Winners

October 23, 2022 - October 29, 2022

School

Lake Preston High School (605-847-4455)

GPA

4

Activities

Football, basketball, band, marching band, choir, show choir, and student council.

Riley Casper is from Lake Preston, SD, located within Kingsbury Electric Cooperative, a Touchstone Energy Cooperative.

October 16, 2022 - October 22, 2022

School

Chester Area School (6054892411)

GPA

4

Activities

Rachel is involved in band, choir, FFA, musicals, fall theatrical production, 1-act plays, oral interp, yearbook, and track. Rachel has earned superiors in South Dakota State Oral Interp and South Dakota State 1-act competition for 3 years. Region individual honors in 1-act play. Rachel was also chosen to be in South Dakota All State Choir.

Rachel Lindholm is from Wentworth, SD, located within Sioux Valley Energy, a Touchstone Energy Cooperative.

October 9, 2022 - October 15, 2022

School

Britton-Hecla (605-448-2234)

GPA

4

Activities

Alyssa James is a true leader in every sense of the word. She was our HOBY (Hugh O’Brien Youth Leadership) representative her sophomore year and has been a student council representative for the entirety of her high school career. She is rarely seen without a smile on her face and a pep in her step. Alyssa is also always the first to volunteer when needed. Alyssa James is a true scholar. She has maintained a 4.0 GPA or better throughout her high school career. She is always an attentive student in class. She takes organized notes, asks questions, and shares ideas in class discussions. Alyssa is also well known for being the student to ask when other students are in need of help. Alyssa is and has been involved in extra curricular activities throughout her entire high school career. She is involved in volleyball, girls basketball, golf, all school play, chorus, and was in track and field. Although she has faced many injuries throughout her sports seasons, she has never let it get her down. She was always cheering on the bench, giving a fellow teammate a pat on the back or helpful tip, and/or helping the coach with team manager duties. Outside of the school, Alyssa is a kind, caring young lady with a heart of gold. She is an avid volunteer at her church as well as with the community’s youth. She has many special bonds with kids all around the community from babysitting children to mentoring young athletes. Alyssa would do just about anything for anyone whether she’s baking cookies for someone in need of a little extra love or she’s listening to a little one tell a story, she is always engaged and giving of her time and attention.

Alyssa James is from Britton, SD, located within Lake Region Electric Association, a Touchstone Energy Cooperative.

October 2, 2022 - October 8, 2022

School

Waverly-South Shore (6058869174)

GPA

3.6

Activities

Student Council, National Honor Society, Math Contest winner, National History Day, Science Fair winner, Dual Credit enrollments, and Senior Class Student Council Rep.

Jedi Buting is from Watertown, SD, located within Codington-Clark Electric Cooperative, a Touchstone Energy Cooperative.

September 25, 2022 - October 1, 2022

School

Castlewood High School ((605) 793-2351)

GPA

4

Activities

As a senior at Castlewood High School, Olivia is active in many things. For sports, she is active in Cross Country, Basketball, and Fastpitch Softball. Other activities she is involved in include Oral Interpretation, One Act Play, National Honors Society, Concert and Marching Band, and Choir. Her accomplishments include being a member of the Concert and Marching Band for all four years of High School, Cross Country Captain for three years now, and One Act Play state superior actress. Other accomplishments include being a part of the Varsity Basketball team for five years and part of the Varsity Cross Country team for five years as well.

Olivia Akin is from Castlewood, SD, located within H-D Electric Cooperative, a Touchstone Energy Cooperative.

September 18, 2022 - September 24, 2022

School

Centerville High School ((605)563-2291)

GPA

3.9

Activities

Football Captain - 2 years "A" Honor Roll Letter winner in Track & Field and Football Dawson Knudson 100% award for Centerville Boys Track and Field - 2021 Most Improved Football (2020-2021) CHS Student of the Month (2020 & 2021) National Honor Society Member (2020-present) FFA officer (2020-present) FFA president (2022-2023) MVP Boy's Track (2022) Student Councile Member (2018-2019) 6th place Class B State Pole Vault 2022 Band FFA Football Track & Field

Lane Johnson is from Centerville, SD, located within Southeastern Electric Coop, a Touchstone Energy Cooperative.

May 7, 2022 - May 13, 2022

School

Bridgewater - Emery High School (605-449-4271)

GPA

3.6

Activities

FFA - Greenhand and Chapter Degrees, State Qualifying Team in Natural Resources, 2022 State FFA Degree Applicant, District Star Placement Applicant, 3 Proficiency Areas, along with Community Service Director for the FFA Chapter.

Carson Weber is from Emery, SD, located within Central Electric Cooperative, a Touchstone Energy Cooperative.

April 30, 2022 - May 6, 2022

School

Homeschool ((605) 425-3189)

GPA

3.95

Activities

National AgriScience Fair Animal Systems Division 1 Winner -National AgriScience Fair Social Systems Division 3 Winner -National AgriScience Fair Animal Systems Division 4 Winner -National FFA Veterinary Science CDE Res. Champion Team -National FFA Veterinary Science CDE 8th High Individual -SD FFA Livestock Judging 2018 High Individual -SD FFA Conduct of Meetings 2018 Champion Team -SD FFA Prepared Public Speaking 2018 2nd High Individual -SD FFA Ag Sales 2019 Res. Champion Team -SD FFA Ag Broadcasting 2019 High Individual -SD FFA Poultry Judging 2019 2nd High Individual -SD FFA Veterinary Science 2021 High Individual -SD FFA Veterinary Science 2021 High Team Overall SD 4-H Ambassador SD 4-H Legislator SD Beef Ambassador McCook Central FFA Vice President South Dakota FFA District IV Representative

Ella Stiefvater is from Salem, SD, located within Southeastern Electric Coop, a Touchstone Energy Cooperative.

April 23, 2022 - April 29, 2022

School

Brandon Valley High School (6055823211)

GPA

3.92

Activities

I have worked with Nathan over the last three years admiring his calm demeanor and quiet presence. One of Nathan’s biggest strengths is his ability to remain grounded and humble while among his peers. He leads with confidence in the most caring and understanding way possible with the biggest, warmest smile you have ever seen. Nathan makes students and adults feel better about themselves when they are in his presence. Nathan’s academic record is as pleasing as his disposition. He has a 3.9 GPA thus far while taking a demanding course load. Additionally, I anticipate him earning around 23 college credits while still in high school. He has not backed down from challenging courses and has been able to stay motivated and dedicated to learning even when it becomes difficult. Also remarkable is his ability to be present in rigorous courses and remain involved in extra curricular activities both in school and outside of school. Nathan has excelled in many different areas at BVHS. He has been involved in football, baseball, powerlifting, FCA, First Priority Student Ministry, Collision Student Ministry, Best Buddies, Risen Savior Catholic Church Youth Group, and National Honor Society. Also important to Nathan is community service. He has helped with youth football camp, shared messages with youth at FCA, served at Miracle League in Sioux Falls, implemented a hygiene product drive, and served at the Banquet, St. Francis House, and Salvation Army. Most recently Nathan can be seen at his local church interning and sharing his Faith with the younger generation. People enjoy being around Nathan. He is a quiet warrior in our building and we will miss him. His encouraging ways are going to make him successful in any profession. Other students look up to him and respect him. Please consider him as one of your most deserving applicants.

Nathan Meyers is from Brandon, SD, located within Sioux Valley Energy, a Touchstone Energy Cooperative.

April 16, 2022 - April 22, 2022

School

Webster Area High School (6053453548)

GPA

3.89

Activities

Paige participates in 4-H, National Honor Society, Girl Scouts and is a football statistician.

Paige Williams is from Webster, SD, located within Lake Region Electric Association, a Touchstone Energy Cooperative.