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.
Julia Trygstad
October 1, 2023 - October 7, 2023
- School
- Rutland High School (605-5864352)
- GPA
- 3.75
- Activities
- Julia is very active at school being involved with National Honors Society, Student Council, Volleyball (current captain), Basketball (current captain), Track (current captain), Choir, A-Honor Roll, Band, Drama, and FFA. She also takes dual-credit classes such as: Introduction to Sociology, Fundamentals of Speech, College Algebra, and Art Appreciation. When she is not in school she participates in a church youth group and has completed volunteer hours through the Alpha Center, Granite Threshing Bee, Banquet (Sioux Falls), and Sanford (as part of senior project). She also works as a CNA and nanny.
Julia Trygstad is from Nunda, SD, located within Sioux Valley Energy, a Touchstone Energy Cooperative.
Caden Hojer
September 24, 2023 - September 30, 2023
- School
- Oldham-Ramona (6054828244)
- GPA
- 3.87
- Activities
- Caden has participated in many sports and fine arts activities during his high school career. His sports include: four years of football, four years of baseball, and four years of basketball. His fine art activities include: four years of chorus (all four in All-State), one year of One Act, six years of student council, and two years in the National Honors Society. He was also part of the ORR Consolidation committee. He also like to challenge himself in the classroom by taking dual-credit classes like sociology, US History, foundations of communication, and college Algebra. When Caden is not busy at school, he is a reporter for the Town and Country Snowdrifters, six years of 4-H. He also volunteers with his local church, the Oldham Fire Department, the M.O.R.E group, and the Town and Country Snowdrifters. An interesting note about Caden is that he started a goat ranch in 2019
Caden Hojer is from Oldham, SD, located within Kingsbury Electric Cooperative, a Touchstone Energy Cooperative.
Gracie Haug
September 17, 2023 - September 23, 2023
- School
- Castlewood High School (6057932351)
- GPA
- 4.05
- Activities
- Gracie plays volleyball, basketball, track, and fastpitch softball. She participates in band, yearbook, National Honor Society, Fellowship of Christian Athletes, Special Olympics Unified Champions, and her local church Youth Group. She has been on the honor roll of excellency every year of high school.
Gracie Haug is from Castlewood, SD, located within H-D Electric Cooperative, a Touchstone Energy Cooperative.
Emily Heuer
September 10, 2023 - September 16, 2023
- School
- Waverly-South Shore (605-886-9174)
- GPA
- 4
- Activities
- Volleyball, Basketball, National History Day winner and competitor at national level, National Honor Society, Sacrifice of Freedom essay winner, Student Council, honor student, chorus, band, volunteer in summer months to clean her community cemetery, mowing of the yard for her church, bible school teacher, and helps with the local youth baseball program.
Emily Heuer is from Summit, SD, located within Codington-Clark Electric Cooperative, a Touchstone Energy Cooperative.
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.