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.
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.
Shelby Selland
February 9, 2014 - February 15, 2014
- School
- Sanborn Central High School
- GPA
- 4.03
- Activities
- Basketball, All Tournament Team Member at the State "B" Basketball Tournament in 2012 & 2013, Volleyball, Track, Chorus, Band, National Honor Society, Student Council President, Spirit Club, Sunday School teacher, Church usher
Shelby Selland is from Letcher, SD, located within Central Electric Cooperative, a Touchstone Energy Cooperative.
Mathew Preszler
February 2, 2014 - February 8, 2014
- School
- Menno High School
- GPA
- 4
- Activities
- Band-4 yrs.; Drum Major-4 yrs.; Band President; Chorus-4 yrs.; All-State Chorus-3 yrs.; One-Act Play-3yrs; Football-3 yrs; Track-3 yrs; FFA-4 yrs; FFA Sect./Treasure-3 yrs; Student Council-2 yrs; Student Council President; FCA-4 yrs; Quiz Bowl-2 yrs; NHS-2 yrs; SD Honor Choir; HOBY representative; YBA.
Mathew Preszler is from Menno, SD, located within Southeastern Electric Cooperative, a Touchstone Energy Cooperative.