Bergren sisters named as October Elks Student of the Month

Posted by Ken Grabowski, Manistee News Advocate

MANISTEE — The Manistee Elks Lodge #250 proudly announced that Onekama High School seniors Elizabeth and Emily Bergren have been named as the October Students of the Month.

Each month the local Elks club honors two students from Manistee or Benzie counties as its students of the month. Students are selected for the honor based on character, school and community service and scholastic achievement.

Emily and Elizabeth are the twin daughters of Ed and Mary Bergren of Manistee. They have been active in many things during their time as students at Onekama Consolidated Schools.

Emily has a 3.83 grade point average and spent 13 years in Girl Scouts earning the Gold Award and serving on the Mackinac Island Honor Scouts. Other community service events she has taken part in include petunia planting in Onekama, Arbor Day Tree planting, tutoring seventh grade students and working with the Manistee County Sport Fishing Association. At church she has served as a Sunday school teacher, acolyte, usher and coffee hour host

Emily Bergren

During her time at Onekama Schools she has been a stage manager for the co-operative drama production; on prom committee set-up; involved with volleyball, cheerleading, softball (varsity and summer league); an umpire for T-ball; on the yearbook staff, for picture organization and a volunteer on an organized presentation by the health department for sexual education.

Onekama science teacher Jim Hunter spoke highly of Bergren and the qualities she has shown as a student.

“I have had Emily as a student in several classes over the past four years and during this time I have found her to be focused, very talented and one of the nicest students I have ever had the good fortune to work with,” Hunter said. “Emily is well rounded. She is active in athletics, service organizations, school organizations and Girl Scouts, to name a few areas. She does an incredible job of managing her time and her school work never suffers despite her deep involvement with these other commitments.”

In her application on responding why she would be worthy of the Student of the Month honor, Bergren said, “I know that I am worthy of this recognition. Not only do I succeed in academics and extra curricular activities, I am active in my church, in girl scouts, and I volunteer on a regular basis. I strive to succeed and excel in everything I do.”

Her sister Elizabeth has a 4.0 average at Onekama Schools and has been very active in many community activities. She has been a Girl Scouts for 13 years winning a Gold Award and serving as a Mackinac Island Honor Scout.

Elizabeth Bergren

Elizabeth has worked as volunteer on blood drives, food pantries, the Onekama Sports Boosters Picnic in the Park, the Portage Lake Association pig roast and at the Portager Fun Night. She also assisted in Manistee County Sport Fishing Association activities.

During her time at Onekama Schools she was active in volleyball, cheerleading, golf, softball, swimming, National Honor Society (president), student council (treasurer), class president, prom committee and Quiz Bowl, Portage Lake Association Journalist and co-operative drama program.

Onekama athletic director Mary Jo Zadow said Elizabeth has been a student of hers for six years and has found her to be outstanding in and out of the classroom.

“I have always found her to be a very personable, responsible and respectful young woman,” said Zadow. “She possesses the three “D” attributes for success: direction, determination and dedication. Elizabeth is a very self-directed young woman, who demonstrates a ‘finish what she begins attitude’ in everything she attempts.”

Bergren said she has a strong desire to help others. She also possesses a never-give-up attitude.

“I believe in helping others who are less fortunate than me,” said Bergren. “I work blood drives and I donate. I work the food pantry and Safe Harbor (a church organization that provides a place to sleep for the homeless). I am as stubborn as a bull as the first year I applied for to Mackinac Island Honor Scouts I was shot down, but the next year I came back and got in and the girls I met are some of the greatest people I know.”

Posted by Ken Grabowski, Manistee News Advocate