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
Rylan Skorczewski
Hendricks Public School
Rylan will be featured on Dakota News Now during the 6:00PM news on Monday, November 17 and again on the Dakota News Now morning news on Tuesday, November 18 between 6:00AM and 7:00AM.
Dillon Browning
December 11, 2021 - December 17, 2021
- School
- Warner High School (6052256397)
- GPA
- 4.01
- Activities
- Dillon has been engaged and actively involved in many programs and activities throughout his student career both at school and in the community. He has participated in Band (since 5th grade), Choir (since 6th grade), Cross Country (6 years), Track (6 years), One-Act Play (4 years), Oral Interp (4 years), Small Group and Solo Contest performances for band (4 years), All-State Choir (2019-21) and Student Government. He currently presides over the student body as Student Council President, and previously served as class representative for 3 years (2018-2021). He has also been recognized for High Honors on the Honor Roll every quarter/semester since the 6th grade. Dillon is also active outside of school, he is very active in 4-H. He has served as an officer for the last 4 years at the county level, SD 4-H State Ambassador from 2020-22, been a member of the SD 4-H Teen Leadership Conference Planning Committee, and participated in the Pennsylvania 4-H Statewide Leadership Conference in 2021 (virtually). Dillon was also recognized for his academic excellent by being selected for the Stockholm Junior Water Prize in 2019 at Northern State University Science Fair, was selected to attend the University of Chicago's Emerging Rural Leaders II Summer Scholarship Program (2021) and awarded the AP Scholar Award. He was accepted into the Gustavus Adolphus Academy for Faith, Science and Ethics Conference (virtual) in 2019. Dillon's involvement in school activities, community events, and leadership programs keeps him very busy. We are proud of all of his accomplishments and know his future is bright.
Dillon Browning is from Mansfield, SD, located within Northern Electric Cooperative, a Touchstone Energy Cooperative.
Trevor Beyers
December 4, 2021 - December 10, 2021
- School
- Ipswich High School ((605)426-6561)
- GPA
- 4
- Activities
- Football (4), Basketball (6), Track (4), Band (4), National Honor Society, FBLA, YPS church group
Trevor Beyers is from Roscoe, SD, located within FEM Electric Association, a Touchstone Energy Cooperative.
Alana Howard
November 27, 2021 - December 3, 2021
- School
- Miller High School (605-853-2455)
- GPA
- 4
- Activities
- FFA- District Secretary, Chapter President; August 2016-September 2025 Cross Country- Team Captain; August 2015-October 2021 BEST Robotics- Exhibit Manager; September 2016-October 2021 One Act Play- Actress; November 2019- February 2022 Track- Team Captain; February 2016- May 2022 Band- Drum Major, instrumentalist; August 2014- May 2022 Jazz Band- instrumentalist; November 2016-March 2022 Oral Interpretation- competitor; August 2020-November 2021 Fellowship of Christian Athletes- participant; August 2021-May 2022 Class Officer- President; August 2018-May 2022 4-H- Club Reporter; October 2012- October 2023 CCD- member; September 2009- May 2022 Presbyterian Youth Group- member; February 2020- May 2022 Historical Society Board of Directors; Student Member; August 2018- May 2022 Community Play- actress; August 2021- November 2021
Alana Howard is from Miller, SD, located within Dakota Energy Cooperative, a Touchstone Energy Cooperative.
Dilyn Brooks
November 20, 2021 - November 26, 2021
- School
- Woonsocket High School (605-796-4431)
- GPA
- 4
- Activities
- -Co-President of Town-N-Country Kids 4-H Group -Participated in Nationals for Shooting Sports with multiple awards and records. -Vice President of Sanborn Central-Woonsocket FFA Chapter -Volunteers Feeding the Homeless -Member of National Honor Society -President of Woonsocket Student Council -Member of All-State Chorus -Member of Youth Group with Spirit of Faith Church with number of volunteer projects that includes: feeding South Dakota, writing cards for elderly, helper vacation bible school. -Works with Sand Creek Vet Clinic -Narrative- Dilyn is an exceptional student and leader who would certainly be a deserving recipient of this award. Thank you for your consideration.
Dilyn Brooks is from Woonsocket, SD, located within Central Electric Cooperative, a Touchstone Energy Cooperative.
Nevaeh Starr
November 13, 2021 - November 19, 2021
- School
- T.F. Riggs (6057737354)
- GPA
- 4
- Activities
- FBLA, T.F. Riggs Newspaper lead editor, National Honor Society President, Stem Savvy Chapter; 2017 Citizenship Award, 2018 Principal's Education Award, 2018 History Student of the Year, 2018 South Dakota National History Day Research Paper place holder
Nevaeh Starr is from Pierre, SD, located within Oahe Electric Cooperative, a Touchstone Energy Cooperative.
Reese Powers
November 6, 2021 - November 12, 2021
- School
- Avon High School (605-286-3291)
- GPA
- 3.64
- Activities
- Choir; Cheerleading; Cross Country; Volleyball; Basketball; Track; Archery; Fellowship of Christian Athletes; A Club; Drama; Oral Interp; School Newspaper and Yearbook staff; Junior Legion Auxillary; 9th -10 grade Student Council representative; Nominated for Congress of Medical Leaders; taking dual credit courses
Reese Powers is from Avon, SD, located within Charles Mix Electric Association, a Touchstone Energy Cooperative.
Rosie Calamanco
October 30, 2021 - November 5, 2021
- School
- Elk Point-Jefferson (605-356-5900)
- GPA
- 3.88
- Activities
- Activities Include: -Cross country -Band -Newspaper -Track and Field -Some basketball -Student council in middle school Accomplishments Include: -Lettering in band -Lettering in cross country -Winning spelling bee awards - Winning the presidential award -Medaling in cross country and track and field -Lettering because of good grades -Receiving a plaque for "best attitude" in cross country
Rosie Calamanco is from Sioux City, IA, located within Union County Electric Cooperative, a Touchstone Energy Cooperative.
Samuel Kampshoff
October 23, 2021 - October 29, 2021
- School
- Yankton High School (605-665-7378)
- GPA
- 4.1
- Activities
- Football, Baseball, Band, National Honor Society, Fellowship of Christian Athletes
Samuel Kampshoff is from Yankton, SD, located within Bon Homme-Yankton Electric Assn., a Touchstone Energy Cooperative.
Zoey Wohlleber
October 16, 2021 - October 22, 2021
- School
- Summit (605-398-6211)
- GPA
- 3.65
- Activities
- Basketball - 2 time all state, ECC MVP, 4 years All Conference Volleyball 1 year track Hope Lutheran Youth Group Band 1 year Student Council Top Rated Senior Student (GPA)
Zoey Wohlleber is from South Shore, SD, located within Whetstone Valley Electric Cooperative, a Touchstone Energy Cooperative.
Connor Bauer
October 9, 2021 - October 15, 2021
- School
- Webster Area High School (6053453548)
- GPA
- 3.77
- Activities
- Connor participates in cross country and basketball. He is in National Honor Society and Robotics. He has been on the honor roll every semester of his high school career. He also is active in band.
Connor Bauer is from Webster, SD, located within Lake Region Electric Association, a Touchstone Energy Cooperative.