Chadron State names Sidney High School graduate its student of the month
CHADRON – Cayden Carrasco of Sidney, Nebraska, is Chadron State College’s Project Strive/TRiO Student of the Month for December. Carrasco, a sophomore, has a double major in special education and social sciences education.His biggest inspiration is his father, who has been a passionate special education teacher for many years. Carrasco would like to obtain the same fulfillment that his father has gained from being involved in education.
Carrasco has been involved in Project Strive for about a year and has impacted the organization's members, according to Director Jennifer Schaer.
“Fun-loving, caring, and serious when he needs to be, Cayden is wonderful to have in the Project Strive program. He encourages new students to be in the program and is a leader to all those around him. Cayden is hard-working and has many interests that make him a well-rounded person. When asked to complete a task, Cayden jumps in with both feet and makes it happen,” Schaer said.
Carrasco is a Senior Resident Advisor, Student Ambassador, and Vice Chair of Records for the Campus Activities Board. He is also a participant in jazz band, drumline, Huddle, the music industry club, and a member of Music Educators Nebraska Association (MENA).
“I enjoy helping people, and my positions on campus allow me to do that. I enjoy teaching incoming students about the college as an ambassador and showing them the light this college has brought to my life. Being an RA allows me to be a resource for my residents. I just like being there for people,” Carrasco said.
Carrasco originally planned on attending a Bible college, but felt an attraction to CSC.
“I feel like I have a purpose here. I want to be a light in the darkness for the people who are dealing with tough things in life. Everyone is going through a battle of some kind that not everyone knows about,” Carrasco said.
Dr. Miranda Scoggan, one of his favorite faculty members, said she is impressed with Carrasco.
“Cayden is a kind person and a wonderful student to have in class. He is passionate about helping others and becoming a teacher. I look forward to seeing what his future holds in the field of education,” Scoggan said.
Director of Housing and Residence Life Taylor Osmotherly thinks Carrasco is a great choice for the award.
“Cayden is an exceptionally talented and thoughtful student whose positive impact resonates throughout Chadron State College. He consistently demonstrates kindness, respect, and a genuine commitment to the well-being of the CSC community. His leadership and passion shine in his engagement in music ensembles, his RA and ambassador positions, and his involvement in student organizations,” Osmotherly said.
Jeremy Quick, music instructor, says Carrasco stands out among his peers.
“Through his activity in the community, personable manner, and teachable mindset, Cayden embodies the qualities of an exemplary student. While comfortable in any conversation, his willingness to listen and engage with others is noteworthy,” Quick said.
Winter Commencement to recognize 159 candidates
CHADRON – One hundred and two candidates for bachelor’s degrees and 57 candidates for master’s degrees will be recognized during Chadron State College’s Winter Commencement ceremony Friday in the Chicoine Center at 2 p.m.
The commencement speaker will be Brandon Hall, a Colorado school principal and former Marine.
The following list includes all candidates expected to graduate, pending the outcome of final examinations and final grades. The hometowns listed are those on file for the students. Honor graduates are designated by asterisks.
***Summa cum laude, 3.9-4.0 GPA
**Magna cum laude, 3.75-3.89 GPA
*Cum laude, 3.6-3.74
Bachelor of Arts: Nebraska | Colorado | South Dakota | Wyoming | Other States
Bachelor of Science in Education: Nebraska | Wyoming | Other States
Master of Arts in Education: Nebraska | South Dakota | Wyoming | Other States
Master of Business Administration: Nebraska | Other States
Master of Education: Nebraska | Wyoming | Other States
Master of Science in Organizational Management: Colorado | Other States
Matthew Coleman-Dunson*, Casco, Mich.
Alliance: Dylan Sward**
Bridgeport: Tehya From*
Burwell: McKenna Gurney
Chadron: Aubrey Larson**, Kennady Stack***, Adam Stone, Matthew Strong, Jonathan Vahrenkamp
Gering: Jade Garcia, Adam Scanlan***
Gordon: Zane Harris
Hay Springs: Ashley Burrows***
Hemingford: Thea Boerkircher***
Johnstown: Katrina Beel**
Lincoln: Elizabeth Garza, Kayla Prai***
McCook: Madelyn Bird**, Alec Langan***
Mitchell: Alexis Funk
North Platte: Mei Hou, Destiny Rundquist, Ashley Tolstedt*
Ogallala: Jordan McPeak
Omaha: Zachary Robert Shaw Jr.
Scottsbluff: Alexis Bowlin, Destiny Lerma***, Terrance Dean Mokeac Jr.
Sidney: Karsyn Huck, Elizabeth Swayze***
Wallace: Jerad Phillips
Brighton: Ryan Sparrow
Broomfield: Adam Lynch
Delta: Colin Erickson
Fort Collins: Haleyanna Krohn*
Custer: Hailey Jensen***
Rapid City: Savanna Dudley***, Taylor Lindstrom, Hannah Martian***, Nyah Maxon*
Smithwick: Aerial Bochmann***
Sturgis: Brodie Eisenbraun***
Cheyenne: Bethani Bohlmann, Jackson Hesford*
Newcastle: Asia Graham*, Autumn Mills**
Rawlins: Maddison Wright**
Sheridan: Brittany Garrison Jacob*
Torrington: Dante Aleman
Jarrett Taylor, Castleberry, Ala.
Joseph Christensen, Hayward, Calif.
Rozalyn Lawrence, Chicago, Ill.
Malik Mashek, Excelsior, Minn.
Alicia Howe, Richmond, Ohio
Evan Figueroa, Philadelphia, Pa.
Patrick McLachlan, Pittsburgh, Pa.
Jennifer Page-Jensen*, Lenoir City, Tenn.
Willow Williamson, Salt Lake City, Utah
Haley Steskal, North Bend, Wash.
Bimal Sah, Dhanusha, Nepal
Peter Krohn**, Fort Collins, Colo.
Mariah Markus, Loup City, Neb.
Sutton Pohlman***, Stanton, Neb.
Bachelor of Science in Education
Alliance: Jessica Myers
Bayard: Kodie Bruns, Megan Cawley**
Bridgeport: Jayden Ralston
Chadron: Danielle Woods
Chappell: Emma Schneider
Curtis: Eric Storm
Gering: Colby Elliott
Hyannis: Amanda Davis, Payton Gorwill
Indianola: Alyssa Springer***
Lincoln: Mary Roxbury, Mataya Topil
Madrid: Carissa Cornelius
Miller: Katherine Cunningham
Nickerson: Rhianna Hagerbaumer***
North Platte: Stephanie Humpherys***, Aspen Nepper
Omaha: Dakota Caldarelli
O'Neill: Brandi Bowder**
Oshkosh: Adrienne Olson
Pierce: Carter Rohrich***
Plattsmouth: Melissa Haswell**
Riverton: Kelsey Sindt*
Sidney: Rebekah Carlson***
Sterling: Haylee Weyers-Boldt
Valentine: Macy Homan
Cody: AnnMarie DeMaranville
Glenrock: Tayler Walker
Guernsey: Michelle Merlino***
Sheridan: Kelsey Jacobs***
Yoder: Clifford Swank
Christina White***, Palmer, Alaska
Nathaniel Umbarger, Wasilla, Alaska
Zachary Kapushion, Erie, Colo.
Alexandra Hutto***, Montrose, Colo.
Cathy Prentiss**, New Brighton, Minn.
Tiana Gahm*, Hitchcock, S.D.
Ethan Tussing***, New Underwood, S.D.
Ainsworth: Emily Jackman
Alliance: Mathew Davis, Malorie Schefcik
Cairo: Ashlyn Lube
Cook: Madison Lang
Elwood: Margaret Louthan
Halsey: Avery Swisher
Ogallala: Logan Douglas
Omaha: Cynthia Thomas
Scottsbluff: Frances Romero Thomas
Whitney: Julia Raben
Marion: Jenna Yusella, Brooke Petersen
Oglala: Warren Cross Sr.
Winner: Sarah Aid
Cheyenne: Abigail Bever
Douglas: Bailey Winstead
Saratoga: Leanna Rangitsch
Torrington: Melody Norris
Amanda Kuipers, Anchorage, Alaska
Marie Larson, Anchorage, Alaska
Maureen van Wagner, Anchorage, Alaska
Stacy Shaffer, Willow, Alaska
Victoria Terzian, Fayetteville, N.C.
Richard Alan Shoop II, Centerburg, Ohio
Melissa Mitchell, South Jordan, Utah
Master of Business Administration
Gothenburg: Kay Kolbo
Grand Island: Jennifer Bernth
North Platte: Kristen Gerking
Scottsbluff: Craig Krentz
Sidney: Alexander Lund, Desteny Misegadis
Lena Aslan, Elizabeth, Colo.
Sidney Hines, Limon, Colo.
Ali Sassi, Jacksonville, Fla.
Justin Woody, Cleveland, Ohio
Jake Duda, Deadwood, S.D.
Michele Carter, Douglas, Wyo.
Lesley Rowbal, Pine Bluffs, Wyo.
Campbell: Teresa Schmidt
Chadron: Justen McConnell
Gordon: Bradley Norris
Ogallala: Amanda Kroeger
Plattsmouth: Charlotte Urbauer
Scottsbluff: Cassandra Brotzman
Douglas: Alexis Helenbolt, Nickolas Kerkvliet, Patrick Lehnen
Gillette: Lacey Gojkovich
Jessica Stallard, Sealy, Texas
Master of Science in Organizational Management
Aurora: Brooke Kramer, Emanuel Thompson, Alexia Hurtado
Colorado Springs: Darrian Stickney
Rachel Crook, Talmage, Neb.
Cole Thurness, Rapid City, S.D.
Harley Rhoades, Douglas, Wyo.
