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.
Alan Masat
April 23, 2017 - April 29, 2017
- School
- Redfield School District
- GPA
- 4
- Activities
- Student of the Month (9) Academic Award (9,10,11) 1st Place Individual State FFA Crops Judging (9) 1st place team Sate FFA Crops Judging (9) 3rd Place Individual State FFA Meats Evaluation (10) 1st Place Team State FFA Meats Evaluation (10) Silver rating National FFA Meats Evaluation (11) 1st Place Individual State FFA Natural Resources (11) 1st Place Team State FFA Natural Resources (11) NCRC Gold Rating Godl Rating National FFA Natural Resources (12) SDSU 4-H Extension Character All-Star Football (9,10,11,12) Football Captain (12) Track (9) Basketball (9,10,11,12) Baseball (9,10,11) NHS (10,11,12) FFA (8,9,10,11,12)
Alan Masat is from Redfield, SD, located within Northern Electric Cooperative, a Touchstone Energy Cooperative.
Ben Pond
April 16, 2017 - April 22, 2017
- School
- Ipswich High School
- GPA
- 4.24
- Activities
- Football, basketball, track and field, band, vocal, All State Chorus, All School Play, National Honor Society, volunteer at Tiger Tutoring.
Ben Pond is from Ipswich, SD, located within FEM Electric Association, a Touchstone Energy Cooperative.
Brianna Smith
April 9, 2017 - April 15, 2017
- School
- Hamlin School District
- GPA
- 4.02
- Activities
- Book Club, Students Against Destructive Decisions, National Honor Society, Skills USA, HOSA
Brianna Smith is from Hayti, SD, located within H-D Electric Cooperative, a Touchstone Energy Cooperative.
Alec Paulson
April 2, 2017 - April 8, 2017
- School
- Florence School
- GPA
- 4
- Activities
- Letterwinner in FB, BBB, Track FFA officer 4 years in Band, Chorus active in school plays
Alec Paulson is from Wallace, SD, located within Codington-Clark Electric Cooperative, a Touchstone Energy Cooperative.
Tory Arbach
March 26, 2017 - April 1, 2017
- School
- Marion High School
- GPA
- 3.83
- Activities
- Volleyball 2011-17 team captain senior year. Letter winner. Track and Field 2015-17 Letter Winner Student Council 2011-17 Senior Class Representative Basketball Stats 2016-17 Football Cheerleader 2015-17 National Honor Society 2016-17
Tory Arbach is from Marion, SD, located within Southeastern Electric Cooperative, a Touchstone Energy Cooperative.
Rachel Geary
March 19, 2017 - March 25, 2017
- School
- Elk Point-Jefferson
- GPA
- 3.97
- Activities
- Throughout high school, I have been involved in many activities. Some extra-curricular activities, I have been involved in are track, basketball manager, National Honor Society, Student Council, Yearbook, math contest, and State Science Fair. Outside of school, I participate in y-discipleship (church group), teen leaders, friends feast, camp counselor, Character All Stars Representative, and 4-H. I have also been a leader through 4-H, teen leaders, and various activities in school.
Rachel Geary is from Elk Point, SD, located within Union County Electric Cooperative, a Touchstone Energy Cooperative.
Jensen Holzbauer
March 12, 2017 - March 18, 2017
- School
- Wagner Community School
- GPA
- 4
- Activities
- Volleyball, Gymnastics, National Honor Society, Academic Letter Winner
Jensen Holzbauer is from Wagner, SD, located within Charles Mix Electric Association, a Touchstone Energy Cooperative.
Alyssa Iiams
March 5, 2017 - March 11, 2017
- School
- Irene-Wakonda School
- GPA
- 3.79
- Activities
- Cross Country ? 9,10,11**,& 12 Basketball Cheerleader ? 11** One Act Play ? 10, ) Vocal Music ? 9,10**,11**,12** All State Delegate ? 11; All State Chorus Alternate ? 12 Band ?,10, Community Service ? Helped set up and run the Easter Egg Hunt and kids? activities in Wakonda ? 11 Volunteered for Federal Dept. of Education panel ? 12 **Lettered in sport Honors & Awards I-W Honor Society ? 11, 12 I-W Academic Letter Award ? 11, 9 Weeks Honor Roll ? 9, 10, 11, )
Alyssa Iiams is from Yankton, SD, located within Bon Homme-Yankton Electric Assn., a Touchstone Energy Cooperative.
Maggie Peterson
February 26, 2017 - March 4, 2017
- School
- Vermillion High school
- GPA
- 4
- Activities
- Show Choir, student council, class officer, soccer, yearbook, drama, national honor society, SADD, art club, Spanish club, quiz bowl, "Random Acts of Kindness"
Maggie Peterson is from Vermillion, SD, located within Clay-Union Electric Corporation, a Touchstone Energy Cooperative.
Carson Zubke
February 19, 2017 - February 25, 2017
- School
- Waubay High School
- GPA
- 3.8
- Activities
- Student Council President National Honor Society President Chorus Oral Interpretation One-Act Play Part-time employed at local business
Carson Zubke is from Waubay,, SD, located within Lake Region Electric Association, a Touchstone Energy Cooperative.