February 6, 2025 – Bottineau, ND – To keep with the storied tradition that dates back to 1961, Dakota College at Bottineau is excited to announce the 2025 Smokey’s Week King and Queen.

Nominations for Smokey’s court were held last week. Students eligible for the honor must have completed 24 credits and be full-time degree-seeking on-campus students to be considered. The 2025 Smokey’s Court of ten students were from various parts of the country.
 

• Taylor Corkish is from Deloraine, Manitoba, Canada. Given the opportunity to play college hockey and volleyball, Taylor chose DCB because she was looking for a college and community much like her hometown. Taylor likes how welcoming and friendly the teachers and staff are, sharing, “You aren’t just a number here. Everyone wants to see you”.  With a goal to join CBSA and become a border officer, her major is AS – Liberal Arts. Her favorite memory of DCB is getting to know so many people, creating lifelong friendships and getting the opportunity to go to Nationals in St Louis with the women’s hockey team last year.
• Cade Buxton is from Kieler, Wisconsin. He chose DCB because of the opportunity to continue his baseball career, small class sizes and the feeling like he is at home. He likes the opportunity to create genuine lifelong friendships with people from all over the world.  After graduating with a Small Business Management degree, Cade’s plan is to move closer to home, get a sales degree and enter the workforce.
  

• Karrington Eugene is from Lafeyette, Louisiana. Karrington heard the community was “great”, so she accepted the opportunity to play volleyball and basketball. What Karrington likes most about DCB are the people, and how supportive everyone is, especially at home games. She plans to transfer to a four year university while her overall goal is to travel the world for modeling and landscape architecture.
  
• Andrew Crowe is from Canton, Texas. Andrew is glad he chose DCB because of the community that surrounds the schools and the great environment. He shares, “It feels like DCB is a home away from home”. Andrew’s major is Advertising and Marketing. Andrew is hopeful he will be able to continue his baseball and educational career at a four-year college.
  

• Ava Flannery is from Pipestone, Manitoba, Canada. She chose DCB for the opportunity to play hockey and softball. What she likes most about DCB is the opportunities, small class sizes, and meeting new people from a wide variety of places. Ava’s major is Accounting with plans to transfer to a four-year school to pursue her Bachelors of Commerce.
• Phil Gibaut is from Bunbury, Western Australia. He chose DCB to play basketball and further study physiology. What Phil likes most about DCB is how welcoming everyone is on campus and how they make Bottineau feel like home away from home. His plan after DCB is to further his basketball and studies in Australia.
  
  
• Darcie Rae is from Carlyle Saskatchewan, Canada. She chose DCB for the opportunity to experience living in a new country, to continue to play softball while pursuing a major in Small Business Management.  What she likes most about DCB is all the new people she has met, and the relationships she has made.
  

• Dodge Long is from Loreburn, Saskatchewan, Canada. He chose DCB to start his education degree and an opportunity to play hockey.  Dodge’s plan is to finish his education degree.
  
• Emma Rybchinski is from Bottineau, North Dakota. She chose DCB to continue playing softball and to further her education at a school that has low costs. What Emma likes most about DCB is the small class sizes and the lifelong friendships she has made. Emma’s major is Liberal Arts Associate of Science. Her plan after DCB is to go to the University of North Dakota to study dietetics and become a registered dietitian.
• Joseph Plett is from Landmark, Manitoba, Canada. Joe chose DCB because it is an affordable option, and the opportunity to play baseball. What he likes most about DCB is the tight knit family community, small class sizes with helpful instructors while being close to home. Joe’s is studying Small Business Management.

Smokey’s coronation took place Thursday, February 6^th in the Woodshed at DCB’s campus. The fan fair excitement emceed by first year student Emmanual Weber announced the students vote for King and Queen.  The crowned “axed” Queen is Emma Rybchinski and King Cade Buxton.