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.
Josh Hinkemeyer
January 13, 2013 - January 19, 2013
- School
- Sisseton High School
- GPA
- 3.51
- Activities
- Basketball 9 FFA 9 Technology Students of America 9 Band 9 Cross Country 9-11 Track 9-11 One Act Play 9-11 (Received Outstanding Acting Award) Oral Interp 9-12 (Received State Superiors 10-11) Drama Club 10-12 (Officer-12) Performing Arts Center Tech Crew 10-12 Missoula Children's Theatre 10-11 Football 11 Prairie Fire Theatreical Company 11 Honor Junior 11 Prom Committee 11 IMPROV 11-12 Homecoming Candidate 12 Jobs as a lifeguard at the pool in the summer and at Teal's Market year round.
Josh Hinkemeyer is from Browns Valley, MN, located within Whetstone Valley Electric Cooperative, a Touchstone Energy Cooperative.
Kristin Inman
January 6, 2013 - January 12, 2013
- School
- T. F. Riggs High School
- GPA
- 4
- Activities
- Drum Major "Pierrecussion" (drum line) Student Senate Officer Jazz Band Tennis Future Business Leaders of America National Honor Society Tri M Music Honor Society-Sec Girls State delegate All State Band Member Augustana Honor Band United Way Board member Teen Court volunteer Fellowship of Chirstian Athletes Pierre Dance Academy Mentor at Elementary School Boys and Girls Club Orchestra Church Youth Group Know Sign Language Play six different instruments Work at Oahe Marina & Resort Work Cathy's Country Kennels
Kristin Inman is from Pierre, SD, located within Oahe Electric Cooperative, a Touchstone Energy Cooperative.
Donnie Decker
December 30, 2012 - January 5, 2013
- School
- James Valley Christian School
- GPA
- 4
- Activities
- Cross Country, Soccer, Basketball, Track, Choir, Band, Student Council President, Student Discipleship group leader, National Honor Society, Community wide Day of Caring, Worship Team member,
Donnie Decker is from Frankfort,, SD, located within Dakota Energy Cooperative, a Touchstone Energy Cooperative.
Matthew Guthmiller
December 9, 2012 - December 15, 2012
- School
- Aberdeen Central HIgh School
- GPA
- 4
- Activities
- National Honor Society Marching Band Winter Drum Line Symphonic Band FBLA Science Bowl
Matthew Guthmiller is from Aberdeen, SD, located within Northern Electric Cooperative, a Touchstone Energy Cooperative.
Nathaniel Steinlicht
December 2, 2012 - December 8, 2012
- School
- Milbank High School
- GPA
- 3.8
- Activities
- FFA for 4 years. Currently Milbank FFA Chapter President. Was awarded the State Star Greenhand Award as a Sophomore. National FFA Convention--Dairy Foods Debate--4 years Oral Interp--4 years Band--4 years Choir--4 years Theatre- 4years 4-H Member for 4 years Student Congress--4 years.
Nathaniel Steinlicht is from Milbank, SD, located within Whetstone Valley Electric Cooperative, a Touchstone Energy Cooperative.
Brian Peterson
November 25, 2012 - December 1, 2012
- School
- Warner High School
- GPA
- 4.25
- Activities
- Brian's school activities include band, chorus, football, and wrestling. Brian also represented Warner High School on numerous occasions in the Northern State University math contest as well as the Lake Region math contest. He was also chosen as a Boys State Delegate and a representative to the Youth Senate Program.
Brian Peterson is from Warner, SD, located within Northern Electric Cooperative, a Touchstone Energy Cooperative.
Megan Williams
November 18, 2012 - November 24, 2012
- School
- RTR High School
- GPA
- 3.746
- Activities
- yearbook-4 yrs, film club-2 yrs, band-4 yrs, band manager-1 yr, choir-4 yrs, Satin 'n Lace women's group-3 yrs, volleyball manager-2 yrs, honor society-2 yrs, FFA-4 yrs, current FFA President
Megan Williams is from Russell, MN, located within Lyon-Lincoln Electric Cooperative, a Touchstone Energy Cooperative.
Brady Bury
November 11, 2012 - November 17, 2012
- School
- Webster Area High School
- GPA
- 3.75
- Activities
- Football, Basketball, Track, National Honor Society, Key Club, and W Club
Brady Bury is from Webster, SD, located within Lake Region Electric Association, a Touchstone Energy Cooperative.
Danielle Van Kooten
November 4, 2012 - November 10, 2012
- School
- Sioux Valley High School
- GPA
- 3.95
- Activities
- SV Honor Roll (Ranked #1 in class),Student Body Treasurer, Student Council (3 yr. member),FFA Chapter President (4 yr. member), Competitive Cheer Team (3 yrs), Sideline Cheer (4 yrs), Choir (4 yrs)
Danielle Van Kooten is from Volga, SD, located within Sioux Valley Energy, a Touchstone Energy Cooperative.
Rose Konechne
October 28, 2012 - November 3, 2012
- School
- White Lake
- GPA
- 4
- Activities
- Volleyball Basketball Track Choir Band
Rose Konechne is from White Lake, SD, located within Central Electric Cooperative, a Touchstone Energy Cooperative.