RAPID CITY, SD (Nov. 20, 2017) – The Headquarters of the U.S. Army Cadet Command in Fort Knox, Ky. has notified the Department of Military Science at the South Dakota School of Mines & Technology that Cadet Alexia Hodgson was selected from among over 6,000 cadets at over 900 Army ROTC programs across the nation to serve as a cadet marshal at the 2018 U.S. Army All- American Bowl on Jan. 6, 2018, in San Antonio, Texas.
Those selected for this honor exemplify the highest and best qualities of Army ROTC cadets across the country. As a cadet marshal, Hodgson will assist in high school student registration in predetermined competition activities during the All-American Bowl festivities. Hodgson will also view the nationally televised football game that features 100 of the best college football prospects.
The U.S. Army All-American Bowl website puts it this way, “The history and tradition of the U.S. Army All-American Bowl is unparalleled, highlighted by Heisman Trophy winners and more than 400 NFL players counted among its alumni. Throughout its 18 years, the game has featured the nation’s most elite football players before they reach stardom. Just some of these alumni include: Odell Beckham Jr., Andrew Luck, Adrian Peterson, Tim Tebow, Christian McCaffrey, Eric Berry, Patrick Peterson, Sam Darnold and hundreds more.”
Hodgson is a sophomore in the applied biological sciences program at SD Mines. She graduated with honors from Eaton High School in Colorado. She lettered all four years in academics and track and served as the varsity track team captain. In the fall of her senior year, she received a nomination to the West Point United States Military Academy from Congressman Ken Buck. Following this prestigious nomination, her future aspirations changed, and this led her to attend SD Mines. She earned a three-year Army ROTC scholarship after her freshman year at Mines.
Over this past summer, Hodgson volunteered to attend U.S. Army Cadet Command’s Basic Training Camp at Fort Knox, Ky. During this course, cadets learn basic combat skills that all soldiers enlisting in the U.S. Army learn, including basic rifle marksmanship, drill & ceremony, military customs & courtesies, first aid, individual movement techniques, Chemical Biological Radiological Nuclear (CBRN) training, physical readiness training and assessment and completion of a six-mile foot march with 35-pound rucksack. This camp is an overall physically rigorous course that requires intellect and personal drive to successfully complete. Hodgson graduated the course earning strong comments from her regimental training officer and company tactical officer for her potential for future service as a U.S. Army officer.
Hodgson is very active in the Mines Army ROTC program and is currently ranked first in her class amongst her cadet peers. She participates in the annual Ranger Challenge. She is also on the university track and field team, holds the office of Professional Development in the Alpha Omega Epsilon Sorority, and serves as part of the football color guard and on the ROTC push-up platform team. Hodgson is a student ambassador, and is a member of the Valor Bible Study Group. She regularly scores above 290 on her Army Physical Fitness Test and maintains a GPA above 3.5. She is currently on schedule to graduate and earn her commission as a Lieutenant in the U.S. Army in May 2020.