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.
Chelsey Luecke
March 12, 2006 - March 18, 2006
- School
- Groton Area School
- GPA
- 4.1
- Activities
- piano show choir band girls volleyball track
Chelsey Luecke is from Groton, SD.
Taylor Olson
March 5, 2006 - March 11, 2006
- School
- Arlington High School
- GPA
- 3.48
- Activities
- Taylor is involved in the following organizations and activities: National Honor Society, Boys State, FFA, football, basketball, baseball, one act play, band, marching band and pep band.
Taylor Olson is from Bruce, SD.
Joni Strom
February 26, 2006 - March 4, 2006
- School
- Beresford High School
- GPA
- 3.993
- Activities
- Band, Chorus, All-State Choir, Cross Country, Track, FFA
Joni Strom is from Beresford, SD.
David McCarthy
February 19, 2006 - February 25, 2006
- School
- Adrian High School
- GPA
- 4.086
- Activities
- Concert Choir, All School Play, Speech, KB, National Honor Society, Math League, Concert Band, Marching Band, One Act Play, Jazz Band
David McCarthy is from Adrian, MN.
Kevin Kelly
February 12, 2006 - February 18, 2006
- School
- Aberdeen Central High School
- GPA
- 3.632
- Activities
- jazz band, show choir, vocal jazz, student senate, SADD, drama
Kevin Kelly is from Aberdeen, SD.
Blake Andersen
February 5, 2006 - February 11, 2006
- School
- Marion School District
- GPA
- 3.63
- Activities
- Football Basketball Track Legion Baseball Member of Fellowship of Christian Athletes Member of Church of God in Marion
Blake Andersen is from Marion, SD.
Robert Gregoire
January 29, 2006 - February 4, 2006
- School
- Wakonda High School
- GPA
- 3.42
- Activities
- Academics: A & B Honor Roll(9,10,11,&12) Member of the National Honor Society Yankton Press & Dakotan A+ Student Academic Letter Winner Currently taking AP English through N.S.U. Honors and Awards Jazz Band (9, 10, 11, ) Master of Ceremonies at Coronation (11) Good Attendance Award (9, 10, 11, ) Athletics Track (9*,10*,11*,& 12*), Team MVP Tri-Valley Conference Champion Region & State Champion B.B. (9,10*,11*, ) All-Conference Academic Team (11, ) Cross Country (9*,10*,11*,& 12*) Team MVP Tri-Valley Conference Champion Region 3B & 3A Champion State "B" Champion the last 2 years. * Lettered in sport. Leadership Team Captain (11 & 12) Class Officer (10, & 12) Student Council (9, 10, & 12). Community Service St. Patrick's Church Youth Group (9,10,11, & 12) Prepared food for & served at The Banquet in Yankton, SD (9,10, 11, ) Town Clean Up Referee for Elem. B.B. games Planned for and helped construct the outdoor Eckert Family Memorial at Wakonda School (summer of 2005).
Robert Gregoire is from Wakonda, SD.
Amy Appletoft
January 22, 2006 - January 28, 2006
- School
- Redfield High School
- GPA
- 3.538
- Activities
- Cross Country, Band, Chorus, Safety Council, Flag Corps, Student Mentoring, Class Play, FCA, Good News Club Director, Prayer Leader, Planned and Directed church play, Vacation Bible School volunteer counselor, church youth group president, sign language interpreter for church, Cambodia youth mission, Central American youth missions
Amy Appletoft is from Redfiled, SD.
Joshua Schmidt
January 15, 2006 - January 21, 2006
- School
- Lennox High School
- GPA
- 4.26
- Activities
- Cross Country, Soccer, National Honor Society, Debate, Pep-A-Graph (school paper), Band (drum major), Quiz Bowl, Science Olympiad, Jr. Class Treasurer, German Club.
Joshua Schmidt is from Lennox, SD.
Brittney Babb
January 8, 2006 - January 14, 2006
- School
- Vermillion High School
- GPA
- 3.65
- Activities
- Varsity Letterwinner - Volleyball, Basketball & Track 2 year State Track Meet Qualifier 2005 State A Track 4x400m Champion 2005 State A Track 4x200m 3rd place 2005 State A Track Medley 8th place Students Against Destructive Decisions (SADD) Member 2005 HomeTowne Hero of Character VHS Honors Program student National Honor Society Member Head Start Student Mentor
Brittney Babb is from Vermillion, SD.