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.
Brock Hinker
April 6, 2025 - April 12, 2025
- School
- Corsica-Stickney High School (605-946-5475)
- GPA
- 3.92
- Activities
- Chorus, Vocal Contests, Drama, Football, Basketball, Track, CBH Academic Contests, Class Officers (9-10-12), National Honor Society, Yearbook, Top in Class- Psychology, Building Construction, Business Law
Brock Hinker is from Corsica, SD, located within Douglas Electric Cooperative, a Touchstone Energy Cooperative.
Elizabeth Klein
March 30, 2025 - April 5, 2025
- School
- Brandon Valley High School (1-605-582-3211)
- GPA
- 4
- Activities
- I have been Elizabeth’s counselor for the past four years admiring her intelligence, creativity, and commitment to service. She will not be the student that strives to get your attention or wants her name in lights, but she will be one of your hardest workers and most dedicated members. Elizabeth is mature, dependable, intelligent, and gracious. She has used her high school years wisely and is fully prepared for the next step in her future. Elizabeth’s academic record is pleasing. She has carried a 4.0 GPA while taking a rigorous course load. In addition to the 3 English honors classes throughout her years here, Elizabeth will have earned a minimum of 16 college credits through Nothern State University by the time she graduates. She is also currently taking AP Chemistry and Spanish IV both having the potential to earn her more college credit. She excels academically while remaining grounded. Within this balance she has also been involved in powerlifting, track and field, SALSA, Student Council, Orchestra, environmental club, and the Lynx Lookout (school newspaper). Her leadership has spread among all areas in our building. She was even chosen as Cello section leader in orchestra where she was able to show her true leadership potential. Just as important as school involvement, Elizabeth has also volunteered and worked within our community. She has volunteered at the Humane Society and Sioux Falls Butterfly house and aquarium. She also started her own online home bakery in addition to offering private piano lessons. She has also worked for the Cliff Avenue Greenhouse since April 2023. Her talents are uniquely varied and equally impressive. I believe she has used high school as a stepping stone for bigger and better things in her future. I guarantee if you have not yet met her, you will be impressed.
Elizabeth Klein is from Sioux Falls, SD, located within Sioux Valley Energy, a Touchstone Energy Cooperative.
Ava Gunderson
March 23, 2025 - March 29, 2025
- School
- Estelline School District (6058732201)
- GPA
- 4
- Activities
- High Honor Roll, National Honor Society, National Honor Society Vice President, One-Act Play, Track and Field
Ava Gunderson is from Estelline, SD, located within H-D Electric Cooperative, a Touchstone Energy Cooperative.
HANNAH HEIMAN
March 16, 2025 - March 22, 2025
- School
- Clark School District (605 532-3605)
- GPA
- 4.08
- Activities
- ACTIVITIES Volleyball National Honor Society Family, Career and Community Leaders of America (FCCLA) Students Against Destructive Decisions(SADD) Fellowship of Christian Athletes (FCA) Student Council Softball Youth group Tri-M Music Society ACCOMPLISHMENTS SD FCCLA President Region IV FCCLA President FCCLA Chapter President Girls State Governor All State Choir member Junior Snow Queen runner-up Chorus Directors Award National FCCLA 2nd place Parli Pro
HANNAH HEIMAN is from Clark, SD, located within Codington-Clark Electric Cooperative, a Touchstone Energy Cooperative.
Hannah Heiman
March 16, 2025 - March 22, 2025
- School
- Clark School District (605532-3605)
- GPA
- 4.08
- Activities
- ACTIVITIES Volleyball Softball Tri-M Music Society Family, Career, Community Leaders of America (FCCLA) Students Against Destructive Behavior (SADD) National Honor Society (NHS) Student Council Youth Group Fellowship of Christian Athletes (FCA) ACCOMPLISHMENTS State FCCLA President SD Girls State Governor Junior Snow Queen runner-up FCCLA Region President FCCLA Chapter President NHS President All State Choir FCCLA 2nd Place National Parli Procedure winner Volleyball Most Improved and Most Valuable Player Academic All-State Award Director's Award (Choir)
Hannah Heiman is from Clark, SD, located within Codington-Clark Electric Cooperative, a Touchstone Energy Cooperative.
Blaize Larson
March 9, 2025 - March 15, 2025
- School
- Webster Area High School (6053453548)
- GPA
- 4.1
- Activities
- Blaize is involved in Oral Interp, FCCLA, Robotics, Wrestling Stat, National Honor Society and Student Council. He has been a 3 time State Oral Interp participant and 1 time Medal Winner. He is FCCLA chapter president, has won state and national competitions, and been a officer on a state outreach team. He is Robotics Head this year and has been notebook head and made it to Robotics Nationals 3 times with his team. He is the senior class president. He also was a foreign exchange student 2024 Spring semester from January 10 until June 24, he lived in Malansac, France with a host family.
Blaize Larson is from Webster, SD, located within Lake Region Electric Association, a Touchstone Energy Cooperative.
Max Schuelke
March 2, 2025 - March 8, 2025
- School
- Milbank High School (605-432-5546)
- GPA
- 4.1
- Activities
- Activities & Acheivements Debate Participated: 9, 10, 11, 12 LD Coach and Captian Awards - LD Debate State Champion | 11th - LD Debate Runner-up | 10th - National Extemp Debate 32/900 finish | 11th - Extemp State Finalist | 9th, 10th, 11th - Attended Nationals | 10th, 11th - Fine Arts Student of the Month | 9th HOSA Participated: 11, 12 Awards - Biomedical Debate State Champion | 11th - Attended Nationals | 11th Educators Rising Participated: 11th, 12th Founding Member, State Officer Awards - Creative Lecture State Champion | 11th - Creative Lecture National Champion | 11th Theatre Participated: 9th, 10th, 11th, 12th Head of Costumes, Sound, Lights, Various Roles Awards - Fine Arts Student of the Month | 10th Student Council Particpiated: 9th, 10th, 11th, 12th Class Rep, Vice President, State Secretary Sunday School Participated: 9th, 10th, 11th, 12th Sunday School Teacher NSU Math Competition Participated: 9th, 10th, 11th Awards - Honorable Mention | 10th & 11th
Max Schuelke is from Revillo, SD, located within Whetstone Valley Electric Cooperative, a Touchstone Energy Cooperative.
Maxwell Kulesa
February 23, 2025 - March 1, 2025
- School
- Ipswich Public School (605-426-6571)
- GPA
- 4.25
- Activities
- FBLA, Band, Football, Basketball, Track, NHS
Maxwell Kulesa is from Ipswich, SD, located within FEM Electric Association, a Touchstone Energy Cooperative.
Gretchen Dinger
February 16, 2025 - February 22, 2025
- School
- Groton Area High School (605.397.8381)
- GPA
- 4.11
- Activities
- Gretchen is very active in my school based and non school based activities. School based activities: Varsity Soccer letter winner, Choreographer, Caption, and member of the Color Guard, FCCLA, Flex Band, Pep Band, Concert Band, team manager for volleyball, Show choir tech crew, Dynamics dance team, and member of the HOSA organization. Non School based activities: Active member at Emmanuel Lutheran Church which involves serving coffee and reading. Also a member of the Luther League at Emmanuel. She is also a volunteer volleyball coach for a elementary age team. Honors & Awards: High School All State Band (Sophomore & Junior year), National Honor Society, Tri-M Music Honor Society, Honorable Mention for the Big Idea Competition, Class president, Jr. Snow Queen State Place winner, Girls’ State Representative, Daughters of the American Revolution good citizen award, and National Merit Scholarship Semifinalist. Paid experiences: Full time summer nanny, life guard, swimming lesson instructor, and Assistant at BK Custom Tees and more.
Gretchen Dinger is from Groton, SD, located within Northern Electric Cooperative, a Touchstone Energy Cooperative.
Owan Watson
February 9, 2025 - February 15, 2025
- School
- Sunshine Bible Academy (605-853-3071)
- GPA
- 4
- Activities
- Owan has lettered in basketball three years and track two years. He has also participated in Cross Country. This year he will be a 5th year participant in All-State Chorus. He has been selected to participate in the Wayne State Festival of Honor Bands four times. He has lettered in One-Act Play, Spring Play and Oral Interp. He received Outstanding Actor recognition at Region Oral Interp two years. He has been Section leader in choir all through high school, was named SBA's Outstanding Instrumentalist, Outstanding Vocalist and Outstanding Oral Interper. He has received multiple Superior ratings at Small Group Music Contest and a Superior at Large Group Music Contest. He has been Vice President of his class for three years. This year he started a weekly podcast to recap SBA's athletic events for the week.
Owan Watson is from Miller, SD, located within Dakota Energy Cooperative, a Touchstone Energy Cooperative.