Michelle DesMarais Darnell - Class of 2015

Michelle “Micki” DesMarais Darnell, class of 2002, was born to Robert (now deceased) and Jonell DesMarais of Rathdrum, Idaho.  She has one brother, Jacques DesMarais.  Jacques is also a graduate of Lakeland. 

While at Lakeland, Micki participated in 4 years of varsity basketball, 3 years of varsity soccer, and 4 years of track and field.  Her high school athletic and academic awards include:  2002 graduation class co-salutatorian

Basketball:

• Team record during the 4 years competing:  81 wins/11 losses
• 2-time Idaho State Champions (2A and 3A)
• 4-time Intermountain league champions
• 3-time IML district tournament champions
• 2001-2002 Idaho state Most Valuable Player (3A)
• 4-time All-Intermountain league
• 2002 IML Most Valuable Player
• 2-time All-state basketball first team selection
• 3-time All-North Idaho first team selection
• 2^nd team McDonald’s All American women’s basketball 2001-2002
• Varsity girls basketball Most Inspirational Player 1998
• 3-time varsity girls basketball MVP  1999-2002
• First women’s basketball player to reach 1,000 career points.  Was all time point leader for women’s basketball at Lakeland
• 2-time Jack Blair Idaho/Washington All Star selection

Track:

• 3A Idaho state team champions 2002, 3A state champion - discus 2002, placed at state in shotput 2002, 2-time 3A team IML district champions, school record holder in discus and 4x1 relay

Soccer:

• 2-time team MVP, was all time leader in career goals for Lakeland High School women’s soccer

College academic and athletic awards:

• Graduated Suma Cum Laude, 2006
• Played women’s basketball for 2 seasons at Whitworth –  Most Inspirational Player both years

Micki graduated from Whitworth College with a degree in Secondary Education and Kinesiology.  She chose to forego a career in teaching for a career in Outdoor Recreation and Business Management traveling around the country for 8 years pursuing career opportunities and advancements with REI and LL Bean.  She married Steve Darnell and the two of them recently moved to Idaho. 

Micki is currently working for ROW Sea Kayak Adventures, managing the international sea kayaking business.  She loves her job immensely and truly loves helping others discover the passion for traveling and outdoor recreation. She and her husband, Steve, and their dog, Ares, enjoy “all things outdoors” – hiking, camping, bike riding, skiing/snowboarding, kayaking, trail running, walking, gardening, etc.  She and Steve look forward to starting a family in the near future.