107th Annual Twilight Parade Honors Cadets, Tradition, and Leadership

The Cretin-Derham Hall Raider Brigade held its 107th Annual Twilight Parade and Awards Ceremony on Wingerd Field May 13, bringing together cadets, families, alumni, and faculty to recognize a year of achievement in the school’s long-standing JROTC program.

The evening event featured the traditional military parade formation, a formal inspection of cadets, and the presentation of awards recognizing excellence in leadership, academics, citizenship, and service. The ceremony also highlighted the program’s history, which dates back to 1917, when military instruction first began at the school and was formally established as an Army JROTC unit in 1919.

Throughout the evening, cadets demonstrated drill precision as battalions formed, moved into position, and were inspected by retired Sergeant Major David Berrisford, who served as the Reviewing Officer for the final time before his retirement after 18 years at Cretin-Derham Hall. His remarks reflected on the growth of the program and the importance of leadership, service, and character.

Cadet leadership for the evening included Brigade Commander Bridget Bower '26 and Brigade Executive Officer Bryn McSherry '26, who helped lead the ceremony alongside fellow cadet officers and battalion commanders.

The parade also acknowledged the wide range of activities cadets participate in beyond JROTC, including athletics, performing arts, robotics, student council, and service organizations—underscoring the program’s emphasis on well-rounded leadership development.

The ceremony concluded with the traditional change of command, marking the transition of leadership from the Class of 2026 to the Class of 2027, followed by the passing review of the Corps of Cadets.

The following awards were presented:

Department of the Army Superior Cadet Award:
Cadet Megan Buri '26
Cadet Katie Nobrega '27
Cadet Alexis Boland '28
Cadet Madeline Hamiel '29

Junior ROTC Citizenship Award:
Cadet Cora Garman '26
Cadet Colin Smith '27
Cadet Kara Callahan '27
Cadet Alex Thornton 28
Cadet Jonathan Krummen '28

Raider Brigade Junior ROTC Academic Excellence Award:
Cadet Liedea Zerihun '26
Cadet Brady Kane '27
Cadet Greta Johnson '27
Cadet Evelyn McKiel '27
Cadet Karson Saxhaug-Lentsch '28

Raider Brigade Junior ROTC Military Excellence Award:
Cadet Ellie Witte '26
Cadet Miley Stoeklen '27
Cadet Ben Noha '27
Cadet Amelia Meier '28
Cadet Barrett Kowal '28

Raider Brigade Junior ROTC Service Excellence Award:
Cadet Adeline Larson '27
Cadet Jordan Mitsch '26
Cadet Fiona Smith '28

Williams Brothers JROTC Cade Scholarship:
Cadet Denise Bueno '27
Cadet Joseph Massari '27
Cadet Madison Gehrman '28

Sons of the Union Veterans of the Civil War Medal:
Cadet Michael Markley '26

Sons of the American Revolution ROTC Medal:
Cadet Asger Smestad '26

Sons of the American Revolution Bronze Good Citizenship Medal:
Cadet Louis Bilek '26

D.A.R. JROTC Medal:
Cadet Haydee Walz '26

Daughters of the American Colonists Award:
Cadet Teagen Wheaton '26

Minnesota Society of the US - Daughters of 1812 Award:
Cadet Cali Weckman '26

Military Officers Association of America Medal:
Cadet Ja’Dale Thompson '26

Reserve Organization of America Medal:
Cadet Lily Drayton '26
Cadet Mac Foster '26

American Veterans Association JROTC Medal:
Cadet Mackenzie Thomas '26

AUSA ROTC Medal:
Cadet Mackenzie Korb '26

Military Order of the Purple Heart ROTC Medal:
Cadet Elizabeth Musolf '26

National Sojourners Award:
Cadet Ivan Lam '26

American Legion Scholastic Excellence Medals:
Gold: Cadet Mallorie Taft '26
Silver: Cadet Peyton Kirchner '27
Bronze: Cadet Andrew Nikolai '28

American Legion Military Excellence Medals:
Gold: Cadet Sam Tushaus '26
Silver: Cadet Ryan O’Connell '27
Bronze: Cadet Anna Buri '28

Veterans of Foreign Wars JROTC Medals:
Cadet Olivia Kline '26
Cadet Isla Johnson-Grass '27
Cadet William Oberpriller '28

U.S. Marine Corps Scholastic Excellence Award:
Cadet Luke Hilger '26

U.S. Marine Corps Distinguished Athlete Award:
Cadet Jaziel Enriquez Olvera '26
Cadet Terenata James '27

U.S. Marine Corps Distinguished Music Award:
Cadet Joseph Massari '27
Cadet Julia Cooper '27