View the current list of winners for this year’s Scholar of the Week program. The Scholar of the Week program is a partnership between Dakota News Now and your local Touchstone Energy Cooperatives that honors the region’s accomplished high school students. Each weekly winner receives a cash award from their local Touchstone Energy Cooperative and is featured on Dakota News Now. All winners are also eligible to receive one of the three scholarships that are given away at the annual Scholar of the Year banquet. Nominations for the weekly awards are submitted by area school principals and faculty, whose selections were based on excellence in the classroom and service in the community.
Samantha Schindler
October 29, 2017 - November 4, 2017
- School
- Elkton High School
- GPA
- 3.94
- Activities
- Volleyball, Basketball, Track
Samantha Schindler is from Lake Benton, MN, located within Lyon-Lincoln Electric Cooperative, a Touchstone Energy Cooperative.
Marco Walker
October 22, 2017 - October 28, 2017
- School
- Estelline School District
- GPA
- 3.913
- Activities
- Student Council Treasurer, Honor Roll, National Honor Society, Oral Interpretation, Broadcast Technology
Marco Walker is from Estelline, SD, located within H-D Electric Cooperative, a Touchstone Energy Cooperative.
Nathan Hulscher
October 15, 2017 - October 21, 2017
- School
- Florence High School
- GPA
- 4
- Activities
- Football Basketball Track
Nathan Hulscher is from Florence, SD, located within Codington-Clark Electric Cooperative, a Touchstone Energy Cooperative.
Minda Warns-Bartelt
October 8, 2017 - October 14, 2017
- School
- Waubay High School
- GPA
- 4
- Activities
- National Honor Society, Oral Interpretation, One-Act Play, cheerleader, 4-H, and yearbook.
Minda Warns-Bartelt is from Waubay, SD, located within Lake Region Electric Association, a Touchstone Energy Cooperative.
Hannah Even
October 1, 2017 - October 7, 2017
- School
- Baltic High School
- GPA
- 3.99
- Activities
- Football Cheerleader - 4 years Basketball Cheerleader - 4 years Junior High Cheer volunteer - 2 years Senior Competition Dance Team - 12 years Assistant Dance Teacher at Dynamic Dance Studio - 3 years National Honor Society - 2 years Volunteer at South Dakota State Parks - 4 years Baltic High School Character Counts - 1 year Senior Class President and member of the BHS Student Council
Hannah Even is from Baltic, SD, located within Sioux Valley Energy, a Touchstone Energy Cooperative.
Caleb Brouwer
September 24, 2017 - September 30, 2017
- School
- Ethan High School
- GPA
- 4
- Activities
- Band, Chorus, One-Act Play, Oral Interpretation, Student Counsel
Caleb Brouwer is from Dimock, SD, located within Central Electric Cooperative, a Touchstone Energy Cooperative.
Carolyn Blaha
September 17, 2017 - September 23, 2017
- School
- Wagner High School
- GPA
- 4
- Activities
- Volleyball Track National Honor Society (NHS) National FFA Organization- Chapter President Fellowship Christian Athletes(FCA) School play Band Chorus
Carolyn Blaha is from Dante, SD, located within Charles Mix Electric Association, a Touchstone Energy Cooperative.
Hailey Fergen
September 10, 2017 - September 16, 2017
- School
- Menno High School
- GPA
- 4
- Activities
- Student Council Secretary/Treasurer National Honor's Society FFA FCA Oral Interp One Act Play TUG
Hailey Fergen is from Menno, SD, located within Southeastern Electric Cooperative, a Touchstone Energy Cooperative.
Matthew Eigenberg
May 7, 2017 - May 13, 2017
- School
- Brandon Valley High School
- GPA
- 4
- Activities
- While at BVHS, Matthew has been involved in football, wrestling, power lifting and FCA. Matthew is the type of student that thrives on a variety of involvement both on and off campus. Matthew also has a dedication to serving others. He is a member of Sioux Valley Energy?s EMPOWER program for student leaders. Throughout this experience he has learned how to become a better leader through serving others in the community. He is also an active member of his church youth group, which has allowed him to serve through different mission trips and projects.
Matthew Eigenberg is from Brandon, SD, located within Sioux Valley Energy, a Touchstone Energy Cooperative.
Hannah Brockway
April 30, 2017 - May 6, 2017
- School
- Tracy Area High School
- GPA
- 4
- Activities
- Achievements and Honors ?A? Honor Roll 9, 10, 11 Academic Letter and Stars 9, 10 National Honors Society Officer 11, 12 ? Historian(11), Secretary(12) Band Letter Winner 9, 10, 11 Solo and Ensemble Superior Instrumental Solo 9, 11 Solo and Ensemble Excellent Instrumental Solo 10 Flute Section Leader 11 Choir Letter Winner 11 Solo and Ensemble Superior Vocal Solo 10, 11 Solo and Ensemble Superior Vocal Ensemble 10, 11 Cross Country Letter Winner 9, 10, 11 Cross Country Captain 11, 12 Track and Field Letter Winner 10, 11 Track and Field Captain 12 Speech Letter Winner 9, 10, 11 State Speech Participant 10 Speech Captain 10, 11 Tracy Area High School EXCEL Nominee 11 Tracy Area High School Minnesota Mile Representative 10 Lyon County 4-H Incentive Award Recipient 10 Lyon County 4-H Ambassador 9, 10, 11, 12 Lyon County 4-H Federation Officer 11, 12 ? Treasurer(11, 12) Amiret Busy Bees 4-H Club Officer 10, 12 ? Secretary(10), President(12) National Catholic Youth Choir 11 ? Needed to audition for Activities and Clubs Spanish Club 10, 11, 12 National Honors Society 11, 12 Band 9, 10, 11, 12 Choir 10, 11, 12 Peer Helpers 10, 11, 12 Big Buddies 10, 11, 12 Chamber Choir 10, 11 Cross Country 9, 10, 11, 12 Track and Field 9, 10, 11, 12 School Play/Musical 10, 11, 12 One Act Play 11 Speech 9, 10, 11, 12 FFA 9, 10 Amiret Busy Bees 4-H Club 9, 10, 11, 12
Hannah Brockway is from Trac, MN, located within Lyon-Lincoln Electric Cooperative, a Touchstone Energy Cooperative.