Rising Sophomore ceremony honors students

Two students holding an award
Chadron State College student Brock Tines of Grant, Neb., left, poses with Sebastian Garcia of Rapid City, S.D., April 15, 2026, in the Student Center. Tines received the 2026 Young Eagle award during the Rising Sophomore Awards Ceremony. Garcia received the 2025 Young Eagle award. (Photo by Tena L. Cook/Chadron State College)

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CHADRON – Rising Sophomores at Chadron State College were honored with awards for their academic majors and outstanding contributions in extracurricular activities during an annual ceremony April 15.  The ceremony, now in its 11th year, recognizes current CSC freshmen who have been nominated by CSC employees and students for their achievements during their first year at CSC.

Dean of Student Austen Stephens was the keynote speaker for the event.

Photos of honorees are available online.

Outstanding students from their respective academic programs:

Art

Ruby Stone of McCook, Neb., Art Education grades PK-12

Biology Sciences

Joshua Wilkinson of Culbertson, Neb., Medical Lab Sciences

Owen Wess of Chadron, Pre-Dentistry

Katherine Hoevet of Scottsbluff, Neb., Pre-Dentistry

Weston Ohrt of Henderson, Neb., Pre-Medicine

Teryn Stokes of Torrington, Wyo., Pre-Occupational Therapy

Aeryn Dirks of Black Hawk, S.D., Pre-Physician Assistant

Brynn Trujillo of Commerce City, Colo., Pre-Radiography

Payton Sullivan of Albion, Neb., Science Education

Business

Mason Crumrine of O’Neill, Neb., Agribusiness

Isabella Thomas of Cheyenne, Wyo., Accounting

Mizaiha Babers Webb of Las Vegas, Business Information Systems

Shelby Layher of Stapleton, Neb., Finance

Luka Djurovic of Podgorica, Montenegro, General Business

Caden Buskirk of Chadron, Management

Taegan Bach of Chadron, Marketing

Communications

Dustin Blehm of Hay Springs, Neb., Media Production

Education

Brayden Landreth of Chadron, Elementary Education

Christina Smith of Maxwell, Neb., Special Education

Chayse Kaelin of Broken Bow, Neb., Secondary Social Sciences

English

Amber Boland of Colorado Springs, Colo., Advanced English Studies

Health, Physical Education and Human Performance

Angelina Janis of Kyle, S.D., Pre-Athletic Training

History

Natalie Reed of Chadron, History

Chayse Kaelin of Broken Bow, Neb., History Education grades 6-12

Oscar Vazquez of Scottsbluff, Neb., History Education grades 6-12

Justice Studies

Anthony Henson of Douglas, Wyo., Criminal Justice

Keziah Toran of Springfield, Ill., Legal Studies

Psychological Sciences

Miah Peters-Marsteller of Alliance, Neb., Psychology

Brianna Cordray of Highlands Ranch, Colo., Psychology

Rangeland

Patty Timmons of White Owl, S.D., Rangeland Management

Family and Consumer Sciences

Brooklyn Eckert of Lynch, Neb., FCS Education grades 6-12

ROTC

Lilian Dewitt of Minatare, Neb.

Social Work

Jessica Hoffman of Burns, Wyo.

Achievement Awards (accompanied by scholarship)

J.H. Powell Jr. Academic Achievement Endowment

Bransen Bumguardner of Torrington, Wyo.

The Young Eagle

Brock Tines of Grant, Neb.

Artist of the Year

Ruby Stone of McCook, Neb.

First Generation Eagle

Patty Timmons of White Owl, S.D.

Kindness

Shelby Layher of Stapleton, Neb.

Most Determined to Succeed

Levi Noyes of Bighorn, Mont.

Resident Hall Citizen of the Year

Keziah Toran of Springfield, Ill.

Student Athlete of the Year

Brady Daniels of Chadron

Student Peer-Leader of the Year

Hayden Atkins of Alda, Neb.

Unsung Hero

De’Avion Adams of Cody, Neb.

Volunteer Service

Aidan Callahan of Rapid City, S.D.

Working Eagle

Emilynn O’Donnell of Chadron

 

-College Relations

Category: Student Awards & Achievements