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.
Tanner Suess
October 11, 2009 - October 17, 2009
- School
- Scotland School District
- GPA
- 3.85
- Activities
- football, wrestling, vocal, show choir, band, 4-H, Rodeo, church youth group, student council
Tanner Suess is from Tripp, SD.
Rachel Schwartz
October 4, 2009 - October 10, 2009
- School
- Sioux Valley Schools
- GPA
- 4
- Activities
- Volleyball, basketball, National Honors Society, Natural Helpers, and Student Council
Rachel Schwartz is from Volga, SD.
Stephanie Vedvei
September 27, 2009 - October 3, 2009
- School
- Groton Area High School
- GPA
- 4.11
- Activities
- Band, Show Choir, Jazz Band, Yearbook, Basketball, Volleyball player and captain, Soccer goalie and captain, Jr. Class Officer, Star/Torch, Natural Helpers, Luther League Treasurer, Softball, Youth Soccer Coach
Stephanie Vedvei is from Groton, SD.
Ashley Hesby
September 20, 2009 - September 26, 2009
- School
- Lake Preston
- GPA
- 4
- Activities
- Mixed Choir, Swing Choir, Instrumental Music, Jazz Band, FFA, FCCLA, Comp Cheer, Sideline Cheer, All School Play, One Act Play.
Ashley Hesby is from Lake Preston, SD.
Rosie Ahmed
September 13, 2009 - September 19, 2009
- School
- Vermillion High School
- GPA
- 4
- Activities
- Band, acting, art club, Natural Helper, Teacher aid, National Honor Society, and received outstanding volunteer award.
Rosie Ahmed is from Vermillion, SD.
Maggie Pence
September 6, 2009 - September 12, 2009
- School
- Aberdeen Central High School
- GPA
- 3.917
- Activities
- National Honor Society, Debate, Environmental Club (Co-chair)
Maggie Pence is from Westport, SD.
Randall Waldner
May 3, 2009 - May 9, 2009
- School
- Redfield High School
- GPA
- 4.107
- Activities
- Student Council ? Class Vice President (Jr), Student Body President (Sr.) Football ?4 years, Captain 2 years, All Conference (Jr, So), Rookie of Year (9) FBLA ? 4 years, Chapter President (Sr) Band ? 4 years Wrestling ?4 years, Captain 3 years, State Champion, HWT (Jr), 6th Place 215 (So) Baseball ? 4 years Track ? 4 years, Captain 3years CCD ? 4 years Co-Ed Softball ? 3 years Prom Decorator ?A? Honor Roll ? All Quarters of High School Student of the Month ? freshman, Junior Boys State ? Junior HOBY Delegate ? sophomore
Randall Waldner is from Redfied, SD, SD.
Jessica Wolles
April 26, 2009 - May 2, 2009
- School
- St. Mary High School, Dell Rapids
- GPA
- 3.94
- Activities
- Volleyball, Football Cheerleading, Basketball, Boys Basketball Cheerleading, National Honor Society President, Track, Student Mentor for Elementary Students
Jessica Wolles is from Dell Rapids, SD.
Sarah Pederson
April 19, 2009 - April 25, 2009
- School
- Great Plains Lutheran High School
- GPA
- 3.5
- Activities
- Volleyball 9-12 Basketball 9-12 Track 9-12 Choir 10-12 Honor Choir 10-12 Band 10-12 Student Council 12
Sarah Pederson is from Watertown, SD.
Lane Stockland
April 12, 2009 - April 18, 2009
- School
- Irene-Wakonda High School
- GPA
- 3.75
- Activities
- Activities 4 years football, four years varsity letter winner, 1st team all TVC 4 years basketball, three years varsity letter winner, honorable mention TVC 4 years band, three year letter winner 2 years student council 2 years all-school play Awards 4 year academic letter winner National Honors Society member- 11th and 12th Voice of Democracy regional winner ?11th Homecoming Royalty- 12th A-honor roll every quarter since 9th grade Community Service/Work Experience Charlie?s Bus Service & Auto Repair ? summer of 2006 ? Present Assistant manager Volunteered at Veterans? Day banquet Always help with basketball tournaments Construction of church wheel chair ramp for my church and help paint the church as well
Lane Stockland is from Irene, SD.