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.
Julie Santella
September 10, 2006 - September 16, 2006
- School
- O'Gorman High School
- GPA
- 4.32
- Activities
- Varsity & Dakota Gold soccer, Concert Choir, school musical, plays violin, Church Choir, Church Youth Group, National Honor Society
Julie Santella is from Sioux Falls, SD.
Mikaela Sechser
September 3, 2006 - September 9, 2006
- School
- Harrisburg High School
- GPA
- 4.063
- Activities
- Basketball (grades 9-12), Volleyball (grade 9), Track (grade 9), Club Soccer (grades 9-12), High School Soccer (grades 10-12), Advanced/Recreational Soccer (grades 9-12), Concert Band (grades 9-12), Marching Band (grades 9-12), Pep Band (grades 9-12), Jazz Band (grade 12), Quiz Bowl (grades 11-12), Piano Lessons (grades 9-12), SEED (gifted program - grades 9-12), First Priority (grades 10-12), Yearbook/Annual Staff (grades 11-12), Prom Committee (grade 11), Tiger Staff (school newspaper - grade 12)
Mikaela Sechser is from Harrisburg, SD.
Kelsie Nebelsick
May 7, 2006 - May 13, 2006
- School
- Canistota High School
- GPA
- 4
- Activities
- National Honor Society, Volleyball, Basketball, President of local FBLA, numerous other school, church, and community activities.
Kelsie Nebelsick is from Canistota, SD.
Kayla Graber
April 30, 2006 - May 6, 2006
- School
- Hurley
- GPA
- 4
- Activities
- Jr. Auxiliary Community Choir Jazz Band Jazz Choir Journalism Honor Sociecty Parade Marshall 4-H Jinior Leader All School Play Chorus Student Council TATU TORCH Yearbook Church Youth Group FCCLA Band Basketball Cheerleading Track Volleyball Softball 4-H Salem Mennonite Church Member Chancel Choir at Salem Church Bell Choir at Salem Church
Kayla Graber is from Hurley, SD.
Jami Swenson
April 23, 2006 - April 29, 2006
- School
- Chamberlain High School
- GPA
- 4
- Activities
- Band, Chorus, National Honor Society, Volleyball, Fine Arts Plays & Musicals, Student Council
Jami Swenson is from Chamberlain, SD.
Matt Hubbell
April 16, 2006 - April 22, 2006
- School
- Brandon Valley High School
- GPA
- 4
- Activities
- Concert Band, Marching Band, Jazz Band, Concert Choir, All-State Chorus, Student Council, National Honor Society, Tennis, Theater, Peer Helpers, Tutor
Matt Hubbell is from Brandon, SD.
Kindal Konechne
April 9, 2006 - April 15, 2006
- School
- Kimball
- GPA
- 4.072
- Activities
- FBLA-Mountain Plains National Vice President, Track, Basketball, National Honor Society, Student Council, marching band, K Club,
Kindal Konechne is from Kimball, SD.
Jennifer Bjorklund
April 2, 2006 - April 8, 2006
- School
- Estelline High School
- GPA
- 3.884
- Activities
- Drama (all school play and the 1-Act, Volleyball, National Honor Society, and has been part of the music programs and track in the past.
Jennifer Bjorklund is from Estelline, SD.
Katie Klipfel
March 26, 2006 - April 1, 2006
- School
- Leola High School
- GPA
- 3.849
- Activities
- Katie is actively involved with many school and community related activities. She has received many high honors in both band and chorus. She has recently participated in All State Orchestra. She is also involved with her local church youth group, Future Business Leaders of America and the Character Counts Team. The Character Counts team meets bimonthly with K-6 age students and promotes the importance of 6 character traits: trustworthiness, respect, responsiblity, fairness, caring and citizenship. Katie is exceptional at teaching elementary age students the importance of good character. She has also received many high honors at the state level for FBLA. She has had the opportunity to compete at the national level of FBLA as well. Katie works well with all ages within the Leola community. She spends much of her time volunteering for projects associated with bettering the community and other's lives.
Katie Klipfel is from Leola, SD.
Allison LaFave
March 19, 2006 - March 25, 2006
- School
- DeSmet High School
- GPA
- 4
- Activities
- Natural Helpers,Senate Page for Tom Daschle,SD Senate Page 2006,Drama,Girls Stater, DAR Candidate, Accepted to Harvard,NHS
Allison LaFave is from DeSmet, SD.