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.
Talitha Greaver
January 3, 2016 - January 9, 2016
- School
- Yankton High School
- GPA
- 4.1
- Activities
- National Honor Society (Vice President); Debate (President); Oral Interpretation Team; Orchestra (Viola Section Leader); Editor of "The Cellar Door" (YHS literary magazine); YHS Young Republicans; Roll of Excellence; dance student at Green Room Dance Studio; black belt in taekwondo; various community volunteer activities - Sunday School teacher, head of NHS Arikara Chapter fundraising board for Homeless Shelter expansion project, volunteer for blanket and book driver; National Merit Scholarship Semi-Finalist.
Talitha Greaver is from Yankton, SD, located within Bon Homme-Yankton Electric Assn., a Touchstone Energy Cooperative.
Abby Hora
December 20, 2015 - December 26, 2015
- School
- Viborg-Hurley High School
- GPA
- 4.07
- Activities
- FCA, FFA, Student Council (President), National Honor Society, Yearbook, Choir, Basketball, Track, Softball, Volleyball, AAU Basketball
Abby Hora is from Irene, SD, located within Southeastern Electric Cooperative, a Touchstone Energy Cooperative.
Sophie Beers
December 13, 2015 - December 19, 2015
- School
- Waubay High School
- GPA
- 3.85
- Activities
- Cheerleader, Volleyball, Basketball, Track, Student Council, National Honor Society, and W-Club
Sophie Beers is from Waubay, SD, located within Lake Region Electric Association, a Touchstone Energy Cooperative.
Isaac Groft
December 6, 2015 - December 12, 2015
- School
- Northwestern High School
- GPA
- 3.65
- Activities
- Football, Basketball, Track, Fellowship of Christian Athletes (FCA), Future Business Leaders of America (FBLA)
Isaac Groft is from Ashton, SD, located within Northern Electric Cooperative, a Touchstone Energy Cooperative.
Rebekah Tuchscherer
November 29, 2015 - December 5, 2015
- School
- Milbank High School
- GPA
- 4.2
- Activities
- Rebekah is the current FFA Vice President of the Milbank FFA Chapter and will represent South Dakota at the National FFA Convention. Rebekah is the Milbank Band President, Choir Soprano Section Leader, member of the Milbank Varsity Tennis team, member of the Speech and Debate team. Rebekah is in the top 5% of the class.
Rebekah Tuchscherer is from Milbank, SD, located within Whetstone Valley Electric Cooperative, a Touchstone Energy Cooperative.
Georgialee Quail
November 22, 2015 - November 28, 2015
- School
- Deuel High School
- GPA
- 3.939
- Activities
- Band,chorus, 4-H(president), Student Council(president and regional president),Art Club, Yearbook, Key Club, FFA, FCA, Class Officer(president), Friends Of Rachel club(president),National Honors Society, Quiz Bowl, Cross Country, Cheerleading, Track
Georgialee Quail is from Brandt, SD, located within H-D Electric Cooperative, a Touchstone Energy Cooperative.
Kendra Pikarski
November 8, 2015 - November 14, 2015
- School
- Sisseton High School
- GPA
- 3.81
- Activities
- National Honor Society,Future Business Leaders of America(FBLA), Family, Career and Community Leaders of America(FCCLA), Future Farmers of America, Volleyball, Basketball, Track
Kendra Pikarski is from Browns Valley, MN 56219, MN, located within Traverse Electric Cooperative, a Touchstone Energy Cooperative.
Drew Veurink
November 1, 2015 - November 7, 2015
- School
- Dakota Christian School
- GPA
- 3.79
- Activities
- Basketball, Drama, Choir, Student Council (president)
Drew Veurink is from Corsica, SD, located within Douglas Electric Cooperative, a Touchstone Energy Cooperative.
Hannah Noonan
October 25, 2015 - October 31, 2015
- School
- Howard High School
- GPA
- 4.016
- Activities
- President of Howard FFA Student Council President Cross Country Track and Field- 2015 State 300 meter Hurdle Chapion Wrestling Stats National Honors Society
Hannah Noonan is from Howard, SD, located within Central Electric Cooperative, a Touchstone Energy Cooperative.
Alexandra DeGroot
October 18, 2015 - October 24, 2015
- School
- Sioux Valley High School
- GPA
- 3.97
- Activities
- Alexandria DeGroot Student Council all four years Enrolled in college courses for the past two year
Alexandra DeGroot is from Volga, SD, located within Sioux Valley Energy, a Touchstone Energy Cooperative.