Northern to honor former student

A lot of trees will be planted this week of Arbor Day, but one on the Montana State University-Northern campus will mean more.

Community members will gather Wednesday afternoon at 1 to plant a Japanese red maple near the gymnasium in honor of Shaina Evans, the Northern student and volleyball player who died last June when her car rolled on a state highway.

"It was a difficult year for all of us, " said Bill Huebsch, Evans' former coach, "not nearly as difficult as it was for her family, but we wanted to do something that would honor her memory and be a part of Northern for a long time. "

While it has been a difficult year for her family, Shaina's father Gary Evans of Kalispell, said he was amazed at the support he and his family have received, tree being just the latest example.

"I think coach Huebsch and the MSU-Northern athletics department, the school and community have given overwhelming support, " Evans said. "It's been incredible what they have done for her, when she was only there for two years.

"This is something we never dreamed would have occurred. "

Huebsch said that he, and others, had wanted to plant this tree last fall, when they also retired Shaina's jersey and established a scholarship trust fund in her memory, but ran out of time.

The tree is being donated and planted by Frontier Lawn and Landscape.

Steven Chvilicek, Frontier's owner, said that he wanted to contribute as a way to show support for his old family friends, the Evans'.

"I knew her dad in college. I know her grandpa really well, and I just wanted to be a part of it, " Chvilicek said.