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Winners

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.

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Riley Spaans

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.

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Mahpiya Irving

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.

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Eliana Darling

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.

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Bryson Hanson

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.

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Jonathan Butler

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.

Isaac Marohl

Isaac Marohl

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.

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Claire Kramer

October 27, 2024 - November 2, 2024

School
Yankton High School (6056657378)
GPA
4.15
Activities
NHS SD All-state Chorus - participated in the South Dakota All-State chorus, an auditioned two-day choral event, for three consecutive years. SD Honor Choir - participated in the South Dakota Honor Choir, a prestigious, auditioned, week-long choral event, for two consecutive years. Rensselaer Medalist: The Rensselaer Medal Winner is a longstanding recognition for a junior who excels in math and demonstrates a potential for success in a challenging academic setting. Scored a 4 on AP History Test and a 33 on ACT. Spring Musical - held leading roles in the high school spring musical for three years. Choir - participated in choir every year in high school. Music lessons - taken private vocal lessons every year in high school. Teach swimming lessons - taught swimming lessons to youth in the community for one summer. Teach music classes - taught music classes to youth in the summer community program for one summer. Lifeguard - worked as a lifeguard for the Yankton community pools since May 2023. Volunteered at Vacation Bible School at Calvary Baptist Church for two summers. Sang for the Calvary Baptist worship team for three years. Participated in two church mission trips, one to Philadelphia and one to Puerto Rico. Made cakes and cupcakes for several fundraisers each year through Calvary Baptist Church and Zoecare

Claire Kramer is from Yankton, SD, located within Bon Homme-Yankton Electric Assn., a Touchstone Energy Cooperative.

Arien

Arien Stalford

October 20, 2024 - October 26, 2024

School
Chester Area High School (605-489-2411)
GPA
4
Activities
I am writing this letter to recommend Arien Stalford to be chosen for the Touchstone Energy Student of the week. As a member of the community where Arien lives, works and volunteers it has been my pleasure to see his outstanding character and dedication to his school and community. During the past 5 years Arien has volunteered and worked with the Senior Citizen in our community at the local nutrition site. There he is always friendly and willing to help elderly as well as youth members of the community with tasks and engages in general conversations, which is always enjoyable. He is usually the first person to volunteer to help deliver to shut ins or nearby communities. His positive attitude toward volunteering along with his academic involvement is quite impressive. Arien has been a member of the Football team throughout high school as their manager focusing on the video and technical aspects in the program. Arien is also a band member, where he has auditioned for State Band as well as holds office in the Band at local high school level, member of choir where he auditioned and was selected for the BEC choir as well as All State Choir. Arien is a member of the theatre department participating in Fall and Spring performances. He enjoys being selected to be in the Chester Honor Society, Chester Area wresting team, attended South Dakota Boys State through the American Legion, Chester Area Golf team, as well as participating in the Governor’s Cyber Academy. Along with all the academic events Arien finds time to be active in Church as well as volunteer in most all community activities. With all the extra curriculars Arien maintains a 4.0 GPA in high school as well as in the college classes he takes through Dakota State University. Where he plans to enroll in the Fall majoring in Cyber Operations. Arien’s list of activities and involvement are impressive, however the most impressive trait would be his kindness and genuine care for those around him. He is the first to encourage his peers and I have even witnessed how his kind heart can positively impact his community. He is consistently someone peers and community can count on, which is hard to find in adults let alone youth in the current day and age. I am honored to recommend Arien Stalford for this award. He is an exceptional youth who not only exhibits academic goals but is a person with character in the community he lives in. I have complete faith that he will make a positive impact in his future academic and career areas. Appreciation for your time and consideration of Arien for Touchstone Energy Student of the week, and it has been my pleasure to nominate him.

Arien Stalford is from Wentworth, SD, located within Sioux Valley Energy, a Touchstone Energy Cooperative.

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Ayla Texley

October 6, 2024 - October 12, 2024

School
Hendricks Public School (507-203-3425)
GPA
3.9
Activities
Ayla is active in volleyball, basketball, golf, student council, band, and FFA. She is the current president for the HPS Student Council, and a great role model for our younger students. Ayla has attended HPS throughout her entire academic career and is looking forward to the next steps post-graduation.

Ayla Texley is from Hendricks, MN, located within H-D Electric Cooperative, a Touchstone Energy Cooperative.