News Photo by Reagan Voetberg Alpena High School Principal Romeo Bourdage smiles along with students on the Knowledge Bowl team on Thursday in the AHS Wildcat Den.

ALPENA — Good news has been a theme at Alpena High School since the start of the 2025 to 2026 school year, and it just keeps getting better.

AHS Principal Romeo Bourdage was recently named one of three finalists for the Michigan Association of Secondary School Principals 2026 Principal of the year award. The other two finalists are David Reese from Southfield High School for the Arts and Technology and Tiela Schurman from Midland High School.

Bourdage’s nomination reflects his joyous and energetic approach to education as well as a special ability to connect with students, parents and the community at large during his 34 years with Alpena Public Schools, a Thursday press release from APS stated. The award will be announced in November.

“There’s only three of us,” Bourdage said about the finalists list. “I thought there would be 10 or 15 … I am totally humbled by the whole thing.”

Bourdage is in his 35th year in the APS system. He has been the principal at AHS for the last three years. Before that, he served as an assistant principal, a counselor, and a teacher. Bourdage received his undergraduate degree from Western Michigan University, his Masters in Counseling from Central Michigan University, and his Ed Specialist from Grand Valley State University.

“When the students that nominated me shared that they were doing it, I was taken aback by it, to be quite honest,” Bourdage said. “It’s probably the greatest honor a principal could receive. At the end of my career, I couldn’t ask for a better recognition.”

The recognition speaks to the culture that Bourdage has been building at the high school along with his team. He wants the environment to be a place where students feel valued and are encouraged to work hard.

Bourdage is also a graduate of Alpena High School.

“I’ve truly been a Wildcat my entire life,” he said. “I loved high school. To help guide it has been a treasure.”

He said being with Alpena Public Schools has been rewarding.

“In 34 years what I walk away with is a wealth of love, respect, and the epitome that you can actually make a difference in people’s lives,” Bourdage said.

Reagan Voetberg can be reached at 989-358-5683 or rvoetberg@TheAlpenaNews.com.