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Winners

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.

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Cally Faulhaber

April 2, 2023 - April 8, 2023

School
Plankinton School District (6059427743)
GPA
4.04
Activities
Cally has an endless list of activities and accomplishments beginning with National Honors Society, volleyball, basketball, student council, class officer, track, quiz bowl team, yearbook staff, choir, band, Honor Roll, and FCCLA at school. Cally participated in National FCCLA in San Diego this past summer along with an ample list of other awards in various activities. Cally is also actively involved with volunteer opportunities and community clubs. Cally has taught Sunday School for the past 3 years and is actively involved in 4-H Youth opportunities. Cally is her 4-H club president as well as 4-H Legislative representative, 4-H Teen Lead, SD Junior Beef Ambassador, and 4-H Ambassador.

Cally Faulhaber is from Plankinton, SD, located within Central Electric Cooperative, a Touchstone Energy Cooperative.

Shay

Shalayne Nagel

March 19, 2023 - March 25, 2023

School
Wagner Community School (6053845426)
GPA
3.92
Activities
Shalayne is involved in volleyball, basketball, track, student council, activities council, national honors society. She has been selected all conference in both volleyball and basketball. Shalayne is a great role model for the elementary students in our building and is always putting in time in both the ELC and the elementary. She goes above and beyond in everything she does.

Shalayne Nagel is from SPRINGFIELD, SD, located within Charles Mix Electric Association, a Touchstone Energy Cooperative.

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Juliann Seeley

March 12, 2023 - March 18, 2023

School
Beresford (6057632145)
GPA
4.12
Activities
Juliann is extremely committed to her family, school, and community. She currently serves in the role as president of the Beresford High School National Honor Society and Beresford High School HOSA-Future Healthcare Leaders. Ms. Seeley was also elected to serve as a SD HOSA State Officer for the 2022-2023 School Year. Juliann earned that position through demonstrating positive leadership, hard work, perseverance, dependability, and always willing to put effort forth where needed. In addition, she earned 1st place at the 2022 HOSA State Conference in the Sports Medicine Event! Juliann's curiosity and quest to always go above and beyond what is expected is what sets her apart from her peers. She currently drives 70 miles, four days a week, to attend a Chemistry 112/L course at the University of South Dakota. She made the commitment, along with several sacrifices, to make this a reality. Ms. Seeley is also involved in volleyball, band, powerlifting, quiz bowl, and softball. She is able to successfully juggle all these areas of her life while also working a part-time job at the local nursing home! I am impressed by her commitment and drive in her servant leadership endeavors. Juliann is an outstanding young lady who will definitely continue to make a significant impact in all that she touches.

Juliann Seeley is from Beresford, SD, located within Southeastern Electric Coop, a Touchstone Energy Cooperative.

Kailee

Kailee Berger

March 5, 2023 - March 11, 2023

School
Waubay High School ((605) 947-4529)
GPA
3.98
Activities
Senior Class President, 4-H (Vice President of the 4-H club; made it to State in pole bending and barrels in previous years; shows goats at the fair), Rodeo (won two saddles barrel racing), Basketball Varsity Team Captain and starter, Volleyball freshman through junior year, NHS, takes HS Dual Credit courses

Kailee Berger is from Ortley, SD, located within Lake Region Electric Association, a Touchstone Energy Cooperative.

Quincy

Quincy Olivier

February 26, 2023 - March 4, 2023

School
Ipswich Public School (605-426-6571)
GPA
4.1
Activities
Rodeo, 4-H, FBLA, NHS, Band, Art, Volleyball, Basketball and Track.

Quincy Olivier is from Ipswich, SD, located within FEM Electric Association, a Touchstone Energy Cooperative.

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Trae Turck

February 19, 2023 - February 25, 2023

School
Redfield High School (605-472-4520)
GPA
4.19
Activities
Future Business Leaders of America, National Honor Society, Basketball Manager, 4.0 Honor Roll, Presidential Academic Award, and Platinum on the NCRC

Trae Turck is from Redfield, SD, located within Northern Electric Cooperative, a Touchstone Energy Cooperative.

Amber 2437

Amber House

February 12, 2023 - February 18, 2023

School
Brandon Valley High School (1-605-582-3211)
GPA
3.98
Activities
I have been Amber’s counselor for the past four years; additionally, I have also known Amber’s family and have worked with her older siblings for many years prior. I can’t think of a better, more generous, compassionate group of individuals as the ones raised around her in her home. Amber is one of the most genuine people I know. She will not be the student that strives to get your attention or wants her name in lights, but she will be one of your hardest workers and most dedicated team players. Amber is mature, dependable, intelligent, and gracious. She has used her high school years wisely and is fully prepared for the next step in her future. Amber’s academic record is pleasing. She has carried a 3.98 GPA while taking a rigorous course load. Additionally, Amber will have earned at minimum 20 college credits through Northern State University by the time she graduates. She also took 4 honors classes throughout her years here including 3 honors English classes and an honors Chemistry class. These are all the honors classes we offer. She excels academically while remaining grounded. It is difficult to find this combination in a teenager, but Amber has perfected the art of remaining balanced. Within this balance she has also been involved in Creative Minds Art club, Concert Choir, SALSA, Best Buddies, Tri-M Honor Society, National Honor Society, Quiz bowl, Environmental club, Math NHS, Spanish club and SADD/TATU while in high school. Her leadership has spread among all areas in our building, but her organization and leadership within our SADD/TATU group is where she shined the most. She brought life to this group when it was dwindling in numbers. She has remained consistent in her efforts to keep this organization thriving. Just as important as school involvement, Amber has also volunteered and worked within our community. She has helped with her church functions averaging over 40 hours a year. She has also worked for the Boys and Girls club in Sioux Falls caring for children and for Jay Egge Automotive doing secretarial and janitorial duties. Please consider Amber as one of your most deserving applicants. She is strong in mind and spirit. I believe she has used high school as a stepping stone for bigger and better things in her future.

Amber House is from Sioux Falls, SD, located within Sioux Valley Energy, a Touchstone Energy Cooperative.

Jackson Baer Photo

Jackson Baer

February 5, 2023 - February 11, 2023

School
Deuel High School (6058742161)
GPA
3.22
Activities
Activities: Chorus Oral Interp School Play Fellowship of Christian Athletes (FCA) South Dakota Army National Guard Achievements: Fellowship of Christian Athletes (FCA) Student Advisor Fellowship of Christian Athletes (FCA) School Representative School Play Assistant Director Completed Basic Training.

Jackson Baer is from Clear Lake, SD, located within H-D Electric Cooperative, a Touchstone Energy Cooperative.

Keanna Lee

Keanna Lee

January 29, 2023 - February 4, 2023

School
Gayville-Volin High School (605-267-4476)
GPA
3.89
Activities
Extracurricular Activities o Volleyball o Basketball o Track and Field o SADD (Students Against Destructive Decisions) o Oral Interpretation o Destination Imagination o Mentoring Program o FCA (Fellowship for Christian Athletes) o Student Council o Band Work Experience CNA, Sacred Heart Monastery (May 2022-Present) o Assist with personal care needs o Feed residents o Clean rooms and equipment o Laundry care for residents Care Giver, Life Scape (April 2021-Present) o Provide companion care o Assist with personal care needs o Drive clients to desired areas/places Babysitter (May 2017-present) o Supervised two children from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. o Prepared meals and fed children o Entertained children Volunteer Experience Volunteer, Special Olympics (July 2019-Present) o Assist in the sporting events o Set up events o Help with fundraisers Honors & Awards Attended Girl State 2022, Attended the Humanity Launch Service Leadership Academy, Volleyball Team Captain, Track & Field Throwing Team Captain, Co-President for Student Council, Honor Roll every year of high school, and Most Improved Player Award for 2019-2020 basketball season.

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