Earlier this month, Alcona Community Schools proudly hosted the 2026 Alcona High School Senior Awards Night, an evening dedicated to celebrating the outstanding achievements, service, and future aspirations of the graduating Class of 2026. The event highlighted the academic excellence, leadership, and dedication that define this year’s senior class, while honoring their accomplishments and postsecondary goals.
Alcona Community Schools extends our sincere appreciation to all who helped make the evening a meaningful celebration, including the Community Foundation for Northeast Michigan and the Alpena Community College Foundation for their continued partnership in supporting student success. Special thanks are also extended to the 46 scholarship organizations and committees in attendance, whose generosity continues to expand opportunities for Alcona students pursuing postsecondary education, training, and career readiness. In total, 91 scholarships were presented to the Class of 2026, awarding $189,300 in support of students as they pursue their future goals.
The evening included the presentation of several prestigious honors recognizing student achievement, leadership, character, and service. The first recognition was presented to Colin McKenna for enlisting in the United States Army. McKenna enlisted in the United States Army in February and will begin basic training this July at Fort Leonard Wood. He is pursuing a career as a combat medic, combining his commitment to serving others with the discipline and dedication required to support soldiers in critical situations. The award was presented by Board of Education members and veterans Chad Spitznagel and Warren MacNeill, who honored his decision to serve and wished him success as he begins his military career, joining a long tradition of Alcona graduates who have answered the call to serve their country with pride and distinction.
Pictured: Colin McKenna was recognized at Senior Awards Night for enlisting in the United States Army, with the honor presented by Board of Education members and veterans Chad Spitznagel and Warren MacNeill in recognition of his commitment to service and future military career.
The Good Citizen Award, presented in partnership with the National Society Daughters of the American Revolution, honors a senior who exemplifies outstanding citizenship, academic standing, service to others, and commitment to the school and community. This student is actively involved in multiple school and community organizations and demonstrates strong leadership and character. The 2026 Good Citizen Award was presented to Emma Schroeder.
The Student of the Year Award, in partnership with The Alpena News, recognizes one senior who best represents Alcona Community Schools through academic excellence, leadership, and embodiment of the district’s “8 Traits of an Alcona Graduate.” This student exemplifies the district motto of “excellence today and success tomorrow.” The 2026 Student of the Year Award is presented to Emma Schroeder.
Latin Honors are awarded to students who have achieved a cumulative GPA of 3.5 or higher throughout their high school career. These honors include Cum Laude, Magna Cum Laude, and Summa Cum Laude distinctions, recognizing sustained academic excellence. This year’s Latin Honors recipients include: Emma Schroeder, Cole Upper, Addison Beatty, Darren Boyat, Emily Geddert, Matthew Abee, Keegan Ritchie, Lauren Travis, and Anthony Perez.
The Class of 2026 Valedictorian and Salutatorian each achieved Summa Cum Laude distinction and earned the highest academic rankings in the graduating class. Emma Schroeder was honored as the Valedictorian and Cole Upper as the Salutatorian.
The 2026 Athletes of the Year were also announced during Senior Awards Night by Athletic Director Joy Bullis, recognizing senior student-athletes who have participated in two or more varsity sports while maintaining a cumulative GPA of 2.5 or higher. Bullis stated “this honor continues a proud tradition dating back to 1958 for male athletes and 1962 for female athletes, and was reinstated in 2023 to once again celebrate excellence in academics, athletics, leadership, and character. Recipients are selected through a vote of head coaches, who consider varsity letters earned, academic achievement, athletic performance, and community involvement.”
The male Athlete of the Year, Cole Upper, has distinguished himself as a four-year Principal’s Honor Roll student and recipient of the College Board National Recognition Award, as well as a member of the National Honor Society. He actively serves his community through Coffee Veterans, volunteering with Alcona County Recycling, and more. On the field and track, he has earned numerous accolades including Academic All-State honors in cross country and track and field, Academic All-Conference recognition in soccer, and North Star League Scholar Athlete awards. His athletic achievements also include multiple All-Conference honors in soccer, basketball, and track events, along with All-District, All-Region, and State Qualifier honors across cross country, hurdles, and pole vault. With continued success in the current track season, he remains focused on breaking school records and has earned recognition on the 2026 MITCA Division 4 Watchlist for Mr. Track and Field.
The female Athlete of the Year, Addison Beatty, has demonstrated exceptional excellence across academics, leadership, and athletics. She is a multi-year Academic All-State honoree in volleyball, track and field, and cross country, a North Star League Scholar Athlete, and a two-year team captain. In volleyball, she has earned All-Conference and All-Region honors while helping lead her team as a standout middle blocker/defensive specialist and setting school records for most kills in a season and career. In softball, she has earned All-Conference and All-Region recognition as an outfielder, and in track and field she has excelled as one of the program’s most accomplished athletes, earning multiple All-Conference, All-Region, and All-State honors in sprint and field events. She is also a school record holder in the high jump, long jump, and 100-meter dash, was named the 2025 Meet of Champions Female Athlete of the Meet, and continues to pursue additional records in her final season. She has also been recognized on the 2026 MITCA Division 4 Watchlist for Ms. Track and Field.
Arthur Good was honored as the 2026 recipient of the Alcona Community Schools Distinguished Alumni Award during the Class of 2026 Senior Awards Night. A graduate of the Class of 1963, Good was honored posthumously for his extraordinary lifetime of service to Alcona Community Schools and the greater Alcona County community. For more than 56 years he served the district as a bus mechanic, substitute bus driver, and dedicated volunteer with the Alcona FFA Maple Syrup Production program, contributing thousands of hours supporting students in hands-on learning experiences. Known for his humility, dependability, and commitment to helping others, Good leaves a lasting legacy of service and community impact. His family accepted the award on his behalf during the ceremony.
Scholarship Coordinator, Helen-Ann Cordes stated “each year, the Senior Awards Night highlights the remarkable generosity of our community and the many organizations committed to investing in the future of Alcona students. The following scholarships represent a wide range of local, regional, and organizational support, each one recognizing student achievement, character, leadership, and potential. We are deeply grateful to every donor and scholarship committee whose contributions help make postsecondary education, training, and career readiness more accessible for students at Alcona Community Schools."
Alcona Community Schools and Community Scholarships: $75,750 Awarded
Alcona 4-H Advisory Council Scholarship
Alcona Classic Tractor & Engine Club Scholarship in Memory of Marlena Hawes
Alcona Community Schools Class of 1979 Memorial Scholarship
Alcona Community Schools Recognition Scholarship
Alcona Council #4235 Knights of Columbus: Wayne Siebert Memorial Scholarship
Alcona Education Association Scholarship
Alcona Lions Club Trade Scholarship
Alcona Masonic Lodge #292 Foundation Scholarship
Alcona Schools Alumni Scholarship
Alpena Alcona Area Credit Union Scholarship
Barton City Eagles 4141 Aerie Scholarship
Barton City Eagles 4141 Auxiliary Scholarship
Barton City Improvement Association Scholarship
David Somers Athletic Scholarship
Dirt Inc. Scholarship
Francis and Robert Darnton Scholarship
Harrisville Lions Club Scholarship
Jacqueline L. Kelly Memorial Scholarship
Jason R. Prince Memorial Scholarship
Les Thomas Sr. Community Service Scholarship
Lilley-McDougall Scholarship
Lincoln Lions Memorial Scholarship
Mikado American Legion Auxiliary Post 254 Scholarship
Mikado American Legion Post 254 Scholarship
Mikado Goodfellows Scholarship
New Life Lutheran Scholarship
North Country Heavy Equipment School Scholarship
Northland Area Federal Credit Union Jerry Erickson Scholarship
Spruce Presbyterian Church Scholarship
Stu’s Crew, Inc. Memorial Scholarship
Tawas Elks Most Valuable Student Scholarship
Alpena Community College Foundation Scholarship: $250 Awarded
Knowledge Bowl Scholarship
Pictured: Emma Schroeder was recognized at Senior Awards Night as the recipient of the Alpena Community College Foundation Knowledge Bowl Scholarship, presented by Dr. Don MacMaster, President of Alpena Community College, on behalf of the ACC Foundation. The scholarship, established through the Foundation’s support of the WBKB-TV Knowledge Bowl competition, recognizes students on both the regional first-place and runner-up teams for their academic excellence and achievement. This year, the Alcona High School Knowledge Bowl Team earned a second-place finish at the regional competition, continuing a strong tradition of academic success and teamwork.
Community Foundation for Northeast Michigan Scholarships: $113,300 Awarded
Alcona FFA Alumni & Supporters Scholarship
Alice Award
Alvin B. Somers Scholarship
Dee Brown Perry Scholarship
Eugene Nemeth Scholarship
Helen Sanecki Scholarship
Henry Sanecki Scholarship
James H. Cook Scholarship
Jean Sanborn Memorial Scholarship
Kameron Sherwood Memorial Golf Scholarship
Michael S. Crick Scholarship
Phil and Keith Kruttlin Scholarship
Rhonda Blohm Memorial Scholarship
Samuel & Marion Briggs Lilley Memorial Scholarship II
Pictured: Dr. John MacMaster presented scholarships on behalf of the Community Foundation for Northeast Michigan at Senior Awards Night. Pictured is Makayla Prince accepting the Helen Sanecki Scholarship from Dr. MacMaster; which supports female graduates of Alcona High School who plan to pursue careers in education or high school counseling.
Alcona Community Schools wishes to express a special thank you to everyone that made our Class of 2026 Senior Awards Night a success. Individuals and organizations interested in establishing or reinstating a scholarship are encouraged to partner with Alcona Community Schools to honor graduating seniors at Senior Awards Night. Scholarships provide a meaningful opportunity to recognize students who have gone above and beyond while offering financial support as they pursue postsecondary education, training, or career pathways. To assist new and returning scholarship committees, Alcona High School provides guidance on application design, eligibility criteria, and selection requirements to ensure each scholarship aligns with the goals of the donor while maintaining a fair and accessible process for students. For organizations interested in starting a new scholarship or presenting their existing scholarship at Alcona Community Schools Senior Awards Night in 2027, please contact Helen-Ann Cordes.
The district extends its best wishes to all graduating seniors as they move forward into higher education, military service, and careers, carrying with them the values and traditions of Alcona Community Schools. For questions about Alcona Community Schools Senior Awards Nights or to start a scholarship please contact cordesh@alconaschools.net or 989-736-8534.