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.
Michael Saffel
November 24, 2013 - November 30, 2013
- School
- Irene-Wakonda HS
- GPA
- 3.85
- Activities
- Football ? 9, 10, 11, & 12th grades Lettered in 10th & 11th grades; Varsity Starter in 11th grade Basketball ? 9, 10, & 11th grades Varsity, most improved player ? 11th Track ? 11th Lettered; Placed at Conf. & Regional Meet Student Council ? 9, 10, 11, & 12th grades Class President ? 9, 10, & 11th grade Region Rep. for I-W School & attended Sate Convention ? 10th & 11th grades Academic Awards - I-W Honor Rolls ? 9, 10, 11th, Academic Letter Award ? 9, 10, 11th, National Honor Society ? 11, 12th Community Activities: American Legion Boys? State Rep. ? 2013 Helped w. Knights of Columbus breakfasts Boys Scouts ? 2010 Senior Patrol Leader; Order of the Arrow Work Experience: Wakonda Town Employee ? Summers of 2011, 2012, & 2013 Life Guard & Park worker
Michael Saffel is from Wakonda, SD, located within Clay-Union Electric Corporation, a Touchstone Energy Cooperative.
Sean Pinkert
November 17, 2013 - November 23, 2013
- School
- Milbank High School
- GPA
- 4.07
- Activities
- Sean is involved in: Milbank High School Band Milbank FFA Chapter Fellowship of Christian Athletes Milbank National Honor Society Church Youth Group Competitive Archery
Sean Pinkert is from Big Stone City, SD, located within Whetstone Valley Electric Cooperative, a Touchstone Energy Cooperative.
Cole Casper
November 3, 2013 - November 9, 2013
- School
- Lake Preston
- GPA
- 3.853
- Activities
- Football, Basketball, Track and Field, Chorus, Band, Jazz Band, Marching Band, Student Council, National Honor Society President
Cole Casper is from Lake Preston, SD, located within Kingsbury Electric Cooperative, a Touchstone Energy Cooperative.
Abilene Heiberger
October 20, 2013 - October 26, 2013
- School
- Tri-Valley High School
- GPA
- 3.943
- Activities
- Basketball (lettered), Volleyball (lettered), Track (lettered), Play, Choir (section leader), All-State Choir,Quiz Bowl and National Honor Society
Abilene Heiberger is from Hartford, SD, located within Sioux Valley Energy, a Touchstone Energy Cooperative.
Allison Deal
October 13, 2013 - October 19, 2013
- School
- Sunshine Bible Academy
- GPA
- 3.88
- Activities
- Volleyball, Wrestling Stats, Oral Interp, One Act Play, Spring Play, Ministry Team, Handbells, All State Choir, Band
Allison Deal is from Selby, SD, located within Dakota Energy Cooperative, a Touchstone Energy Cooperative.
Alli Steckelberg
October 6, 2013 - October 12, 2013
- School
- Chamberlain High School
- GPA
- 4.12
- Activities
- National Honor Society, CHS Volleyball Team,
Alli Steckelberg is from Chamberlain, SD, located within Central Electric Cooperative, a Touchstone Energy Cooperative.
Tanna Waltman
September 29, 2013 - October 5, 2013
- School
- Parkston
- GPA
- 4
- Activities
- Band, Cheerleading, National Honor Society, FCCLA
Tanna Waltman is from Parkston, SD, located within Southeastern Electric Coop, a Touchstone Energy Cooperative.
Tyler Panek
September 22, 2013 - September 28, 2013
- School
- Tea Area High School
- GPA
- 3.977
- Activities
- Student Council President, Basketball Statistician, Track, National Honor Society, Marching Band, Concert Band, Jazz Band
Tyler Panek is from Tea, SD, SD, located within Southeastern Electric Coop, a Touchstone Energy Cooperative.
Shelby VanDriel
September 15, 2013 - September 21, 2013
- School
- Scotland High School
- GPA
- 3.993
- Activities
- Band, Choir, Basketball, Track, Improv Group, S Club, Drama Club, Student Council
Shelby VanDriel is from Scotland, SD, located within Bon Homme-Yankton Electric Assn., a Touchstone Energy Cooperative.
Tyson Mitzel
September 8, 2013 - September 14, 2013
- School
- Roncalli High School
- GPA
- 4.1
- Activities
- Football, Wrestling, track, band, Musical play, Campus minister music
Tyson Mitzel is from Westport, SD, located within Northern Electric Cooperative, a Touchstone Energy Cooperative.