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.
Garret Reed
February 23, 2014 - March 1, 2014
- School
- Estelline High School
- GPA
- 4
- Activities
- National Honor Society. Preston Christian Church Youth Group Member. Sunday School Leader at Preston Christian Church. Volunteered for Diamond Willow Ministries at Crow Creek. Football - 2012 Dakota Valley honorable mention. Basketball - 2013 Dakota Valley All Conference. Cross Country - 2012 combined team champs. Track - participant.
Garret Reed is from Bruce, SD, located within Sioux Valley Energy, a Touchstone Energy Cooperative.
Kaitlin Van Ruler
February 16, 2014 - February 22, 2014
- School
- Edgerton Public School
- GPA
- 3.992
- Activities
- Band, FCCLA, SADD, 4-H, Student Council, JO Volleyball, Quiz Bowl, Horse Judging, Volleyball, NHS, RCYF, FCA
Kaitlin Van Ruler is from Woodstock, MN, located within Sioux Valley Energy, a Touchstone Energy Cooperative.
Shelby Selland
February 9, 2014 - February 15, 2014
- School
- Sanborn Central High School
- GPA
- 4.03
- Activities
- Basketball, All Tournament Team Member at the State "B" Basketball Tournament in 2012 & 2013, Volleyball, Track, Chorus, Band, National Honor Society, Student Council President, Spirit Club, Sunday School teacher, Church usher
Shelby Selland is from Letcher, SD, located within Central Electric Cooperative, a Touchstone Energy Cooperative.
Mathew Preszler
February 2, 2014 - February 8, 2014
- School
- Menno High School
- GPA
- 4
- Activities
- Band-4 yrs.; Drum Major-4 yrs.; Band President; Chorus-4 yrs.; All-State Chorus-3 yrs.; One-Act Play-3yrs; Football-3 yrs; Track-3 yrs; FFA-4 yrs; FFA Sect./Treasure-3 yrs; Student Council-2 yrs; Student Council President; FCA-4 yrs; Quiz Bowl-2 yrs; NHS-2 yrs; SD Honor Choir; HOBY representative; YBA.
Mathew Preszler is from Menno, SD, located within Southeastern Electric Cooperative, a Touchstone Energy Cooperative.
David Weidler
January 26, 2014 - February 1, 2014
- School
- Howard High School
- GPA
- 4.165
- Activities
- David has been active in Football, Basketball and Golf David particpated in Band,Jazz Band, Choir and Quiz Bowl He is a member of the H-Club and National Honor Society He was selected to Big East Conference Honors Band (3) Was also selected to Big East Conference Honors Choir (1) He was Sophmore Class Vice-President He is currently Honor Society Representative to the Student Council David was 1st chair trumpet (2) As a junior, he did independent computer study and worked with computer teacher to develop the school's new website David helps instruct kids during the summer Junior Golf program He helps every spring with the golf team at cleanup workbee at the golf course Works in the concession stand 4 times throughout the school year Always helps to get things set up for various fundraisers or projects Played TAPS for the Veterans Day Service Assisted with several Boy Scout "Eagle Scout" projects Helped local Boy Scout troup with decorating graves for Memorial Day Worked with Mr Holland on the Howard High School Library remodel project, his Sophomore summer David was a Cub Scout and was a Boy Scout for several years
David Weidler is from Howard, SD, located within Central Electric Cooperative, a Touchstone Energy Cooperative.
Tory Makela
January 19, 2014 - January 25, 2014
- School
- Ipswich School
- GPA
- 4.239
- Activities
- Activities: Cross Country, Track, Football Stats, Cheerleading, Vocal, Dance, All School Play, FBLA, NHS President Community Service: Teach dance, teach elementary Sunday School, play piano for church, Tiger Paw Tutoring for K-12
Tory Makela is from Ipswich, SD, located within FEM Electric Association, a Touchstone Energy Cooperative.
Noah Brown
January 5, 2014 - January 11, 2014
- School
- Baltic High School
- GPA
- 3.85
- Activities
- Cross Country, Golf, Oral Interp, Band, FCCLA, FFA, Quiz Bowl, National Honor Society, Homework Club Mentor, FCA, Student Council Representative, Reformed Church Youth Fellowship, Volunteer for PTO, Teens Encounter Christ, Be the Change Committee, Drum Major in Marching Band, One Act Play,
Noah Brown is from Garretson, SD, located within Sioux Valley Energy, a Touchstone Energy Cooperative.
Taylor Homann
December 29, 2013 - January 4, 2014
- School
- Pipestone Area High School
- GPA
- 3.952
- Activities
- Marching Band,FFA, Peer Helper, President of Student Council, NHS, One Act, Speech, Listening Team, Jazz Band, Knowledge Bowl
Taylor Homann is from Pipestone, MN, located within Sioux Valley Energy, a Touchstone Energy Cooperative.
Kayla Breske
December 22, 2013 - December 28, 2013
- School
- Waubay School
- GPA
- 4
- Activities
- Basketball, Volleyball, Track, National Honor Society, Senior Class President, Oral Interpretation, School Play, Our Savior's (Waubay) Youth Group Member.
Kayla Breske is from Waubay, SD, located within Lake Region Electric Association, a Touchstone Energy Cooperative.
Mikayla Bonnet
December 15, 2013 - December 21, 2013
- School
- Langford Area High School
- GPA
- 3.973
- Activities
- Volleyball, Girls Basketball, Boys Basketball & Football Cheerleading, Yearbook, Pep Club, Oral Interpretation
Mikayla Bonnet is from Pierpont, SD, located within Lake Region Electric Association, a Touchstone Energy Cooperative.