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
Ashlyn Koupal
Wagner High School
Ashlyn will be featured on Dakota News Now during the 6:00PM news on Monday, December 15 and again on the Dakota News Now morning news on Tuesday, December 16 between 6:00AM and 7:00AM.
Maci Kasuske
April 18, 2020 - April 24, 2020
- School
- Wilmot (605-9384647)
- GPA
- 4.04
- Activities
- HOBY Representative, Girls State Representative, President of National Honor Society, President of Student Council, 4 yrs. Volleyball, 3 yrs. Basketball, 4 yrs. Track
Maci Kasuske is from Twin Brooks, SD, located within Whetstone Valley Electric Cooperative, a Touchstone Energy Cooperative.
Grant Johnson
April 11, 2020 - April 17, 2020
- School
- Sully Buttes High School (6052582618)
- GPA
- 3.97
- Activities
- Activities: football, basketball, track, student council Accomplishments: National Honor Society member, All State Football, Basketball State Champion Team, Student Council representative
Grant Johnson is from Onida, SD, located within Oahe Electric Cooperative, a Touchstone Energy Cooperative.
Cassidy Sayler
April 4, 2020 - April 10, 2020
- School
- Viborg-Hurley School District (6057661326)
- GPA
- 4.13
- Activities
- Band, Choir, FFA (chapter reporter one year, State-Qualifying Dairy Foods team member (17), State-Qualifying Vet Science team member (18), State-Qualifying Quiz Bowl team member (17), State and Nationals-qualifying floriculture team (19)), Perfect GPA with college classes, Track (Most Valuable Runner Award Recipient (17) ), Volleyball, National Honor Society (president), Student Council (secretary, vice president, and then president), Oral Interpenetration, F.R.O.G. youth group, VBS teacher, Drama (State-Qualifying One-Act play cast (16-18),All-School Play (17-18),-Letter Winner (16-18), Region Outstanding Actress Award (16))
Cassidy Sayler is from Viborg, SD, located within Southeastern Electric Cooperative, a Touchstone Energy Cooperative.
AnnaMarie Medicine Horn
March 28, 2020 - April 3, 2020
- School
- Andes Central School (605-487-7671)
- GPA
- 3.31
- Activities
- Volleyball Wrestling statistician Track National Honor Society Band Honor band Peer Helper Student Council President Student of the Year Certificate of Merit in Life and Behavior Science Senior Division National Association of Biology Teachers Award Society for In-Vitro Biology Award
AnnaMarie Medicine Horn is from Lake Andes, SD, located within Charles Mix Electric Association, a Touchstone Energy Cooperative.
Cassandra Voigt
March 21, 2020 - March 27, 2020
- School
- Avon High School (606-286-3291)
- GPA
- 3.97
- Activities
- Choir (9-12), Girls' BB Stats (9-12), FB Stats (11-12), Academic All State (12), A-Club (9-12), Class President (9-11) Quiz Bowl(12), Homecoming Court, Science Fair (9-12) 9th grade,Mitchell Science Fair, ISEF Los Angeles- Student Observer, 10th grade- ISEF 2018 Pittsburgh- Student observer, 1st place Stockholm Junior water Prize- DWU, Science Fair 2nd place- Yale Science and engineering Award, DWU Mathematics award, Mu Alpha Theta Award, SD Society for clinical Lab. Research Award, DWU scholarship award, Honor Rolls (9-12), Fellowship of Christian Athletes, Drama, Volleyball(9-11)
Cassandra Voigt is from Avon, SD, located within Bon Homme-Yankton Electric Assn., a Touchstone Energy Cooperative.
Samuel Ward
March 14, 2020 - March 20, 2020
- School
- Vermillion High School (605-677-7033)
- GPA
- 3.97
- Activities
- Samuel was described by his teacher to be mature, intelligent, friendly, respectful, and motivated. He is a fantastic leader with a great sense of humor and a kind heart. He treats all his peers with respect and dignity. Samuel is active in high school sports (soccer and basketball). He is a member of student council, RAKE club, National Honor Society, and is a member of Vermillion Rhythm in Red Show Choir. He volunteers in our Peer Helper program with younger students in the district.
Samuel Ward is from Vermillion, SD, located within Clay-Union Electric Corporation, a Touchstone Energy Cooperative.
Josh Lehman
March 7, 2020 - March 13, 2020
- School
- Elk Point-Jefferson (605-356-5900)
- GPA
- 4
- Activities
- Band, Jazz Band, Plays, Oral Interp, Newspaper, Football, Student Council. Josh has taken dual credit, accelerated and honors courses.
Josh Lehman is from Elk Point, SD, located within Union County Electric Cooperative, a Touchstone Energy Cooperative.
Abby Vanden Berge
March 1, 2020 - March 7, 2020
- School
- Platte-Geddes High School ((605) 337-3391)
- GPA
- 4
- Activities
- Abby has been involved in the following activities: Academic Olympics, Band, Choir, Flag Corp, Girls' State, National Honor Society, School Plays, Volleyball, Youth Group, and has been Class Treasurer and Vice President. Abby has also been active in the community by working as a student leader for bible school, working with the Platte Chamber to help with roller skating, play in Platte, and kids shopping, helped with the church Christmas concert, is a student leader for Teens Encounter Christ, volunteers at the Lyric Theatre, and went on a mission trip to Mexico.
Abby Vanden Berge is from Platte, SD, located within Charles Mix Electric Association, a Touchstone Energy Cooperative.
Grace Konechne
February 23, 2020 - February 29, 2020
- School
- White Lake High School (605-249-2251)
- GPA
- 4
- Activities
- Volleyball, grades 7-12, Co-captain and floor captain grade 12 Basketball- grades 7-12, Co-captain grades 11&12 Football Stats, 10-12 Class B SoDak 16 Champions, grade 11 Max Preps Player of the Week for Volleyball, grade 11 Volleyball Best Offensive Player, grade 11 Volleyball South Central Conference Honorable Mention, grade 11 Volleyball CBH Conference 2nd team, grade 11 Volleyball Best Offensive Player, grade 10 Volleyball SC Conference 1st team, grade 10 Volleyball CBH Conference 1st team, grade 10 Volleyball Most improved, grade 9 Volleyball Best Prospect, grade 8 Basketball CBH Conference 3rd team, grade 11 Basketball Most Improved, grade 10 Band- 5 letters, drum major Choir- 3 letters, All-State Chorus 4 years Student Council Secretary/Treasurer-12 Class Officer-grades 7, 9-11 Homecoming Queen Gold Honor Roll/4.0, grades 7-12 Academic Letter HOBY delegate National Merit Scholar Semi-Finalist Church organist/song leader, grades 5 to present Piano accompanist for choir and other kid’s solos- grades 5 to present Daily piano accompanist for chorus, grade 9
Grace Konechne is from White Lake, SD, located within Central Electric Cooperative, a Touchstone Energy Cooperative.
Makala Lemburg
February 16, 2020 - February 22, 2020
- School
- Tracy Area HIgh School (507-629-5500)
- GPA
- 3.46
- Activities
- Cross Country 8-12(lettered 9, 11, captain11); Track 7-11 (let.8-11); Choir 9-11 (let.10); Band9-11 (let. 11); BBB varsity student manager; peer tutor 9; 9th class vice president; 9th student council; 10th class president; 11th & 12th student council president.
Makala Lemburg is from Marshall, MN, located within Lyon-Lincoln Electric Cooperative, a Touchstone Energy Cooperative.