Two Graduated in Mackinac Island School Class of '07
By Sean Ely

Scott Roguska and Kristi Kamphuis, Mackinac Island Public School's class of 2007, stand behind the school building, overlooking the Straits of Mackinac.

"Never, never, never, never, never give up."

Those were the words that echoed off the gymnasium walls by guest speaker Phil Porter, director of Mackinac State Historic Parks, whose advice, once spoken by Winston Churchill, was meant to motivate graduating seniors Scott Andrew Roguska and Kristina Allison Kamphuis. Mr. Porter told the graduates that they should be proud of themselves and that a world of opportunity sits right before them. He told them to go out and embrace it.

Mackinac Island Public School graduated Mr. Roguska and Miss Kamphuis at 7 p.m. Friday, May 25, in the gymnasium in front of their family, friends, advisors, and teachers.

The Reverend Vincent Carroll, pastor of Little Stone Church, gave the opening prayer and wished the seniors luck in the future before Superintendent Roger Schrock introduced the Class of 2007.

The superintendent told the story of how Miss Kamphuis came to Mackinac Island in the middle of her eighth grade school year, and in the middle of winter. He complimented her skills in volleyball and encouraged her to continue the sport at Grand Valley State University in the fall.

She eventually plans to become a licensed cosmetologist and operate her own shop.

Mr. Roguska's primary interest has been film-making. He plans to attend college and study film. He has produced several short films, including "Dogs of War," starring some of the students at the school.

Miss Kamphuis, in her valedictory address, spoke about important transitions in life, reflecting on the past, always enjoying the present, and anticipating the future. With the love from her family and dedication from her teachers, she said, she was able to become more confident and more of an individual, which will help her in the future.

She presented a gift to school secretary Barb Fisher, because she said Mrs. Fisher was always the one who took her under her wing, gave her encouragement, pushed her when it was needed, and helped to facilitate her growth as a young woman.

Mr. Porter spoke about history and how it can teach a lot about attitude. History, he told the graduates, helps answer the question, "What do I want to make of my life?"

In another Churchill quote, he said, "We make a living by what we get, but we make a life by what we give."

Scholarship awards went out to the students as well. Miss Kamphuis received the Little Stone Church scholarship and the John Franks scholarship, while Mr. Roguska was awarded the Stella King scholarship and the Boys of Mackinac scholarship.

School Board President Ben Mosley distributed the diplomas to the two graduates.

Following commencement, the community celebrated in the multi-purpose room, where photographs of the graduates, cake, and other refreshments were enjoyed.

"She's my baby," said Kristina Kamphuis' mother, Karen Weersing. "It's been a special year for her and I'm proud of her, and I wish her all the best. She's taken on a lot of different projects this year. She worked hard in volleyball. This has been a really big growth year for her."

Her father, Kirk Kamphuis, said he appreciates the school's ability to work closely with the students.

"It sounds like they are more one-on-one with the kids," he said. "They get more attention and that gives them the opportunity to achieve a lot more."

For Miss Kamphuis, graduation isn't going to be a departure from the school on Mackinac Island.

"I am probably going to come back really soon and help Barb," she said. "I like how everyone is friends and everyone knows each other. I just really like this place."

Commencement, she said, gave her a chance to reflect on her life at the school.

"The whole ceremony allowed me to remember how many people helped me in the past and what's going to happen in the future," she said. "It's a lot of emotions all at once."

Mr. Roguska, on the other hand, is ready for the freedom of summer and everything that comes with college. He will be back to visit, especially for graduations, but he is ready for the future.

"It's definitely hitting me," he said of graduation. "I'm pretty excited. That's got to be pretty obvious. I'm just really looking forward to relaxing and not having a care in the world for a little while, then I'll start working. I will probably take the first week to just do kind of my own thing."

To him, the significance of a graduation ceremony is that it promotes family.

"For me, it's bringing your family and friends together, that's what's important to me about all of this," he said.

Mr. Roguska's parents know that he will be successful, but both his father and mother don't know where the time went.

"My wife and I were sitting in the front row commenting about how fast time has gone," Randy Roguska said. "From the day he was born, I can remember extreme details from that day. Nursing him when he was small, I said to my wife, 'The year 2007 is way out there. Wow, that's the year he is going to graduate.'"

As far as his movie-making goes, the skills were inspired by his mother, who has worked in the television production business.

"She has that eye for the camera and we, of course, purchased a video camera when Scott was born," said Scott's father. "We've always had one in the house, and he took a liking to it at an early age.

"I'm proud of what he's accomplished, I'm excited to see what doors open for him. He's really going to do some great things."

Scott's mother, Christine, says he really does have a knack for film production, and that's not just because she is his mother.

"He definitely has a passion for his film-making," she said. "He displays a vision that is truly incredible. Although I am just his mom, I have experience in TV production, and I can tell he sees the whole story before picking up the camera and shooting it. He has a gift and I hope he is able to expand on that gift."

Dr. Schrock continued his praise of the graduates at the party.

"I'm proud of the fact that they are self starters," he said. "Scott has his thing about film and Kristi's got her thing about developing her own business. You don't have to light a fire under them. They are hard working; they have a great work ethic."

The superintendent predicts a bright future for both graduates.

"I think someday we'll know him well," he said of Mr. Roguska. "I wasn't joking when I said that during the ceremony. Whether he'll be in film production or TV production, he'll be great."

Of Miss Kamphuis, he noted, "Academically, she stands head and shoulders above the crowd. She's a very studious individual, very conscientious, and always applies herself. I've seen her challenged by a physics problem and just go after it to get the answer. She has this type of dogged determination. There is no quit to her. It's like what Phil Porter was saying tonight, 'Never, never, never, never, never give up.' She fits that perfectly."

In a one-word exercise, he described Mr. Roguska as "creative" and Miss Kamphuis as "focused."