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.
Shelby Huber
September 9, 2012 - September 15, 2012
- School
- Menno High School
- GPA
- 4
- Activities
- Student Council President, Football Cheer Captain, Basketball Cheer Captain, Volleyball captain, Track and Field, FCCLA vice-president, NHS, Yearbook editor, FCA, Chorus, Quiz Bowl Captain, Oral Interpretation (Superior at state last two years) One-Act Play (superior actress last two years at state), Ignite Worship Band, FCA worship band, Softball coach, Christian Reformed Church Youth Group, Special Olympics Volunteer
Shelby Huber is from Freeman, SD, located within Southeastern Electric Coop, a Touchstone Energy Cooperative.
Elizabeth Bradfield
September 2, 2012 - September 8, 2012
- School
- Lake Preston
- GPA
- 3.944
- Activities
- Oral Interp, Band, Music, Jazz Band, Blue and Gold newsletter, Track stats, FCCLA (2), Pep Band, All School Musical, One Act Play (2). FCA (3), Mission Trips, Works part time.
Elizabeth Bradfield is from Lake Preston, SD, SD, located within Kingsbury Electric Cooperative, a Touchstone Energy Cooperative.
Taylor Pytleski
May 6, 2012 - May 12, 2012
- School
- Lennox High School
- GPA
- 4.1
- Activities
- National Honor Society (3 yrs) Student Council (2 yrs) Volleyball Mgr (3 yrs) USD Math Days for Women at USD Prom Committee Coronation Committee Numerous hours of volunteer work with Children's Miracle Network and Mall Walk to cure diabetes.
Taylor Pytleski is from Davis, SD, located within Southeastern Electric Coop, a Touchstone Energy Cooperative.
Alexander Graves
April 29, 2012 - May 5, 2012
- School
- Mitchell High School
- GPA
- 4
- Activities
- Alex has been an extremely busy young man throughout his high school career. His phenomenal musical talent as well as his academic strengths have provided Alex with many opportunities to prepare for life beyond high school. The following is a list of the many activities Alex has participated in: Tennis, Marching Band, Show Pit, Jazz Band, Pep Band, Church Lector and Cantor, participant in the Stations of the Cross, Community Service hours helping move materials from one school to another, shoveling snow at the Franciscan Convent as well as helping take down Christmas decorations for the sisters. Alex has always been a Gold Honor Roll student and throughout his years at Mitchell High School has received many academic awards.
Alexander Graves is from Mitchell, SD, located within Central Electric Cooperative, a Touchstone Energy Cooperative.
Mindy Kraft
April 22, 2012 - April 28, 2012
- School
- Wessington Springs High School
- GPA
- 3.86
- Activities
- Drama, oral interp, cross country, girls basketball, track, yearbook, chorus, NH, T.T, band, jazz band, HOBY
Mindy Kraft is from Wessington Springs, SD, located within Central Electric Cooperative, a Touchstone Energy Cooperative.
Laura Knippling
April 15, 2012 - April 21, 2012
- School
- Miller High School
- GPA
- 4
- Activities
- FFA Oral Interpretation Student Council Class Officer Basketball One-Act Play Yearbook Committee Chorus Band Pep Band Jazz Band Vocal Jazz Show Choir All-State Chorus Teenage Republicans (TARS) Church Lector Football Cheerleading Sounds Like Love Christian Music Festival Participant
Laura Knippling is from GANN VALLEY, SD, located within Dakota Energy Cooperative, a Touchstone Energy Cooperative.
Wyatt Warkenthien
April 8, 2012 - April 14, 2012
- School
- Willow Lake
- GPA
- 4
- Activities
- Choir, Marching Band, Jazz Band, Pep Band, One Act Plays, 3 Act Plays, member & president of National Honor Society, member & treasurer of FFA, Senior class treasurer Community involvement includes WELS Youth Group,Community Clean-Up Day, has helped build a ball park concession stand & a community shed
Wyatt Warkenthien is from Willow Lake, SD, located within Codington-Clark Electric Cooperative, a Touchstone Energy Cooperative.
Megan Pond
March 25, 2012 - March 31, 2012
- School
- Ipswich High School
- GPA
- 4.17
- Activities
- Sports, band, vocal, FBLA, NHS,
Megan Pond is from Ipswich, SD, located within FEM Electric Association, a Touchstone Energy Cooperative.
Ashley Feickert
March 18, 2012 - March 24, 2012
- School
- Leola High School
- GPA
- 3.84
- Activities
- Ashley is involved with numerous activities from various sports to church related activities. She is involved with 4-H, Peer Helpers, CCD, volleyball, chorus, band, FBLA (Future Business Leaders of America) and is senior class president.
Ashley Feickert is from Long Lake, SD, located within FEM Electric Association, a Touchstone Energy Cooperative.
Luke Buffington
March 11, 2012 - March 17, 2012
- School
- Gayville-Volin High School
- GPA
- 4.208
- Activities
- Oral Interpretation (State Superior Award Winner - 2 years) School Play / Drama Student Council - President 2011-2012 Science Olympiad Chorus - All State Football Basketball Track and Field Boys State - Most Outstanding Citizen 2011 HOBY Delegate 2010 HOBY Leadership for Service Bronze Award 2011 Rural Electric DC Youth Tour 2011 Economics for Leaders Program at Cornell University - Summer 2011
Luke Buffington is from Gayville, SD, located within Clay-Union Electric Corporation, a Touchstone Energy Cooperative.