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.
Kelli Garry
February 5, 2012 - February 11, 2012
- School
- Lake Preston School District
- GPA
- 4
- Activities
- Band, Chours, Swing Choir, Jazz Band, FFA, FCCLA, Oral Interp, Student Council, Blood Drive, Blue and Gold, NHS, Comp Cheer
Kelli Garry is from Lake Preston, SD, SD, located within Kingsbury Electric Cooperative, a Touchstone Energy Cooperative.
Stephanie Haiar
January 29, 2012 - February 4, 2012
- School
- Marion School District
- GPA
- 3.744
- Activities
- Volleyball, Basketball, Golf, Student Council, Band, Choir, FCA, School Board Student Leadership Team
Stephanie Haiar is from Marion, SD, located within Southeastern Electric Coop, a Touchstone Energy Cooperative.
Ryan Howe
January 22, 2012 - January 28, 2012
- School
- Chamberlain High School
- GPA
- 4.13
- Activities
- CHS Concert Choir, National Honor Society, Technology Aide for CHS, Voice of Democracy Speech Regional Winner
Ryan Howe is from Chamberlain, SD 57325, SD, located within Central Electric Cooperative, a Touchstone Energy Cooperative.
Adelyn Crabtree
January 15, 2012 - January 21, 2012
- School
- T. F. Riggs High School
- GPA
- 4
- Activities
- Youth Involvement Program, Girls State Senator, Chamber Choir, All-State Choir, Choir Council, Outstanding Oral Interpretation, NASA WISH Systems Manager, Ambassadors of Music, National Honor Society, Dance, Debate, NASA INSPIRE
Adelyn Crabtree is from Pierre, SD, located within Oahe Electric Cooperative, a Touchstone Energy Cooperative.
Jeff McGraw
January 8, 2012 - January 14, 2012
- School
- Clark High School
- GPA
- 4
- Activities
- Football, Basketball, National Honor Society, Baseball
Jeff McGraw is from Clark, SD, located within Codington-Clark Electric Cooperative, a Touchstone Energy Cooperative.
Jenna Kitchenmaster
January 1, 2012 - January 7, 2012
- School
- Andes Central
- GPA
- 4
- Activities
- Andes Central Student of the Year, 2010-2012; Band 2006- present; Chorus, 2006- present; SD All State Chorus, Oct 2008, Oct 2011; FCCLA Aug 2006- Present (Vice-President, 2009, 2011; President, 2010; Secretary, 2008); NHS, 2010-Present (2008-2009 Member of the Year, 2010-2011 Officer of the Year); SD Girls State Delegate, 2011; Annual School Children's Theater, 2009-2011; Annual School Science Fair 2009- 2011; Track and Field 2011; Volleyball 2008-2009; National Rural Electric Cooperative Youth Tour Participant, 2010.
Jenna Kitchenmaster is from Lake Andes, SD, located within Charles Mix Electric Association, a Touchstone Energy Cooperative.
Sawyer Langbehn
December 11, 2011 - December 17, 2011
- School
- Wolsey-Wessington
- GPA
- 4
- Activities
- Football (Captain 2 years) Cross Country (Captain 3 years) Basketball (Captain 2 years) Track (Captain 2 years) Class President (3 years) FFA (Current Chapter President) Oral Interp (State superior for readers theater) Student Council Band One Act Plays, and student director 4-H club president Boys State
Sawyer Langbehn is from Wolsey, SD, located within Dakota Energy Cooperative, a Touchstone Energy Cooperative.
Abigail Trieb
December 4, 2011 - December 10, 2011
- School
- Deuel High School
- GPA
- 4.031
- Activities
- Wrestling Manager, Art Club, Key Club, Chorus, Softball, 4-H,and National Honor Society
Abigail Trieb is from Gary, SD, located within H-D Electric Cooperative, a Touchstone Energy Cooperative.
Michael Marmorstein
November 27, 2011 - December 3, 2011
- School
- Aberdeen Central HS
- GPA
- 3.951
- Activities
- Marching Band Symphonic Band Jazz Band National Honor Society A Cappella Choir Vocal Jazz Municipal Band Debate
Michael Marmorstein is from Aberdeen, SD, located within Northern Electric Cooperative, a Touchstone Energy Cooperative.
Traci Kulesa
November 20, 2011 - November 26, 2011
- School
- Warner High School
- GPA
- 4
- Activities
- Band & Chorus, One-Act Play, Oral Interp, Volleyball Statistician, Track & Field, Football Student Manager, Fellowship of Christian Athletes, Midwest Ambassadors of Music, Sacred Heart Youth Group, Student Sunday School Teacher, Hugh O'Brian Youth Leadership Seminar, Youth Business Adventure, and Student Rep for Warner School Technology Committee.
Traci Kulesa is from Aberdeen, SD, located within Northern Electric Cooperative, a Touchstone Energy Cooperative.