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.
Abbie Chase
May 11, 2025 - May 17, 2025
- School
- McCook Central (605-425-2264)
- GPA
- 3.75
- Activities
- Abbie Chase is one of those students every teacher wants in her classroom. As her English teacher and Yearbook advisor, I have had the pleasure of watching her take on countless leadership opportunities and excel in places where few could. Abbie is president of the FFA Chapter, senior class representative to the Student Council, president of the National Honor Society, and a member of the Fellowship of Christian Athletes and Future Business Leaders of America. She serves as chief editor of the Yearbook and as president of the McCook County 4-H Club. She has a natural ability to lead. Outside of her leadership in these organizations, Abbie is a motivated business owner with a love for community service. She owns and runs her own company, "Abb-Bee's Honey," with seven hives that she tends to with care. She harvests the honey every fall and creates multiple honey-based products to sell to her customers. Outside of her business ventures, Abbie has demonstrated remarkable effort to improve the greater good within our school community. She won two highly competitive grants that have brought in six hydroponic towers to our school. She individually maintains this setup. The resulting crops include fresh lettuce, watermelon, and more, which are used in the school lunchroom. During breaks from school, this produce is donated to organizations such as Meals on Wheels. Abbie plans to attend South Dakota State University and major in Agricultural Communications with a minor in Entrepreneurship. There is no doubt in my mind that Abbie will continue to inspire those around her to be better and continue to serve her community in as many ways as possible.
Abbie Chase is from Salem, SD, located within Southeastern Electric Cooperative, a Touchstone Energy Cooperative.
Lauren Hofer
May 4, 2025 - May 10, 2025
- School
- Mitchell High School ((605)9953034)
- GPA
- 4
- Activities
- She is taking dual credit Spanish through DWU (this is the third Spanish class she has taken for dual credit), chem 106 through NSU, and composition 1 through SDSU. Last year, she took history 151-152 and college algebra through NSU, speech through DSU, and government, psychology, and sociology through SDSU. Her current GPA is 4.0. In addition to being a drum major in marching band, she also participates in jazz band, concert band, pep band, musical pit, FBLA, International Club, and Pen Pals. Outside of school, she is involved with Sunday school, church youth group, and the leadership team for her church youth group.
Lauren Hofer is from Mitchell, SD, located within Central Electric Cooperative, a Touchstone Energy Cooperative.
Lila Vanderlei
April 27, 2025 - May 3, 2025
- School
- Avon School District (605-286-3291)
- GPA
- 4
- Activities
- Lila represents a model student. She has a work ethic like none other. She is involved in multiple extra-curricular activities while maintaining her academics. Last year she was enrolled in AP Chemistry through NSU. This year, she is currently enrolled in dual-credit coursework. She takes higher-level classes to better prepare for her future coursework. Over the past few years, she has been a big part of the athletic teams as well. Earning her All-Conference awards in multiple sports. She has also qualified for the State track meet for multiple years. She sets high standards for herself and follows them. Lila has also been a part of the choir and band for the last four years. Lila is a very dependable student and always willing to lend a helping hand. She helps at youth sporting events and helps officiate for lower level volleyball games.
Lila Vanderlei is from Springfield, SD, located within Bon Homme-Yankton Electric Assn., a Touchstone Energy Cooperative.
Grayson Rice
April 20, 2025 - April 26, 2025
- School
- Gayville-Volin High School (6052674476)
- GPA
- 4.16
- Activities
- Basketball: 7th-12th grade Football: 9th-10th, 12th grade (Raider Award 2022) Golf: 11th-12th grade Track & Field: 9th-10th grade (Raider Award 2022) Student Council: 9th-12th grade FCA: 10th-12th grade Mentoring: 9th-10th grade Band: 9th grade High Honor Roll: 9th - 11th grade (12th grade determined in January)
Grayson Rice is from Gayville, SD, located within Clay-Union Electric Corporation, a Touchstone Energy Cooperative.
Presley Slaba
April 13, 2025 - April 19, 2025
- School
- Wagner High School (605-384-5426)
- GPA
- 4
- Activities
- oral interp, school play, cross country, basketball statistician, track, National Honor Society, Student Council, Hope Squad, Fellowship of Christian Athletes, yearbook/journalism, and choir
Presley Slaba is from Wagner, SD, located within Charles Mix Electric Association, a Touchstone Energy Cooperative.
Brock Hinker
April 6, 2025 - April 12, 2025
- School
- Corsica-Stickney High School (605-946-5475)
- GPA
- 3.92
- Activities
- Chorus, Vocal Contests, Drama, Football, Basketball, Track, CBH Academic Contests, Class Officers (9-10-12), National Honor Society, Yearbook, Top in Class- Psychology, Building Construction, Business Law
Brock Hinker is from Corsica, SD, located within Douglas Electric Cooperative, a Touchstone Energy Cooperative.
Elizabeth Klein
March 30, 2025 - April 5, 2025
- School
- Brandon Valley High School (1-605-582-3211)
- GPA
- 4
- Activities
- I have been Elizabeth’s counselor for the past four years admiring her intelligence, creativity, and commitment to service. She will not be the student that strives to get your attention or wants her name in lights, but she will be one of your hardest workers and most dedicated members. Elizabeth is mature, dependable, intelligent, and gracious. She has used her high school years wisely and is fully prepared for the next step in her future. Elizabeth’s academic record is pleasing. She has carried a 4.0 GPA while taking a rigorous course load. In addition to the 3 English honors classes throughout her years here, Elizabeth will have earned a minimum of 16 college credits through Nothern State University by the time she graduates. She is also currently taking AP Chemistry and Spanish IV both having the potential to earn her more college credit. She excels academically while remaining grounded. Within this balance she has also been involved in powerlifting, track and field, SALSA, Student Council, Orchestra, environmental club, and the Lynx Lookout (school newspaper). Her leadership has spread among all areas in our building. She was even chosen as Cello section leader in orchestra where she was able to show her true leadership potential. Just as important as school involvement, Elizabeth has also volunteered and worked within our community. She has volunteered at the Humane Society and Sioux Falls Butterfly house and aquarium. She also started her own online home bakery in addition to offering private piano lessons. She has also worked for the Cliff Avenue Greenhouse since April 2023. Her talents are uniquely varied and equally impressive. I believe she has used high school as a stepping stone for bigger and better things in her future. I guarantee if you have not yet met her, you will be impressed.
Elizabeth Klein is from Sioux Falls, SD, located within Sioux Valley Energy, a Touchstone Energy Cooperative.
Ava Gunderson
March 23, 2025 - March 29, 2025
- School
- Estelline School District (6058732201)
- GPA
- 4
- Activities
- High Honor Roll, National Honor Society, National Honor Society Vice President, One-Act Play, Track and Field
Ava Gunderson is from Estelline, SD, located within H-D Electric Cooperative, a Touchstone Energy Cooperative.
Hannah Heiman
March 16, 2025 - March 22, 2025
- School
- Clark School District (605532-3605)
- GPA
- 4.08
- Activities
- ACTIVITIES Volleyball Softball Tri-M Music Society Family, Career, Community Leaders of America (FCCLA) Students Against Destructive Behavior (SADD) National Honor Society (NHS) Student Council Youth Group Fellowship of Christian Athletes (FCA) ACCOMPLISHMENTS State FCCLA President SD Girls State Governor Junior Snow Queen runner-up FCCLA Region President FCCLA Chapter President NHS President All State Choir FCCLA 2nd Place National Parli Procedure winner Volleyball Most Improved and Most Valuable Player Academic All-State Award Director's Award (Choir)
Hannah Heiman is from Clark, SD, located within Codington-Clark Electric Cooperative, a Touchstone Energy Cooperative.
HANNAH HEIMAN
March 16, 2025 - March 22, 2025
- School
- Clark School District (605 532-3605)
- GPA
- 4.08
- Activities
- ACTIVITIES Volleyball National Honor Society Family, Career and Community Leaders of America (FCCLA) Students Against Destructive Decisions(SADD) Fellowship of Christian Athletes (FCA) Student Council Softball Youth group Tri-M Music Society ACCOMPLISHMENTS SD FCCLA President Region IV FCCLA President FCCLA Chapter President Girls State Governor All State Choir member Junior Snow Queen runner-up Chorus Directors Award National FCCLA 2nd place Parli Pro
HANNAH HEIMAN is from Clark, SD, located within Codington-Clark Electric Cooperative, a Touchstone Energy Cooperative.