A Cruise for Krew

Krew Hemmert has been through a lot, and there’s undoubtedly a lot more to come at him down the road, but as he goes down it he’ll have support from an entire community.  In recent months cross the valley, the young man from Grace has become a well-known figure.  

Last week, it was the Soda Springs Student Council, Cheerleaders, and Main Street Cruisers’ turn to pitch in.  The event was spearheaded by Degan Stoor and the Student Council, and quickly taken up by the Cruisers.

“It started as a cruise to benefit somebody in town who needed it, and every year it’s happened since.  Student Council spearheaded this one,” said Jennifer Squires, who along with her husband Dan are longtime members of the Main Street Cruisers.  “There are so many people to support—It’s always turned out really awesome.  I hope tonight is amazing.”

The SSHS Student Council set up a donation table near the Firetruck parked in between Soda Sip and Point S Tire, which saw a steady stream of foot and car traffic throughout the evening.  The Soda Springs Cheerleaders set up a bake sale table a bit further west in the parking lot.  As the cruise of vehicles—some classic, some newly minted—drove through the lot, they received a smile and a wave from the Hemmert family, the student council, and the SSHS Cheer team, as well as Krew himself.  

The Student Council has been active in the weeks before school starts, as the new officers start getting familiar with their positions.  This is their first major event of the school year.  Advisor Sherlene Kirby was thrilled to be at the cruise in support of Krew, and has been a strong motivator for SSHS students and the student council over the years.  “This council got the idea and just took it from there,” she said.  

Student Council president Degan Stoor explained, “Ever since we heard he got diagnosed we wanted to do something.  Although he doesn’t go to Soda for school, he’s still part of our community and we just wanted to do something special for him.  Both of his siblings go to school in Soda Springs, and all the money we raise from this and personal donations all go to the Hemmert family for travel and medical expenses.  Soda Sip stayed open late, and all their proceeds from this are going to the family as well. We just wanted to do it so he's not alone, and he knows he has a whole community behind him.”

Degan Stoor presented Krew with a number of gifts on behalf of the student council, including a Lego Camaro set that lit his eyes as soon as he saw it.

Later, he made his way down to the bake sale to get a picture with the Cheer team.  His sister Brynlee teased him that she hasn’t seen him blush like that in a while.

Brynlee attends Soda Springs High School, and she expressed the feelings of a lot of those who stopped to chat in saying, “It’s really amazing how this community—everyone—is coming together for this.  I go to school in Soda, and Krew is in Grace, but people all around the area have really done a lot for him, and it’s cool to see.”

As the cruise continued, Krew took a few trips around the cruise, first in the restored classic 1953 pickup driven by Dan Squires (allegedly rescued from a storage shed in Inkom), and then in a 67 Pontiac Firebird driven by Danny Rasmussen.  

Krew’s dad Kevin piloted a drone over the cruise as it made its way down the road and headed back.  “This is awesome,” he said, as his monitor tracked the line of cars heading down the highway to turn around and come back through the lot.  

Asked about his favorite part of the evening, Krew responded, “Getting to ride in the second car [the Firebird]…I liked how it revved and how fast we went.”  How fast did he think they went?  “I don’t know…we went fast!”  

Krew’s smile was infectious throughout the cruise, and his excitement at cars out in the lineup was palpable.  Asked what he would tell people involved in recent events in his behalf, he said “I would like to thank them.”

He is currently doing home school until his treatments allow him to return to school.  “I’ve been able to get my work done, probably faster than a school day,” he says, slyly.  But unlike a lot of kids, he would like to go back to school.  “I’m hoping to get my levels up so I can start phase 2,” he said.

While facing something as serious as cancer is obviously daunting, it can only be done one moment at a time, and some days are better than others.  Every day is a little easier, though, when a whole community is on board to help.     

 SSHS Student Council for 2024 is composed of: Degan Stoor (President), Ellie Wood (VP), Gracie Moldenhauer(secretary), Mylee White (team leader), Gage Peck(public relations).  Seniors: Rachel Hansen, Rebekah Evans, Colton Crawford. Juniors: Courtnee Gronning, Gimi Sama, Macie Hansen. Sophomores: Landon Moldenhauer, Penny Fullmer.  Freshman: Guy Harris, Taylie Brewer, Kinzley Mumford.  Advisor: Sherlene Kirby.