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Scholar of the Week

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.

View Rylan's Bio View / Search All Winners

Kelsinooney

Kelsi Nooney

November 11, 2018 - November 17, 2018

School
Scotland (6055832237)
GPA
4
Activities
Volleyball, Basketball, Track, Cheerleader, NHS, School Play, Girls State, Governor's Luncheon, TATU, Community Play, Volunteer at Heartland Humane Society, National Guard

Kelsi Nooney is from Scotland, SD, located within Bon Homme-Yankton Electric Assn., a Touchstone Energy Cooperative.

Olivia

Olivia Gohl

November 4, 2018 - November 10, 2018

School
Ipswich Public (426)
GPA
4
Activities
NHS, FBLA, band, volleyball, basketball, numerous art awards (placed three years at the SD duck stamp competition, Faulkton art show ribbons, and placed 3rd at the NSU High School Art invitational). Olivia works so hard in all of her subjects, and juggles, school, college courses, and various activities. She is extremely involved in the arts, and spends most of her free time working on her projects. She also interns for me and helps the younger children with their art. Olivia is very deserving of this award.

Olivia Gohl is from Ipswich, SD, located within FEM Electric Association, a Touchstone Energy Cooperative.

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Audrey Cihak

October 28, 2018 - November 3, 2018

School
Aberdeen Central HS (6057258100)
GPA
4
Activities
Speech & Debate (two years), National Honor Society (Vice President), Volunteer Soccer Coach, Link/Crew Leader, Peer Tutor (two years), Church Youth Group Leader (two years), Soccer, Dance (two years)

Audrey Cihak is from Aberdeen, SD, located within Northern Electric Cooperative, a Touchstone Energy Cooperative.

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Lucas Breske

October 21, 2018 - October 27, 2018

School
Waubay High School (605-947-4529)
GPA
4
Activities
Football Captain, basketball, track, National Honor Society, FFA, church youth group, honor roll, oral interp, one-act play, volunteer ref for jr. high basketball, and various community service projects

Lucas Breske is from Waubay, SD, located within Lake Region Electric Association, a Touchstone Energy Cooperative.

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Katie Wollschlager

October 14, 2018 - October 20, 2018

School
Millbank High School (6054325546)
GPA
4
Activities
Katie is a member of the Milbank Honor Society, Milbank Honor Roll. Katie has participated in the South Dakota Big Idea Competition, and World Food Prize. Katie is a member of the TATU (Teens Against Tobacco Usage) Katie is a player on the Milbank Volleyball, Basketball and Track team. Katie is also a FFA member and Milbank Choir.

Katie Wollschlager is from LaBolt, SD, located within Whetstone Valley Electric Cooperative, a Touchstone Energy Cooperative.

Jack Olson

Jack Olson

September 30, 2018 - October 6, 2018

School
Rutland High School (605-586-4352)
GPA
3
Activities
3.633 GPA, National Honor Society, National History Day National Competitor (Washington D.C.), cross-country, basketball, track, Empower representative, student council, all-school play, one-act play, band, chorus, FFA.

Jack Olson is from Rutland, SD, located within Sioux Valley Energy, a Touchstone Energy Cooperative.

Lexie Larsen

Lexie Larsen

September 23, 2018 - September 29, 2018

School
Lake Preston (605-847-4455)
GPA
4
Activities
9-12 Student Activities listed below: Band, Chorus, Comp Cheer, Track and Field, GBB, VB, Marching Band, Show Choir, FFA, Oral Interp, Sideline Cheer, Student Council Rep, Senior Class President, President of National Honor Society, Blue and Gold school newspaper writer Accomplishments below: Multiple top student awards in many of her HS classes, Citizenship Award winner, Girls State attendee, Multiple honor accomplishments throughout her HS career Sports below: Most improved in VB, Best Defensive player last year in GBB, Most Inspirational in VB, Go-Getter in Cheer, Diver Award in GBB Volunteerism below: Lutheran Youth Organization member, teaches Sunday School to pre-school, works at Maynard's grocery store and Arlington Nursing home, helps out on family farm, babysitting

Lexie Larsen is from Lake Preston, SD, located within Kingsbury Electric Cooperative, a Touchstone Energy Cooperative.

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Abby Dethlefsen

September 16, 2018 - September 22, 2018

School
Corsica-Stickney High School (6057702979)
GPA
4
Activities
Volleyball-participant four years, basketball-one year participant, track and field-participant four years, student council- four year participant positions include secretary, president, treasurer, FCCLA-3 year participant, National Honor Society-2 year participant secretary, 4-H- 9 year participant and current president for Stickney chapter, Farmer's Union-junior advisor council, and server for St. Mary's Catholic church in Stickney for nine years.

Abby Dethlefsen is from Stickney, SD, located within Central Electric Cooperative, a Touchstone Energy Cooperative.

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FAITH TYLER

September 9, 2018 - September 15, 2018

School
Wagner (605-384-5426)
GPA
4
Activities
Volleyball- LMVC all tournament 2016 & 2017, SESD All-tournament 2016& 2017, Class A All- State 2nd Team 2017, Team MVP 2017, Basketball, Track (State Qualifier 2016 &2018), Student Council, FCA

FAITH TYLER is from Wagner, SD, located within Charles Mix Electric Association, a Touchstone Energy Cooperative.