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.

Rawson Yost
November 9, 2014 - November 15, 2014
- School
- Clark High School
- GPA
- 3.6
- Activities
- Cross Country, FCCLA (Family, Career, Community Leaders of America) Oral Interp,FFA, Track, Basketball
Rawson Yost is from Raymond, SD, located within Codington-Clark Electric Cooperative, a Touchstone Energy Cooperative.

Jonathan Linke
November 2, 2014 - November 8, 2014
- School
- Woonsocket High School
- GPA
- 4
- Activities
- Band, Jazz Band, Winter Drumline, Choir, All-State Chorus, FFA (Chapter President-District IV President- State Star Green Hand-State livestock Winning Team), Student Council (President), National Honor Society Member, Quiz Bowl, Baseball, 4-H (Club President-State Fair Beef Premier Exhibitor), Junior Angus Assoc. Member, Modern Woodman of America Member, SD Farmers Union, St. Wilfrid's Youth Group.
Jonathan Linke is from Woonsocket, SD, located within Central Electric Cooperative, a Touchstone Energy Cooperative.

Mikayla Prouty
October 26, 2014 - November 1, 2014
- School
- Willow Lake High School
- GPA
- 4
- Activities
- A honor roll Varisty Volleyball, Basketball, Cross Country, Track
Mikayla Prouty is from Bryant, SD, located within H-D Electric Cooperative, a Touchstone Energy Cooperative.

Bailey Zerfoss
October 19, 2014 - October 25, 2014
- School
- Wolsey-Wessington School
- GPA
- 3.9
- Activities
- Volleyball, Student Council President, Basketball, Warbirds Influencing Lifelong Decisions member, Football Stats, Interact Member, National Honor Society member, FFA Historian, Oral Interp Captain, HOSA parliamentarian, Track manager
Bailey Zerfoss is from Huron, SD, located within Dakota Energy Cooperative, a Touchstone Energy Cooperative.

Colton Hageman
October 12, 2014 - October 18, 2014
- School
- Lake Preston School District
- GPA
- 4
- Activities
- FB, BBB, Track, Math team, NHS, Annual, newspaper, student council, Swing choir, choir, band, marching band, basically everything we offer
Colton Hageman is from Lake Preston, SD, located within Kingsbury Electric Cooperative, a Touchstone Energy Cooperative.

Jordyne Schultz
October 5, 2014 - October 11, 2014
- School
- Agar-Blunt-Onida
- GPA
- 4
- Activities
- 4 years - Volleyball 4 years - Golf 4 Years - Class President 4 years - Chorus 1 year - Basketball 1 year - FCCLA 3 years - Yearbook Staff American Legion Auxiliary - Youth Member
Jordyne Schultz is from Blunt, SD, located within Oahe Electric Cooperative, a Touchstone Energy Cooperative.

Hope Knedler
September 28, 2014 - October 4, 2014
- School
- Vermillion
- GPA
- 3.9
- Activities
- One-Act Play, Fall and Spring Play, Drum Major for High School Band, Gymnastics, Jazz Band, Show Band, All-State Band,
Hope Knedler is from Vermillion, SD, located within Clay-Union Electric Corporation, a Touchstone Energy Cooperative.

Maria Corio
September 21, 2014 - September 27, 2014
- School
- Elk Point-Jefferson High School
- GPA
- 4
- Activities
- Basketball (4 years), Volleyball (3 years), Track (1 year), Student Council (2 years), Student Body Vice-President (1 year), Student Body President (1 year), Natural Helpers (4 years), Newspaper Journalist (3 years), State Science Fair (3 years), Annual Talent Show (4 years), Vocal (2 year), CCD (4 years), Summer Camps (4 years), Homecoming Royalty (3 years), National Honors Society (2 years), Church Band (4 years), Church Server (4 years), Concessions (4 years), Friends? Feast (4 years), Food Drive (4 years), Fish Fries (4 years), Mentor Program (2 years), Bullying Prevention and Tobacco Awareness Presentations (4 years), Freshman Orientation (1 year), Annual Haunted House Fundraiser (2 years), Edgar?s Basketball Tournament (3 years), Salt Drive (3 years)
Maria Corio is from Elk Point, SD, located within Union County Electric Cooperative, a Touchstone Energy Cooperative.

Darbi Gustafson
September 14, 2014 - September 20, 2014
- School
- Ethan High School
- GPA
- 3.93
- Activities
- Darbi is actively involved in volleyball, basketball, track, band, chorus, Oral Interpretation, and National Honor Society. She is a model student and role model for all students in our school.
Darbi Gustafson is from Ethan, SD, located within Central Electric Cooperative, a Touchstone Energy Cooperative.

Sadie Schoenfelder
September 7, 2014 - September 13, 2014
- School
- Parkston
- GPA
- 4
- Activities
- Volleyball, Basketball, Band, FCA, Senior Class President, FCCLA, National Honor Society
Sadie Schoenfelder is from DIMOCK,, SD, located within Southeastern Electric Cooperative, a Touchstone Energy Cooperative.