CSC hosts 10th annual Rising Sophomore Ceremony

Dr. Ron K. Patterson, 12th President of Chadron State College, was the keynote speaker for the ceremony.

CSC’s Retention Committee established the Rising Sophomore awards to recognize rising sophomores who excelled in various categories during their first year.

For all photos of honorees see our online gallery.

Awards

The Young Eagle: Sebastian Garcia of Black Hawk, South Dakota

This award is given to the student who has made significant accomplishments as an identified leader on campus during the current academic year. For this award, leadership is measured by effecting positive change on campus.

James H. Powell Jr. Academic Achievement: Blake Bullock of Edgemont, South Dakota

The James H. Powell Jr. Academic Achievement Award recognizes a student who participated in the Transitional Studies Program and has demonstrated excellence within the Transitional Studies courses, programming, and resources to achieve his or her academic goals. This award is accompanied by a $500 scholarship.

Student Peer-Leader of the Year: Hans Bastron of Scottsbluff, Nebraska, and Grant Springer of Valentine, Nebraska

This award recognizes a student who has been an effective peer leader. Peer leaders play a variety of roles, including mentor, teacher, friend, and cheerleader. The recipient of this award uses friendship, experience, expertise, and perspective to promote the individual development of her or his fellow first-year students.

Resident Hall Citizen of the Year: Cora Payne of Utica, Nebraska

This award recognizes one student from the resident halls for outstanding service to her or his floor. The award recipient will have demonstrated engaged citizenship, including leadership, self-governance, and peer accountability. Therefore, this individual is respectful of all members of the community and/or has positively contributed to the Resident Hall organizations. Most importantly, this individual should be a leader and role model for his or her peers and consistently serve her or his community to enact positive changes within it.

Working Eagle: Benjamin Foree of Lincoln, Nebraska, and Morgan Schommer of Oelrichs, South Dakota

The Working Eagle Award recognizes a student who has effectively balanced academics with his or her on-campus or off-campus job.

Excellence in the Advancement of Social Justice: Karina Novotny of Hot Springs, South Dakota

This award recognizes a student whose single action or repeated behaviors has moved the college forward in its commitment to building an inclusive and just community. The recipient is one who has contributed to finding solutions to challenges as it relates to social justice.

Unsung Hero: Shelby Westinghouse of Hot Springs, South Dakota

This award recognizes a student who works behind the scenes consistently going above and beyond the call of duty.

Community Engagement: Emma Carfield of Trenton, Nebraska, and Clay Brandenburger of Silver Creek, Nebraska

This award recognizes the efforts of a student who is living out a vision of connections between campus and community through service and giving.

Student Leader of the Year: Gideon Waldrop of Rapid City, South Dakota

This award recognizes a student who has a zest for life and learning, a strong commitment to CSC and the community and a demonstrated belief in the goodness of all people.

Diversity in Thought and Experience: Esther Peters of McKinney, Texas

This award recognizes a student who is a strong and active advocate for diverse communities and challenges and supports students to engage beyond that which is comfortable. 

Academic Grit: Oakley Larsen of Oshkosh, Nebraska, and Kimo Tuivaiti of Pago Pago, American Samoa

The Academic Grit Award recognizes a student who has made significant steps in his or her academic development. This award recipient demonstrates noticeable growth in the areas of academic achievement and has utilized campus resources to do so.

First Generation Eagle: Gerardo Vazquez Jr. of Odessa, Texas

The First-Generation Eagle Award recognizes a student who will be the first in his or her family to attain a four-year degree when he or she graduates. The award recipient will have successfully navigated the academic, financial, and social aspects of college life.

Artist of the Year: Kasiah Sayaloune of Chadron

This award recognizes musical, theatrical, writing, or artistic creativity of a student who has made an outstanding contribution to the musical, theater, or artistic life of the college through demonstration, performance, composition, and/or group leadership.

Student Senate Leadership: Karina Novotny of Hot Springs, South Dakota

This award recognizes the efforts of a student who has demonstrated excellence in serving as a voice for the student body, campus efforts, and leadership and participation across campus.

Student-Athlete of the Year: Mataya Ward of Fruitdale, South Dakota

This award recognizes a student whose work and service on or off the athletic field or gym represents excellence in academics and service. The recipient of the award is a strong and active advocate for student athleticism.

Outstanding students from their respective academic programs

Art

Amanda Kittel of Chadron, Art Studio

Business

Kenli Boeselager of Chadron, Business Administration, Agribusiness Option

Ty Sheets of Riverton, Wyo., Business Administration, General Business Option

Malorie Byrne of Arvada, Colo., Business Administration

Sophia Short of North Platte, Neb., Business Administration

Shay Prichard of Monument, Colo., Business Administration

Frida Orock of Katy, Texas, Business Administration

Communications

Shelby Westinghouse of Hot Springs, S.D.

Education

Chaylin Riley of Gillette, Wyo., Elementary Education

Gracie Ackles of Farwell, Neb., Agricultural Education 9-12

English

Nonoka Takeishi of Shizuoka, Japan, English Comprehensive

Jaime Turbiville of Harrison, Neb., English Language Arts 7-12

Family and Consumer Sciences

Morgan Schommer of Oelrichs, S.D., Family and Consumer Sciences, Education

Health and Physical Education, Sport and Recreation Management, Athletic Training

Grady Robbins of Gering, Neb., Health and Physical Education PK-12

History

Aaron Suhr of Minatare, Neb., History Endorsement

Braylee Searls of Crawford Neb., Social Science Endorsement

Arian Seymour of Chadron, Social Science Endorsement

Mathematics

Gabriela Bautista of Carr, Colo., Mathematics 6-12

Music

Carson Hiser of Douglas, Wyo., Music Education PK-12

Psychological Sciences

Jazmin Watson of Fort Morgan, Colo., Psychology

Atlas Johnson of Laramie, Wyo., Psychology

Adrianna Reiners of Spearfish, S.D., Psychology

Rangeland

Elle Hewitt of Kearney, Neb., Rangeland Management

Sciences

Matthew Rumsey of Wausa, Neb., Biology, Pre-Dentistry

Hailey Rademacher of Loup City, Neb., Biology, Pre-Medicine

Kaylee Sprock of Chadron, Biology, Pre-Occupational Therapy

Hans Bastron of Scottsbluff, Neb., Biology, Pre-Physical Therapy

Karsten Bradley of Republican City, Neb., Biology, Pre-Physician's Assistant

Lauren Rasmussen of Chadron, Biology, Pre-Veterinary Science

Katelyn Hadenfeldt of Cairo, Neb., Biology, Pre-Veterinary Science

Scarlett Norman of Bayard, Neb., Conservation Biology/Organismal

Sonya Behrends of Alliance, Neb., Molecular Biology

Physical Science

Peyton Wieting of Pierce Neb., Physical Science, Chemistry Option

Hailey Rademacher of Loup City, Neb., Physical Science, Chemistry Option

Sonya Behrends of Alliance, Neb., Physical Science, Chemistry Option

Nicholas Cantu of Bellevue, Neb., Physical Science, Geoscience Option

Social Work

Elizabeth McCown of Chadron