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.
Avery Schupner
September 11, 2016 - September 17, 2016
- School
- Tea Area High School
- GPA
- 4
- Activities
- Basketball, softball, band, T.A.T.U., NHS, student council
Avery Schupner is from Tea, SD, SD, located within Southeastern Electric Cooperative, a Touchstone Energy Cooperative.
Thomas Trautman
May 15, 2016 - May 21, 2016
- School
- Aberdeen Central High School
- GPA
- 3.994
- Activities
- marching band, science fair, track and field, student congress, speech and debate, National Honor Society
Thomas Trautman is from Aberdeen, SD, located within Northern Electric Cooperative, a Touchstone Energy Cooperative.
Kristen Hoffman
May 8, 2016 - May 14, 2016
- School
- Bowdle High School
- GPA
- 3.89
- Activities
- Marching band flag corp. 8-12 grade; large and small group vocal music competition 7-12 grade; class president: jr. and sr. year; student council; FFA 7-12 grade; FFA Offices: Sophomore year - treasure; senior - vice president. Sports; cheerleading 10-12 grade; cheer captain 11-12 grade; volleyball 7-12 grade
Kristen Hoffman is from Bowdle, SD, located within FEM Electric Association, a Touchstone Energy Cooperative.
Kaitlyn Hague
May 1, 2016 - May 7, 2016
- School
- Highmore-Harrold High School
- GPA
- 4
- Activities
- Kaitlyn is involved in football as a manager, FFA, FBLA-including competing in the national convention, and she is the local chapter president of FCCLA. She is also a FCCLA state officer as the Vice President of Community Services and is the District 7 Chairperson. She is also involved in 1 and 3-Act plays and is the Student Council President.
Kaitlyn Hague is from Highmore, SD, located within Dakota Energy Cooperative, a Touchstone Energy Cooperative.
Jared Hueser
April 24, 2016 - April 30, 2016
- School
- Elk Point-Jefferson High School
- GPA
- 4
- Activities
- Freshman Year Activities: Student Council, Football, Wrestling, Track, Acceleration, CCD Freshman Year Honors: ?A? Honor Roll, State Wrestling Place Winner, Homecoming Royalty, Wrestling Letter Winner, Football Letter Winner, Track Letter Winner, Student Council Letter Winner, Academic Letter Winner, Sophomore Year Activities: Student Council, Football, Wrestling, Track, CCD Sophomore Year Honors: ?A? Honor Roll, State Wrestling Place Winner, Wrestling Letter Winner, Captain of Wrestling Team, Football Letter Winner, Track Letter Winner, Student Council Letter Winner, Academic Letter Winner, Junior Year Activities: Student Council, Football, Wrestling, Track, CCD, Newspaper, Teen Court Junior Year Honors: ?A? Honor Roll, State Wrestling Place Winner, Wrestling Letter Winner, Captain of Wrestling Team, Football Letter Winner, Track Letter Winner, State Track Qualifier, Student Council Letter Winner, Academic Letter Winner Senior Year Activities: Student Council, Football, Wrestling, Track, CCD, Newspaper Senior Year Honors: Homecoming Royalty, Captain of Football Team
Jared Hueser is from Elk Point, SD, located within Union County Electric Cooperative, a Touchstone Energy Cooperative.
Katherine Brockevelt
April 17, 2016 - April 23, 2016
- School
- Vermillion High School
- GPA
- 4
- Activities
- SADD, National Honor Society, Golf, Band and community volunteering
Katherine Brockevelt is from Vermillion, SD, located within Clay-Union Electric Corporation, a Touchstone Energy Cooperative.
Tristan Hayes
April 10, 2016 - April 16, 2016
- School
- Kimball School District
- GPA
- 4.072
- Activities
- FBLA, Student Council, track, football, cross country, vocal, National Honor Society, and HOBY
Tristan Hayes is from Kimball, SD, located within Central Electric Cooperative, a Touchstone Energy Cooperative.
Jenna Erickson
April 3, 2016 - April 9, 2016
- School
- Platte-Geddes High School
- GPA
- 3.96
- Activities
- Jenna has been active in NHS, Sideline and Competitive Cheer and Dance, Volleyball, JO Volleyball, Youth Group, Choir, Youth Mentoring, and she is the Class Treasurer.
Jenna Erickson is from Platte, SD, located within Charles Mix Electric Association, a Touchstone Energy Cooperative.
Caleb Whitmyre
March 27, 2016 - April 2, 2016
- School
- Webster Area School
- GPA
- 4.103
- Activities
- Key Club, National Honor Society, Basketball, Track, Student Council, Robotics Club, Band and SADD
Caleb Whitmyre is from Webster, SD, located within Lake Region Electric Association, a Touchstone Energy Cooperative.
Ryder Grantham
March 20, 2016 - March 26, 2016
- School
- Hamlin High School
- GPA
- 4
- Activities
- Football, Basketball, Track, Play, SADD, Student council, and National Honor Society.
Ryder Grantham is from Hayti, SD, located within H-D Electric Cooperative, a Touchstone Energy Cooperative.