Qualon Orion Grant, a proud member of the Milbank High School Graduating Class of 2025, has consistently demonstrated exceptional dedication to his academic journey. Throughout his four years in high school, Qualon maintained an impressive 4.07 GPA (weighted) and achieved perfect attendance—a testament to his unwavering commitment and work ethic. His hard work has paid off as he has been accepted to the School of Mines in Rapid City, where he will pursue a degree in Mechanical Engineering, continuing his path toward excellence.
Qualon will be attending South Dakota Mines University 2025-2029 for Mechanical Engineering.
Located in Rapid City, South Dakota, The School of Mines
mission is to cultivate global leaders in science and engineering, committed to advancing society. Also empowering future scientists and engineers to tackle worldwide challenges, unleash their creative potential through innovation, and forge transformative partnerships to shape a better future.
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Award Winning Debate:
As a high school student excelling in debate, Qualon has mastered the art of persuasive communication and critical thinking, having become an invaluable member of the school’s debate team over the years.
Known for his sharp intellect and ability to analyze complex issues, Qualon thrives under pressure, delivering thoughtful arguments that consistently leave an impression on judges and peers alike. Their dedication to research, coupled with their knack for structuring compelling narratives, has earned his team numerous victories in local and regional tournaments. Beyond their individual skill, Qualon possesses an unwavering commitment to collaboration, supporting teammates in refining their arguments and enhancing their performance. Their resilience and focus inspire the team to aim higher and reach new levels of success.
By mentoring younger debaters and encouraging open dialogue, Qualon helps cultivate a culture of learning and mutual respect. His enthusiasm for debate extends beyond competitions, often organizing practice sessions and sharing valuable insights to hone everyone’s skills. Through dedication, teamwork, and a genuine love for debate, Qualon exemplified the spirit of excellence that defined the team. He also participated in judging debate for his high school community service.
Qualons participation in Boys State showcased his interest in leadership and civic responsibility, providing him with invaluable experience in government and public service.
Qualons membership in the National Honor Society reflects his dedication to scholarship, leadership, character, and service, while achieving the Platinum level on the National Career Readiness Certificate (NCRC) highlights his aptitude for workplace success.
Qualon proudly maintained perfect attendance throughout his high school years, which underscores his strong work ethic and dedication.
Academic Excellence and Leadership:
As a high school senior graduating with a 4.0 GPA, Qualon has consistently demonstrated a strong commitment to academic success and personal growth.
Leadership and Civic Engagement:
Qualon's acceptance into the National Honor Society is a testament to his commitment, perseverance, and excellence. It’s not just about academic success; it also reflects leadership, service, and character. Moments like this really show how effort and determination can lead to well-deserved recognition.
Perseverance and Reliability:
With a 28 ACT superscore, he has also achieved a competitive academic standing, ready to contribute and thrive in a collegiate environment.
Football and Sports:
Qualon is a dedicated high school senior who participated in football during his final year. Earlier in his youth, he actively engaged in Tae Kwon Do and baseball, showcasing his versatility and commitment to physical and team-oriented activities.
Qualon’s hobbies throughout school showcased his creativity and innovation.
He engaged in metallurgical projects and forging, crafting unique sculptures from recycled metals. Additionally, he worked on various creations using a 3D printer and a 3D printing pen, and he explored the art of metal casting.
Qualon also dedicated significant effort to perfecting the craft of clay art, skillfully sculpting and producing intricate, award-winning three-dimensional creations. His work often featured mediums such as clay, metal and wood, as well as recycled materials used in innovative ways.
His exceptional talent brought him notable accolades, including an Honorable Mention at the 2025 Augustana University High School Art Invitational and a 3rd place award in Class A Functional Ceramics for his dragon inspired clay tea set called "Blue Lagoon" at the South Dakota State Competition in 2025.
In his free time, Qualon also delved into finance, studying the subject extensively and actively participating in the stock market.
