The Lynx Way

Local students are NSU graduates

Three local students were awarded degrees Saturday, Dec. 10, at Northern State University’s winter commencement. The graduates are Macyn Flanigan, Brandon, B.S., Business Administration, Summa Cum Laude; Danielle Spencer, Brandon, BME in Honorius Music Education: Instrumental, Magna Cum Laude; and Gabrielle Grieme, Valley Springs, BFA Digital Media, Summa Cum Laude.

Oehme receives

nomination to

U.S. Air Force Academy 

U.S. Senator Mike Rounds (R-S.D.) has nominated students for appointments to the nation’s service academies, including Trason Oehme, a 2023 senior at Brandon Valley High School. Oehme is one of nine competitive candidates per academy nominations by Rounds to the U.S. Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs.

Students interested in attending a service academy go through a rigorous application process. Students must meet eligibility requirements in leadership, physical fitness, character and scholarship. The young people joining the military directly from the academies are among the highest caliber our country has to offer, which is a result of the challenging training and education they received at U.S. service academies. Students applying for service academies are required to receive a Congressional nomination as part of the application process. Those appointed receive a scholarship and military appointment and are required to serve in the military for at least five years upon graduation. 

Individuals interested in applying for a service academy nomination for academic year 2024-2025 (Class of 2028) should apply by Oct. 1, 2023. To learn more, call (605) 336-0486 or email Academy_Nominations@rounds.senate.gov. An informational packet and the application packet can be found at rounds.senate.gov/constituents/academy-nominations.

Anna Tews is member of Nebraska Cornhusker

Marching Band

Anna Tews, of Brandon, is a member of the University of Nebraska-Lincoln 300-member Cornhusker Marching Band, which made its debut Sept. 3 at the Memorial Stadium with pregame and halftime performances at Nebraska’s home opener against North Dakota.

Tews, a double-major in forensic science and biochemistry, plays piccolo in the Big Ten marching band.

This year’s band had representation from nearly every region of the country, though 76 percent of the students are from Nebraska. Twenty-one percent of the students have majors in the Glenn Korff School of Music. The rest are studying in about 70 other degree programs a. Each band member passed two auditions to gain admittance to the group.

Tony Falcone, assistant director of bands in the Korff School of Music, is the director the Cornhusker Marching Band. Doug Bush, assistant director of bands, is the assistant marching band director.

The “Pride of All Nebraska” has been seen by millions of television viewers. The band was the first collegiate ensemble to perform at all major football bowl games: Rose, Orange, Fiesta, Sugar and Cotton. 

The marching band season wrapped up Dec. 6 with their indoor marching show. To learn more, visit arts.unl.edu/music/CMB.