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.
Sheridan Voorhees
February 2, 2025 - February 8, 2025
- School
- Sully Buttes High School (605 258 2618)
- GPA
- 4
- Activities
- Participate in Band, Jazz Band, Chorus, FCCLA, Student Council, National Honor Society, Oral Interpretation, Drama, Volleyball, Basketball, Yearbook, Girls State Delegate, and Sully Buttes History Club.
Sheridan Voorhees is from Onida, SD, located within Oahe Electric Cooperative, a Touchstone Energy Cooperative.
Layke Wold
January 26, 2025 - February 1, 2025
- School
- Chester Area (6054892411)
- GPA
- 4
- Activities
- A Honor Roll | 4 years Honor Society | 2 years Class of 2025 Vice President | 2 years Yearbook | 4 years Varsity Football | 4 years Captain Volunteers to referee youth football games Madison Daily Leader Player of the Week (x2) Varsity Basketball | 6 years Also played summer basketball programs, Sacred Hoops (4 years) and SD Identity (1 year) Created and ran an individual/small group summer training program for younger kids wanting to improve their skills Varsity Golf | 2 years Band | 4 years Choir | 4 years Definitely enjoys being hands-on with the younger kids, he’s come full circle looking up to those upper classmen that were in his elementary classrooms Homecoming Royalty Dual Credit Courses | several taken to jumpstart his college career
Layke Wold is from Chester, SD, located within Sioux Valley Energy, a Touchstone Energy Cooperative.
Nicholas Schmitz
January 19, 2025 - January 25, 2025
- School
- Elk Point-Jefferson (6057302424)
- GPA
- 4
- Activities
- Football Basketball Track National Honors Society Helping Coach Little Huskies football in the fall Academics-Honor Roll Husky Award for Football Dak 12 Conference All Conference Football Award 24-25 SDFBCA Academic All-State Award Lettering in: Football,Basketball,Track, Academics Apart of the State Basketball Team 2023
Nicholas Schmitz is from Elk Points, SD, located within Union County Electric Cooperative, a Touchstone Energy Cooperative.
Carson Ferry
January 12, 2025 - January 18, 2025
- School
- Hanson High School (605-239-4387)
- GPA
- 3.98
- Activities
- National Honor Society (Jr & Sr yr) Track Cross Country Church Youth Group Missions Trips
Carson Ferry is from Fulton, SD, located within Central Electric Cooperative, a Touchstone Energy Cooperative.
William Pirak
January 5, 2025 - January 11, 2025
- School
- Gayville-Volin High School (605-267-4476)
- GPA
- 4.16
- Activities
- Extra-Curricular Activities: • Cross Country (state qualifier for four years, team captain as a junior/senior year) • Basketball (varsity player soph/jr/sr years) • Track (state qualifier junior year-and hopeful for spring 2025!) • Student Council (four years) • Fellowship of Christian Athletes (four years) • Mentoring (four years) • Gayville Lutheran Church Youth Group (four years) • Eagle Scout - BSA awarded July 2024 • Boys State representative (May 2024) Work Experience: Pirak Brothers Lawn Care 2017-2022 • Mowed timely for 20+ local customers under the direction of my brothers who started the business. • Reported time sheets and billing WIlliam Pirak Lawn Care 2022-present • Single handedly, mowed for 15 customers and two cemeteries as needed. • Scheduled, billed and kept contact with all customers • Procured new customers • As I head to college, I’ve made contact with all my customers and a younger lawn mower in my community making sure customers’ lawn are taken care of when I attend UNL
William Pirak is from Gayville, SD, located within Clay-Union Electric Corporation, a Touchstone Energy Cooperative.
Hayden Hofer
December 15, 2024 - December 21, 2024
- School
- Bridgewater Emery (6054494271)
- GPA
- 3.87
- Activities
- Hayden is involved in the following co-curricular activities: basketball, volleyball (earned all-conferene selection), football statistician, choir (earned all state choir selection), FFA, FCCLA, NHS, Student Council (secretary position), journalism, and yearbook. Hayden is also involved in her church youth group where she has participated in mission work in another country. Hayden also works as a CNA at the local nursing home. She is admired by all the residents. Hayden has also earned 25 credits through seven semesters of high school. She has always challenged herself academic and has already earned 31.5 credits through her junior year. She is an academically motivated indivdiually also balanced active involvement in school activities.
Hayden Hofer is from Bridgewater, SD, located within Southeastern Electric Cooperative, a Touchstone Energy Cooperative.
Riley Spaans
December 8, 2024 - December 14, 2024
- School
- Armour High School (6059331576)
- GPA
- 4
- Activities
- Riley Spaans High School Data Sheet 9th Grade School/Community Activities Football Basketball Golf 4H Youth Group Shooting Sports Band Honors/Awards Straight A honor roll all year Basketball letter winner Football letter winner 3rd team all conference in the Little Missouri Valley Conference (basketball) All conference in Great plains conference (basketball) Student council representative Effort Award winner Golf Letter Winner State Shooting Sports/4H Volunteer/Community Involvement Lorain Theater Volunteer Church carnival Put on a field day for genius hour project Skills USA carnival Play intermission server 4H Ag Olympics Reformed Church Food drive Senior Venture Weight Room Helper (Gavin Westendorf) Part time Golf Course Worker High School Concessions Worker Summer jobs- construction and golf course groundskeeper 10th grade School/community activities Football Basketball Youth Group Band Honors/Awards Student council representative All Conference in Great Plains Conference (Basketball) All Conference in Little Missouri Valley Conference (Basketball) Basketball Letter Winner Football Letter Winner Basketball team captain Football team captain Effort award winner Skills USA second place cabinet making Straight A honor roll All year Sultan of Shapes award Shop Award for being Detailed NHS Volunteer/Community Involvement Volunteer at church carnival Skills USA carnival High school concessions worker Reformed Church food drive Track meet worker Fore club easter egg hunt volunteer Reading with elementary students volunteer Nursing Home volunteer worker 11th Grade School/Community Activities Student council representative Football Basketball Youth Group NHS Skills USA President Honors/Awards Shop 5 Leadership Award Algebra 2 Award English Award Football Team Captain Basketball team captain Letter winner in football Letter winner in basketball All conference in football All conference in basketball Enlisted in Army National Guard Skills USA Cabinetmaking bronze metal Skills USA Job Interview silver metal Volunteer/Community Involvement Built bean bag boards for prom Lorain Theatre volunteer 12th Grade School/Community Activities Football Basketball Youth Group NHS Skills USA Honors/Awards Football Team Captain 4.0 GPA Skills USA President Student Council President NHS Vice President Volunteer/Community Involvement Lorain Theatre Volunteer
Riley Spaans is from Armour, SD, located within Douglas Electric Cooperative, a Touchstone Energy Cooperative.
Mahpiya Irving
December 1, 2024 - December 7, 2024
- School
- Andes Central ((605) 487-7671)
- GPA
- 3.57
- Activities
- Volleyball, Basketball, Student Government, National Honor Society, Homecoming Queen, A honor roll, and JAG
Mahpiya Irving is from Lake Andes, SD, located within Charles Mix Electric Association, a Touchstone Energy Cooperative.
Eliana Darling
November 24, 2024 - November 30, 2024
- School
- Langford Area High School (6054936454)
- GPA
- 4
- Activities
- Volleyball, basketball, student council, school play leading role, choir, band, all state chorus (4 year member), honor band (4 year member), marching band drum major, homecoming candidate, girls state, church youth leader, church camp counselor.
Eliana Darling is from Langford, SD, located within Lake Region Electric Association, a Touchstone Energy Cooperative.
Bryson Hanson
November 17, 2024 - November 23, 2024
- School
- Aberdeen Central HS (605-725-8123)
- GPA
- 4.32
- Activities
- Member of National Honor Society 4-year All-State Choir Member 2-year Senior Honor Choir Member 2-year Junior Honor Choir Member Twice State One-Act Superior Rated Play State One-Act Superior Rated Ensemble State One-Act Superior Rated Performer 3-year Superior Rated Vocal Solo 2- year Superior Rated Orchestra Solo 110% Performer Award for Eagle Express Show Choir 2022-2023 Outstanding Sophomore 2023-2024 Outstanding Junior Lettering in Acapella Choir and Symphonic Orchestra Certificate of Membership to the National Speech & Debate Association President's Award for Educational Excellence. Nominee of the DAR Good Citizens Award Ranked 4 of 352
Bryson Hanson is from Aberdeen, SD, located within Northern Electric Cooperative, a Touchstone Energy Cooperative.