Hill City valedictorian heads to U.S. Air Force Academy

Hill City High School’s class of 2025 valedictorian, Lexi Brandt, will soon be trading her cap and gown for dress blues as she embarks on a new journey at the U.S. Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs, Colo.—a path made possible through a nomination by U.S Sen. John Thune and U.S. Rep. Dusty Johnson.

As a seventh grader living in Colorado, Brandt was inspired by a Thunderbirds flyover during the Air Force Academy graduation ceremony. That moment sparked a dream that has become a reality through determination, academic excellence and a desire to serve her country. 

“After realizing what it was all about, the opportunities that it provides and the honor of serving my country, that’s when I realized that’s what I wanted to do,” she said. 

Brandt moved to Hill City as a freshman with a clear goal in mind, gaining acceptance to one of the most prestigious service academies in the nation. Knowing the process was competitive, she set her sights on becoming her class valedictorian. Four years later, she gave her valedictory speech under the Shrine of Democracy— Mount Rushmore National Memorial.

Daughter of Coni and Scott Brandt of Hill City, Brandt’s resume is a testament to her ambition, serving as president of the student council and vice president of state student council and volunteering with the humane society and Children’s Miracle Network. Brandt also serves as president of her National Honor Society chapter and graduated with a 4.0 GPA last Sunday.

“If you really focus on one thing, and you know that’s what you want, I think it makes it easier to go after it,” said Brandt. “I just think that internal motivation is one of the most important things you can have when you’re chasing goals.”

Brandt started the rigorous application process early in her junior year, working on her essays before she was even allowed to apply. The process includes several parts involving physical fitness tests, academic excellence, medical evaluations and recommendations from teachers Jennifer Mueller, Elizabeth Pettit and Alan Grinnsteiner. 

Mueller recalls working with thousands of students but none with such a “single-minded focus” as Brandt. 

“When she set this path out for herself, she didn’t let anything else get in her way,” said Mueller. “She went through it or completely obliterated it. Took down as many barriers and walls as she could.”

In September of her senior year, Brandt received her Letter of Assurance (LAO) from the U.S Naval Academy. In December, she received her second LAO, this one from the U.S. Air Force Academy, receiving nominations from both Thune and Johnson.

“Then I had to make a decision. That was really hard,” said Brandt. “They both have things I would love to do, but the Air Force Academy aligns more with what I want to do in the future.” 

Upon graduation from the Academy, Brandt will be commissioned as a Second Lieutenant and have a bachelor of science degree with a major in aeronautical engineering. Brandt hopes to secure a pilot slot. 

“You don’t 100 percent get to decide what you want,” said Brandt. “It’s up to the needs of the Air Force.” 

She hopes to make a career out of her time in the service.

Brandt is excited to start her new adventure with just a few nerves but is confident that she is prepared.

“Serving my country has been a dream of mine since middle school, and this milestone would not have been possible without the unwavering support of my family, friends and teachers,” Brandt said. “I am eager to begin this journey, knowing it will be both challenging and incredibly rewarding.”

In her valedictory address at the Hill City High School commencement ceremony last Sunday at Mount Rushmore, Brandt spoke under the great faces of past presidents saying, “We see the legacy of what happens when people chase opportunity, when they dare to lead, when they push past fear and failure to build something greater than themselves.

“We stand here today at the base of a monument dedicated to courage, vision and perseverance. And in a way, that’s exactly what our high school journey has been. Every test we took, every challenge we faced was its own kind of carving. We’ve been shaping who we are, one decision at a time. But unlike this memorial, our story isn’t finished yet. There’s still more to be carved. There’s more to come.”

As she prepares to embark on this new chapter, she carries with her the pride of Hill City and the knowledge that her story is only beginning. With her grit and dedication, her future looks as boundless as the skies she hopes to one day fly.