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.
Sarah Jarman
January 1, 2017 - January 7, 2017
- School
- Milbank High School
- GPA
- 3.355
- Activities
- Sarah is involved with the Milbank FFA Chapter where she serves as the Chapter Reporter. Sarah is also involved with the Milbank School Band and Chorus. Sarah is Stage Manager for the School Play-One Act. Sarah was also involved with the Milbank School Tennis, where she attended the State Tournament. Sarah is actively involved with the Grant County 4-H Program. Sarah is a member of the Milbank High School Honor Society.
Sarah Jarman is from Wilmot, SD, located within Whetstone Valley Electric Cooperative, a Touchstone Energy Cooperative.
Kylee Donnelly
December 18, 2016 - December 24, 2016
- School
- Elk Point-Jefferson
- GPA
- 4
- Activities
- Throughout high school, I have been involved in Cross Country, Basketball, Student Council, National Honor Society, Choir, Yearbook, Newspaper, Tutoring, Science Fair, USD Math Contest. Outside of school, I am also active in the South Dakota High School Rodeo Association, South Dakota 4-H Rodeo, and my church group, Y-Disciple.
Kylee Donnelly is from Elk Point, SD, located within Union County Electric Cooperative, a Touchstone Energy Cooperative.
Jeremiah Mitchell
December 11, 2016 - December 17, 2016
- School
- Dakota Christian School
- GPA
- 3.85
- Activities
- Band, Choir, Student Council, Drama
Jeremiah Mitchell is from Harrison, SD, located within Douglas Electric Cooperative, a Touchstone Energy Cooperative.
Alexis Peterson
December 4, 2016 - December 10, 2016
- School
- Platte-Geddes High School
- GPA
- 4
- Activities
- Alexis has been very active in high school activities during her entire high school career. Alexis is currently the Student Council President, a member of the National Honor Society since her Sophomore year and has been involved in basketball, track, volleyball, band, academic olympics, and choir for all four years. Outside of school Alexis stays busy being involved in the church youth group, FCA, helping with volleyball and basketball camps, helping with church Christmas programs and church nursery, and she has even volunteered to work at a homeless shelter in Chicago.
Alexis Peterson is from Platte, SD, located within Charles Mix Electric Association, a Touchstone Energy Cooperative.
April Hoffman
November 27, 2016 - December 3, 2016
- School
- Leola School District
- GPA
- 4
- Activities
- FBLA, Science Fair / Science Olympiad, Yearbook, Basketball, Softball, Volleyball, Peer Helpers, Wellness Committee, School Newspaper, Band, 4-H Club
April Hoffman is from Leola, SD, located within FEM Electric Association, a Touchstone Energy Cooperative.
Elizabeth Tobin
November 20, 2016 - November 26, 2016
- School
- Aberdeen Central High School
- GPA
- 4
- Activities
- National Honor Society Peer tutoring Volleyball Church activities
Elizabeth Tobin is from Aberdeen, SD, located within Northern Electric Cooperative, a Touchstone Energy Cooperative.
David Wang
November 13, 2016 - November 19, 2016
- School
- Vermillion High School
- GPA
- 4
- Activities
- Marching,Jazz & Show Band 9-12th grades (Drum Major 12th, Woodwind Captain 10-11th); Student Council 10-12th grades (Treasurer 12th grade); National Honor Society; Investment Club Founder 11-12th grades; Debate (1st Place at Central Forensics Competition)
David Wang is from Vermillion, SD, located within Clay-Union Electric Corporation, a Touchstone Energy Cooperative.
Jacob Hertz
November 6, 2016 - November 12, 2016
- School
- Menno High School
- GPA
- 3.744
- Activities
- Student Council President FFA President Basketball Baseball Football Track Quiz Bowl One Act Play Oral Interpretation Champions on Track
Jacob Hertz is from Menno, South Dakota, SD, located within Bon Homme-Yankton Electric Assn., a Touchstone Energy Cooperative.
Trevor Sik
October 30, 2016 - November 5, 2016
- School
- Elkton Public School
- GPA
- 3.74
- Activities
- Football, Basketball, FFA, FCA, Choir, National Honor Society
Trevor Sik is from Lake Benton, MN, located within Lyon-Lincoln Electric Cooperative, a Touchstone Energy Cooperative.
Mary Nold
October 23, 2016 - October 29, 2016
- School
- Rutland High School
- GPA
- 3.932
- Activities
- Student Council Treasurer, 4-H Vice President, National Qualifier in Livestock Judging and Hippology, National Honor Society, FFA President, World Food Prize Essay Finalist, One Act & All School Play and National History Day State Qualifier.
Mary Nold is from Brookings, SD, located within Sioux Valley Energy, a Touchstone Energy Cooperative.