Winners

January 12, 2025 - January 18, 2025

School

Hanson High School (605-239-4387)

GPA

3.98

Activities

National Honor Society (Jr & Sr yr) Track Cross Country Church Youth Group Missions Trips

Carson Ferry is from Fulton, SD, located within Central Electric Cooperative, a Touchstone Energy Cooperative.

January 5, 2025 - January 11, 2025

School

Gayville-Volin High School (605-267-4476)

GPA

4.16

Activities

Extra-Curricular Activities: • Cross Country (state qualifier for four years, team captain as a junior/senior year) • Basketball (varsity player soph/jr/sr years) • Track (state qualifier junior year-and hopeful for spring 2025!) • Student Council (four years) • Fellowship of Christian Athletes (four years) • Mentoring (four years) • Gayville Lutheran Church Youth Group (four years) • Eagle Scout - BSA awarded July 2024 • Boys State representative (May 2024) Work Experience: Pirak Brothers Lawn Care 2017-2022 • Mowed timely for 20+ local customers under the direction of my brothers who started the business. • Reported time sheets and billing WIlliam Pirak Lawn Care 2022-present • Single handedly, mowed for 15 customers and two cemeteries as needed. • Scheduled, billed and kept contact with all customers • Procured new customers • As I head to college, I’ve made contact with all my customers and a younger lawn mower in my community making sure customers’ lawn are taken care of when I attend UNL

William Pirak is from Gayville, SD, located within Clay-Union Electric Corporation, a Touchstone Energy Cooperative.

December 15, 2024 - December 21, 2024

School

Bridgewater Emery (6054494271)

GPA

3.87

Activities

Hayden is involved in the following co-curricular activities: basketball, volleyball (earned all-conferene selection), football statistician, choir (earned all state choir selection), FFA, FCCLA, NHS, Student Council (secretary position), journalism, and yearbook. Hayden is also involved in her church youth group where she has participated in mission work in another country. Hayden also works as a CNA at the local nursing home. She is admired by all the residents. Hayden has also earned 25 credits through seven semesters of high school. She has always challenged herself academic and has already earned 31.5 credits through her junior year. She is an academically motivated indivdiually also balanced active involvement in school activities.

Hayden Hofer is from Bridgewater, SD, located within Southeastern Electric Coop, a Touchstone Energy Cooperative.

December 8, 2024 - December 14, 2024

School

Armour High School (6059331576)

GPA

4

Activities

Riley Spaans High School Data Sheet 9th Grade School/Community Activities Football Basketball Golf 4H Youth Group Shooting Sports Band Honors/Awards Straight A honor roll all year Basketball letter winner Football letter winner 3rd team all conference in the Little Missouri Valley Conference (basketball) All conference in Great plains conference (basketball) Student council representative Effort Award winner Golf Letter Winner State Shooting Sports/4H Volunteer/Community Involvement Lorain Theater Volunteer Church carnival Put on a field day for genius hour project Skills USA carnival Play intermission server 4H Ag Olympics Reformed Church Food drive Senior Venture Weight Room Helper (Gavin Westendorf) Part time Golf Course Worker High School Concessions Worker Summer jobs- construction and golf course groundskeeper 10th grade School/community activities Football Basketball Youth Group Band Honors/Awards Student council representative All Conference in Great Plains Conference (Basketball) All Conference in Little Missouri Valley Conference (Basketball) Basketball Letter Winner Football Letter Winner Basketball team captain Football team captain Effort award winner Skills USA second place cabinet making Straight A honor roll All year Sultan of Shapes award Shop Award for being Detailed NHS Volunteer/Community Involvement Volunteer at church carnival Skills USA carnival High school concessions worker Reformed Church food drive Track meet worker Fore club easter egg hunt volunteer Reading with elementary students volunteer Nursing Home volunteer worker 11th Grade School/Community Activities Student council representative Football Basketball Youth Group NHS Skills USA President Honors/Awards Shop 5 Leadership Award Algebra 2 Award English Award Football Team Captain Basketball team captain Letter winner in football Letter winner in basketball All conference in football All conference in basketball Enlisted in Army National Guard Skills USA Cabinetmaking bronze metal Skills USA Job Interview silver metal Volunteer/Community Involvement Built bean bag boards for prom Lorain Theatre volunteer 12th Grade School/Community Activities Football Basketball Youth Group NHS Skills USA Honors/Awards Football Team Captain 4.0 GPA Skills USA President Student Council President NHS Vice President Volunteer/Community Involvement Lorain Theatre Volunteer

Riley Spaans is from Armour, SD, located within Douglas Electric Cooperative, a Touchstone Energy Cooperative.

December 1, 2024 - December 7, 2024

School

Andes Central ((605) 487-7671)

GPA

3.57

Activities

Volleyball, Basketball, Student Government, National Honor Society, Homecoming Queen, A honor roll, and JAG

Mahpiya Irving is from Lake Andes, SD, located within Charles Mix Electric Association, a Touchstone Energy Cooperative.

November 24, 2024 - November 30, 2024

School

Langford Area High School (6054936454)

GPA

4

Activities

Volleyball, basketball, student council, school play leading role, choir, band, all state chorus (4 year member), honor band (4 year member), marching band drum major, homecoming candidate, girls state, church youth leader, church camp counselor.

Eliana Darling is from Langford, SD, located within Lake Region Electric Association, a Touchstone Energy Cooperative.

November 17, 2024 - November 23, 2024

School

Aberdeen Central HS (605-725-8123)

GPA

4.32

Activities

Member of National Honor Society 4-year All-State Choir Member 2-year Senior Honor Choir Member 2-year Junior Honor Choir Member Twice State One-Act Superior Rated Play State One-Act Superior Rated Ensemble State One-Act Superior Rated Performer 3-year Superior Rated Vocal Solo 2- year Superior Rated Orchestra Solo 110% Performer Award for Eagle Express Show Choir 2022-2023 Outstanding Sophomore 2023-2024 Outstanding Junior Lettering in Acapella Choir and Symphonic Orchestra Certificate of Membership to the National Speech & Debate Association President's Award for Educational Excellence. Nominee of the DAR Good Citizens Award Ranked 4 of 352

Bryson Hanson is from Aberdeen, SD, located within Northern Electric Cooperative, a Touchstone Energy Cooperative.

November 10, 2024 - November 16, 2024

School

Leola High School (605-439-3142)

GPA

3.96

Activities

Jonathan has excelled in the classroom and has a 3.96 GPA. Jonathan balances academic achievement with his involvement on their family farm. He has been an active member of 4-H for 10 years and has achieved a list of top honors including but not limited to Champion Senior Beef Showmanship; Best of Shows in Photography, Visual Arts, Horticulture and Foods/Nutrition; Beef Reserve Champion Breeding Heifer; Champion Market Swine. Jonathan is an active member of the Future Farmers of America (FFA) at Leola High School. He has been the reporter for the club for the past three years, received a Greenhand Award and Chapter Farmer recognition. He is also active in local and school plays, donates blood, is a member of the Long Lake Legion Band as well as the high school band and reads scripture during church services. After high school, Jonathan is pursuing a career in the Marine Corps.

Jonathan Butler is from Long Lake, SD, located within FEM Electric Association, a Touchstone Energy Cooperative.

November 3, 2024 - November 9, 2024

School

Centerville School (605-563-2291)

GPA

4

Activities

Isaac is currently a member of the Centerville Student Council, National Honor Society, youth group, band, FFA, track, and cross country. He is the FFA President and was privileged to play in honor band for the past two years. Isaac won the American Legion School Award and the National Daughters of the American Revolution Good Citizen Award. Last year, Isaac was awarded the most improved for his hard work and effort in track. He also earned the award for best attitude in cross country for the last 3 years. Isaac is actively involved in various service projects and volunteers his time to benefit the school and community. I am greatly honored to nominate Isaac Marohl for this scholarship! If you have any other questions or need more information, please contact me.

Isaac Marohl is from Centerville, SD, located within Southeastern Electric Coop, a Touchstone Energy Cooperative.