BONNERS FERRY — Bonners Ferry High School student Michael Cardinal, who just graduated, also became the first student here to graduate with an associate’s degree at virtually the same time from North Idaho College. He graduated NIC on May 17, and from BFHS on June 1.

“We are all so proud of him,” said his mother, Jennifer Bonar. “He is an A student and he received scholarships including a full ride ROTC scholarship, which he turned down. He decided that the army wasn’t for him.”

Cardinal is enrolled at the University of Idaho and will begin school this fall. His plans are to become a high school teacher, with sights set on eventually becoming a college professor.

Cardinal’s successes have come with trials that he has not allowed to set him back. According to his mother, during his freshman year he had suffered health problems that resulted in him having a tumor removed from his hip. Despite that, Cardinal still attended all his soccer practices, as well as the games, even though he was unable to play.

“He lettered in soccer and track in his sophomore and junior years,” Bonar said. “He did not play his senior year because of his heavy academic schedule.”

Cardinal took to the leadership roles, becoming the class president during his sophomore and junior years, and was also the vice president of the drug free youth program. If high school and college were not enough work, Cardinal is also an employee at Super 1 Foods.

With a great start to his life and career, Cardinal has the tools and drive to achieve the goals he has set for himself.