A local motocross rider will compete in a prominent event this weekend. And a recent injury won’t stop him.
Austin Schiermeister, a 2014 graduate of St. Maries High School, was invited to compete in the X Games in Austin, Texas. The X Games are June 4-7. Mr. Schiermeister will race in the pro-class June 5.
“It’s pretty much like the Olympics, but all of the motor sports,” he said. “There are bicycles, skateboards, rally cars, dirt bikes, Endurocross and more.”
Austin Schiermeister has been invited to compete at the X Games in Texas. He will compete in the pro-class for endurocross June 5.
To compete, a rider must be invited, Mr. Schiermeister said. This is the first time he has ever been invited to compete at the event.
“I’m really excited,” Mr. Schiermeister said. “I’m very excited to go down and see it. I’ve never been to the X Games or even been down to watch.”
Mr. Schiermeister earned his invitation by competing in the AMA Endurocross circuit. Throughout the circuit, riders earn points by competing at various races. Mr. Schiermeister was able to compete at two AMA events this season: the first was March 23 in Salt Lake City and the second was May 1 in Las Vegas.
At the Salt Lake City event, Mr. Schiermeister was sixth in the qualifier for the pro-class and fourth in the amateur open class. He took sixth in the qualifier for the pro-class in Las Vegas and was second in the amateur open class. The finishes ranked Mr. Schiermeister 24th out of 41 racers.
Mr. Schiermeister said usually the top 22 racers are invited to compete at the X Games. However, when someone is unable to go organizers continue down the list.
Big-time Endurocross racers will be at the event this weekend, Mr. Schiermeister said, including Colton Haaker, Cody Webb and Destry Abbott.
As he prepares for the competition, Mr. Schiermeister said he hasn’t put in as much riding as he would like. He fractured the top of his foot about two weeks ago riding at Orofino.
“I’ve been getting on a stationary bike, trying to keep my stamina up,” he said. “I’ve also been working on my bike. There’s been a lot of work to do.”
Mr. Schiermeister has raced since he was six years old. He got his first bike for his fifth birthday.
Austin Schiermeister
“I love the thrill of seeing new things and competing,” he said. “There’s always a chance to get better.”
Mr. Schiermeister said he would love to race professionally. He thanked his family, friends and girlfriend for their support. He also thanked all of his sponsors including SXS Slideplates, Tim Schiermeister Trucking, Masterson Construction, EKS Brand, Lucas Oil and the 127 Shop.
His mom, Candi Schiermeister, added the whole family is proud of Mr. Schiermeister for his accomplishments.
“This is not only a dream of Austin’s but for his whole family,” she said. “We have watched him work so hard for this. Hard work, dedication, the will, the strength and the heart.”
Fifteen days before accepting her high school diploma, Rhegan Humphrey walked across the stage at North Idaho College and received a college degree.
The St. Maries senior had been working toward the associate’s degree since her sophomore year of high school.
Rhegan Humphrey graduated from North Idaho College with her associate’s degree 15 days before receiving her high school diploma from St. Maries High School.
“It was really rewarding because this is something I had been planning for awhile,” Rhegan said. “It was a pretty new program when I started and I was pretty excited it all worked out and I was able to achieve my goal.”
Rhegan earned 65 college credits to obtain the associate’s degree all while working toward the high school diploma as well.
“I enjoy challenges and wanted to challenge myself,” Rhegan said. “I also enjoy learning.”
While some of the college credits counted toward the 49 credits required to graduate high school not all did. Rhegan admitted it took “a lot of hard work, time and dedication” and “a lot of planning” to achieve what she wanted as a dual-enrollment student.
“I definitely think this is something for students to consider,” she said. “It can give you a definite head start in your education.”
With her general classes finished, Rhegan expects to be able to immediately begin classes related to her field of study when she transfers to Lewis Clark State College to study pre-med.
“It is hard to say how long I will be there because I don’t know how it will map out yet,” she added. “But I don’t think I will be there a full four years.”
Rhegan thanked several of her teachers and advisors at St. Maries High School for supporting her and helping her to succeed including Merri Jo Gilmore, Ashley Tate, Megan Sindt, Jim Broyles, Kippy Silflow, Loy Felix and Kathy Kahn. She also thanked her family for their support.
“I hope this opens up the opportunity for others students from St. Maries to be able to this program as well,” Rhegan added.
Rhegan is the daughter of Darcy and Dale Humphrey of St. Maries.
A second grader at UpRiver School earned a first place finish in the 2015 PBS Kids Writers Contest.
This is the second time Cody Loe has placed in the contest for northern Idaho. He earned a third place finish last year as a first grader.
Cody Loe is pictured with Molly, left, his family’s Beagle, and Jake, right, his cousin’s Beagle. Cody’s story about the two Beagles who fight crime was the first place winner of the Idaho Public Television’s writing contest. His story, complete with illustrations, will compete at the national level.
When asked if he was excited, Cody replied, “Oh yeah.”
“I wasn’t really expecting anything,” he said.
This year’s story was a tale of two beagles that fight crime. Cody’s characters included his own beagle, Molly, and his cousin’s beagle, Jake. Cody also illustrated the book, drawing pictures for different scenes from his story. His third place story last year also featured Molly as a character.
“So Molly is famous twice and Jake is famous once,” Cody said.
When it comes to writing, Cody said at first he hesitates, but once a story gets started it’s hard for him to stop writing until it is finished. He wrote his winning story, The Super Beagles, in February.
“I like to use my imagination,” he said. “I like using my own thoughts not one from other people.”
As the second grade winner, Cody and other grade level winners were honored at BookPeople in Moscow May 9. Not only was he able to read his story to the audience, but Cody received a prize package that included a certificate, books, gift cards, pens and more. Cody’s story will also be published online in June at www.idahoptv.org/kids.
“I get to be famous for a year,” Cody said. “All the kids really admire me.”
Cody’s teacher sent the information home with students and then they decide if they want to enter the contest. Cody says he definately will enter next year’s contest and plans to continue writing.
Cody’s winning story was sent on to the national level as well. The results from the national competition will be available in July.
Cody is the son of Bobby and Calandra Loe of Fernwood.
Fallen soldiers will be remembered this weekend.
Memorial Day services have been scheduled in St. Maries and on the west side of the county.
Services in St. Maries will be conducted by American Legion Post 25. The Coeur d’Alene Tribal Warriors Society Post 5 and American Legion Post 69 will conduct services in Plummer, DeSmet and Worley.
Judd Wilson, far right, will be the guest speaker at the Memorial Day ceremony in St. Maries Sunday, May 24. Mr. Wilson is pictured with (from left) Jim Shubert, Donna and George Pfeifer. The day’s ceremony starts at 1 p.m. and is conducted by American Legion Post 25 and Ladies Auxiliary Unit 25 at the Benewah County Veterans Memorial.
Members of the St. Maries community are invited to attend Memorial Day services at 1 p.m. Sunday, May 24, at the Benewah County Veterans Memorial in Woodlawn Cemetery. Veterans who want to take part in the ceremony should meet at noon at the Elks Lodge.
Residents are invited to help Heyburn Elementary fifth graders place flags on the graves of those who served in the military at 12:30 p.m. tomorrow, Thursday, May 21, at Woodlawn Cemetery. Jim Shubert said veterans who plan to help should arrive at noon.
“We are really hoping for a good turnout from both veterans and members of the public,” Mr. Shubert added. “It is a great way to honor those who have served.”
Judd Wilson, who served in the Marine Corps from 2005 to 2009, will speak at Sunday’s ceremony.
Mr. Wilson served as a public affairs officer with Marine Corps Bases Japan/III Marine Expeditionary Force from 2006 to 2008. He also served with Multi-National Corps – Iraq, located at Camp Victory in Baghdad in 2007. Mr. Wilson’s final promotion earned him the rank of captain.
“I’m grateful for the opportunity to speak at this year’s service. Memorial Day is a time to remember our fallen and re-dedicate ourselves to what they lived and died for: the American people,” Mr. Wilson said.
During Sunday’s ceremony in St. Maries, John Ausmus will read poetry and the Ladies Auxiliary Unit 25 will present a wreath. Mr. Shubert said the names of all the veterans who have died since last year’s Memorial Day ceremony will be read.
Services will be held in Plummer, DeSmet and Worley Monday, May 25.
Veterans who would like to participate in rendering services should meet at Plummer City Hall at 9 a.m. The first service will be conducted near the American Legion building at about 9:15 a.m.
From there, the veterans will be at the Plummer Cemetery between 9:30 and 10 a.m. A ceremony will take place at 11 a.m. at the DeSmet Cemetery; at 11:45 a.m. at the Tribal Memorial in Plummer; at 12 p.m. at the tribal cemetery in Worley; and finally at 12:30 p.m. the veterans will be at the Worley Cemetery.
The Michael Family Memorial Lunch will be at 1 p.m. at the longhouse in Worley. It is a meal for veterans and their family members. It is provided by the Coeur d’Alene Tribe and the Coeur d’Alene Tribal Warriors Society Post 5.
“This is a day we should all remember,” John Wheaton, of Post 69, said. “It is important to remember the brave men and women who have given their lives. We should never forget their sacrifice.”
