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

Miranda Lakness

March 4, 2018 - March 10, 2018

School: Hamlin High School
GPA: 4
Activities: basketball, track, school play, student council, NHS, 4-H, senior luther league

Miranda Lakness is from Hazel, SD, located within H-D Electric Cooperative, a Touchstone Energy Cooperative.

Olivia Heinecke

February 25, 2018 - March 3, 2018

School: Sisseton High School
GPA: 4.07
Activities: *Honor Roll 9-12 *September Student of the Month 12 *Oral Interpretation 10-12 (state participant 3 times and state superior twice plus other medals and trophies) *FBLA (Future Business Leaders of America) 9-12 Local president and state north vice president 12, state secretary 11, national leadership conference competitor 9-11 *SD Girls State Representative 11 *Hugh O'Brian Youth Seminar Delegate 10 *FCCLA (Family, Career and Community Leaders of America 10 *Art Club 9-11 *Students Against Destructive Decisions (SADD) 9 *Basketball 9-11 *Student Government 9,11 *One Act Play 12 *National Honor Society Secretary 11-12 *Knowledge Bowl 12 *Missoula Children's Theatre (several years) *Judges Choice Award-Granary Art Show 9 *Scholastic Art and Writing Award, Gold Key Designation 11 *SD Congressional Art Competition runner-up *SD Junior Duck Stamp 1st place 9 *Roberts County Snow Queen 12 *Miss Teen South Dakota semi-finalist 10 *SD Junior Snow Queen Contest runner-up 9 *Miss Teen Siouxland Pageant runner-up, Miss Congeniality, Newcomer Award 9 *SD Junior Snow Queen Contest runner-up 9 *VFW Voice of Democracy Local and District winner 12 *SD Ambassadors of Excellence Governors Camp for Gifted Students 9-11

Olivia Heinecke is from Sisseton, SD, located within Whetstone Valley Electric Cooperative, a Touchstone Energy Cooperative.

Trevor Case

February 18, 2018 - February 24, 2018

School: Webster Area School
GPA: 4.146
Activities: Football, Key Club, Hunting, Fishing, Basketball, 4-H, Shooting Sports, Student Council President, SMARTS Challenge

Trevor Case is from Webster, SD, located within Lake Region Electric Association, a Touchstone Energy Cooperative.

Ethan Geraets

February 11, 2018 - February 17, 2018

School: Chester Area School
GPA: 4
Activities: Activities: Sioux Valley Energy?s Empower program (student participant and Advisory Committee). Champions on Track (character recognition). Senior Class Secretary/Treasurer. National Honor Society (Vice-President. Basketball. Plays (musical, 3-act and 1-act). Drama Club (Secretary and Treasurer). Future Farmers of America. (Vice-President). Quizbowl. Choir All-State Choir, Big East Choir) Band (concert, pep, Big East Band, Drum Major of marching band - President and Secretary). Spanish Club (Secretary and Treasurer). Boys State.

Ethan Geraets is from Humboldt, SD, located within Sioux Valley Energy, a Touchstone Energy Cooperative.

Annie Keeter

January 28, 2018 - February 3, 2018

School: Miller High School
GPA: 3.929
Activities: FCCLA (Future Career Community Leaders of America) SADD (Students Against Destructive Decisions) MAHB (Miller Area Health Board) 4H NHS (National Honors Society) Youth Leadership Entrepreneur Board Volleyball Junior Olympic Volleyball Basketball Track MYF (Methodist Youth Foundation) Give Back Day Co-Founder

Annie Keeter is from St. Lawrence, SD, located within Dakota Energy Cooperative, a Touchstone Energy Cooperative.

Taylor Westendorf

January 21, 2018 - January 27, 2018

School: Plankinton High School
GPA: 3.99
Activities: volleyball, cross country, basketball, track, softball, oral interp, science fair, youth modern woodmen organization, voice of democracy, patriot's pen, one act play, all-school play, choir, band, marching band, flag corp, catholic organization, class officer

Taylor Westendorf is from Plankinton, SD, located within Central Electric Cooperative, a Touchstone Energy Cooperative.

Landon DeBoer

January 14, 2018 - January 20, 2018

School: Corsica/Stickney
GPA: 4.09
Activities: 4 year football, 4 years basketball, 4 years track, 3 years golf, 4 years FCCLA, 3 years National Honor Society, Honor roll all four years, Student council class officer four years, two years all state choir.

Landon DeBoer is from Corsica, SD, located within Douglas Electric Cooperative, a Touchstone Energy Cooperative.

Libby Bailey

January 7, 2018 - January 13, 2018

School: Bridgewater Emery
GPA: 3.96
Activities: volleyball, basketball and football statistician, school play, band, NHS, student council, FCCLA

Libby Bailey is from Bridgewater, SD, located within Southeastern Electric Cooperative, a Touchstone Energy Cooperative.