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.
Tara Oltmanns
November 28, 2004 - December 4, 2004
- School
- Lennox High School
- GPA
- 4
- Activities
- Band, Vocal Music, All-State Chorus, Student Council, Cross Country, News Paper Editor, SADD, TATU, and First Priority
Tara Oltmanns is from Lennox, SD.
Heather Hult
November 21, 2004 - November 27, 2004
- School
- Hurley
- GPA
- 3.897
- Activities
- Just about everything
Heather Hult is from Davis, SD.
Stephanie Larsen
November 14, 2004 - November 20, 2004
- School
- Marion School District
- GPA
- 4
- Activities
- She participated and lettered in volleyball, golf, chorus, oral intep, school play and one act play, and the editor of the annual. She also does the stats for the wrestling team.
Stephanie Larsen is from Marion, SD.
Michael Larson
November 7, 2004 - November 13, 2004
- School
- Pipestone Area High School
- GPA
- 3.95
- Activities
- Student Council President, All State Band&Orchestra,Peer Helper, Track,NatHonorSoc,BoyScout,Bloodmobile Coordinator,Nat.Math Award
Michael Larson is from Pipestone, MN.
Eric Gillen
October 31, 2004 - November 6, 2004
- School
- Bridgewater High School
- GPA
- 3.95
- Activities
- National Honor Society, FFA officer, FB, BB, Track,Class Officer
Eric Gillen is from Bridgewater, SD.
Laura Lund
October 24, 2004 - October 30, 2004
- School
- Groton Area School District
- GPA
- 4.09
- Activities
- Cross Country Show Choir All-State Chorus Debate - Public Forum 4-H Star/Torch Drug Free Group Officer Therapeutic Riding of Tucson volunteer Church Youth Group Religious Education Teacher
Laura Lund is from Groton, SD.
Elizabeth Olson
October 17, 2004 - October 23, 2004
- School
- Mitchell High School
- GPA
- 3.976
- Activities
- Track, Teen-Age Republicans(officer every year), dance line, Student Council(officer every year), School Newspaper, Special Olympics, Love Feast, Salvation Army bell ringer, Parade of Lights benefit breakfast, National Honor Society
Elizabeth Olson is from Mitchell, SD.
April Christensen
October 10, 2004 - October 16, 2004
- School
- Parker High School
- GPA
- 4.23
- Activities
- FCCLA, cross country, volleyball, math counts, quiz bowl, track, band, national honor society
April Christensen is from Parker, SD.
Andy Cahoy
October 3, 2004 - October 9, 2004
- School
- Aberdeen Central High School
- GPA
- 4
- Activities
- Cross Country, Hockey, Track & Field, Drama, Music, Show Choir, Boy Scouts, Volunteer Service, Science Bowl, National Honor Society, Hugh O'Brian Youth Leadership
Andy Cahoy is from Aberdeen, SD.
Amber Oftedal
September 26, 2004 - October 2, 2004
- School
- Rutland High School
- GPA
- 3.58
- Activities
- School activities: one-act and all-school plays, high school chorus and band, journalism staff, oral interpretation, basketball, tennis, student council representative numerous times, president of student council, vice-president of the student run Board of Directors for the Rambler Stop convenience store, Homecoming committee chairperson, Hugh O'Brien Youth Leadership participant, Girls' State candidate, National Honor Society member Community service / Church activities: softball, trained a student for the Special Olympics, member of Youth Red Cross, mission trip to Mexico, worked on a variety of fundraisers
Amber Oftedal is from Wentworth, SD.