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.
Laura Knippling
April 15, 2012 - April 21, 2012
- School
- Miller High School
- GPA
- 4
- Activities
- FFA Oral Interpretation Student Council Class Officer Basketball One-Act Play Yearbook Committee Chorus Band Pep Band Jazz Band Vocal Jazz Show Choir All-State Chorus Teenage Republicans (TARS) Church Lector Football Cheerleading Sounds Like Love Christian Music Festival Participant
Laura Knippling is from GANN VALLEY, SD, located within Dakota Energy Cooperative, a Touchstone Energy Cooperative.
Wyatt Warkenthien
April 8, 2012 - April 14, 2012
- School
- Willow Lake
- GPA
- 4
- Activities
- Choir, Marching Band, Jazz Band, Pep Band, One Act Plays, 3 Act Plays, member & president of National Honor Society, member & treasurer of FFA, Senior class treasurer Community involvement includes WELS Youth Group,Community Clean-Up Day, has helped build a ball park concession stand & a community shed
Wyatt Warkenthien is from Willow Lake, SD, located within Codington-Clark Electric Cooperative, a Touchstone Energy Cooperative.
Megan Pond
March 25, 2012 - March 31, 2012
- School
- Ipswich High School
- GPA
- 4.17
- Activities
- Sports, band, vocal, FBLA, NHS,
Megan Pond is from Ipswich, SD, located within FEM Electric Association, a Touchstone Energy Cooperative.
Ashley Feickert
March 18, 2012 - March 24, 2012
- School
- Leola High School
- GPA
- 3.84
- Activities
- Ashley is involved with numerous activities from various sports to church related activities. She is involved with 4-H, Peer Helpers, CCD, volleyball, chorus, band, FBLA (Future Business Leaders of America) and is senior class president.
Ashley Feickert is from Long Lake, SD, located within FEM Electric Association, a Touchstone Energy Cooperative.
Luke Buffington
March 11, 2012 - March 17, 2012
- School
- Gayville-Volin High School
- GPA
- 4.208
- Activities
- Oral Interpretation (State Superior Award Winner - 2 years) School Play / Drama Student Council - President 2011-2012 Science Olympiad Chorus - All State Football Basketball Track and Field Boys State - Most Outstanding Citizen 2011 HOBY Delegate 2010 HOBY Leadership for Service Bronze Award 2011 Rural Electric DC Youth Tour 2011 Economics for Leaders Program at Cornell University - Summer 2011
Luke Buffington is from Gayville, SD, located within Clay-Union Electric Corporation, a Touchstone Energy Cooperative.
Haley Brunke
March 4, 2012 - March 10, 2012
- School
- Scotland High School
- GPA
- 3.902
- Activities
- Cross Country, Basketball, Track, Student Council, Choir, Band, Show Choir
Haley Brunke is from Scotland, SD, located within Bon Homme-Yankton Electric Assn., a Touchstone Energy Cooperative.
Adam Cloos
February 26, 2012 - March 3, 2012
- School
- Milbank High School
- GPA
- 4.105
- Activities
- Adam has been involved in Football for 4 years; Track-3 years. Adam was one of the 2011-Team Captain of the Milbank Football team. Adam is a Member of the Milbank School Honor Society. Homecoming King in 2011. Senior Class President Attended USD Young Leaders Milbank School Blood Drive Worker Nani O'Hana Cancer Walk Team Member Adam has been a leader of the Milbank FFA Chapter. Current Milbank FFA Chapter Vice President. Chapter President in 2010-2011. Attended the FFA Washington Leadership Conference in July, 2011. Represented South Dakota at the National FFA Convention in 2010. Attended the FFA State Convention 3 years. Participated at the State FFA Leadership for 4 years.
Adam Cloos is from Milbank, SD, located within Whetstone Valley Electric Cooperative, a Touchstone Energy Cooperative.
Kari Fods
February 19, 2012 - February 25, 2012
- School
- Chester Area School
- GPA
- 4
- Activities
- National Honor Society, president. Spanish Club, president. Class president. Band, president. Student Council. Yearbook. Cheerleading.
Kari Fods is from Madison, SD, located within Sioux Valley Energy, a Touchstone Energy Cooperative.
Sarah Wedel
February 12, 2012 - February 18, 2012
- School
- James Valley Christian School
- GPA
- 3.98
- Activities
- National Honor Society, Student Council Vice President, Rural Electric Youth Tour to Washington D.C., Girls State Leutenant Governor, Class president in grades 9-11,Concert Band, All-State Chorus, Music Contest winner, Five-year winner in National Piano Guild Competitions, Volleyball Co-Captain, Varsity Basketball starter, and State Track.
Sarah Wedel is from Yale, SD, located within Dakota Energy Cooperative, a Touchstone Energy Cooperative.
Kelli Garry
February 5, 2012 - February 11, 2012
- School
- Lake Preston School District
- GPA
- 4
- Activities
- Band, Chours, Swing Choir, Jazz Band, FFA, FCCLA, Oral Interp, Student Council, Blood Drive, Blue and Gold, NHS, Comp Cheer
Kelli Garry is from Lake Preston, SD, SD, located within Kingsbury Electric Cooperative, a Touchstone Energy Cooperative.