Winners

October 5, 2025 - October 11, 2025

School

Leola High School (439-3142)

GPA

4

Activities

Kaitlyn Mueller is active in both her school and community. She has taken course work in school to pursue higher education through taking dual credit course work starting her junior year. She plans to attend post secondary school to pursue Business and Sports Marketing. Outside of academics, Kaitlyn has been an active member in Future Business Leaders of America (FBLA), Educators Rising, and Student Council. These clubs host and help with community events such as Light-up Leola and the Chili Cookoff for FBLA, tailgating and Title 1 night for EdRising, and donations through our Student Council. She qualified this past year in both FBLA and Educators Rising to attend the national conventions. She also participates in band, choir (All State Choir member for 3 years), volleyball, basketball, and track. She has volunteered to assist during elementary physical education classes to teach young students techniques to play the sports she is involved in. Kaitlyn also has been a student coach during the summer basketball camps for grades K-5 the past two years. Kaitlyn is involved with her local 4-H club. Her volunteer activities include delivering goods to the elderly in the community during seasonal holidays and working the concession stands during events like our local 4-H Achievement Days. Kaitlyn keeps herself busy in the summer by lifeguarding at the local pool for the past three years.

Kaitlyn Mueller is from Leola, SD, located within FEM Electric Association, a Touchstone Energy Cooperative.

September 28, 2025 - October 4, 2025

School

Plankinton School District (6059427743)

GPA

4.01

Activities

Layce has been activity in many activities throughout her years at the Plankinton School. She has been a starter on the Mount Vernon Plankinton Titans basketball and volleyball teams. She also competes in 4H rodeo with her 3 brothers. She is the senior class persident, a member of student council, and active in FCCLA. She qualified for Nationals in FCCLA and competed in Orlando this summer. She has maintained over a 4.0 GPA in high school and works hard to find a strong balance between work on the ranch, sports, and academics.

Layce Bruns is from Plankinton, SD, located within Central Electric Cooperative, a Touchstone Energy Cooperative.

September 21, 2025 - September 27, 2025

School

Yankton High School (6056657378)

GPA

4.15

Activities

1st in Class, 4.15 GPA, 33 ACT, NHS Officer Nora-has made state finals all 5 years so far in singles. 3 singles state champs, 1 doubles state champ (with Sabrina) 7th grade F2 singles ESD champion, state runner up Class A 8th grade F2 ESD runner-up, state champion Class A; F1 doubles ESD champ, state runner-up 9th grade F1 ESD runner-up, state runner-up Class AA 10th grade F1 ESD champ, state champ Class AA 11th grade F1 ESD champ, state champ Class AA Doubles-Nora & Sabrina (sister) 9th grade F1 ESD 3rd place 10th grade F1 ESD Champs 11th grade F1 ESD Champs, State champs Nora will (likely) be a two year starter in basketball this year. Sabrina will be on the varsity a 2nd year, too. 

Nora Krajewski is from Yankton, SD, located within Bon Homme-Yankton Electric Assn., a Touchstone Energy Cooperative.

September 14, 2025 - September 20, 2025

School

Viborg-Hurley ((605) 766-5418)

GPA

4.03

Activities

Henry is a student that anyone in education would be proud to have. He has always been the most respectful, polite, and kind person, not only to staff, but also to his peers. I am pleased to nominate him based upon his academic record, volunteerism, and growth. Henry maintains over a 4.0 GPA and is currently number one in his class of 38. Henry takes dual credit courses through USD and Southeast Tech. Henry also serves as President of the Student Council and Vice President of the National Honor Society. He is the first to volunteer for any activity and does his absolute best, no matter what the task. Henry is a permanent fixture in the concession stand at every sporting event. According to the concession advisor, "He could absolutely manage concessions on his own, as he is that responsible." Henry is currently re-writing the Student Council Constitution. Much of the information was outdated, including the roles/responsibilities of officers and members. As President of the Student Council, Henry is in charge of discussing issues/requests with school administration. He is also in charge of their funds, which is a role he takes very seriously. These roles have helped him grow both personally and professionally. Henry volunteers to spend time with a special needs student whenever he has time. His study hall will often be spent playing cards, coloring, or gaming with this student. His patience and kindness are unmatched in this situation. Henry volunteers at the local movie theatre every chance he gets. He is also very involved in the Catholic church and attends regularly. Overall, Henry continually enhances himself to be a better person, looks out for the needs of others, and freely gives his time and talents to many different organizations. Please give him your highest consideration.

Henry Vasgaard is from Centerville, SD, located within Southeastern Electric Cooperative, a Touchstone Energy Cooperative.

May 11, 2025 - May 17, 2025

School

McCook Central (605-425-2264)

GPA

3.75

Activities

Abbie Chase is one of those students every teacher wants in her classroom. As her English teacher and Yearbook advisor, I have had the pleasure of watching her take on countless leadership opportunities and excel in places where few could. Abbie is president of the FFA Chapter, senior class representative to the Student Council, president of the National Honor Society, and a member of the Fellowship of Christian Athletes and Future Business Leaders of America. She serves as chief editor of the Yearbook and as president of the McCook County 4-H Club. She has a natural ability to lead. Outside of her leadership in these organizations, Abbie is a motivated business owner with a love for community service. She owns and runs her own company, "Abb-Bee's Honey," with seven hives that she tends to with care. She harvests the honey every fall and creates multiple honey-based products to sell to her customers. Outside of her business ventures, Abbie has demonstrated remarkable effort to improve the greater good within our school community. She won two highly competitive grants that have brought in six hydroponic towers to our school. She individually maintains this setup. The resulting crops include fresh lettuce, watermelon, and more, which are used in the school lunchroom. During breaks from school, this produce is donated to organizations such as Meals on Wheels. Abbie plans to attend South Dakota State University and major in Agricultural Communications with a minor in Entrepreneurship. There is no doubt in my mind that Abbie will continue to inspire those around her to be better and continue to serve her community in as many ways as possible.

Abbie Chase is from Salem, SD, located within Southeastern Electric Cooperative, a Touchstone Energy Cooperative.

May 4, 2025 - May 10, 2025

School

Mitchell High School ((605)9953034)

GPA

4

Activities

She is taking dual credit Spanish through DWU (this is the third Spanish class she has taken for dual credit), chem 106 through NSU, and composition 1 through SDSU. Last year, she took history 151-152 and college algebra through NSU, speech through DSU, and government, psychology, and sociology through SDSU. Her current GPA is 4.0. In addition to being a drum major in marching band, she also participates in jazz band, concert band, pep band, musical pit, FBLA, International Club, and Pen Pals. Outside of school, she is involved with Sunday school, church youth group, and the leadership team for her church youth group.

Lauren Hofer is from Mitchell, SD, located within Central Electric Cooperative, a Touchstone Energy Cooperative.

April 27, 2025 - May 3, 2025

School

Avon School District (605-286-3291)

GPA

4

Activities

Lila represents a model student. She has a work ethic like none other. She is involved in multiple extra-curricular activities while maintaining her academics. Last year she was enrolled in AP Chemistry through NSU. This year, she is currently enrolled in dual-credit coursework. She takes higher-level classes to better prepare for her future coursework. Over the past few years, she has been a big part of the athletic teams as well. Earning her All-Conference awards in multiple sports. She has also qualified for the State track meet for multiple years. She sets high standards for herself and follows them. Lila has also been a part of the choir and band for the last four years. Lila is a very dependable student and always willing to lend a helping hand. She helps at youth sporting events and helps officiate for lower level volleyball games.

Lila Vanderlei is from Springfield, SD, located within Bon Homme-Yankton Electric Assn., a Touchstone Energy Cooperative.

April 20, 2025 - April 26, 2025

School

Gayville-Volin High School (6052674476)

GPA

4.16

Activities

Basketball: 7th-12th grade Football: 9th-10th, 12th grade (Raider Award 2022) Golf: 11th-12th grade Track & Field: 9th-10th grade (Raider Award 2022) Student Council: 9th-12th grade FCA: 10th-12th grade Mentoring: 9th-10th grade Band: 9th grade High Honor Roll: 9th - 11th grade (12th grade determined in January)

Grayson Rice is from Gayville, SD, located within Clay-Union Electric Corporation, a Touchstone Energy Cooperative.

April 13, 2025 - April 19, 2025

School

Wagner High School (605-384-5426)

GPA

4

Activities

oral interp, school play, cross country, basketball statistician, track, National Honor Society, Student Council, Hope Squad, Fellowship of Christian Athletes, yearbook/journalism, and choir

Presley Slaba is from Wagner, SD, located within Charles Mix Electric Association, a Touchstone Energy Cooperative.