Winners

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.

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.

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.

October 13, 2024 - October 19, 2024

School

Florence (605 758 2412)

GPA

3.82

Activities

FFA, Basketball, FBLA

Jaxon Orthaus is from Florence, SD, located within Codington-Clark Electric Cooperative, a Touchstone Energy Cooperative.

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.

September 29, 2024 - October 5, 2024

School

Wilmot High School (6059384647)

GPA

4.08

Activities

Academics • Freshman class president • Junior class secretary • Senior class president • National Honor Society secretary • National Honor Society vice president • Freshman scholarship award Envirothon • 3rd place State Team Basketball • Heart of the Wolf • Defensive MVP (sophomore and junior year) Volleyball • Hustle Award Track • School record holder 4x400 relay FFA • Chapter Secretary • Chapter Vice President • District I Student Advisor • Chapter President • Greenhand Degree • Chapter Degree • FFA CDE Gold Award, Livestock Judging • FFA CDE Gold Award, Veterinary Science • FFA CDE Bronze Award, Veterinary Science 4-H Shooting Sports • National Shooting Sports Ambassador State placings • 1st place Junior Muzzleloader, Critters • 3rd place Junior Muzzleloader, Bullseyes • 5th place Junior Muzzleloader, Bottles • 3rd place Junior Muzzleloader, Overall • 2nd place Junior Air Rifle • 3rd place Junior CMP, Telescopic Class • 1st place Senior Muzzleloader, Critters • 3rd place Senior Muzzleloader, Bullseyes • 4th place Senior Muzzleloader, Bottles • 2nd place Senior Muzzleloader, Overall • 1st place Senior Muzzleloader, Critters • 3rd place Senior Muzzleloader, Overall • 3rd place Senior Air Rifle, Silhouettes • 1st place Junior CMP Team • 1st place Junior Muzzleloader Team • 2nd place Junior Air Rifle Team • 2nd place Senior CMP Team • 2nd place Senior Muzzleloader Team • 4th place Senior Air Rifle Team • 3rd place Senior Trap Team • 5th place Senior CMP Team • 3rd place Senior Air Rifle Team • 2nd place Senior Muzzleloader Team State Records • Junior CMP Standing, Rapid Fire • Junior Muzzleloader, Critters • Senior Muzzleloader, Critters • Junior CMP Team • Junior Muzzleloader Team National Team Qualifications • State Hunting Skills Team • State Muzzleloader Team • State Smallbore Rifle Team National Placings • 5th place Hunting Skills Team, Day 1 • 5th place Hunting Skills Team, Day 2 • 5th place Hunting Skills Team, Overall • 9th place Muzzleloading Silhouettes individual

Mya Heinje is from Wilmot, SD, located within Whetstone Valley Electric Cooperative, a Touchstone Energy Cooperative.

September 22, 2024 - September 28, 2024

School

TF Riggs (6057737354)

GPA

4

Activities

Kailey is one of our outstanding seniors at Riggs HS. I met Kailey in 6th grade when we met for her Diabetes (Type 1) meeting at the MS. I was her school counselor there. I have had the joy of watching her through her years in school and now she is my senior at Riggs as I have moved to the HS. She has always been a natural leader and has developed strong communication skills. She has great self-advocating skills that her parents have allowed her to develop her own plan for her diabetes at school and share with her teachers. She enjoys working with children and her peers. She would like to pursue higher education to become a teacher, which warms my heart. She has a 4.0 GPA, She has taken 3 Dual Credit Classes and is enrolled this year with AP Calculus, even though she only needs college algebra. She is a member of the National Honor Society, National Art Society, book club, Riggs Competitive Dance Team, and volunteers for many community programs. She was nominated and attended the National Junior Youth Leadership Conference in 2021. There the students brainstormed solutions to prevalent issues our country faces! Kailey is most deserving of your Scholar of the Week. If you have any questions please feel free to reach out to me. Kim Rogers

Kailey Wallman is from Pierre, SD, located within Oahe Electric Cooperative, a Touchstone Energy Cooperative.

September 15, 2024 - September 21, 2024

School

Miller High School (605-853-2455)

GPA

4

Activities

•Volleyball, Captain for three seasons •Basketball videographer • JO Club volleyball • Fellowship of Christian Athletes/ FCA • National Honor Society/ NHS • Catholic Youth Organization/ CYO • Confraternity of Christian Doctrine/ CCD • Miller Swim Club • Band two years • Chorus three years • Regent Scholar

Olivia Resel is from WESSINGTON, SD, located within Dakota Energy Cooperative, a Touchstone Energy Cooperative.