View the current list of winners for this year’s Scholar of the Week program. The Scholar of the Week program is a partnership between Dakota News Now and your local Touchstone Energy Cooperatives that honors the region’s accomplished high school students. Each weekly winner receives a cash award from their local Touchstone Energy Cooperative and is featured on Dakota News Now. All winners are also eligible to receive one of the three scholarships that are given away at the annual Scholar of the Year banquet. Nominations for the weekly awards are submitted by area school principals and faculty, whose selections were based on excellence in the classroom and service in the community.
Annika Estwick
May 14, 2023 - May 20, 2023
- School
- Sisseton High School (605-698-7613)
- GPA
- 4.07
- Activities
- Student Activities: FCCLA, FBLA, National Honor Society, SADD, Student Council, Volleyball, and Track. Accomplishments: Senior Spotlight recipient, Honor roll all quarters of high school, former South Dakota Junior Snow Queen
Annika Estwick is from Sisseton, SD, located within Traverse Electric Cooperative, a Touchstone Energy Cooperative.
Kobi Lutjens
May 7, 2023 - May 13, 2023
- School
- Mitchell High School (605 995-7705)
- GPA
- 3.82
- Activities
- I am delighted to recommend Mr. Kobi Lutjens as a Scholar of the Week. Kobi is a very interesting young man with many attributes. He can make one crazy with his opinions but as he has matured, I have found him willing to listen and process information different from his own. Kobi is a very strong academic student with a 3.824 grade point average. During his junior year alone, he earned a total of 23 dual credits for college. His senior year, Kobi will earn an additional 19 credits allowing him to graduate high school as a college sophomore. Kobi’s academic strength is, without question, mathematics and he has excelled throughout his school career in that area. Kobi is also an active community member. He began a Men’s Softball team and organized members so they could play each week. He uses his trumpet talents for his church during holidays as well as his school’s band and jazz band programs. He assists with Mitchell’s Rodeo program, participates in Track and Field, grooms local bike trails, helps elderly neighbors with snow removal and yard work. One incredible endeavor Kobi has taken on is a Community Garden. Kobi organized a garden in his own backyard and welcomed community members to pick up fresh produce during the summer months. Due to his academic gifts, Kobi’s goal is earn a degree in Civil Engineering. He is so anxious to make a difference in our world. I high recommend Kobi Lutjens as a Scholar of the Week!
Kobi Lutjens is from Mitchell, SD, located within Central Electric Cooperative, a Touchstone Energy Cooperative.
Alison Nankivel
April 30, 2023 - May 6, 2023
- School
- Parker High School (6052973456)
- GPA
- 4
- Activities
- Band: Drum Major 2022, FCCLA: National Qualifier 2022, Regional Vice President, Chapter President, State Leadership Team: National Outreach. Great Plains Zoo: 4 year volunteer, Zoo Camp Counselor, Cheerleading, National Honor Society; Kindness Committee Leader.
Alison Nankivel is from Parker, SD, located within Southeastern Electric Coop, a Touchstone Energy Cooperative.
Blue Lily
April 23, 2023 - April 29, 2023
- School
- Iroquois School (605-546-2426)
- GPA
- 3.98
- Activities
- National Honor Society, HOSA Nationals, Humanity Launch Student Leadershp Academy, Honor Roll, Senior Class President, FFA officer, Iroquois Peer Assistance Team, Volleyball 4 years, Band, Choir
Blue Lily is from Iroquois, SD, located within Dakota Energy Cooperative, a Touchstone Energy Cooperative.
Reese Voorhees
April 16, 2023 - April 22, 2023
- School
- Sully Buttes High School (605 258 2618)
- GPA
- 4
- Activities
- : Throughout Reese's high school career he has been involved in the following activities; football four years, basketball one year, golf four years, legion baseball four years, FFA four years, band three years, chorus four years, and student council four years. His accomplishments include being his class president four years, having a 4.0 GPA, placing top three in the fed cattle challenge, placing top five in state FFA for Ag Mechanics, and being nominated as a Boys State delegate.
Reese Voorhees is from Onida, SD, located within Oahe Electric Cooperative, a Touchstone Energy Cooperative.
Brayden Metzger
April 9, 2023 - April 15, 2023
- School
- Hills-Beaver Creek (507.962.3240)
- GPA
- 3.93
- Activities
- Football, Basketball, Track, Knowledge Bowl, Math League, Student Council, PBIS team
Brayden Metzger is from Hills, MN, located within Sioux Valley Energy, a Touchstone Energy Cooperative.
Cally Faulhaber
April 2, 2023 - April 8, 2023
- School
- Plankinton School District (6059427743)
- GPA
- 4.04
- Activities
- Cally has an endless list of activities and accomplishments beginning with National Honors Society, volleyball, basketball, student council, class officer, track, quiz bowl team, yearbook staff, choir, band, Honor Roll, and FCCLA at school. Cally participated in National FCCLA in San Diego this past summer along with an ample list of other awards in various activities. Cally is also actively involved with volunteer opportunities and community clubs. Cally has taught Sunday School for the past 3 years and is actively involved in 4-H Youth opportunities. Cally is her 4-H club president as well as 4-H Legislative representative, 4-H Teen Lead, SD Junior Beef Ambassador, and 4-H Ambassador.
Cally Faulhaber is from Plankinton, SD, located within Central Electric Cooperative, a Touchstone Energy Cooperative.
Jackson Schander
March 26, 2023 - April 1, 2023
- School
- Yankton High School (605-665-7378)
- GPA
- 4.17
- Activities
- Acappella Choir, all state choir and National Honors Society.
Jackson Schander is from Yankton, SD, located within Bon Homme-Yankton Electric Assn., a Touchstone Energy Cooperative.
Shalayne Nagel
March 19, 2023 - March 25, 2023
- School
- Wagner Community School (6053845426)
- GPA
- 3.92
- Activities
- Shalayne is involved in volleyball, basketball, track, student council, activities council, national honors society. She has been selected all conference in both volleyball and basketball. Shalayne is a great role model for the elementary students in our building and is always putting in time in both the ELC and the elementary. She goes above and beyond in everything she does.
Shalayne Nagel is from SPRINGFIELD, SD, located within Charles Mix Electric Association, a Touchstone Energy Cooperative.
Juliann Seeley
March 12, 2023 - March 18, 2023
- School
- Beresford (6057632145)
- GPA
- 4.12
- Activities
- Juliann is extremely committed to her family, school, and community. She currently serves in the role as president of the Beresford High School National Honor Society and Beresford High School HOSA-Future Healthcare Leaders. Ms. Seeley was also elected to serve as a SD HOSA State Officer for the 2022-2023 School Year. Juliann earned that position through demonstrating positive leadership, hard work, perseverance, dependability, and always willing to put effort forth where needed. In addition, she earned 1st place at the 2022 HOSA State Conference in the Sports Medicine Event! Juliann's curiosity and quest to always go above and beyond what is expected is what sets her apart from her peers. She currently drives 70 miles, four days a week, to attend a Chemistry 112/L course at the University of South Dakota. She made the commitment, along with several sacrifices, to make this a reality. Ms. Seeley is also involved in volleyball, band, powerlifting, quiz bowl, and softball. She is able to successfully juggle all these areas of her life while also working a part-time job at the local nursing home! I am impressed by her commitment and drive in her servant leadership endeavors. Juliann is an outstanding young lady who will definitely continue to make a significant impact in all that she touches.
Juliann Seeley is from Beresford, SD, located within Southeastern Electric Coop, a Touchstone Energy Cooperative.