CSC students earn numerous ROTC awards

Military members and guests posing
Mount Rushmore Battalion Cadets and guests pose at the Army ROTC Military Ball in Rapid City, S.D., April 24, 2026. From left, CPT Andrew Hunt, CDT David Hutchings, CDT Sara Weber, CDT Joleigh Simpson, CDT JoZee Snyder, CDT Lilian DeWitt, CDT Cycelie Gustafson, Guest Nathan Schuller, Guest Jared Fernau, CDT Lily Rafteseth, SFC Bubba Page, CDT Maryah Gonzalez, Guest Shelby Westinghouse.(Courtesy photo, used with permission)

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CHADRON – 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 

-College Relations

Category: Military Science Leadership, Student Awards & Achievements, Student Clubs & Organizations