Winners

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

March 9, 2025 - March 15, 2025

School

Webster Area High School (6053453548)

GPA

4.1

Activities

Blaize is involved in Oral Interp, FCCLA, Robotics, Wrestling Stat, National Honor Society and Student Council. He has been a 3 time State Oral Interp participant and 1 time Medal Winner. He is FCCLA chapter president, has won state and national competitions, and been a officer on a state outreach team. He is Robotics Head this year and has been notebook head and made it to Robotics Nationals 3 times with his team. He is the senior class president. He also was a foreign exchange student 2024 Spring semester from January 10 until June 24, he lived in Malansac, France with a host family.

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

March 2, 2025 - March 8, 2025

School

Milbank High School (605-432-5546)

GPA

4.1

Activities

Activities & Acheivements Debate Participated: 9, 10, 11, 12 LD Coach and Captian Awards - LD Debate State Champion | 11th - LD Debate Runner-up | 10th - National Extemp Debate 32/900 finish | 11th - Extemp State Finalist | 9th, 10th, 11th - Attended Nationals | 10th, 11th - Fine Arts Student of the Month | 9th HOSA Participated: 11, 12 Awards - Biomedical Debate State Champion | 11th - Attended Nationals | 11th Educators Rising Participated: 11th, 12th Founding Member, State Officer Awards - Creative Lecture State Champion | 11th - Creative Lecture National Champion | 11th Theatre Participated: 9th, 10th, 11th, 12th Head of Costumes, Sound, Lights, Various Roles Awards - Fine Arts Student of the Month | 10th Student Council Particpiated: 9th, 10th, 11th, 12th Class Rep, Vice President, State Secretary Sunday School Participated: 9th, 10th, 11th, 12th Sunday School Teacher NSU Math Competition Participated: 9th, 10th, 11th Awards - Honorable Mention | 10th & 11th

Max Schuelke is from Revillo, SD, located within Whetstone Valley Electric Cooperative, a Touchstone Energy Cooperative.

February 23, 2025 - March 1, 2025

School

Ipswich Public School (605-426-6571)

GPA

4.25

Activities

FBLA, Band, Football, Basketball, Track, NHS

Maxwell Kulesa is from Ipswich, SD, located within FEM Electric Association, a Touchstone Energy Cooperative.

February 16, 2025 - February 22, 2025

School

Groton Area High School (605.397.8381)

GPA

4.11

Activities

Gretchen is very active in my school based and non school based activities. School based activities: Varsity Soccer letter winner, Choreographer, Caption, and member of the Color Guard, FCCLA, Flex Band, Pep Band, Concert Band, team manager for volleyball, Show choir tech crew, Dynamics dance team, and member of the HOSA organization. Non School based activities: Active member at Emmanuel Lutheran Church which involves serving coffee and reading. Also a member of the Luther League at Emmanuel. She is also a volunteer volleyball coach for a elementary age team. Honors & Awards: High School All State Band (Sophomore & Junior year), National Honor Society, Tri-M Music Honor Society, Honorable Mention for the Big Idea Competition, Class president, Jr. Snow Queen State Place winner, Girls’ State Representative, Daughters of the American Revolution good citizen award, and National Merit Scholarship Semifinalist. Paid experiences: Full time summer nanny, life guard, swimming lesson instructor, and Assistant at BK Custom Tees and more.

Gretchen Dinger is from Groton, SD, located within Northern Electric Cooperative, a Touchstone Energy Cooperative.