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.
Lisa Smith
December 8, 2013 - December 14, 2013
- School
- Kimball High School
- GPA
- 4.205
- Activities
- Class Rank of 1st, Band, FFA, Class President, Drum Major(Senior) Band Secretary(Junior), Marched in Chicago Thanksgiving Day Parade, High School All-State Band Member, Jazz Band, Music Ambassador, FFA Chapter President(Senior), Vice President(Junior), Good Character and Effort Award, South Dakota Girl's State Representative, Rural Electric Cooperative Brule County Washington D.C. Youth Tour Representative, National Honor Society Member, and Student Council Representative.
Lisa Smith is from Kimball, SD, located within Central Electric Cooperative, a Touchstone Energy Cooperative.
Nichole Dvorak
December 1, 2013 - December 7, 2013
- School
- Andes Central School District
- GPA
- 3.8
- Activities
- cheerleading, choir, national honor society, first Lutheran youth group, senior class vice president, student council representative for three years, scrubs camp participant, assist at church soup suppers, help gather toys for needy families, dinner theatre participant, volleyball participant, participated in helping build a park, Fish Days queen candidate participant, helped raise money for senior meals, regional science fair participant
Nichole Dvorak is from Lake Andes, SD, located within Charles Mix Electric Association, a Touchstone Energy Cooperative.
Michael Saffel
November 24, 2013 - November 30, 2013
- School
- Irene-Wakonda HS
- GPA
- 3.85
- Activities
- Football ? 9, 10, 11, & 12th grades Lettered in 10th & 11th grades; Varsity Starter in 11th grade Basketball ? 9, 10, & 11th grades Varsity, most improved player ? 11th Track ? 11th Lettered; Placed at Conf. & Regional Meet Student Council ? 9, 10, 11, & 12th grades Class President ? 9, 10, & 11th grade Region Rep. for I-W School & attended Sate Convention ? 10th & 11th grades Academic Awards - I-W Honor Rolls ? 9, 10, 11th, Academic Letter Award ? 9, 10, 11th, National Honor Society ? 11, 12th Community Activities: American Legion Boys? State Rep. ? 2013 Helped w. Knights of Columbus breakfasts Boys Scouts ? 2010 Senior Patrol Leader; Order of the Arrow Work Experience: Wakonda Town Employee ? Summers of 2011, 2012, & 2013 Life Guard & Park worker
Michael Saffel is from Wakonda, SD, located within Clay-Union Electric Corporation, a Touchstone Energy Cooperative.
Sean Pinkert
November 17, 2013 - November 23, 2013
- School
- Milbank High School
- GPA
- 4.07
- Activities
- Sean is involved in: Milbank High School Band Milbank FFA Chapter Fellowship of Christian Athletes Milbank National Honor Society Church Youth Group Competitive Archery
Sean Pinkert is from Big Stone City, SD, located within Whetstone Valley Electric Cooperative, a Touchstone Energy Cooperative.
Cole Casper
November 3, 2013 - November 9, 2013
- School
- Lake Preston
- GPA
- 3.853
- Activities
- Football, Basketball, Track and Field, Chorus, Band, Jazz Band, Marching Band, Student Council, National Honor Society President
Cole Casper is from Lake Preston, SD, located within Kingsbury Electric Cooperative, a Touchstone Energy Cooperative.
Abilene Heiberger
October 20, 2013 - October 26, 2013
- School
- Tri-Valley High School
- GPA
- 3.943
- Activities
- Basketball (lettered), Volleyball (lettered), Track (lettered), Play, Choir (section leader), All-State Choir,Quiz Bowl and National Honor Society
Abilene Heiberger is from Hartford, SD, located within Sioux Valley Energy, a Touchstone Energy Cooperative.
Allison Deal
October 13, 2013 - October 19, 2013
- School
- Sunshine Bible Academy
- GPA
- 3.88
- Activities
- Volleyball, Wrestling Stats, Oral Interp, One Act Play, Spring Play, Ministry Team, Handbells, All State Choir, Band
Allison Deal is from Selby, SD, located within Dakota Energy Cooperative, a Touchstone Energy Cooperative.
Alli Steckelberg
October 6, 2013 - October 12, 2013
- School
- Chamberlain High School
- GPA
- 4.12
- Activities
- National Honor Society, CHS Volleyball Team,
Alli Steckelberg is from Chamberlain, SD, located within Central Electric Cooperative, a Touchstone Energy Cooperative.
Tanna Waltman
September 29, 2013 - October 5, 2013
- School
- Parkston
- GPA
- 4
- Activities
- Band, Cheerleading, National Honor Society, FCCLA
Tanna Waltman is from Parkston, SD, located within Southeastern Electric Cooperative, a Touchstone Energy Cooperative.
Tyler Panek
September 22, 2013 - September 28, 2013
- School
- Tea Area High School
- GPA
- 3.977
- Activities
- Student Council President, Basketball Statistician, Track, National Honor Society, Marching Band, Concert Band, Jazz Band
Tyler Panek is from Tea, SD, SD, located within Southeastern Electric Cooperative, a Touchstone Energy Cooperative.