News Photo by Crystal Nelson Mackenzie Bruning, 17, of Rogers City, takes down a bulletin board earlier this month at St. John Lutheran School.

ROGERS CITY — When it comes to volunteering, 17-year-old Rogers City resident Mackenzie Bruning goes above and beyond.

The Rogers City Area High School senior has amassed more than 600 volunteer hours in the past four years, though graduating with honors requires only 100 hours.

Bruning volunteers for many organizations, including St. John Lutheran Church and School, the Rogers City Area Senior and Community Center, and the 4-H Summer Rec program, a day program for youth who are in 4-H.

Bruning said she enjoys giving back to the community and has learned a lot from volunteering

“I have really good people skills and I think that’s got a lot to do with it,” she said.

St. John Lutheran School Principal Tonya Langlois, who taught Bruning in sixth, seventh, and eighth grades, said Bruning has always been helpful.

“I’ve known Mackenzie her entire life, and I cannot recall a time when she hasn’t offered to help in some way, shape, or form,” Langlois said. “If she is able, she is helping.”

While Bruning remains interested in volunteering, she said she hasn’t been able to volunteer as often during the coronavirus pandemic.

She said her favorite place to volunteer is at the senior center, but, because of the pandemic, she hasn’t been able to volunteer there.

“It makes them happy, and it brings me joy,” she said.

Langlois said Mackenzie has a connection with her grandparents as well as her great-aunt and great-uncle. So, when it comes to helping seniors, Langlois said, Mackenzie is a natural and can relate with them well.

Bruning said she is already enrolled in Alpena Community College’s pre-nursing program and is taking dual-enrollment classes at the college. She said she eventually would like to get her bachelor’s degree in nursing and possibly become a nurse practitioner.

“You can get a job for that anywhere, and I can use my people skills for that,” she said.