LaSalle High School students on hand to receive their medals and certificates during the SAC Scholar-Athlete recognition banquet were (front row, from left) Mike Syrjala, Adam Tarnutzer, Megan Hunter, Aaron Gutchess, Tim Mullen, Pat Springsteen, and Rebecca Weiss; (back) Athletic Director Rick Ledy, Sarah Pope, Ashley King, Ashley Bosley, Andrea Spring, Aaron Tarnutzer, Emily Swirsky, Katie Spencer, Joe Weiss, MHSSA Director Jack Roberts, and Principal Mike Springsteen. Missing from photo is Katie Colegrove.

Rudyard High School scholar-athletes on hand to receive their medals and certificates include (front row, from left) Summers Captain and Tina Ganga; (middle) Brenda Burby, Ashley Hesselink, J.D. Hoolsema, and MHSSA Director Jack Roberts; (back) Athletic Director Carl Anderson and Principal Nate Beelan. Each athlete received a medal and certificate.

Each year, a keynote speaker will address the audience and two former athletes from the member schools will be selected to share their high school experiences.

John "Jack" Roberts, executive director of the Michigan High School Athletic Association (MHSAA), was the keynote speaker. Karla Fairbanks of Rogers City and Keith Moore of Cheboygan were guest speakers.

"Moms and dads are a big part of the student athlete’s life, good or bad, on the field and in the classroom," said Mr. Roberts, MHSAA director for 19 years. "Make the most of your talents, as everyone can't be the stars, but the entire team will make the stars shine."

Mr. Roberts also spoke about his father, also John E. Roberts, who was executive director of the Wisconsin Interscholastic Athletic Association from 1957 to 1985.

“Athletics and academics go hand and hand," said Ms. Fairbanks. "Athletes are role models to older and younger people, while athletics are the extension of the classroom, and each person should feel it is an honor and privilege to compete."

"Days as an athlete are very precious," said Mr. Moore. "Athletics and academics prepare you for life and each day brings a new meaning to your life."

St. Ignace, Rudyard

Scholar-Athletes

St. Ignace scholar-athletes include Ashley Bosley, Aaron Gutchess, Megan Hunter, Ashley King, Katie Colegrove, Tim Mullen, Sarah Pope, Katie Spencer, Andrea Spring, Pat Springsteen, Emily Swirsky, Mike Syrjala, Aaron Tarnutzer, Adam Tarnutzer, Rebecca Weiss, and Joe Weiss.

Rudyard honorees are Ashley Hesselink, Summers Captain, Brenda Burby, Nathan VanDusen, Tina Ganga, Mary Couling, Chris Schroeder, Charlotte Folkersma, Virginia Falbo, J.D. Hoolsema, Stephanie Folkersma, and Danielle Postma.

Athletic directors and principals present were Rick Ledy and Mike Springsteen of St. Ignace, Jason Friday and Randy Johnson of Cheboygan, Tim Hall and John Sherry of Sault Ste. Marie, Carl Anderson and Nate Beelan of Rudyard, Brandon Bruce and Tom Dykstra of Newberry, and Pat Lamb and Deb Jones of Rogers City.