Mercer Island High School students John Mackenzie “Mac” Kern and Sara Behnke were honored at a recent Rotary luncheon as April “Islanders of the Month.”

Kern, the son of John and Susie Kern, is a member of the National Honor Society and a Bridges2 leader.

Kern is also an active member of the United States Figure Skating Association, and a national competitor in men’s singles and pairs. He placed first on the Northwest Pacific Regional competition in pairs for the 2004-2005 season, and was nationally ranked sixth for intermediate pairs with partner Jean Fujimoto. He has been active in the high school’s theater program, acting in three productions and working in costume and set design.

Kern was the Mercer Island Beach Club assistant diving coach. His hobby is flying. He received his private pilot’s license in April of last year and has participated in the Wings Aloft Flying Club. He also enjoys architecture, sketching and painting. He plans to attend Duke University and continue skating competitively

Behnke, the daughter of Lance and Ramona Behnke, is a member of the National Honor Society and Senior Service Club. She has been a Bridges leader and is a National Merit commended scholar. She also has been a section leader in the Mercer Island High School Band, playing French horn.

Her community and church activities include working as a youth naturalist at the Seattle Aquarium, attending girls camps for the past six years, working with the Girl Scouts, where she was the recipient of the Gold Award, and volunteering as team captain of the Relay for Life.

She received Young Womanhood recognition for her work in the Latter-day Saints Youth Group, and was seminary class president. Her hobbies are reading, hiking and baking. She plans to attend Brigham Young University.