in, he is interested in psychology. He said he has had good times at the school and will have good memories.
Emily St. Onge Emily St. Onge has lived on Mackinac Island her entire life. As a student at Mackinac Island Public School, she has been a member of the volleyball, soccer, and track teams. During the summer, she will work at Cindy's Riding Stable. Ms. St. Onge plans to attend Northern Michigan University in the fall and wants to become a veterinarian. "I'm excited to graduate," she said.
Ms. St. Onge is the daughter of Anne St. Onge and John St. Onge.
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