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
Tyler Bain
Aberdeen Central High School
Tyler will be featured on Dakota News Now during the 6:00PM news on Monday, February 2 and again on the Dakota News Now morning news on Tuesday, February 3 between 6:00AM and 7:00AM.
Carolyn Blaha
September 17, 2017 - September 23, 2017
- School
- Wagner High School
- GPA
- 4
- Activities
- Volleyball Track National Honor Society (NHS) National FFA Organization- Chapter President Fellowship Christian Athletes(FCA) School play Band Chorus
Carolyn Blaha is from Dante, SD, located within Charles Mix Electric Association, a Touchstone Energy Cooperative.
Hailey Fergen
September 10, 2017 - September 16, 2017
- School
- Menno High School
- GPA
- 4
- Activities
- Student Council Secretary/Treasurer National Honor's Society FFA FCA Oral Interp One Act Play TUG
Hailey Fergen is from Menno, SD, located within Southeastern Electric Cooperative, a Touchstone Energy Cooperative.
Matthew Eigenberg
May 7, 2017 - May 13, 2017
- School
- Brandon Valley High School
- GPA
- 4
- Activities
- While at BVHS, Matthew has been involved in football, wrestling, power lifting and FCA. Matthew is the type of student that thrives on a variety of involvement both on and off campus. Matthew also has a dedication to serving others. He is a member of Sioux Valley Energy?s EMPOWER program for student leaders. Throughout this experience he has learned how to become a better leader through serving others in the community. He is also an active member of his church youth group, which has allowed him to serve through different mission trips and projects.
Matthew Eigenberg is from Brandon, SD, located within Sioux Valley Energy, a Touchstone Energy Cooperative.
Hannah Brockway
April 30, 2017 - May 6, 2017
- School
- Tracy Area High School
- GPA
- 4
- Activities
- Achievements and Honors ?A? Honor Roll 9, 10, 11 Academic Letter and Stars 9, 10 National Honors Society Officer 11, 12 ? Historian(11), Secretary(12) Band Letter Winner 9, 10, 11 Solo and Ensemble Superior Instrumental Solo 9, 11 Solo and Ensemble Excellent Instrumental Solo 10 Flute Section Leader 11 Choir Letter Winner 11 Solo and Ensemble Superior Vocal Solo 10, 11 Solo and Ensemble Superior Vocal Ensemble 10, 11 Cross Country Letter Winner 9, 10, 11 Cross Country Captain 11, 12 Track and Field Letter Winner 10, 11 Track and Field Captain 12 Speech Letter Winner 9, 10, 11 State Speech Participant 10 Speech Captain 10, 11 Tracy Area High School EXCEL Nominee 11 Tracy Area High School Minnesota Mile Representative 10 Lyon County 4-H Incentive Award Recipient 10 Lyon County 4-H Ambassador 9, 10, 11, 12 Lyon County 4-H Federation Officer 11, 12 ? Treasurer(11, 12) Amiret Busy Bees 4-H Club Officer 10, 12 ? Secretary(10), President(12) National Catholic Youth Choir 11 ? Needed to audition for Activities and Clubs Spanish Club 10, 11, 12 National Honors Society 11, 12 Band 9, 10, 11, 12 Choir 10, 11, 12 Peer Helpers 10, 11, 12 Big Buddies 10, 11, 12 Chamber Choir 10, 11 Cross Country 9, 10, 11, 12 Track and Field 9, 10, 11, 12 School Play/Musical 10, 11, 12 One Act Play 11 Speech 9, 10, 11, 12 FFA 9, 10 Amiret Busy Bees 4-H Club 9, 10, 11, 12
Hannah Brockway is from Trac, MN, located within Lyon-Lincoln Electric Cooperative, a Touchstone Energy Cooperative.
Alan Masat
April 23, 2017 - April 29, 2017
- School
- Redfield School District
- GPA
- 4
- Activities
- Student of the Month (9) Academic Award (9,10,11) 1st Place Individual State FFA Crops Judging (9) 1st place team Sate FFA Crops Judging (9) 3rd Place Individual State FFA Meats Evaluation (10) 1st Place Team State FFA Meats Evaluation (10) Silver rating National FFA Meats Evaluation (11) 1st Place Individual State FFA Natural Resources (11) 1st Place Team State FFA Natural Resources (11) NCRC Gold Rating Godl Rating National FFA Natural Resources (12) SDSU 4-H Extension Character All-Star Football (9,10,11,12) Football Captain (12) Track (9) Basketball (9,10,11,12) Baseball (9,10,11) NHS (10,11,12) FFA (8,9,10,11,12)
Alan Masat is from Redfield, SD, located within Northern Electric Cooperative, a Touchstone Energy Cooperative.
Ben Pond
April 16, 2017 - April 22, 2017
- School
- Ipswich High School
- GPA
- 4.24
- Activities
- Football, basketball, track and field, band, vocal, All State Chorus, All School Play, National Honor Society, volunteer at Tiger Tutoring.
Ben Pond is from Ipswich, SD, located within FEM Electric Association, a Touchstone Energy Cooperative.
Brianna Smith
April 9, 2017 - April 15, 2017
- School
- Hamlin School District
- GPA
- 4.02
- Activities
- Book Club, Students Against Destructive Decisions, National Honor Society, Skills USA, HOSA
Brianna Smith is from Hayti, SD, located within H-D Electric Cooperative, a Touchstone Energy Cooperative.
Alec Paulson
April 2, 2017 - April 8, 2017
- School
- Florence School
- GPA
- 4
- Activities
- Letterwinner in FB, BBB, Track FFA officer 4 years in Band, Chorus active in school plays
Alec Paulson is from Wallace, SD, located within Codington-Clark Electric Cooperative, a Touchstone Energy Cooperative.
Tory Arbach
March 26, 2017 - April 1, 2017
- School
- Marion High School
- GPA
- 3.83
- Activities
- Volleyball 2011-17 team captain senior year. Letter winner. Track and Field 2015-17 Letter Winner Student Council 2011-17 Senior Class Representative Basketball Stats 2016-17 Football Cheerleader 2015-17 National Honor Society 2016-17
Tory Arbach is from Marion, SD, located within Southeastern Electric Cooperative, a Touchstone Energy Cooperative.
Rachel Geary
March 19, 2017 - March 25, 2017
- School
- Elk Point-Jefferson
- GPA
- 3.97
- Activities
- Throughout high school, I have been involved in many activities. Some extra-curricular activities, I have been involved in are track, basketball manager, National Honor Society, Student Council, Yearbook, math contest, and State Science Fair. Outside of school, I participate in y-discipleship (church group), teen leaders, friends feast, camp counselor, Character All Stars Representative, and 4-H. I have also been a leader through 4-H, teen leaders, and various activities in school.
Rachel Geary is from Elk Point, SD, located within Union County Electric Cooperative, a Touchstone Energy Cooperative.