Graduate looks to future

One look at the tan, athletic build of high school senior Mary Ruskovich, and you know she’s an outdoors type of girl.

So it is no surprise her plans include studying wildlife management at the University of Idaho in Moscow or that she wants to work in either a state or national park upon getting her degree.

Ruskovich described rescuing an injured falcon and the subsequent encounter she had with an Idaho Fish and Game officer as cementing her desire to make a difference in wildlife management.

On Thursday, Ruskovich was one of about 40 high school seniors who graduated from the Coeur d’Alene Charter Academy. She has attended the school since the seventh grade.

U.S. history and English composition and language ranked as her favorite classes, in large part because of the efforts of teacher Scott MacPhee.

Over the years, Ruskovich built a number of close friendships with fellow students and teachers.

“She’s a great kid,” Principal Dan Nicklay said, commenting on how much he will miss Ruskovich and her classmates in the halls next year. “She’s got a crazy sense of humor, and she’s very easy to talk to.”

As a sophomore and junior, Ruskovich played tennis. She also is an accomplished illustrator; she illustrated a self-published children’s book by Coeur d’Alene Police Sgt. Christie Wood. Ruskovich now is working on a second book for Wood as well as six other books for another local author.

“I’m working on illustrating a book for my sister and me. She has connections with Putnam Publishing, and we’re hoping to get that published,” she said.

During her senior year, Ruskovich participated in a dual enrollment program where she took a number of classes at North Idaho College. She has received a $2,500 Horatio Alger Scholarship for college.

Ruskovich is the daughter of Margie and Mike Ruskovich. She has two older sisters. The oldest teaches music in Hawaii. The other recently graduated from the University of Montana and will pursue creative writing at the University of New Brunswick. Ruskovich also has a younger brother, who is a freshman at the Academy.

With a cheeky grin and sparkling eyes, Ruskovich has some advice for next year’s students: “Don’t ever give up! Graduation day will come, even though all hope will seem to be lost in about the 10th grade.”