SAC Honors Scholar Athletes at Annual Banquet
St. Igance, Rudyard Students Recognized
By David Latva

St. Ignace scholar athletes, with school administrators, include (front, from left) Lee Kelso, Colin Chan, Allison Brown, Erica Ahlich, Kelsey Cryderman, Cally Klimczak, Jessica McGinnis, Sydney Schroeder; (back) Athletic Director Marty Spencer, Principal Don Gustafson, and speakers Lewie Mullins, Dan Olsen, Jake Weiss, Kris Dunbar, and Ian Fishback. Missing from photograph are Amy Lambert and Jon Ruegg.

Citizenship and pride highlighted the message presented by Captain Ian Fishback and Kris Dunbar during the third annual Straits Area Conference (SAC) Scholar Athlete recognition banquet, honoring 107 student-athletes Tuesday, April 17, at Little Bear East Community Center in St. Ignace.

After introductions by Tim Hall, athletic director for Sault Ste. Marie schools, Father Jim Williams of St. Ignatius Loyola Catholic Church asked for a moment of silence for the 32 victims who died in a campus shooting at Virginia Tech University Monday, April 16.

Captain Fishback, a 1997 graduate of Newberry High School and 2001 alumnus of the West Point Military Academy, and Mrs. Dunbar, LSSU athletic director, a former Sault Ste. Marie high school athletic stand-out and former Lake Superior State University (LSSU) head women's basketball coach, addressed the audience.

Rudyard scholar athletes, with school administrators, include (front, from left) Alisha Thompson, Alex Malaski, Sara English, Jordan Mayer, Jon Norton; (back) Principal Richard Guimond, speakers Kris Dunbar and Ian Fishback, and Rudyard Athletic Director Dave McLouglin.

"You are the future leaders, and dedication and hard work will make success possible," said Captain Fishback.

"Challenge yourself to be a better citizen and have pride in what you do," said Mrs. Dunbar, the event's keynote speaker. "You have learned from your parents to juggle academics, athletics, and your social life. Learn from this.

"Academics are the most important value of education," she added. "You can make the world a better place. There are tough roads ahead for you. Spend quality time with family and friends and surround yourself with good people that have strong values."

The athletic directors from each school introduced their athletes and the principals presented the studentathletes with medals.

The LaSalle High School jazz band, under the direction of Jason Byma, provided pre-banquet music.