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.
Elsie Aslesen
April 8, 2018 - April 14, 2018
- School
- Elk Point-Jefferson
- GPA
- 3.94
- Activities
- I have been involved in basketball through both my school and AAU team, track and field, National Honors Society, Student Council, Natural Helpers, and Freshman Mentors. I have also been involved in band, vocal, and volleyball throughout the course of my high school career. I have also taken many dual credit classes and will finish my high school career with twenty-three college credits. I have taken US History, Film Appreciation, and Speech 101, and I am currently taking AP Biology and Composition 1. Next semester, I plan on continuing AP Biology and taking dual credit Literature.
Elsie Aslesen is from Elk Point, SD, located within Union County Electric Cooperative, a Touchstone Energy Cooperative.
Alexander Palecek
April 1, 2018 - April 7, 2018
- School
- Yankton High School
- GPA
- 4.1
- Activities
- Science Olympiad, Math Team, National Honor Society, Student Council, Youth Group, Conference Council on Youth Ministries: Dakotas, Boy Scouts, Recycling Club, Choir, Debate
Alexander Palecek is from Yankton, SD, located within Clay-Union Electric Corporation, a Touchstone Energy Cooperative.
Kalista Vanden Berge
March 25, 2018 - March 31, 2018
- School
- Platte-Geddes School District
- GPA
- 3.97
- Activities
- Kali has been active in many school activities while maintaining a 3.97 GPA. She has been involved in basketball for 1 year, track, competitive cheer and dance, cheerleading, oral interpretation, choir, band, drama, and academic olympics for four years. In her limited spare time she has managed to attend a Governor's Luncheon, Girls State, and hold down a job working anywhere from 10-30 hours a week. She has also managed to take a dual credit course this year.
Kalista Vanden Berge is from Platte, SD, located within Charles Mix Electric Association, a Touchstone Energy Cooperative.
Hannah Van Gerpen
March 18, 2018 - March 24, 2018
- School
- Avon High School
- GPA
- 4
- Activities
- volleyball - Sr. captain, most improved and most inspirational awards; cheer - captain for 3 years, most spirited, All-American; track - most improved; basketball stat; FCA; FOR Club; Choir; Drama club; Oral Interp; Science Fair participant and award winner; Quiz Bowl; Class officer; A Club; 2017 155th Military Ball Queen; Presidential Academic Achievement Award; Cheer Camp leader; Volleyball Camp leader; Youth Group member participating in service projects; VBS leader; church camp counselor; volunteer for deployed military families;
Hannah Van Gerpen is from Avon, SD, located within Bon Homme-Yankton Electric Assn., a Touchstone Energy Cooperative.
Harlee Mitchell
March 11, 2018 - March 17, 2018
- School
- Henry High School
- GPA
- 3.97
- Activities
- -Basketball -Volleyball -Track and Field -Band -President of Student Council -National Honor Society -HOBY
Harlee Mitchell is from Henry, SD, located within Codington-Clark Electric Cooperative, a Touchstone Energy Cooperative.
Miranda Lakness
March 4, 2018 - March 10, 2018
- School
- Hamlin High School
- GPA
- 4
- Activities
- basketball, track, school play, student council, NHS, 4-H, senior luther league
Miranda Lakness is from Hazel, SD, located within H-D Electric Cooperative, a Touchstone Energy Cooperative.
Olivia Heinecke
February 25, 2018 - March 3, 2018
- School
- Sisseton High School
- GPA
- 4.07
- Activities
- *Honor Roll 9-12 *September Student of the Month 12 *Oral Interpretation 10-12 (state participant 3 times and state superior twice plus other medals and trophies) *FBLA (Future Business Leaders of America) 9-12 Local president and state north vice president 12, state secretary 11, national leadership conference competitor 9-11 *SD Girls State Representative 11 *Hugh O'Brian Youth Seminar Delegate 10 *FCCLA (Family, Career and Community Leaders of America 10 *Art Club 9-11 *Students Against Destructive Decisions (SADD) 9 *Basketball 9-11 *Student Government 9,11 *One Act Play 12 *National Honor Society Secretary 11-12 *Knowledge Bowl 12 *Missoula Children's Theatre (several years) *Judges Choice Award-Granary Art Show 9 *Scholastic Art and Writing Award, Gold Key Designation 11 *SD Congressional Art Competition runner-up *SD Junior Duck Stamp 1st place 9 *Roberts County Snow Queen 12 *Miss Teen South Dakota semi-finalist 10 *SD Junior Snow Queen Contest runner-up 9 *Miss Teen Siouxland Pageant runner-up, Miss Congeniality, Newcomer Award 9 *SD Junior Snow Queen Contest runner-up 9 *VFW Voice of Democracy Local and District winner 12 *SD Ambassadors of Excellence Governors Camp for Gifted Students 9-11
Olivia Heinecke is from Sisseton, SD, located within Whetstone Valley Electric Cooperative, a Touchstone Energy Cooperative.
Trevor Case
February 18, 2018 - February 24, 2018
- School
- Webster Area School
- GPA
- 4.146
- Activities
- Football, Key Club, Hunting, Fishing, Basketball, 4-H, Shooting Sports, Student Council President, SMARTS Challenge
Trevor Case is from Webster, SD, located within Lake Region Electric Association, a Touchstone Energy Cooperative.
Ethan Geraets
February 11, 2018 - February 17, 2018
- School
- Chester Area School
- GPA
- 4
- Activities
- Activities: Sioux Valley Energy?s Empower program (student participant and Advisory Committee). Champions on Track (character recognition). Senior Class Secretary/Treasurer. National Honor Society (Vice-President. Basketball. Plays (musical, 3-act and 1-act). Drama Club (Secretary and Treasurer). Future Farmers of America. (Vice-President). Quizbowl. Choir All-State Choir, Big East Choir) Band (concert, pep, Big East Band, Drum Major of marching band - President and Secretary). Spanish Club (Secretary and Treasurer). Boys State.
Ethan Geraets is from Humboldt, SD, located within Sioux Valley Energy, a Touchstone Energy Cooperative.
Annie Keeter
January 28, 2018 - February 3, 2018
- School
- Miller High School
- GPA
- 3.929
- Activities
- FCCLA (Future Career Community Leaders of America) SADD (Students Against Destructive Decisions) MAHB (Miller Area Health Board) 4H NHS (National Honors Society) Youth Leadership Entrepreneur Board Volleyball Junior Olympic Volleyball Basketball Track MYF (Methodist Youth Foundation) Give Back Day Co-Founder
Annie Keeter is from St. Lawrence, SD, located within Dakota Energy Cooperative, a Touchstone Energy Cooperative.