Valley City State University announced on May 7 that seven students have received the 2026 Viking Pilot award, recognizing their diverse contributions to campus life.
The Viking Pilot award is considered a prestigious honor at VCSU, given annually to upper class campus leaders who have made significant impacts during their time at the university. The recipients are selected each spring by a joint committee of students, faculty, and staff from nominations submitted by both students and employees.
This year’s honorees are Olivia Backus (Sandy, Utah), Alliana Freund (Cando, N.D.), Cherokee Warnecke (New England, N.D.), Madilyn Klabo (Valley City), Sarah Monilaws (Absaraka, N.D.), Nyssa Haslerud (Mapleton, N.D.), and Zachary St. Aubin (Ashley, N.D.). Each recipient has been active in various organizations and leadership roles across the university.
Backus is a junior studying health science and chemistry who participates in Student Senate and athletics. Monilaws will graduate this spring with a degree in corporate communications; she serves as president of VCSU DECA and has worked for both athletics and marketing departments. Freund is set to graduate this fall with an English education degree; she has participated in multiple clubs including Drama Club and served as a student representative on official committees.
Warnecke will also graduate this fall with an English education degree; she currently serves as president of the Student Senate and has represented VCSU at the state level through the North Dakota Student Association. Klabo graduates this fall with a music education degree after serving as president of NAfME VCSU Chapter among other club involvements. Haslerud is vice president of Student Senate while pursuing music education; she works as assistant hall director for two residence halls. St. Aubin will graduate this spring with an environmental science degree; he leads Spanish Club and has held several student jobs on campus.
The Viking Pilot award was established in 1931 by VCSU Student Senate to recognize outstanding student leaders each year.
