Yellowstone Times

Max Demarais, an engineering student at Montana State University, has made a significant impact through his resilience and achievements. Demarais, who is 21 years old, has overcome substantial challenges, including the battle with an optic nerve glioma. Despite losing his eye following surgery, he excelled in academics and athletics during high school in Butte, maintaining leadership roles and earning a perfect GPA.

"I worked hard, and it gave me a different perspective on life," Demarais said. "I don’t take anything for granted."

A devoted fan of the MSU Bobcats, Demarais has long been inspired by his father, an alumnus of the business college. He has been attending home football games with his family since childhood and has always had a passion for subjects like math and physics.

Demarais, majoring in construction engineering and technology, currently holds leadership roles in both MSU's Engineering Peer Academic Leaders program and the Associated Schools of Construction regional competition teams. He is a third-year Hilleman Scholar, a program aimed at Montana residents with potential in academics and leadership.

"The Hilleman program is amazing. It has helped me in so many ways," Demarais stated. "It gives students an equal chance who aren’t as fortunate."

His involvement in the scholarship program led to a valuable internship with Condon-Johnson and Associates, where he is hopeful for full-time employment post-graduation. The company's focus on deep foundation drilling aligns well with Demarais's ambitions. His experience at the firm has fostered his independence and work ethic, working on projects in areas such as Big Sky and Jackson Hole.

Carina Beck, director of the MSU Hilleman Scholars program, remarked, "Max is a proud Bobcat and hardworking, deeply thoughtful Hilleman Scholar. He has that natural leadership ethos."

Demarais’s dedication is also noted by Flynn Murray, an MSU engineering professor, who appreciates Demarais's hard work both academically and in the Engineering Peer Academic Leaders club.

Demarais's peers recently won the regional Associated Schools of Construction competition under his leadership. Competing on MSU’s heavy civil construction team, they successfully estimated and bid for a project involving runway expansion in Oahu, Hawaii.

"Outside of an internship, the competition was the most real-world experience," Demarais commented. Winning first place was a surprise, but a welcome one as he looks forward to competing again next year.

"My confidence has grown because I’ve worked so hard for everything," Demarais said. "I truly can’t thank my family enough."