A Parade of New Experiences

When Evan Bartelt set out for South Dakota State, he was in search of new experiences – and joining The Pride of the Dakotas was the perfect way for him to find them.

A junior civil engineering major hailing from the small town of Parkston, Evan credits the engineering program for bringing him to SDSU. Having been active in music and track/cross country during high school, he considered multiple extracurriculars for his Jackrabbit career. Evan knew his schedule would only allow him to pursue one of his passions and ultimately landed on The Pride for its potential to broaden his horizons. Now, Evan’s latest new experience with the marching band will be the upcoming performance at the Chicago Thanksgiving Parade in front of hundreds of thousands of spectators.  

Evan’s first three years in The Pride have been filled with unforgettable memories, new friends from all sorts of majors, and opportunities for growth. Though he’d participated in band and choir throughout his high school career, the Parkston band was far smaller than The Pride, and he was unfamiliar with field marching. With support from upperclassmen showing him the ropes, Evan set to work learning the ins and outs of field performances. He was surprised to find that many members of the band, like him, weren’t music majors, and Evan appreciated the chance to cross paths with Jackrabbits from around campus he might not otherwise meet. He also shares his talents with the trumpet in Concert Band and plays the mellophone for Pep Band.  

For Evan, there’s nothing quite like the electric atmosphere that comes with being a part of the marching band, from the unparalleled hoopla of Hobo Day to the brisk excitement of home football games as the band creates a soundtrack to victory. From their post near the end zone, it’s the group’s job to elevate the mood, entertain the crowd, and do what they do best: make the university proud.  

“That energy on game days cannot be matched anywhere else in the stadium,” says Evan. “As soon as defense starts, we’re screaming at the top of our lungs and making some noise. We’re having the most fun of anyone.”  

Though it will be Evan’s third year of playing with The Pride, it’ll also be a year of firsts. He was deeply influenced by the older members of the group that came before him, impressed by the way they modeled by example, practiced leadership, and stepped up to help younger students. When the upperclassmen graduated, Evan decided it was time for him to do the same and become a leader The Pride needed. 

He ventured outside his comfort zone to audition for the role of drum major. The audition process was marked by steep competition, eventually selecting four students to serve as drum majors; Evan is among them and looking forward to the challenge. The role will require additional time dedicated to the band, with drum majors coming early and staying late for each practice.    

“It’s something new I can do that could be a great help to the band,” he explains. “I wanted to be as helpful as I can and step up for leadership this year.” 

It’s a bold year to take on more responsibility as The Pride of the Dakotas eyes their latest milestone performance, with an appearance on the horizon at the 2026 Chicago Thanksgiving Parade. For many students including Evan, it’ll be a new experience visiting a big city and exploring the iconic metropolitan area. More than 300 Jackrabbits will take the trip, made possible by the generosity of the yellow and blue community. The cost of travel, lodging, and meals to send just one band member to Chicago is approximately $1,500, and private donations are pivotal in ensuring that every student has the chance to take this unforgettable journey. In addition to their performance, the group will visit signature destinations, like Millenium Park, the Museum of Science and Industry, the Shedd Aquarium, and more. Representing South Dakota State on a national stage is no small feat, and the group intends to make the most of their time in Chicago. 

As drum major, Evan reports that The Pride plans to make quite an impression on the windy city. 

“I’m excited to be able to share our school spirit – we’re going to be very loud on that street and make sure people take notice,” he says. “It’ll be an opportunity to travel with the friends I’ve made and represent our school and just have a great time.” 

Though many students juggle work and other extracurriculars outside of academics and regular rehearsals with The Pride, landmark performances like this can be cost-prohibitive. Evan himself has spent his summers between semesters interning for McLaury Engineering in Parkston as a field technician, observing and documenting on-site construction and solving problems as they arise. Still, without the philanthropy of Jackrabbit donors, a trip like this might be just one more problem to solve when it comes to making ends meet for those in the marching band.  

Visiting a large city, tackling the role of drum major, and leading SDSU’s largest musical group through another milestone performance is an adventure that Evan, like many others, is ready to embark upon. The Chicago Thanksgiving Parade is his most exciting new experience yet, and Evan couldn’t be more grateful for the donors behind the journey.