Island Students Honored for Academic, Athletic Achievements
By Leslie Rott

Mackinac Island Public School students were honored Wednesday, May 24, for their achievements in academics and athletics.

"This is a rewarding night as a teacher," said Susan Bennett at the start of the awards ceremony, which celebrated students' hard work throughout the year.

To make this years award ceremony unique, it began with the presentation of the athletic awards. Ken Straight presented the soccer awards.

Seniors Ben Mosley, Jason Pettit, Sam Kamphuis, Christina McLean, and Emily St. Onge were honored. Ben Mosley had 27 goals and 24 assists for the season, making him the top scoring player on the team and earning him the title of "Mr. Hustle," Jason Pettit had 29 goals and three assists, and Sam Kamphuis had ten goals and 18 assists. Christina McLean was cited as a hard worker and Emily St. Onge as having "never backed down against the boys." Northern Lights League AllLeague players were Sam Kamphuis, Ben Mosley, and Jason Pettit. Underclassmen receiving awards were Woody Beardsley, Riley Chaffee, Karlena Mosley, and Caleb Straight. Athletic letters were awarded to 9th graders Robert Chambers, Kate Dupre, Tyler McLean, Shayleen Mosley, and Rhodene "Michi" Mullings. Eighth graders Jane Finkel, Paul Fisher, Tymon Horn, and Shelbie Mosley were presented with certificates.

Jim Fisher presented students with the boys basketball awards, announcing, "This was a big learning year for myself and the guys." Eighth graders Paul Fisher, Tymon Horn, and Thomas Rilenge, 9th graders Robert Chambers, Michael Gamble, and Tyler McLean, 10th graders Woody Beardsley, Riley Chaffee, and Caleb Straight, and seniors Sam Kamphuis, Ben Mosley, and Jason Pettit were recognized. Seniors Sam Kamphuis, Ben Mosley, and Jason Pettit also received both All-Area Honorable Mention and Northern Lights League All-League Awards.

Sarah Dehring presented the awards for girls volleyball to 8th grader Jane Finkel and 9th grader Rhodene "Michi" Mullings for being most improved, 8th grader Shelbie Mosley for being volleyball clown, 10th grader Karlena Mosley for being a defensive specialist, 9th grader Arial Leeper for having the best attitude, 9th grader Danielle Wightman for being a powerhouse, and Senior Supeechar "Gap" Sapruang for being on injured reserve. Eleventh grader Kristi Kamphuis and Senior Christina McLean were given the Laker Award. Ninth grader Shayleen Mosley received the hustle award and senior Melissa Bunker received the leadership award. Senior Emily St. Onge was voted Most Valuable Player. Awards were also given to 9th grader Shayleen Mosley, 10th grader Karlena Mosley, and senior Christina McLean for being All-Area Honorable Mention. All-Area 3rd Team went to 11th grader Kristi Kamphuis and senior Melissa Bunker, and All-Area 2nd Team went to Emily St. Onge. Senior Emily St. Onge and 11th grader Kristi Kamphuis also received awards for being Northern Lights League All-Conference.

Of her team, Ms. Dehring said, "This season went very well... I was really proud of these girls," and she commended them for their ability to work as a team.

Sarah Dehring also presented the track and field awards. Eighth graders Jane Finkel and Shelbie Mosley received certificates and 10th grader Anne Porter received her athletic letter. Other members of the track team include 9th graders Robert Chambers, Shayleen Mosley, and Rhodene Mullings, 10th grader Woody Beardsley, and seniors Sam Kamphuis, Christina McLean, and Emily St. Onge.

Jeff Ferguson presented awards for the golf team. Eighth graders Paul Fisher, Tymon Horn, Thomas Rilenge, and 10th graders Caleb Straight and Kyle Sweet all received awards. Mr. Ferguson announced that at their latest meet, the Lakers golf team beat all four teams they played against Beaver Island, Grand Marais, Munising Baptist, and Bay Mills Ojibwe. The team was started this year after students' interest in playing compelled the Mackinac Island Board of Education to provide funding for it.

Each coach was presented by their teams with a gift, thanking them for all of their hard work this season.

Mathematics teacher Susan Bennett presented outstanding mathematics awards. Senior Sam Kamphuis received an award for getting an A in his college level calculus class, for which he received college credit through Lake Superior State University. The award for highest grade point average went to 10th grader Kyle Sweet. Ninth grader Robert Chambers received an award for most improved mathematics student. Extra effort awards went to 9th grader Rhodene Mullings and senior Miranda McMahon.

English teacher Lance Greenlee presented awards for writing to 9th graders Fuller Cowell, who read 15 books this school year, and Arial Leeper, who Mr. Greenlee said has the ability to "write and really touch the reader." Seniors Eric Cowell and Miranda McMahon also received awards, Mr. Greenlee said, for remaining consistent in the fourth quarter of their senior year.

Science teacher Jeff Ferguson presented an underclassmen award to 10th grader Kyle Sweet for having the highest grade in science. Senior Miranda McMahon received the upperclassmen spirit award for having self-motivation and a good attitude in her ecology class.

Jennifer Bloswick, executive director of the Mackinac Island Community Foundation, presented $415 scholarships from the Margaret W. and Wesley H. Maurer Scholarship Fund to seniors Melissa Bunker, Sam Kamphuis, Miranda McMahon, and Jason Pettit, and $670 scholarships from the Mark Gallagher Scholarship Fund to seniors Melissa Bunker and Miranda McMahon.

Jessica Clark presented the social studies award to 9th grader Rhodene Mullings. She also presented awards to seniors Eric Cowell and Miranda McMahon for their extra effort.

"Both of these students have a great appreciation for life and learning," Mrs. Clark said.

Additionally, Mrs. Clark presented an award to her music aide, Sam Kamphuis, who she said never complained.

Police Chief William Lenaghan presented awards to those students involved in the School Emergency Response Training (SERT) seminar, a program started this year to arm students with disaster preparedness skills. A certificate and patch were awarded to 8th graders Paul Fisher, Tymon Horn, and Shelbie Mosley, 9th graders Robert Chambers and Arial Leeper, and 10th grader Woody Beardsley for their participation.

Fourth grader Amelia Roe also received recognition from Chief Lenaghan for saving the life of her father in November by calling 9-1-1.

Tenth graders Kyle Sweet and Anne Porter were recognized for being members of the Northern Lights League AllAcademic Team. Students earning a 3.0 average and above, who did not make the top 10, received Northern Lights League All-Academic Team Honorable Mention. Receiving certificates were 8th graders Jane Finkel, Paul Fisher, Tymon Horn, Shelbie Mosley, and Thomas Rilenge, 9th graders Fuller Cowell, Arial Leeper, Shayleen Mosley, Rhodene Mullings, and Danielle Wightman, 10th graders Woody Beardsley and Karlena Mosley, 11th grader Kristi Kamphuis, and seniors Eric Cowell, Sam Kamphuis, Miranda McMahon, Ben Mosley, Jason Pettit, and exchange etudent Supeechar Sapruang.

Superintendent Jack Dehring presented pins to those who have been on the honor roll for the first three marking periods: 8th graders Jane Finkel, Paul Fisher, Tymon Horn, Shelbie Mosley, and Thomas Rilenge, 9th graders Fuller Cowell and Arial Leeper, 10th graders Woody Beardsley, Karlena Mosley, and Kyle Sweet, 11th grader Kristi Kamphuis, and seniors Eric Cowell, Sam Kamphuis, Miranda McMahon, Ben Mosley, Jason Pettit, and Supeechar Sapruang.

Mr. Dehring commemorated 9th grader Robert Chambers and 10th grader Woody Beardsley for advancing to the state finals in track and field.

"Its pretty neat when you see these guys do well," he said.

Supeechar Sapruang was also presented with a certificate of completion for her senior year at Mackinac Island Public School. Because of requirements, she will not be participating in the graduation ceremony with the rest of the senior class.

"We've really enjoyed having her around," Mr. Dehring said.

Mr. Dehring presented members of the senior class with scholarships. Eric Cowell received the Presidential Scholarship from Saginaw Valley State University, Miranda McMahon received the St. Thomas Aquinas Scholarship to attend Aquinas College in Grand Rapids, and Tyler Finkel received a certificate for qualifying for the Michigan Competitive Scholarship, receiving a 32 out of 36 on the ACT. Tyler Finkel was also honored as the Salutatorian and Eric Cowell was honored as the Valedictorian of the Class of 2006.

All graduating seniors received certificates in commemoration of their graduation from State Senator Jason Allen, Republican for the 37th District.

Mr. Dehring addressed the senior class, saying, "The trip is almost over." He added that, "Sometimes these guys were a pain... but we survived it and I wouldn't trade them for the world."

This was the second annual "Anchor Awards" ceremony, which used to be called the "Awards Banquet." Ninth grader Arial Leeper made the suggestion to change the name to "Anchor Awards" and it was selected by school staff to be the new name for the awards program last year.