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.
Mason Wenzel
April 20, 2014 - April 26, 2014
- School
- Mitchell senior high
- GPA
- 3.2
- Activities
- State student council president, FBLA, HOSA, science fair, debate
Mason Wenzel is from Mitchell, SD, located within Central Electric Cooperative, a Touchstone Energy Cooperative.
Lydia Blume
April 13, 2014 - April 19, 2014
- School
- Redfield High School
- GPA
- 4.175
- Activities
- Service Learning Sept. 2013 - To Present Redfield Public School Student Volunteer Redfield, South Dakota » Each Wednesday, I spend my afternoon helping out in a Kindergarten classroom. Aug. 2013 - To Present St. Bernard's Catholic Church Religious Ed Teacher Redfield, South Dakota » On Wednesdays after school, I volunteer at St. Bernard's Church as a Religious Ed Teacher for 5th graders. July 2010 - To Present Relay For Life Committee Volunteer Redfield, South Dakota » I am a member of Spink County Relay For Life. Each summer we host the annual walking event where I volunteer to fill luminaries and work concession stands. Nov. 2013 - Nov. 2013 Redfield High School National Honor Society Member Volunteer Redfield, South Dakota » As a Redfield NHS member, I helped out with our NHS food drive to collect non-perishable items for our local food pantry. Oct. 2013 - Oct. 2013 Redfield High School National Honor Society Member Volunteer Redfield, South Dakota » On Halloween, NHS members took the first, second, and third grade students trick or treating at the local nursing homes. Oct. 2013 - Oct. 2013 St. Bernard's Catholic Church Cook Redfield, South Dakota » Each year, my church has a fall supper. This year, I worked in the kitchen helping prepare the food that was served. Sept. 2013 - Sept. 2013 Redfield High School Student Volunteer Redfield, South Dakota » During the annual homecoming week, we students volunteer our time to clean up the community on Pride Day. Sept. 2012 - Sept. 2012 Redfield High School Student Volunteer Redfield, South Dakota » Built float for community parade. Sept. 2011 - Sept. 2011 Redfield High School Student Volunteer Redfield, South Dakota » Built float for community parade. June 2011 - June 2011 St. Bernard's Catholic Church Student Volunteer Redfield, South Dakota » I volunteered at my church helping out at the children's Bible summer camp. Feb. 2011 - Feb. 2011 FCCLA Student Volunteer Sioux Falls, South Dakota » I worked as a student volunteer at the Ronald McDonald House in Sioux Falls with my FCCLA chapter. Sept. 2010 - Sept. 2010 Redfield High School Student Volunteer Redfield, South Dakota » Painted benches and bleachers at the Redfield Fair Grounds for Pride Day Awards & Certificates » Student of the Month (Oct. 2012) » First Place at State Competition Cheer (Oct. 2012) » Student of the Week (Sept. 2012) » National FCCLA gold ranking (July 2012) » State FCCLA winner (Apr. 2012) » Student of the Month (Apr. 2012) » Student of the Week (Mar. 2012) » Cecchetti III Ballet (Dec. 2011) » First Place at State Competition Cheer (Nov. 2011) » Student of the Week (Sept. 2011) » National FCCLA gold ranking (July 2011) » State FCCLA winner (Apr. 2011) » CPR and First Aid (Mar. 2011) » 4.0 Honor Roll (Aug. 2010-present) » Student of the Month (Jan. 2010) » Cecchetti I Ballet (Feb. 2009) » Cecchetti II Ballet (Feb. 2009) Extracurricular Activities National Honor Society, Pep Club, Sideline Cheerleading, Dance Club, FCCLA, Competition Cheerleading, Relay for Life Hobbies & Interests » Cooking » Dance » Scrapbooks » Volunteerism » Religion » Travel » Camping » Caring for Pets » Cheerleading » Lifeguarding Skills & Abilities » Able to multitask » Committed » Creative » Good communicator » High energy » Organized » People person » Self-motivated » Team player
Lydia Blume is from Redfield, SD, located within Northern Electric Cooperative, a Touchstone Energy Cooperative.
Derrick Podoll
April 6, 2014 - April 12, 2014
- School
- Frederick Area School
- GPA
- 4.94
- Activities
- Football Basketball 4-H Church
Derrick Podoll is from Aberdeen, SD, located within Northern Electric Cooperative, a Touchstone Energy Cooperative.
Jase Kraft
March 30, 2014 - April 5, 2014
- School
- Wessington Springs
- GPA
- 4
- Activities
- Drama(musicals/plays), Chorus, Band, FCCLA, Cross Country, Basketball, Track & Field, Student Council
Jase Kraft is from Wessington Springs, SD, located within Central Electric Cooperative, a Touchstone Energy Cooperative.
Cooper Eliason
March 23, 2014 - March 29, 2014
- School
- Howard High School
- GPA
- 3.7
- Activities
- Cooper is currently serving as the FFA Chapter President for his second term and has also served as our Chapter Secretary. He was recently awarded a FFA National Proficiency Award. Cooper has also ran cross country for 6 years serving as the team captain for the last 2 years. He is also very active in 4-H, Church Youth Group, Band and Boy Scouts, volunteering several hours to his community.
Cooper Eliason is from Howard, SD, located within Central Electric Cooperative, a Touchstone Energy Cooperative.
Danika Pollreisz
March 16, 2014 - March 22, 2014
- School
- Ethan High School
- GPA
- 4
- Activities
- Volleyball, Basketball, Football Stats, Boys Basketball Stats,Chorus, Band, FCCLA,Oral Interp.
Danika Pollreisz is from Ethan, SD, located within Central Electric Cooperative, a Touchstone Energy Cooperative.
Heaven Zevenbergen
March 9, 2014 - March 15, 2014
- School
- Elk Point-Jefferson
- GPA
- 4
- Activities
- Show Choir Oral Interpretation School Musicals/Plays Newspaper Staff National Honors Society Student Council Natural Helpers
Heaven Zevenbergen is from Elk Point, SD, located within City of Elk Point, a Touchstone Energy Cooperative.
Noah Klamm
March 2, 2014 - March 8, 2014
- School
- Brandon Valley High School
- GPA
- 4
- Activities
- Football 4H Various community service
Noah Klamm is from Valley Springs, SD, located within Sioux Valley Energy, a Touchstone Energy Cooperative.
Garret Reed
February 23, 2014 - March 1, 2014
- School
- Estelline High School
- GPA
- 4
- Activities
- National Honor Society. Preston Christian Church Youth Group Member. Sunday School Leader at Preston Christian Church. Volunteered for Diamond Willow Ministries at Crow Creek. Football - 2012 Dakota Valley honorable mention. Basketball - 2013 Dakota Valley All Conference. Cross Country - 2012 combined team champs. Track - participant.
Garret Reed is from Bruce, SD, located within Sioux Valley Energy, a Touchstone Energy Cooperative.
Kaitlin Van Ruler
February 16, 2014 - February 22, 2014
- School
- Edgerton Public School
- GPA
- 3.992
- Activities
- Band, FCCLA, SADD, 4-H, Student Council, JO Volleyball, Quiz Bowl, Horse Judging, Volleyball, NHS, RCYF, FCA
Kaitlin Van Ruler is from Woodstock, MN, located within Sioux Valley Energy, a Touchstone Energy Cooperative.