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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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Jett Skrien

April 15, 2018 - April 21, 2018

School
Marshall High School
GPA
4.21
Activities
Jett has participated in marching band, BPA (business professionals of America) and Link Crew (9th grade and new student mentor program). Jeff also has his own successful business performing magic

Jett Skrien is from Marshall, MN, located within Lyon-Lincoln Electric Cooperative, a Touchstone Energy Cooperative.

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Elsie Aslesen

April 8, 2018 - April 14, 2018

School
Elk Point-Jefferson
GPA
3.94
Activities
I have been involved in basketball through both my school and AAU team, track and field, National Honors Society, Student Council, Natural Helpers, and Freshman Mentors. I have also been involved in band, vocal, and volleyball throughout the course of my high school career. I have also taken many dual credit classes and will finish my high school career with twenty-three college credits. I have taken US History, Film Appreciation, and Speech 101, and I am currently taking AP Biology and Composition 1. Next semester, I plan on continuing AP Biology and taking dual credit Literature.

Elsie Aslesen is from Elk Point, SD, located within Union County Electric Cooperative, a Touchstone Energy Cooperative.

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Alexander Palecek

April 1, 2018 - April 7, 2018

School
Yankton High School
GPA
4.1
Activities
Science Olympiad, Math Team, National Honor Society, Student Council, Youth Group, Conference Council on Youth Ministries: Dakotas, Boy Scouts, Recycling Club, Choir, Debate

Alexander Palecek is from Yankton, SD, located within Clay-Union Electric Corporation, a Touchstone Energy Cooperative.

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Kalista Vanden Berge

March 25, 2018 - March 31, 2018

School
Platte-Geddes School District
GPA
3.97
Activities
Kali has been active in many school activities while maintaining a 3.97 GPA. She has been involved in basketball for 1 year, track, competitive cheer and dance, cheerleading, oral interpretation, choir, band, drama, and academic olympics for four years. In her limited spare time she has managed to attend a Governor's Luncheon, Girls State, and hold down a job working anywhere from 10-30 hours a week. She has also managed to take a dual credit course this year.

Kalista Vanden Berge is from Platte, SD, located within Charles Mix Electric Association, a Touchstone Energy Cooperative.

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Hannah Van Gerpen

March 18, 2018 - March 24, 2018

School
Avon High School
GPA
4
Activities
volleyball - Sr. captain, most improved and most inspirational awards; cheer - captain for 3 years, most spirited, All-American; track - most improved; basketball stat; FCA; FOR Club; Choir; Drama club; Oral Interp; Science Fair participant and award winner; Quiz Bowl; Class officer; A Club; 2017 155th Military Ball Queen; Presidential Academic Achievement Award; Cheer Camp leader; Volleyball Camp leader; Youth Group member participating in service projects; VBS leader; church camp counselor; volunteer for deployed military families;

Hannah Van Gerpen is from Avon, SD, located within Bon Homme-Yankton Electric Assn., a Touchstone Energy Cooperative.

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Olivia Heinecke

February 25, 2018 - March 3, 2018

School
Sisseton High School
GPA
4.07
Activities
*Honor Roll 9-12 *September Student of the Month 12 *Oral Interpretation 10-12 (state participant 3 times and state superior twice plus other medals and trophies) *FBLA (Future Business Leaders of America) 9-12 Local president and state north vice president 12, state secretary 11, national leadership conference competitor 9-11 *SD Girls State Representative 11 *Hugh O'Brian Youth Seminar Delegate 10 *FCCLA (Family, Career and Community Leaders of America 10 *Art Club 9-11 *Students Against Destructive Decisions (SADD) 9 *Basketball 9-11 *Student Government 9,11 *One Act Play 12 *National Honor Society Secretary 11-12 *Knowledge Bowl 12 *Missoula Children's Theatre (several years) *Judges Choice Award-Granary Art Show 9 *Scholastic Art and Writing Award, Gold Key Designation 11 *SD Congressional Art Competition runner-up *SD Junior Duck Stamp 1st place 9 *Roberts County Snow Queen 12 *Miss Teen South Dakota semi-finalist 10 *SD Junior Snow Queen Contest runner-up 9 *Miss Teen Siouxland Pageant runner-up, Miss Congeniality, Newcomer Award 9 *SD Junior Snow Queen Contest runner-up 9 *VFW Voice of Democracy Local and District winner 12 *SD Ambassadors of Excellence Governors Camp for Gifted Students 9-11

Olivia Heinecke is from Sisseton, SD, located within Whetstone Valley Electric Cooperative, a Touchstone Energy Cooperative.

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Trevor Case

February 18, 2018 - February 24, 2018

School
Webster Area School
GPA
4.146
Activities
Football, Key Club, Hunting, Fishing, Basketball, 4-H, Shooting Sports, Student Council President, SMARTS Challenge

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

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Ethan Geraets

February 11, 2018 - February 17, 2018

School
Chester Area School
GPA
4
Activities
Activities: Sioux Valley Energy?s Empower program (student participant and Advisory Committee). Champions on Track (character recognition). Senior Class Secretary/Treasurer. National Honor Society (Vice-President. Basketball. Plays (musical, 3-act and 1-act). Drama Club (Secretary and Treasurer). Future Farmers of America. (Vice-President). Quizbowl. Choir All-State Choir, Big East Choir) Band (concert, pep, Big East Band, Drum Major of marching band - President and Secretary). Spanish Club (Secretary and Treasurer). Boys State.

Ethan Geraets is from Humboldt, SD, located within Sioux Valley Energy, a Touchstone Energy Cooperative.