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.
Danielle Walder
March 1, 2009 - March 7, 2009
- School
- Andes Central High
- GPA
- 4
- Activities
- Volleyball, Basketball, Track, National Honor Society, Student Council,Class Officer,TATU,FCCLA, Torch, Vocal and Band
Danielle Walder is from Lake Andes, SD.
Naomi Seaton
February 22, 2009 - February 28, 2009
- School
- Aberdeen Central High School
- GPA
- 4
- Activities
- Students Against Destructive Decisions (S.A.D.D.) Acappella Eagle Express Show Choir Orchestra
Naomi Seaton is from Aberdeen, SD.
Cathleen Flynn
February 15, 2009 - February 21, 2009
- School
- Mitchell High School
- GPA
- 4
- Activities
- Throughout her 4 years in high school, Cathleen has been (a): -middle school show choir choreographer -Salvation Army bell ringer -Mass cantor -student tutor -involved in senior olympics -National Anthem singer -bible school helper -Lemonade Stand volunteer :O ) -confirmation retreat helper -All in God's Plan featured speaker -All State Choir -Most Valuable Band member (freshmen year) -Most Valuable Choir member (sophomore year) -National Forensics League member -People to People Ambassador nomination -St. Mary of the Woods College Trustee -All-State Choir soloist -numerous times Student of the Week -Hugh O'Brien Youth Leadership ambassador -youth group founder -church youth choir member -on the gold honor roll -involved in marching band, jazz band, show choir, pep band, Future Business Leaders of America, band section leader and drum major, fall play, spring musical, AND Fields of Faith featured speaker
Cathleen Flynn is from Mitchell, SD.
Erik Manke
February 8, 2009 - February 14, 2009
- School
- Brandon Valley High School
- GPA
- 4
- Activities
- soccer, club soccer - Dakota Gold Rampage, football, Faithweaver Friends instructor, Abiding Savior Church member
Erik Manke is from Sioux Falls, SD 57110, SD.
Sam Dooyema
February 1, 2009 - February 7, 2009
- School
- Luverne High School
- GPA
- 4
- Activities
- Football (Captain), Wrestling (Captain), Track, Marching Band, Concert Band, National Honor Society, Student Council (President), and 2008 Homecoming King.
Sam Dooyema is from Luverne, MN.
Amy Shaffer
January 25, 2009 - January 31, 2009
- School
- Lennox High School
- GPA
- 4.1
- Activities
- Band, Drumline, Student Council, FFA, Quiz Bowl, Book Club, and National Honor Society.
Amy Shaffer is from Lennox, SD.
Cory Wegehaupt
January 18, 2009 - January 24, 2009
- School
- Ethan School District
- GPA
- 3.8
- Activities
- 4 Years football will be 4 Years Boy's Basketball, All Conference in Basketball and Football 4 years in Track Band and Chorus All State Chorus CBH Acadmic Team
Cory Wegehaupt is from MT VERNON, SD.
Paige Nelson
January 11, 2009 - January 17, 2009
- School
- Colman-Egan High School
- GPA
- 4
- Activities
- Basketball, Track, Volleyball, Cheerleading, High School Rodeo, Oral Interp, National Honor Society, FFA, Teens Against Tabacco Useage, 4-H, Class Officer, Church Youth Group, Fellowship of Christian Athletes
Paige Nelson is from Colman, SD.
Jena Kloos
January 4, 2009 - January 10, 2009
- School
- Deuel High School
- GPA
- 4.011
- Activities
- Gymnastics, Track, Theater, Oral Interp, Key Club Vice-President, Senior Class President, Student Council President, Art Club President, and Junior Auxilary Co-President
Jena Kloos is from Gary, SD.
Alisha Luymes
December 14, 2008 - December 20, 2008
- School
- Wessington Springs School District
- GPA
- 4
- Activities
- Activities Volleyball (freshman, sophomore) Basketball (freshman) Concert, Pep, Marching, and Jazz Band Chorus and Natural High FCCLA Pianist (4th ? present) Church Youth Group Church Choir Musical and Play Awards/Honors Prom Waitress Gold Honor Roll National Honor Roll Who?s Who Among High School Students Hustler Award ? 2005 (volleyball) Most Improved Player ? 2006 (volleyball) Minor Letter (volleyball, basketball) Outstanding Vocalist (freshman, sophomore, junior) Outstanding Instrumentalist (freshman, sophomore, junior) 2 Piano Awards Academic Challenge (Algebra 2nd Place) Honor Choir (2007,2008) All State Chorus (2007) Honor Band (2006, 2007) National Honor Society (2008) Community Service Banquet Relay for Life (helped on luminary committee) Community Food Pantry Drive Vacation Bible School Helper Painted Mural Helped with 125th Celebration Fundraisers Helped with Farm and Home Show Fundraiser Mission trip to Colorado (2006) Mission trip to Haiti (2008) Sunday School Helper Other Information Student Council Representative (Sophomore) Junior Class President FCCLA District Treasurer (Sophomore) Church Youth Group Treasurer (Sophomore, Junior) Church Worship Committee Member Leadership Class (Freshman) Legion Auxiliary ? Junior Member Wessington Springs Area Community Foundation ? Highschool member
Alisha Luymes is from Wessington Springs, SD.