Hankinson High School proudly announces that four of its students have achieved a significant milestone by earning a college certificate while still in high school. These remarkable young women were honored at the school's Academic Recognition Program on May 8^th, where their outstanding achievements were celebrated.

The students took advantage of the dual credit opportunities offered by North Dakota State College of Science (NDSCS), allowing them to complete the Liberal Arts General Education Transfer Certificate this spring. This program, championed by Career and Development Counselor Danielle Luebke, provides students with a valuable credential that can be transferred to any institution within the North Dakota University System (NDUS) or the state's five tribal colleges. Ms. Luebke's dedication to advocating for her students and guiding them in their post-graduation paths has been instrumental in their success.

The Liberal Arts General Education Transfer Certificate is designed for high school students aiming to earn college credits that are transferable within the NDUS. Based on the General Education Transfer Agreement (GERTA), this certificate ensures a smooth transition for students continuing their education at NDSCS or other institutions. The students who earned this prestigious certificate are Kylee Falk, Ashlynn Foertsch, Hannah Lingen, and Rylee Steffens. Their accomplishments are a testament to their hard work and dedication, and they serve as an inspiration to their peers.

Missy DeHaan, Director of Dual Credit at NDSCS, was excited for the Hankinson graduates, sharing, “Earning a college credential while in high school is quite an achievement. It demonstrates not only the academic excellence but also strong dedication, time management skills, and a clear vision for their future. The energy, enthusiasm and persistence in their educational goals are powerful indicators of their potential for success beyond high school. Congratulations!”

Throughout the Spring semester, Casey Buskohl and NDSCS-Fargo Welding students built a rhino cage to transport one of the Chahinkapa Zoo rhinos to another zoo. 

The first transport cage that the zoo purchased was easily destroyed by the rhino, so they turned to NDSCS Welding to build something different. Tom Schmaltz, Zoo Curator, reached out with photos of the first cage, highlighting the areas that worked, and those that failed. Using those photos and guidance, Casey and his 12 students designed and fabricated a new rhino cage from scratch. They built a skid bottom (no wheels), sides, and doors out of steel, and then added wood sides and top. 

Casey thanks his students for all of their work with this project – it was a big challenge mentally and physically due to its size and needs for strength and durability. 

The zoo showed their appreciation for this project by inviting the class to a visit to the zoo. The group came to Wahpeton to meet the rhino they built the cage for, and got a personalized, behind-the-scenes tour of Chahinkapa zoo. 

Thank you to Chahinkapa Zoo staff for trusting this big project to NDSCS. We were honored to help!

Read about the conclusion - the rhino's successful move in this crate - from Kathy Diekman's column in the Wahpeton Daily News from May 18, 2024!

NDSCS is excited to announce the creation of new “Life Wide Open Scholarships” thanks to a generous donation made by internet sensations, CboysTV, who rank among the highest tier of social media influencers.

The group was at the Wahpeton campus on Friday, May 3rd creating content to promote NDSCS and their new scholarships. That shoot included a large “meet & greet” event and several different shot locations throughout the campus were used.

The day turned into a true community event due to the CboysTV huge local and national following.

“We can’t think of a better way to give back. Investing in our passions and helping students find their own - starting Life Wide Open scholarships was a no brainer for us.” – says Ben Roth from CboysTV.

Their videos will launch today, Thursday, May 16 with full details about the new scholarships.

Kim Nelson, Executive Director of the Alumni Foundation commented, “We are thrilled and excited to partner with local talent who supports students going into career and technical programs. The CboysTV love for life is a reflection on what NDSCS stands for….learn by doing! We appreciate their generosity in starting this Endowment and the difference it will make to students for generations to come.”

More About CboysTV
CboysTV is a sports and comedy collective, based in Minnesota, that gained widespread recognition with their powerhouse of content revolving around cars, daring stunts, and entertaining challenges. With an engaging mix of entertainment and thrill-seeking adventure videos, the collective captures the attention of over 8 million followers online across YouTube, Instagram, Facebook, TikTok and Snapchat, showcasing a diverse range of land and water vehicles, appealing to automotive and outdoor enthusiasts.

The six charismatic personalities behind CboysTV include Ben Roth (25), Ryan Iwerks (27), CJ Lotzer (28), Micah Sandman (28), Ken Matthees (28) and Evan Sheff (30), who have built a strong community by showcasing their camaraderie and dynamic banter while engaging in a wide range of out-of-the-box activities. The young entrepreneurs turned their internet fame into a successful business, expanding their portfolio with a successful e-commerce site, offering a wide range of products, and podcast Life Wide Open.

Coining the slogan, “Live Life Wide Open,” the CboysTV reminds viewers and themselves to make the most of every day and every opportunity they have. Their collaborative spirit and willingness to push boundaries have resonated with a wide audience, contributing to their growing following and influence in the digital space.

Learn More About CboysTV Here: https://cboystv.com/
https://www.youtube.com/@CboysTV
https://www.instagram.com/cboystv/

More About “Life Wide Open Scholarships”
The “Life Wide Open Scholarships” will be available for future NDSCS students starting on Thursday, May 16. The scholarships will be created two ways for the 2024-2025 application process.

An endowment has been donated that will create one “Life Wide Open Scholarship” to be given away annually.

Through matching funds from the NDSCS Alumni Foundation, three additional $5000 scholarships will be awarded in the fall of 2024. Those scholarships will be awarded to first-year students who apply and are accepted to receive this amount in one of the following programs:

• Automotive Technology
• Auto Body Repair and Refinishing Technology
• Powersports Technology

These programs were chosen based on the passion for those technologies portrayed often through the CboysTV online content.

Learn More About the Life Wide Open Scholarships Here: NDSCS.edu/cboystv

Aiden Hoff, a 1st-year Construction Management Technology student at NDSCS is preparing to leave the state for an exclusive internship opportunity this summer — with Syncom Space Services (contractor for NASA)!

Aiden is a Fargo, ND native, graduating from high school in May, 2023. He has been involved with construction and construction management for 5+ years, where his hands-on experience and networking efforts in the Fargo region have not only honed his skills but have also affirmed his passion for leading in the construction industry.

Aiden chose to attend NDSCS because he liked the idea of a two-year college where he could learn things that were focused on helping him in his future career. He was happy that NDSCS in Wahpeton isn't too far from his family's home in Fargo, but is far enough that he can gain independence. After checking out some other colleges, Aiden felt that NDSCS had the best program for Construction Management, and was excited about the full college experience available to him at a smaller institution.

Aiden came to NDSCS in the Fall of 2023, and so far has had an exceptional experience as a student on the Wahpeton campus. During this academic year, Aiden has been involved on campus, participating in free student events and being part of leadership organizations like Student Senate and Construction and Design Technology (CDT) Club. Aiden also competed in the International Builders’ Show in Last Vegas this Spring, where he presented a project with his team at the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) Student Competition, and placed 5th in the nation. Read more here.

As the academic year comes to a close on May 10th, Aiden's sights are set on a new adventure. Come May 20th, he will embark on his journey to the Stennis Space Center in Mississippi. Summer internships are required in the Construction Management program at NDSCS, and Aiden’s experience is sure to be unique. This prestigious summer internship is a testament to NDSCS's quality education and Aiden's exceptional skills.

At Stennis, a hub for NASA's most critical projects, Aiden’s role will extend beyond the average intern’s, taking charge as a Construction Manager on a Naval base, overseeing subcontractors on projects essential to both the Navy and NASA.

The competition for this internship was intense. Aiden stood out among applicants with four-year degrees and even higher education, including international applicants. It was his strong work ethic, drive for knowledge, and evident leadership skills that set him apart.

This opportunity is proof that a two-year degree can open as many doors as a four-year degree – and with less financial burden. Aiden credits the Construction faculty at NDSCS for giving him the education and confidence to pursue this opportunity, noting that the small class sizes and personalized attention at NDSCS have prepared him well.

When his internship ends in August of this year, Aiden will return to NDSCS for his 2nd year as a Construction Management student. He is on course to graduate in May, 2025. After graduation, Aiden is open to what his next career move will be. He has always dreamed of owning his own Construction Management business, but is open to more opportunities and wants to see where this S3 (NASA) internship will lead.

Aiden Hoff is not just a student; he is a leader in the making. With his commitment to excellence, his value of education, and his motivation for achievement, it’s clear that he will be extremely successful — wherever life takes him after NDSCS.