What does it take to be a Touchstone Energy Scholar of the Week? It's not just about grades or athletic ability. It takes a well-rounded individual that excels in the classroom and the community.
Touchstone Energy Cooperatives and Dakota News Now have joined together to recognize the achievements of high school seniors throughout the region. "Touchstone Energy Scholar of the Week" has been celebrating the achievements of high school seniors since 2002. Recipients are highly motivated high school seniors who excel in the classroom and community. This program was founded on the four pillars of Touchstone Energy: Integrity, Accountability, Innovation and a Commitment to Community. For more information on the program please call your local Touchstone Energy cooperative.
If there are outstanding seniors in your school that you would like to recognize, please nominate them here.
This Week's Scholar
Emmerson Larson
Willow Lake School
Emmerson will be featured on Dakota News Now during the 6:00PM news on Monday, October 13 and again on the Dakota News Now morning news on Tuesday, October 14 between 6:00AM and 7:00AM.
Allyssa Locke
April 2, 2022 - April 8, 2022
- School
- Groton Area High School (605-397-8381)
- GPA
- 4.07
- Activities
- Allyssa is an outstanding young female who has an impact in our building along with outside in the community. She is a current participant in organized school sports such as: Volleyball, Basketball, Soccer, & Dance team. Not only a participant, but also the captain of Soccer, Volleyball & Basketball team. With that dedication she has received multiple awards such as defensive player of the year, heart and soul award, and hustler award. She is also involved in other organizations through our school such as FCCLA & FCA. She is also decorated with academic awards through her years. She has reached Principal Honor Roll, Valedictorian, Girls State Delegate, Student Council, Student of the Month, National Honor Society, & 4.0 Honor Roll. To top it off she is also an active member of our local church youth group and a youth coach for many sports.
Allyssa Locke is from Groton, SD, located within Northern Electric Cooperative, a Touchstone Energy Cooperative.
Vincent Petrich
March 26, 2022 - April 1, 2022
- School
- Leola High School (605-439-3142)
- GPA
- 3.94
- Activities
- Vincent is active in football, basketball, band, FBLA, and involved in student government. He is the senior class president. He displays leadership qualities on and off the field and can be seen/heard on the sidelines and hallways. Vincent is motivated to complete high school and continue on his career path. He is still considering his post secondary options.
Vincent Petrich is from Leola, SD, located within FEM Electric Association, a Touchstone Energy Cooperative.
Ashlyn Weier
March 20, 2022 - March 26, 2022
- School
- Mitchell High School (6059953034)
- GPA
- 4
- Activities
- Ashlyn is involved in a number of activities including Cheer, HOSA, Student Council, and Penpals.
Ashlyn Weier is from Mitchell, SD, located within Central Electric Cooperative, a Touchstone Energy Cooperative.
Griffin Petersen
March 19, 2022 - March 25, 2022
- School
- Sully Buttes High School (6052582617)
- GPA
- 4
- Activities
- Basketball - 2 years Track - 5 years (state qualifier and state alternate) Cross Country - 5 years (state qualifier) FCCLA - 4 years (Gold - top superior rating on Sports Nutrition project) Student Council - 4 years (Class President, Region President) National Honor Society - 2 years (Chapter President) Band - 6 years (Drum major of marching band) Chorus - 6 years (All-State) Basketball Statistician - 1 year Boys State Delegate "Best of Preps" by Capital Journal
Griffin Petersen is from Onida, SD, located within Oahe Electric Cooperative, a Touchstone Energy Cooperative.
Jakeb Hunter
March 12, 2022 - March 18, 2022
- School
- Castlewood High School (6057932351)
- GPA
- 4
- Activities
- Jakeb participates in choir, band, oral interpretation, one-act plays, all-school plays and musicals, and All State Choir. His accomplishments include maintaining a 4.0 GPA through his high school career so far, getting into and attending South Dakota Honors Choir, receiving the Patrick S. Gilmore Band Award, attending State Oral Interpretation two consecutive years, and attending State One-Act four consecutive years.
Jakeb Hunter is from Castlewood, SD, located within H-D Electric Cooperative, a Touchstone Energy Cooperative.
Bryn Holmen
March 5, 2022 - March 11, 2022
- School
- Great Plains Lutheran High School (605-886-0672)
- GPA
- 3.99
- Activities
- Volleyball - captain, conference player of the year Basketball - captain, team MVP Honor Society Student Council Celebration Choir Band Presidential Award for Academic Excellence
Bryn Holmen is from Watertown, SD, located within Codington-Clark Electric Cooperative, a Touchstone Energy Cooperative.
Katie Gretschmann
February 26, 2022 - March 4, 2022
- School
- Avon High School (605-286-3291)
- GPA
- 3.96
- Activities
- volleyball (Captain, LMVC All-Conference, Great Plains All-Conference; recognized for 1,000 digs her junior year); Basketball; Track; Softball; Choir; Football Stat; Boys Basketball Stat; A-Club; Student Body Vice President; Merit and A honor rolls; Presidential Education Award; Girls State Representative; Homecoming Queen; Junior Legion Auxillary; taking dual credit courses
Katie Gretschmann is from Avon, SD, located within Bon Homme-Yankton Electric Assn., a Touchstone Energy Cooperative.
Camden Roth
February 19, 2022 - February 25, 2022
- School
- Wagner High School (605-384-3677)
- GPA
- 4
- Activities
- Camden participates in basketball, track, baseball, band, choir, and National Honor Society. He was also in the school musical (until canceled by COVID) and also did lights and sound for the school play. Camden is also very active in his church and donates blood. He was elected by peers to be the Junior Class President and the Prom Prince.
Camden Roth is from Wagner, SD, located within Charles Mix Electric Association, a Touchstone Energy Cooperative.
Noah Larson
February 12, 2022 - February 18, 2022
- School
- Elk Point-Jefferson (605-356-5900)
- GPA
- 3.98
- Activities
- Activities Football Band Drumline Baseball Scouting NHS Student Council Jazz Band Freshman Mentor Church Youth Group Accomplishments South Dakota Eagle Scout of the Year Football letters Band letters Baseball letters NHS President Student Council President Have received 5 Superiors in Solo Ensemble
Noah Larson is from Elk Point, SD, located within Union County Electric Cooperative, a Touchstone Energy Cooperative.
Molly Larson
February 5, 2022 - February 11, 2022
- School
- Gayville-Volin High School (605-267-4476)
- GPA
- 4.19
- Activities
- Honors: • High Academic Honor Roll (9th, 10th, 11th grade) • HOBY (Hugh O’Brian Youth Leadership) • Girls State Delegate School Activities and Leadership: 1. Volleyball- (7th grade-12th grade) • All Conference Award (8th-11th grade) • Defensive MVP (9th-11th grade) • Future 50 Select (10th and 11th grade) • Letter winner (7th-11th grade) • Team Captain (11th and 12th grade) 2. Basketball- (7th grade- 12th grade) • All Conference Award (7th-11th grade) • Most Valuable Player (9th-11th grade) • Raider Award (11th grade) • Letter winner (8th-11th grade) • Team Captain (9th, 10th, 11th, 12th grade) 3. Track and Field- (7th grade- 12th grade) • Raider Award (10th and 11th grade) • Letter winner (8th-11th grade) 4. Cross Country- (7th grade- 11th grade) • Raider Award (9th-11th grade) • Letter Winner (7th-11th grade) 5. Softball- (9th grade) 6. SADD (Students Against Destructive Decisions)- (10-12th grade) • Leadership Team (11th grade) 7. Band- (9th-12th grade) • Letter winner (8th-11th grade) 8. Student Council- (9th, 10th, 12th grade) • Student Council President 12th grade 9. Yearbook- (9th- 12th grade) 10. Mentoring program- (9th, 10th, 12th grade) 11. Fellowship of Christian Athletes- (9th-12th grade) 12. Kindergarten Classroom Aid- 12th grade 13. Youth Group- (8th-12th grade) • 2017 ELCA Gathering in Houston • 2021 Outlaw Ranch 14. 4H- (4th-10th grade) 15. American Legion Auxiliary- (4th-12th grade) Certificates: 1. Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (Basic Life Support- CPR)- Expires 1/2022 2. Certified Nursing Assistant- State of South Dakota- Expires 5/2022 Volunteer: 1. Reffing elementary and junior high basketball and volleyball games (2019-2021) 2. Baseball concessions throughout the summer (2021) 3. Vacation Bible School Volunteer (2017-2021)
Molly Larson is from Wakonda, SD, located within Clay-Union Electric Corporation, a Touchstone Energy Cooperative.