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.
Rachel Thiewes
October 14, 2012 - October 20, 2012
- School
- Deuel
- GPA
- 4.04
- Activities
- Volleyball Basketball Track Chorus National Honor Society FFA Key Club
Rachel Thiewes is from Clear Lake, SD, located within H-D Electric Cooperative, a Touchstone Energy Cooperative.
Taylor Donnelly
October 7, 2012 - October 13, 2012
- School
- Elk Point-Jefferson High School
- GPA
- 4
- Activities
- Cross Country-Captain Dance Team-Captain Flag Team- Captain Newspaper-Editor National Honor Society- Secretary Student Council-Treasurer Natural Helpers Wrestling Cheerleader Basketball Manager Show Choir Vocal Musical One Act Play Oral Interpretation Track Friend's Feast Humane Society CCD Teens Encounter Christ Cantor for St. Josephs Singer in a band at United Parish Horseback riding Training to recieve pilot's license Race for the Cure Ran a half marathon
Taylor Donnelly is from Elk Point, SD, located within Union County Electric Cooperative, a Touchstone Energy Cooperative.
Collin Bertram
September 30, 2012 - October 6, 2012
- School
- Vermillion High School
- GPA
- 3.5
- Activities
- Football, Basketball
Collin Bertram is from Vermillion, SD, located within Clay-Union Electric Corporation, a Touchstone Energy Cooperative.
Zachary DeJong
September 23, 2012 - September 29, 2012
- School
- Canton High School
- GPA
- 3.9
- Activities
- National Honors Society, football, basketball, baseball,peer helpers,FFA, FCA, tutoring/mentoring, 4-H, HOBY, volunteering in the community and church.
Zachary DeJong is from Canton, SD, located within Southeastern Electric Cooperative, a Touchstone Energy Cooperative.
Brady Brockel
September 16, 2012 - September 22, 2012
- School
- Sunshine Bible Academy
- GPA
- 3.95
- Activities
- Football, track, choir, band, All State choir, small vocal ensemble, Oral Interp, One Act Play, Academic Challenge, worship team, Student Council
Brady Brockel is from Miller, SD, located within Dakota Energy Cooperative, a Touchstone Energy Cooperative.
Shelby Huber
September 9, 2012 - September 15, 2012
- School
- Menno High School
- GPA
- 4
- Activities
- Student Council President, Football Cheer Captain, Basketball Cheer Captain, Volleyball captain, Track and Field, FCCLA vice-president, NHS, Yearbook editor, FCA, Chorus, Quiz Bowl Captain, Oral Interpretation (Superior at state last two years) One-Act Play (superior actress last two years at state), Ignite Worship Band, FCA worship band, Softball coach, Christian Reformed Church Youth Group, Special Olympics Volunteer
Shelby Huber is from Freeman, SD, located within Southeastern Electric Cooperative, a Touchstone Energy Cooperative.
Elizabeth Bradfield
September 2, 2012 - September 8, 2012
- School
- Lake Preston
- GPA
- 3.944
- Activities
- Oral Interp, Band, Music, Jazz Band, Blue and Gold newsletter, Track stats, FCCLA (2), Pep Band, All School Musical, One Act Play (2). FCA (3), Mission Trips, Works part time.
Elizabeth Bradfield is from Lake Preston, SD, SD, located within Kingsbury Electric Cooperative, a Touchstone Energy Cooperative.
Taylor Pytleski
May 6, 2012 - May 12, 2012
- School
- Lennox High School
- GPA
- 4.1
- Activities
- National Honor Society (3 yrs) Student Council (2 yrs) Volleyball Mgr (3 yrs) USD Math Days for Women at USD Prom Committee Coronation Committee Numerous hours of volunteer work with Children's Miracle Network and Mall Walk to cure diabetes.
Taylor Pytleski is from Davis, SD, located within Southeastern Electric Cooperative, a Touchstone Energy Cooperative.
Alexander Graves
April 29, 2012 - May 5, 2012
- School
- Mitchell High School
- GPA
- 4
- Activities
- Alex has been an extremely busy young man throughout his high school career. His phenomenal musical talent as well as his academic strengths have provided Alex with many opportunities to prepare for life beyond high school. The following is a list of the many activities Alex has participated in: Tennis, Marching Band, Show Pit, Jazz Band, Pep Band, Church Lector and Cantor, participant in the Stations of the Cross, Community Service hours helping move materials from one school to another, shoveling snow at the Franciscan Convent as well as helping take down Christmas decorations for the sisters. Alex has always been a Gold Honor Roll student and throughout his years at Mitchell High School has received many academic awards.
Alexander Graves is from Mitchell, SD, located within Central Electric Cooperative, a Touchstone Energy Cooperative.
Mindy Kraft
April 22, 2012 - April 28, 2012
- School
- Wessington Springs High School
- GPA
- 3.86
- Activities
- Drama, oral interp, cross country, girls basketball, track, yearbook, chorus, NH, T.T, band, jazz band, HOBY
Mindy Kraft is from Wessington Springs, SD, located within Central Electric Cooperative, a Touchstone Energy Cooperative.