By OLIVIA BRYANT, CSC College Relations
CHADRON – Chadron State College hosted its sixth annual Rising Sophomore awards ceremony April 13. The ceremony celebrates current freshmen nominated by CSC faculty, staff, and student peers for outstanding qualities and achievements during their first year.
Department Awards, Outstanding Student
Each academic department selected a rising sophomore, who has proven to be an outstanding student.
Applied Sciences-Rangeland Ecology: Sage McGinnis of Buena Vista, Colo.
Applied Sciences-Rangeland Wildlife: Tukker Romey of Gering, Neb.
Art: Carissa Hill of Imperial, Neb., and Baylie Her Many Horses of Oelrichs, S.D.
Business-Accounting: Adie Patterson of Kadoka, S.D.
Business-Agribusiness: Dean Neff of Lake Mills, Wis.
Business-Finance: Isabella Middleton of Alliance, Neb., Jessie Henchenski of Bellvue, Colo.
Business-Management: Jordy Stulken of Deadwood, S.D.
Business-Marketing: Kadra Clark of Yoder, Wyo.
Liberal Arts/Music K-8: Jacob Haertel of Hot Springs, S.D.
Education-Middle School: Jonathan DeRuyter of Rapid City, S.D.
Education-Special Education: Shana Bender of Rapid City, S.D.
Education-Elementary Education: Johannah Christie of Alpine, Wyo., Jenna Greenwood of Gering, Neb.
Education-Secondary Education: Logan Hamik of Grand Island, Neb.
Education-Elementary Education K-8: Breanna Remington of Hot Springs, S.D.
English Language Arts 7-12: Katelynn Gomez of Alliance, Neb.
Family and Consumer Sciences- Family Studies: Elizabeth Hunt of Murdo, S.D.
Family and Consumer Sciences-Early Childhood Inclusive: Abrielle Hoopman of Douglas, Wyo.
Family and Consumer Sciences-6-12 Family and Consumer Science Education: Kennedy Howard of Hastings, Neb.
Health, Physical Education, and Recreation-Athletic Training: Jay Royal of Yutan, Neb.
History: Shayne Marie Bayles of Hotchkiss, Colo.
Justice Studies-Legal Studies: Ashley Burrows of Hay Springs, Neb.
Justice Studies-Criminal Justice: Aaron Daum of Rapid City, SD.
Mathematics: Molly Braun of Simla, Colo.
Mathematics Education: Jacob Haertel of Hot Springs, S.D., Logan Hamik of Grand Island, Neb.
Military Science: Austin Alexander of Newell, S.D.
Psychological Sciences: Madison Watt of Broomfield, Colo.
Physical and Life Sciences-Pre-Nursing: Sarah Salomon of Scottsbluff, Neb., Samuel Jesse of Chambers, Neb.
Physical and Life Sciences-Pre-Medicine: Creighton Harrington of Loup City, Neb., William Hagge of Wausa, Neb., Nicholas Lembke of Rapid City, S.D., Peter Krohn of Fort Collins, Colo., and Aubrey Bando of Nebraska City, Neb.
Physical and Life Sciences-Pre-Optometry: Kayla Rae Brown of Glendive, Mont.
Physical and Life Sciences-Pre-Veterinary Medicine: Alexis Peepgrass of Littleton, Colo.
Social Work: Sarah Hough of Granby, Colo.
Social Science Education 7-12: Alexis Funk of Scottsbluff, Neb.
Other awards:
Academic Grit Award:
Vernon Plenty Bull of Allen, S.D.
The Academic Grit Award recognizes a rising sophomore who has made significant steps in his or her academic development. This award recipient will demonstrate noticeable growth in the areas of academic achievement and will have utilized campus resources (i.e., advising, tutoring, etc.) to have done so.
Artist of the Year:
Jacob Haertel of Hot Springs, S.D.
This award recognizes musical, theatrical, writing, or artistic creativity of a rising sophomore at Chadron State College who has made an outstanding contribution to the musical, theater or artistic life of the college through demonstration, performance, composition, and/or group leadership.
Community Engagement:
Mariah Rose of De Witt, Iowa
This award recognizes the efforts of a rising sophomore who is living out a vision of connections between campus and community through service and giving.
Diversity in Thought and Experience Award:
Samantha Conradie of Thornton, Colo.
This award recognizes a rising sophomore who is a strong and active advocate for diverse communities and challenges and supports students to engage beyond that which is comfortable.
First Generation Eagle Award:
Kyanna Saenzpardo of Harvard, Neb.
The First-Generation Eagle Award recognizes a rising sophomore who would be the first in his or her family to attain a 4-year degree when he or she graduates. This award recipient will have successfully navigated the academic, financial, and social aspects of college life.
James H. Powell Jr. Academic Achievement Award:
Abrielle Hoopman of Douglas, Wyo.
The James H. Powell Jr. Academic Achievement Award recognizes a rising sophomore 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 comes with a $500 scholarship.
Resident Hall Citizen of the Year:
Jalen Hoffman of Norfolk, Neb.
This award recognizes a rising sophomore from the resident halls for outstanding service to her or his floor. This student has demonstrated engaged citizenship, including leadership, self-governance, and peer accountability. They are respectful of all members of the community and have positively contributed to the Resident Hall organizations. Most importantly, this individual is a leader and role model for his or her peers and consistently serves her or his community to enact positive changes within it.
Student Athlete of the Year:
Jeydon Cox of Jackson, Wyo.
This award recognizes a CSC rising sophomore 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.
Student Leader of the Year:
Leyla Vargas of Bridgeport, Neb.
This award recognizes a rising sophomore 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.
Student Peer-Leader of the Year:
Garrett Swantek of Genoa, Neb.
This award recognizes a rising sophomore 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. In addition, they were nominated by their fellow students.
Unsung Hero Award:
Darcy Trump of Sterling, Colo.
This award recognizes a rising sophomore who works behind-the-scenes consistently going above and beyond the call of duty. Consideration is based on the following criteria:
1) Demonstrates a strong commitment to the group.
2) Positively influences the group from behind the scenes.
3) Has a positive attitude toward Chadron State College and the group.
4) Has a strong attendance commitment and accountability to a project or group.
5) Completes tasks and duties with a high level of quality.
Working Eagle Award:
Terrance Mokeac of Scottsbluff, Neb.
The Working Eagle Award recognizes a rising sophomore who has effectively balanced academics with his or her on- or off-campus job.
Young Eagle Award:
Olivia Waulfe of Thornton, Colo.
This award is given to the rising sophomore who has made significant accomplishments as an identified leader on campus during the current academic year. For the purposes of this award, leadership is measured by affecting positive change on campus. Specifically, nominees will be given high consideration for having a positive impact on the Chadron State College community.