COEUR d'ALENE - Last year, the bike aid station captained by James Clark was voted the best of the Ford Ironman Coeur d'Alene.

This year, he says the station at Honeysuckle and Fourth will be even more spirited, with even more meaning.

"It's an awesome time," he said.

Clark and crew have raised about $5,000 for local youth sports through their volunteer efforts with Ironman in the past four years. They would love to raise as much as possible this year, with proceeds going to the Michelle Bonasera Memorial Scholarship.

The 19-year-old Coeur d'Alene High School graduate died in February when her vehicle went off the road when she was returning to the University of Idaho.

Clark's son Connor, was good friends with Michelle's younger brother, Blake, and James Clark also knew Michelle.

This year, they decided to donate funds to her memorial scholarship.

"We thought, 'This is a great cause,'" he said.

Their aid station, with 90 volunteers, is already full. They do more than hand out sports drinks and energy bars. They make a party of it, with music, a barbecue and cheerleaders for the cyclists.

"We make it really fun out there," said Clark, who will arrive at 5 a.m. Sunday to begin setting up for station. "But they're also working their butts off."

They'll be doing it in honor of the Michelle Bonasera Memorial Scholarship. So far, it has about $8,000. Once it reaches $25,000, it will be distributed in annual $1,000 scholarships to UI students.

Michelle's mom, Vicki Bonasera, said many remember and miss Michelle.

Vicki said customers come to their shop, Bonasera Mobile Repair in Hayden operated by husband Dave Bonasera, and donate to the scholarship.

"Absolutely amazing," she said. "We only have our memories of her and this to keep us going."

She said her daughter was outgoing, energetic and genuine, with a heart to help others do their best.

"She was always out there rooting for everybody," Vicki said.

At only 5-1, she still excelled at volleyball, was athletic and wanted to be a physical therapist. She worked the snack shack at the Boardwalk Marina and no matter what the task, wasn't satisfied unless the job was well done.

"She was always happy and smiling and worked so hard," her mom said.

More than 700 attended her memorial service.

Michelle, she said, was beautiful, with sparking eyes and a brilliant smile. She was stubborn, ornery and sweet all in one. She liked to cheer for the Ironman competitors.

"She was very true. If you met Michelle, you knew Michelle," Vicki said. "She didn't have a fake bone in her body."

James Clark recalled the weekend Michelle was leaving to return to classes at UI.

He said he gave her a hug that morning, and later, his son came into his room and told him what happened, that Michelle had died in a crash.

"It just hit home how vulnerable anybody can be. It made me realize how precious life is," Clark said.

"I couldn't even put into words how I felt for Dave and Vicki."

He's hoping to create more exposure and support for the Michelle Bonasera Memorial Scholarship. Michelle, he said, was unforgettable.

"I want to do what we can," he said.