By CSC College Relations
CHADRON, Neb. – United States Army ROTC cadets, guests, and cadre members from Chadron State College, South Dakota School of Mines and Technology, and Black Hills State University gathered April 24 in Rapid City for the 2026 Mount Rushmore Military Ball, a formal event that celebrates military tradition, professionalism and esprit de corps.
The evening featured remarks from guest speaker Brigadier General David A. Dailey, Assistant Adjutant General of the South Dakota National Guard, as well as awards, and a formal dinner. CSC was represented by nine cadets, two cadre members, and six guests.
During the event, Sargeant First Class Bubba Page and Captain Andrew Hunt each received the Basic Army Instructor Badge after completing the Common Faculty Development–Instructor Course, serving as primary instructors for at least 80 hours, and successfully completing two external evaluations.
Chadron cadets earned 40 awards, including two external organization awards, 14 academic awards, four athletic awards, and 20 additional honors.
Four female cadets returned to Chadron the following morning to present the colors for the UNL vs. UNC exhibition volleyball game.
CSC U.S. Army ROTC Cadets
De’Avion Adams of Cody, Neb.
Chayton Bynes of Chadron
Lilian DeWitt of Minatare, Neb.
Maryah Gonzalez of Gering, Neb.
Cycelie Gustafson of Crawford, Neb.
David Hutchings of Chadron
Colton Lancaster of Commerce City, Colo.
Lily Rafteseth of Colon, Neb.
Joleigh Simpson of Indian Hills, Colo.
JoZee Snyder of Oelrichs, S.D.
Sara Weber of Chadron
External Organization Awards
Rafteseth, USAA Spirit Award
The USAA Spirit Award is presented to ROTC cadets who exemplify outstanding leadership, dedication, and commitment to service, reflecting the core values of the ROTC program, and the spirit of military service.
Rafteseth, Reserve Organization of America (ROA) Award
The ROA award is presented to ROTC cadets demonstrating outstanding competence in the arts and sciences of National Defense.
Academic Awards
ROTC Dean’s List (3.5-4.0 semester GPA)
Gustafson, Rafteseth
Cadet Honor’s Award (3.2-3.49 semester GPA)
Adams, Bynes, Gonzalez, Lancaster
Cadet Scholar (2.9-3.19 semester GPA)
Hutchings, Simpson, Snyder
Most Improved Grades (Highest increase in semester GPA)
Simpson
ROTC Honors (4.0 GPA in ROTC subjects)
Bynes, Lancaster, Rafteseth
PMS Academic Award (4.0 semester GPA)
Rafteseth
Athletic Awards
Gold Medal Athlete (Score of 485-499 on Army Fitness Test (AFT))
Chayton Bynes
Bronze Medal Athlete (Score of 450-464 on AFT)
Adams
Most Improved Athlete (Highest increased AFT score at CSC)
Lancaster
PMS Athletic Award (Highest AFT score at CSC)
Bynes
Other Awards
Ranger Challenge Team Member (Compete on a Ranger Challenge Team)
Bynes, DeWitt, Rafteseth
Color Guard Member (Participate in at least 3 color guard events while commanding at least 1)
Bynes, Rafteseth, DeWitt, Snyder, Hutchings
Gold Volunteer Award (Volunteer 20+ hours)
Gonzalez, Rafteseth
Silver Volunteer Award (Volunteer 10-19 hours)
Gustafson, Hutchings, Simpson
Bronze Volunteer Award (Volunteer 5-9 hours)
DeWitt, Lancaster, Snyder, Weber
Army 10-Miler Team (Participate in the Army 10-miler race in Washington D.C.)
Adams, Rafteseth
Exceptional FTX Performance (Top performer at Field Training Exercise (FTX))
Bynes