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.
Corrina Reuer
March 17, 2013 - March 23, 2013
- School
- Chamberlain High School
- GPA
- 4.1
- Activities
- Volleyball Manager, Girls Basketball Player, FFA Member, National Honor Society, Student Council
Corrina Reuer is from Reliance, SD, located within Central Electric Cooperative, a Touchstone Energy Cooperative.
Michaela Derby
March 10, 2013 - March 16, 2013
- School
- Estelline School District
- GPA
- 4.025
- Activities
- Cross Country, Basketball, Student Council, Volleyball, National Honor Society, Fellowship of Christian Athletes, Theatre, Oral Interp, Newspaper, Yearbook
Michaela Derby is from Estelline, SD, located within H-D Electric Cooperative, a Touchstone Energy Cooperative.
Kenneth Shaffner
March 3, 2013 - March 9, 2013
- School
- Chester Area School
- GPA
- 4
- Activities
- National Honor Society, president. ?A? Honor Roll. South Dakota Boys State attendee, 2012. American Legion Certificate of School Award, 2009. Spanish Club, officer. Drama Club. Quiz Bowl Team. Band (Big East Honor Band). Basketball. Football (All Academic). Track and Field.
Kenneth Shaffner is from Colman, SD, located within Sioux Valley Energy, a Touchstone Energy Cooperative.
Kayla Vanden Hoek
February 24, 2013 - March 2, 2013
- School
- Corsica High School
- GPA
- 3.8
- Activities
- Chorus, Volleyball, Basketball, Band,Stageband, Competitive Cheer,Yearbook, Drama, Oral Interpretation, Class Officer, Student Council President, FCCLA, Cheerleader, CBH Academic Festival, Honor Roll, Girls State Representative, National Honor Society, Science Fair, Outstanding Actress Award, All-State Choir
Kayla Vanden Hoek is from Corsica, SD, located within Douglas Electric Cooperative, a Touchstone Energy Cooperative.
Delayna Paulson
February 17, 2013 - February 23, 2013
- School
- Mt. Vernon High School
- GPA
- 3.942
- Activities
- Student Council Secretary, National Honors Society member, United Blood Services (local drive coordinator), Big Brothers Big Sisters mentor, Church Volunteer, FCA, Volleyball/Track/Basketball statistician, Girl's State Delegate, Honor Roll and Science Fair
Delayna Paulson is from Mt. Vernon, SD, located within Central Electric Cooperative, a Touchstone Energy Cooperative.
Sierra Svatos
February 10, 2013 - February 16, 2013
- School
- Andes Central
- GPA
- 3.98
- Activities
- Activities - Volleyball - participated since 5th grade, went to State tournament 2 years - Basketball ? Participated since 5th grade - Track/Field ? participated since 5th grade, went to state for High Jump for 3 years - Softball ? Freshmen and Sophomore summers - Chorus ? soprano since 7th grade, All state for four high school years - FCCLA ? Vice President of Projects freshmen year, many projects such as adopt a highway - National Honors Society ? Toy and food drive - Student Council ? President my junior year - St. Mark?s Confirmation Class ? served breakfasts once a month, helped teach younger CCD classes, took a trip to Minnesota and went to the children?s hospital and made pillows with them, served a supper at the Boys and Girl?s Club - Fish Days Pageant ? Won queen the Summer before Junior year Employment - Hired hand ? I?ve worked for my dad on the farm since freshmen year - Waitress ? Every other weekend at the Lone Tree in Geddes - Babysitting Volunteer work - Lake Restoration Project ? picked up trees and trash - City Park Project ? volunteered time - Meals on Wheels ? took senior meals to their homes - Concessions ? Fish Days demolition derby, also for Junior Class
Sierra Svatos is from LAKE ANDES, SD, located within Charles Mix Electric Association, a Touchstone Energy Cooperative.
Lynn Ymker
February 3, 2013 - February 9, 2013
- School
- Armour High School
- GPA
- 3.96
- Activities
- President National Honor Society, President Student Council, (4 year member of both organizations), Class Officer all four years, Drama, Band, Choir, All-State Choir, Athletics, Oral Interpretation, Student of the Month, Citizen of the Month, Youth Business Academy, Hugh O'Brien Youth Leadership, Governor's Leadership recipient, Student Mentor.
Lynn Ymker is from Armour, SD, located within Douglas Electric Cooperative, a Touchstone Energy Cooperative.
Alyson Roth
January 27, 2013 - February 2, 2013
- School
- Avon High School
- GPA
- 3.94
- Activities
- Volleyball, Basketball, Track, Chorus, Science Club, Church Youth Group.
Alyson Roth is from AVON, SD, SD, located within Bon Homme-Yankton Electric Assn., a Touchstone Energy Cooperative.
Abby Ottenbacher
January 20, 2013 - January 26, 2013
- School
- Eureka Public School
- GPA
- 3.84
- Activities
- **Girl Scout Gold Award (pending approval)-constructed a handicap-accessible dock and a storm shelter at Eureka Lake **FCCLA State Officer-Vice President of Chapter Recognition (2011-12), District Chairperson, state STAR winner, plus numerous state and local awards. **Swimmer-placed 2nd overall in the Girls 17-19 age group. Won the Matt Rowan award, given to a swimmer who displays determination and hard work, and possesses a positive outlook on swimming even when their efforts go unrewarded. **Senior class president and National Honor Society president **Music-active in vocal and instrumental music. Sings at a variety of community functions, and has earned two superior ratings on solos at contest. 3 year participant in South Dakota All-State Chorus (freshman through jr. years as of now). Plays clarinet and tenor saxophone, & won our school?s Louis Armstrong Jazz Award in 2012. **Abby is ranked first in her class with a 3.84 GPA (we have a unique GPA system where only an A+-99-100% earns a full 4.0, so her GPA would be higher using the classification many other schools use). **Abby is the coordinator of our school?s healthy snacks vending machine. She orders and stocks the machine with items such as granola bars, pretzels, and applesauce so our students can purchase healthy snacks when they are not in class.
Abby Ottenbacher is from Eureka, SD, located within FEM Electric Association, a Touchstone Energy Cooperative.
Josh Hinkemeyer
January 13, 2013 - January 19, 2013
- School
- Sisseton High School
- GPA
- 3.51
- Activities
- Basketball 9 FFA 9 Technology Students of America 9 Band 9 Cross Country 9-11 Track 9-11 One Act Play 9-11 (Received Outstanding Acting Award) Oral Interp 9-12 (Received State Superiors 10-11) Drama Club 10-12 (Officer-12) Performing Arts Center Tech Crew 10-12 Missoula Children's Theatre 10-11 Football 11 Prairie Fire Theatreical Company 11 Honor Junior 11 Prom Committee 11 IMPROV 11-12 Homecoming Candidate 12 Jobs as a lifeguard at the pool in the summer and at Teal's Market year round.
Josh Hinkemeyer is from Browns Valley, MN, located within Whetstone Valley Electric Cooperative, a Touchstone Energy Cooperative.