19 Graduates in Engadine's Class of 2008 Advised: 'Don't Be Afraid of Change'

The Engadine High School Class of 2008 poses just before their graduation ceremony in the school auditorium Friday, June 6. Pictured (bottom row, from left) are Dennis Borowski, Carrie Sadler, Tristina Browning, Katelyn Buckholz; (second row) Jamie Maison, Tara Burke, Samantha Dunne, LeAnn Gribbell; (third row) Michael Mast, Michael Bennett, Tiajanna Sherbrook (partly hidden), Shauni Rutledge, Cody Mischel; (fourth row) Christopher Keller, Joel VanHise, Nathan Butkovich, John Troyer, Joseph Patrow, and Andrew Reed. "Never settle for less than you deserve, or sell yourself short. Always remember who you truly are and where you came from," said salutatorian Jamie Maison of Engadine High School, looking over a crowd of family, friends, and community members who assembled at the school auditorium Friday, June 6, to see off the 19- member Class of 2008.

The group, to disperse throughout Michigan in pursuit of college degrees and skilled trades, spoke of leaving behind their rural high school in the mid-Upper Peninsula, and while graduates said they have eagerly awaited the chance to explore new places, meet new people, and take on new challenges, senior John Troyer summed up the general sentiment of his classmates.

Just before commencement, secretary Lesa Baker of Engadine Consolidated Schools places green and gold honor cords on graduate John Troyer Friday, June 6. The cords signify his achievement of highest academic honors. Engadine, he said, will always be a place full of memories.

In teal and blue caps and gowns, the seniors took the stage, accepted their diplomas, and shook the hands of School Board President Tracy Germain and Superintendent Stu Hobbs. Several gave a final hug to Mr. Hobbs.

The seniors heard the advice of keynote speaker Donald Butkovich, a district employee of 29 years who has developed a rapport with students, and who cited key words for them to ponder: confidence, determination, direction, challenge, attitude, regress, and respect.

He encouraged the graduates to take pride in themselves and to "let that confidence..flow out into the world." From confidence comes determination, and determination leads to success, he said. Mr. Butkovich focused on the need to find direction in life, and the equally important ability to change direction, if necessary.

Valedictorian Samantha Dunne and Cody Mischel pause for a photo, just before being graduated from Engadine High School Friday, June 6. Miss Dunne plans to pursue a degree in environmental chemistry. Mr. Mischel will study chemical engineering. "Have a plan, look ahead, and have a vision of what you want or need to do to be successful," he said, however, "it is all right to change plans along the way; most of you will. Do not be afraid of change...and don't look back."

A positive attitude, critical to maintaining versatility and facing challenges, "is the most important element in your life," he added.

Mr. Butkovich acknowledge that there will be times when the seniors will feel they have regressed, hit road blocks, and faced unfairness.

"Look ahead, regroup, and continue to pursue your dreams," he said.

He asked the seniors to look upon others with respect. The erosion of respect for individuals and institutions among youth has become a "frustrating trend" that he called on the graduates to correct. Under his direction, in unison, the Class of 2008 stood and thanked the community that had assembled to show respect for them.

Salutatorian Jamie Maison (left) and Tristina Browning prepare for graduation at Engadine High School Friday, June 6. Miss Maison plans to attend Northern Michigan University, and Miss Browning plans to attend Wayne State University. Both said they will miss the Engadine community. Miss Maison reflected on the playful antics of her peers throughout high school, which, for her, had passed quickly.

"Now all of a sudden we are getting ready to go our separate ways and take on the world with all of its responsibilities," she said. "Please remember, graduates, that this life is now completely ours to pick and choose how we want to live ...I wish you all the very best of luck as you walk out these doors."

In her address, valedictorian Samantha Dunne quoted Lewis Carroll, author of "Alice in Wonderland."

"'Now see here,'" she said. "'You see it takes all the running you can do, to keep in the same place. If you want to get somewhere else, you must run at least twice as fast as that.'"

The message, she explained, applies to all of her classmates, whether they seek to advance themselves through skilled trades, college degrees, or by going directly into the workforce.

Miss Dunne called on the seniors to face the world with courage.

"We have already proven we can achieve...remember as the memories of your time in high school fade, you were successful here. Use that as motivation toward achieving success in the real world. Each one of us has succeeded before, and can do it again."

Engadine's graduates will enter fields as diverse as welding and chemical engineering. Several will pursue degrees at schools such as Northern Michigan University, Kirtland Community College, Delta College, Wayne State University, and Michigan Technological University.

The seniors gathered approximately $75,000 in private and government scholarships, for the upcoming school year, teacher and counselor Rae Klobucher. Several were local awards.

For their final performance as members of the Engadine High School Band, the seniors played Klaus Badelt's "Pirates of the Caribbean: Curse of the Black Pearl," for the assembly. Anostalgic slide show depicted the graduates' years in school, and as the seniors took in their final moments of high school, the band played "Gates of Freedom," by Robert Thurston.

The following seniors earned diplomas from Engadine Consolidated Schools: Michael S. Bennett***, Dennis Borowski, Tristina M. Browning**, Katelyn A. Buckholz, Tara E. Burke, Nathan E. Butkovich, Samantha G. Dunne+***, LeAnn Gribbell**, Christopher W. Keller, Jamie L. Maison^***, Michael D. Mast, Cody W. Mischel***, Joseph J. Patrow, Andrew D. Reed, Shauni A. Rutledge, Carrie E. Sadler, Tiajanna M. Sherbrook, John J. Troyer***, and Joel R. VanHise*.

(*Signifies honors, a 3.0 to 3.32 GPA; **signifies high honors, a 3.33 to 3.66 GPA; *** signifies highest honors, a 3.67 to 4.0 GPA; + denotes valedictorian, ^ denotes salutatorian.)

Scholarships Announced

The following scholarships were given out at Engadine Consolidated Schools graduation ceremony Friday, June 6.

Tahquamenon Area Credit Union Scholarship for $500: Jamie Maison

American Legion Scholarship for $500: Shauni Rutledge

Mackinac County 4-H Council Scholarship for $250: Carrie Sadler

James G. Brownson Memorial Scholarship for $500: John Troyer

Marc David Carlson Scholarship for $400: Michael Bennett

Ross H. Freeman Memorial Scholarship: $2,000 Samantha Dunne, $300 Cody Mischel

Ernest D. and Vides King Scholarship: $500 Tristina Browning, $500 Shauni Rutledge, $500 John Troyer, $250 Carrie Sadler

Fred and Pauline Lehnertz Scholarship: $1,000 Jamie Maison, $600 Michael Bennett, $500 LeAnn Gribbell, $500 Joel VanHise, $200 Tristina Browning

Foundation for Educational Excellence Scholarship: $500 LeAnn Gribbell, $500 Joel VanHise

Cloverland Electric Raffle Scholarship for $250: Cody Mischel

Dorren Matachinski Scholarship for $250: Shauni Rutledge and John Troyer

Helen Newberry Joy Hospital 2008 Health Career Scholarship for $300: Shauni Rutledge, John Troyer, and Joel VanHise

Mason Scholarship from McMillan Lodge for $1,000: Cody Mischel

Sam Walton Community Scholarship from Wal-Mart for $1,000: Michael Bennett

TransCanada Pipeline Scholarship for $1,000: Michael Bennett

Gleaner Scholarship for $1,000: Michael Bennett

Jilbert's Dairy Outstanding Teen Search Scholarship for $500: Tristina Browning

Eastern Upper Peninsula Intermediate School District Schoolwires Scholarship for $250: John Troyer

St. Norbert College John F. Kennedy Scholarship for $28,000: John Troyer

Michigan Technological University Charles L. Lawton Memorial Endowed Scholarship for $2,000: Cody Mischel

Presidential Distinction Scholarship for $2,000: Cody Mischel

Presidential Distinction Scholarship for $2,000: Samantha Dunne

Michigan Competitive Scholarship: Michael Bennett, Samantha Dunne, Jamie Maison, and Cody Mischel

Michigan Promise Scholarship: Michael Bennett, Tara Burke, Samantha Dunne, LeAnn Gribbell, Jamie Maison, Cody Mischel, and Tiajanna Sherbrook.