SAC Honors 108 Scholar Athletes During Awards Banquet at St. Ignace
By David Latva

LaSalle High School scholar athletes include (front row, from left) Caysey Brown, Ashly Peterson, Jessica Massaway, Jodie Langstaff, guest speaker Bill Bourdalis, Audrey Wyers, Erin Patti, Alyssa Pechta, Colleen St. Onge; (back row) Athletic Director Marty Spencer, Cody Sturm, Nick Montie, Shane Spring, Brendon Steiner, Shawn Cowell, and Principal Don Gustafson.

As many as 108 athletes from the six-member Straits Area Conference were honored during the fourth annual conference awards banquet at Little Bear East Conference Center in St. Ignace Monday, April 14.

George Dugan and his Rudyard Jazz Band entertained the large crowd of scholar athletes, parents, and guests with musical entertainment prior to the awards banquet.

The criteria for the award is that seniors must have accumulated a 3.25 grade point average and have earned a varsity letter in their junior or senior year. Thirteen students from St. Ignace did so, as well as 16 from Rudyard, 14 from Newberry, 23 from Sault Ste. Marie, 21 from Rogers City, and 21 from Cheboygan. All were acknowledged and presented medals and certificates from their respective athletic directors and principals.

Rudyard High School scholar athletes include (front row, from left) Brittany Gibson, Allyson Markstrom, Cara VanDusen, guest speaker Bill Bourdalis, Katelyn Meehan, Chelsea Mesnard; (back row) Athletic Director and Principal David McLoughlin, C.J. Raffaele, Isiah Otten, Tony Falbo, Craig Wallis, George Kinsella, and Brant Brown. Missing from the photograph are Robert English, Pete Lawlor, Paul DeWeese, Travis Johnson, and Jessica Loonsfoot.

Scholar athlete Jim Bourdalis, a 2003 graduate of Newberry High School, was the guest speaker. The former Ferris State University football standout spoke about his life and education and how each person will have to make decisions.

"Define where you want to be in five, 10, 15, and 20 years, learn from someone you meet during your lifetime, and do things for yourself," he advised.

"My life changed three years ago when my brother Jim, 10 months older, and I were in an automobile accident and Jim became paralyzed from the neck down," said Mr. Bourdalis. "I put my faith in God and whatever happens there is a reason.

Newberry High School scholar athletes include (front row, from left) Athletic Director Fred Byrant, Andera Volz, Katie Moulton, guest speaker Bill Bourdalis, Sarah LeJack, Stephanie Marchese, Abigail Cook, principal Bryan DeAugustine; (back row) Zachary Sorelle, Riley Fair, Jordan Paulson, Troy Earls, and Lars Engman. Missing from the photograph are Cassandra Radka, Chelsea Blankinship, Katrina Qaryouti, and Barbra Marsh.

"Do your best and help people along the way," he continued. "You will get knocked down, so pick yourself up, and don't take things for granted. God has a plan for every one of us. It may be different from what we want, but God's plan is a better plan."

Mr. Bourdalis also spoke about his inspirations for his own future.

"I hope to be selected in the upcoming National Football League draft, but if football doesn't work I still have my bachelor's degree in construction management to use," he said. "Jim is my biggest supporter and the main reason for my dream to play professional football."

George Dugan directs the Rudyard High School Jazz Band before the SAC Scholar Athletic Banquet held at the Little Bear East Arena.

Bourdalis' Football Career

Resume Bourdalis' honors with the Ferris State's football program include All-Great Lakes Interscholastic Athletic Conference (GLIAC) Academic honors, first team All-GLIAC, team captain, all-northwest region team, Division II All-Star game, All- American, and most valuable offensive lineman.

traveling Governing Board Academic Excellence Cup to Pat Lamb, athletic director at Rogers City High School for the Hurons, for the team's overall academic achievement based on testing from their junior year.