Brig. Gen. Jackie Huber presents Ellie Horner with a challenge coin in recognition of her accomplishments in the Army National Guard, on December 21, 2025 | Photo from Jackie Huber
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Student to helicopter repairer
Student to helicopter repairer
Senior hockey player Ellie Horner enlists in the military
FEATURE | March 2026
Saint Mary’s Central High School senior and hockey player for Century High School, 18-year-old Ellie Horner enlisted as a UH-60 Blackhawk repairer in November 2025, which is a critical role to maintain the technical elements of army helicopters.
Horner said her main motivations for enlisting are “adventure, the experience, and to have a challenge.”
She considered pursuing a medical career but decided against it. “I have always hated hospitals, so I knew I didn’t want a job in one,” said Horner. She was still drawn to the first responder role and was able to help others through her new military position.
This fall, Horner will complete basic training and Advanced Individual Training (AIT), and she will come back in early January for flight training while getting a degree at the University of North Dakota (UND). She plans to get a commercial aviation degree for helicopters and looks forward to becoming a warrant officer in the US armed forces so she can be a pilot in the army too.
Ellie Horner takes the oath of service, officially joining the Army National Guard on November 24, 2025 at the Military Entrance Processing Station (MEPS) in Fargo | Photo from Ellie Horner
“My parents were a little hesitant at first,” said Horner, even though her sibling is in the National Guard. She takes inspiration from her friend who joined the Air Force, but “it was mostly my own intuition that inspired me to join,” said Horner.
Considering this monumental career step, the most substantial challenge for Horner has been “going into the unknown,” especially coming from being a senior in high school where her day to day life is largely predictable. Horner believes the new environments, such as weekend drills, are “like starting college early in a way.”
On December 21, both the Bismarck-Legacy and Century girls hockey teams met at the National Guard Aviation Flight Facility in Bismarck to take a group photo for their upcoming military night on January 8. Brigadier General Jackie Huber, the second-in-command of the North Dakota Na-tional Guard, was in attendance to give Horner a challenge coin. This coin, according to Horner, is “given mostly by officers to others when they see someone do something good,” and different coins have separate rankings depending on the rank of the officer that gives them out.
"Ellie Horner poses with Century High School girls hockey seniors, holding her Army National Guard challenge coin during photoshoot for Military Night, at the North Dakota National Guard Aviation Flight Facility in Bismarck, on December 21, 2025 | Photo from Jackie Huber
Challenge coin awarded to Ellie Horner, recognizing her accomplishments and service in the Army National Guard | Photo from Ellie Horner
Elizabeth LaDuke is a junior, and this is her third year on the Century Star. She is the editor-in-chief. “I am prepared to create my best work yet and lead the class to prepare for a productive year,” LaDuke said. As a passionate athlete, she is captain of the Patriot girls ice hockey team and also runs spring track. For work, she spends her time as a fitness associate at the Family Wellness Center in Mandan. She currently holds the secretary position for the North Dakota Leadership Seminar organization. She enjoys french culture and is president of the French Club at Century. She also participates in the Century Student Council, Spanish Club, library group, and National Honor Society...
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