Scholar of the Week

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.

View Emmerson's Bio View / Search All Winners

Laura Lund

October 24, 2004 - October 30, 2004

School: Groton Area School District
GPA: 4.09
Activities: Cross Country Show Choir All-State Chorus Debate - Public Forum 4-H Star/Torch Drug Free Group Officer Therapeutic Riding of Tucson volunteer Church Youth Group Religious Education Teacher

Laura Lund is from Groton, SD.

Elizabeth Olson

October 17, 2004 - October 23, 2004

School: Mitchell High School
GPA: 3.976
Activities: Track, Teen-Age Republicans(officer every year), dance line, Student Council(officer every year), School Newspaper, Special Olympics, Love Feast, Salvation Army bell ringer, Parade of Lights benefit breakfast, National Honor Society

Elizabeth Olson is from Mitchell, SD.

April Christensen

October 10, 2004 - October 16, 2004

School: Parker High School
GPA: 4.23
Activities: FCCLA, cross country, volleyball, math counts, quiz bowl, track, band, national honor society

April Christensen is from Parker, SD.

Andy Cahoy

October 3, 2004 - October 9, 2004

School: Aberdeen Central High School
GPA: 4
Activities: Cross Country, Hockey, Track & Field, Drama, Music, Show Choir, Boy Scouts, Volunteer Service, Science Bowl, National Honor Society, Hugh O'Brian Youth Leadership

Andy Cahoy is from Aberdeen, SD.

Amber Oftedal

September 26, 2004 - October 2, 2004

School: Rutland High School
GPA: 3.58
Activities: School activities: one-act and all-school plays, high school chorus and band, journalism staff, oral interpretation, basketball, tennis, student council representative numerous times, president of student council, vice-president of the student run Board of Directors for the Rambler Stop convenience store, Homecoming committee chairperson, Hugh O'Brien Youth Leadership participant, Girls' State candidate, National Honor Society member Community service / Church activities: softball, trained a student for the Special Olympics, member of Youth Red Cross, mission trip to Mexico, worked on a variety of fundraisers

Amber Oftedal is from Wentworth, SD.

Cynthia Kranz

September 19, 2004 - September 25, 2004

School: Watertown High School
GPA: 4.189
Activities: All School Plays & Musicals, Drama Club, International Thespian Society, Debate, Yearbook Staff, Key Club, TUCKS Club, Video Club, TORCH, National Honor Society, Spanish NHS

Cynthia Kranz is from Kranzburg, SD.