Photo: From left, Grant Larson, Beth Mehus, LilyBeth Townsend, Grace Reep, Tara Dahl and Grace Mueller have received the Viking Pilot Award.

VALLEY CITY (VCSU) – Six Valley City State University students have been honored with the 2025 Viking Pilot Award in recognition of their substantial contributions to campus.

Grant Larson (Leeds, N.D.), Beth Mehus (Finley, N.D.), LilyBeth Townsend (Wahpeton, N.D.), Grace Reep (Dawson, Minn.), Tara Dahl (Hazelton, N.D.) and Grace Mueller (Wimbledon, N.D.) received the award, which is presented by VCSU Student Senate and selected by a joint committee of VCSU students, faculty and staff.

The Viking Pilot Award was founded in 1931 and remains a prestigious honor. The award is annually presented to upper class campus leaders who have made substantial contributions to the campus during their time at VCSU.

Grant Larson is graduating this spring with a degree in elementary education, and a minor in STEM education. He has been the president of the Trap Club on campus and was a driving force behind VCSU’s addition of Shooting Sports as an official club sport. He has also served as a Resident Assistant in the dorms and as a New Student Orientation (NSO) Crew Leader, and has been heavily involved in both the Wildlife Club and Fisheries Club.

Beth Mehus is graduating this spring with a degree in English and minors in both marketing and digital marketing. Beth has been the public relations manager for Student Senate and is an editor and web creator for The Forge, the student literary magazine at VCSU. She held student positions in both Career Services and Sports Information and has served as a tutor, Viking Voyage Mentor and NSO Crew Leader.

LilyBeth Townsend will graduate in 2026 with a degree in English education. LilyBeth has been a member of the English Club, Drama Club, Social Justice Council and Student Senate while at VCSU. She has served as both a resident assistant and assistant hall director in the dorms, along with being a Viking Voyage Mentor and a NSO Crew Leader. She has worked as a campus tutor and as a student employee in the Language and Literature Department.

Grace Reep will graduate in 2026 with a degree in history education. Reep is the current president of VCSU Student Senate and previously served as secretary. She has also been involved in History Club and the Social Justice Council at VCSU. Reep has held positions as a Resident Assistant, Viking Voyage Mentor and Viking Ambassador, along with working in the library and serving on the campus student advisory committee.

Tara Dahl graduates this spring with a degree in music education. During her time at VCSU, Dahl has been heavily involved in numerous band and choir ensembles and was a member of the newly formed Speech Team this year. She served as Drum Major for the athletic band, leading the group during their performances at home athletic events. Dahl has also been a Viking Voyage Mentor and a Viking Ambassador, and she has worked in both the library and enrollment services office.

Grace Mueller is graduating this spring with a degree in English and a minor in music. She has served as the president for both the English Club and the Spanish Club, along with being involved in the Social Justice Council, Sigma Tau Delta and the National Society of Leadership and Success. Grace has worked as a resident assistant in the dorms, night manager at the Student Center and as a campus tutor. She has served as both a Viking Voyage Mentor and an NSO Crew Leader.

The Viking Pilot award is sponsored by VCSU Student Senate. Nominations can be made by all students and employees. Honorees are selected each spring by a joint committee of VCSU students, faculty and staff.

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