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.
Stefanie Ruml
April 7, 2013 - April 13, 2013
- School
- Freeman HS
- GPA
- 3.925
- Activities
- Volley Ball: 9,10,11,12 Quiz Bowl: 10,11,12 FCA: 9,10,11,12 Yearbook: 9,10,11,12 Book Club: 11,12 Band: 9,10,11,12 Girls Chorus: 9,10,11,12 Mixed Chorus: 9,10,11,12
Stefanie Ruml is from Freeman, SD, located within Southeastern Electric Cooperative, a Touchstone Energy Cooperative.
Kayla Sylvester
March 31, 2013 - April 6, 2013
- School
- Yankton High School
- GPA
- 3.92
- Activities
- Student Council, Debate, Oral Interp, School Newspaper, Young Democrats, Drama Club, National Honor Society, National History Day, Homecoming Club, Dance, Magazine Contributer
Kayla Sylvester is from Yankton, SD, located within Bon Homme-Yankton Electric Assn., a Touchstone Energy Cooperative.
Kaylynn Noethlich
March 24, 2013 - March 30, 2013
- School
- Doland
- GPA
- 4.076
- Activities
- competition cheer, football & basketball cheer, student council president, play, region student council president, FCCLA president, and 4-H
Kaylynn Noethlich is from Doland, SD, located within Northern Electric Cooperative, a Touchstone Energy Cooperative.
Corrina Reuer
March 17, 2013 - March 23, 2013
- School
- Chamberlain High School
- GPA
- 4.1
- Activities
- Volleyball Manager, Girls Basketball Player, FFA Member, National Honor Society, Student Council
Corrina Reuer is from Reliance, SD, located within Central Electric Cooperative, a Touchstone Energy Cooperative.
Michaela Derby
March 10, 2013 - March 16, 2013
- School
- Estelline School District
- GPA
- 4.025
- Activities
- Cross Country, Basketball, Student Council, Volleyball, National Honor Society, Fellowship of Christian Athletes, Theatre, Oral Interp, Newspaper, Yearbook
Michaela Derby is from Estelline, SD, located within H-D Electric Cooperative, a Touchstone Energy Cooperative.
Kenneth Shaffner
March 3, 2013 - March 9, 2013
- School
- Chester Area School
- GPA
- 4
- Activities
- National Honor Society, president. ?A? Honor Roll. South Dakota Boys State attendee, 2012. American Legion Certificate of School Award, 2009. Spanish Club, officer. Drama Club. Quiz Bowl Team. Band (Big East Honor Band). Basketball. Football (All Academic). Track and Field.
Kenneth Shaffner is from Colman, SD, located within Sioux Valley Energy, a Touchstone Energy Cooperative.
Kayla Vanden Hoek
February 24, 2013 - March 2, 2013
- School
- Corsica High School
- GPA
- 3.8
- Activities
- Chorus, Volleyball, Basketball, Band,Stageband, Competitive Cheer,Yearbook, Drama, Oral Interpretation, Class Officer, Student Council President, FCCLA, Cheerleader, CBH Academic Festival, Honor Roll, Girls State Representative, National Honor Society, Science Fair, Outstanding Actress Award, All-State Choir
Kayla Vanden Hoek is from Corsica, SD, located within Douglas Electric Cooperative, a Touchstone Energy Cooperative.
Delayna Paulson
February 17, 2013 - February 23, 2013
- School
- Mt. Vernon High School
- GPA
- 3.942
- Activities
- Student Council Secretary, National Honors Society member, United Blood Services (local drive coordinator), Big Brothers Big Sisters mentor, Church Volunteer, FCA, Volleyball/Track/Basketball statistician, Girl's State Delegate, Honor Roll and Science Fair
Delayna Paulson is from Mt. Vernon, SD, located within Central Electric Cooperative, a Touchstone Energy Cooperative.
Sierra Svatos
February 10, 2013 - February 16, 2013
- School
- Andes Central
- GPA
- 3.98
- Activities
- Activities - Volleyball - participated since 5th grade, went to State tournament 2 years - Basketball ? Participated since 5th grade - Track/Field ? participated since 5th grade, went to state for High Jump for 3 years - Softball ? Freshmen and Sophomore summers - Chorus ? soprano since 7th grade, All state for four high school years - FCCLA ? Vice President of Projects freshmen year, many projects such as adopt a highway - National Honors Society ? Toy and food drive - Student Council ? President my junior year - St. Mark?s Confirmation Class ? served breakfasts once a month, helped teach younger CCD classes, took a trip to Minnesota and went to the children?s hospital and made pillows with them, served a supper at the Boys and Girl?s Club - Fish Days Pageant ? Won queen the Summer before Junior year Employment - Hired hand ? I?ve worked for my dad on the farm since freshmen year - Waitress ? Every other weekend at the Lone Tree in Geddes - Babysitting Volunteer work - Lake Restoration Project ? picked up trees and trash - City Park Project ? volunteered time - Meals on Wheels ? took senior meals to their homes - Concessions ? Fish Days demolition derby, also for Junior Class
Sierra Svatos is from LAKE ANDES, SD, located within Charles Mix Electric Association, a Touchstone Energy Cooperative.
Lynn Ymker
February 3, 2013 - February 9, 2013
- School
- Armour High School
- GPA
- 3.96
- Activities
- President National Honor Society, President Student Council, (4 year member of both organizations), Class Officer all four years, Drama, Band, Choir, All-State Choir, Athletics, Oral Interpretation, Student of the Month, Citizen of the Month, Youth Business Academy, Hugh O'Brien Youth Leadership, Governor's Leadership recipient, Student Mentor.
Lynn Ymker is from Armour, SD, located within Douglas Electric Cooperative, a Touchstone Energy Cooperative.