What does it take to be a Touchstone Energy Scholar of the Week? It's not just about grades or athletic ability. It takes a well-rounded individual that excels in the classroom and the community.
Touchstone Energy Cooperatives and Dakota News Now have joined together to recognize the achievements of high school seniors throughout the region. "Touchstone Energy Scholar of the Week" has been celebrating the achievements of high school seniors since 2002. Recipients are highly motivated high school seniors who excel in the classroom and community. This program was founded on the four pillars of Touchstone Energy: Integrity, Accountability, Innovation and a Commitment to Community. For more information on the program please call your local Touchstone Energy cooperative.
If there are outstanding seniors in your school that you would like to recognize, please nominate them here.
This Week's Scholar
Cooper Pommer
Willow Lake School
Cooper will be featured on Dakota News Now during the 6:00PM news on Monday, December 1 and again on the Dakota News Now morning news on Tuesday, December 2 between 6:00AM and 7:00AM.
Mathew Preszler
February 2, 2014 - February 8, 2014
- School
- Menno High School
- GPA
- 4
- Activities
- Band-4 yrs.; Drum Major-4 yrs.; Band President; Chorus-4 yrs.; All-State Chorus-3 yrs.; One-Act Play-3yrs; Football-3 yrs; Track-3 yrs; FFA-4 yrs; FFA Sect./Treasure-3 yrs; Student Council-2 yrs; Student Council President; FCA-4 yrs; Quiz Bowl-2 yrs; NHS-2 yrs; SD Honor Choir; HOBY representative; YBA.
Mathew Preszler is from Menno, SD, located within Southeastern Electric Cooperative, a Touchstone Energy Cooperative.
David Weidler
January 26, 2014 - February 1, 2014
- School
- Howard High School
- GPA
- 4.165
- Activities
- David has been active in Football, Basketball and Golf David particpated in Band,Jazz Band, Choir and Quiz Bowl He is a member of the H-Club and National Honor Society He was selected to Big East Conference Honors Band (3) Was also selected to Big East Conference Honors Choir (1) He was Sophmore Class Vice-President He is currently Honor Society Representative to the Student Council David was 1st chair trumpet (2) As a junior, he did independent computer study and worked with computer teacher to develop the school's new website David helps instruct kids during the summer Junior Golf program He helps every spring with the golf team at cleanup workbee at the golf course Works in the concession stand 4 times throughout the school year Always helps to get things set up for various fundraisers or projects Played TAPS for the Veterans Day Service Assisted with several Boy Scout "Eagle Scout" projects Helped local Boy Scout troup with decorating graves for Memorial Day Worked with Mr Holland on the Howard High School Library remodel project, his Sophomore summer David was a Cub Scout and was a Boy Scout for several years
David Weidler is from Howard, SD, located within Central Electric Cooperative, a Touchstone Energy Cooperative.
Tory Makela
January 19, 2014 - January 25, 2014
- School
- Ipswich School
- GPA
- 4.239
- Activities
- Activities: Cross Country, Track, Football Stats, Cheerleading, Vocal, Dance, All School Play, FBLA, NHS President Community Service: Teach dance, teach elementary Sunday School, play piano for church, Tiger Paw Tutoring for K-12
Tory Makela is from Ipswich, SD, located within FEM Electric Association, a Touchstone Energy Cooperative.
Noah Brown
January 5, 2014 - January 11, 2014
- School
- Baltic High School
- GPA
- 3.85
- Activities
- Cross Country, Golf, Oral Interp, Band, FCCLA, FFA, Quiz Bowl, National Honor Society, Homework Club Mentor, FCA, Student Council Representative, Reformed Church Youth Fellowship, Volunteer for PTO, Teens Encounter Christ, Be the Change Committee, Drum Major in Marching Band, One Act Play,
Noah Brown is from Garretson, SD, located within Sioux Valley Energy, a Touchstone Energy Cooperative.
Taylor Homann
December 29, 2013 - January 4, 2014
- School
- Pipestone Area High School
- GPA
- 3.952
- Activities
- Marching Band,FFA, Peer Helper, President of Student Council, NHS, One Act, Speech, Listening Team, Jazz Band, Knowledge Bowl
Taylor Homann is from Pipestone, MN, located within Sioux Valley Energy, a Touchstone Energy Cooperative.
Kayla Breske
December 22, 2013 - December 28, 2013
- School
- Waubay School
- GPA
- 4
- Activities
- Basketball, Volleyball, Track, National Honor Society, Senior Class President, Oral Interpretation, School Play, Our Savior's (Waubay) Youth Group Member.
Kayla Breske is from Waubay, SD, located within Lake Region Electric Association, a Touchstone Energy Cooperative.
Mikayla Bonnet
December 15, 2013 - December 21, 2013
- School
- Langford Area High School
- GPA
- 3.973
- Activities
- Volleyball, Girls Basketball, Boys Basketball & Football Cheerleading, Yearbook, Pep Club, Oral Interpretation
Mikayla Bonnet is from Pierpont, SD, located within Lake Region Electric Association, a Touchstone Energy Cooperative.
Lisa Smith
December 8, 2013 - December 14, 2013
- School
- Kimball High School
- GPA
- 4.205
- Activities
- Class Rank of 1st, Band, FFA, Class President, Drum Major(Senior) Band Secretary(Junior), Marched in Chicago Thanksgiving Day Parade, High School All-State Band Member, Jazz Band, Music Ambassador, FFA Chapter President(Senior), Vice President(Junior), Good Character and Effort Award, South Dakota Girl's State Representative, Rural Electric Cooperative Brule County Washington D.C. Youth Tour Representative, National Honor Society Member, and Student Council Representative.
Lisa Smith is from Kimball, SD, located within Central Electric Cooperative, a Touchstone Energy Cooperative.
Nichole Dvorak
December 1, 2013 - December 7, 2013
- School
- Andes Central School District
- GPA
- 3.8
- Activities
- cheerleading, choir, national honor society, first Lutheran youth group, senior class vice president, student council representative for three years, scrubs camp participant, assist at church soup suppers, help gather toys for needy families, dinner theatre participant, volleyball participant, participated in helping build a park, Fish Days queen candidate participant, helped raise money for senior meals, regional science fair participant
Nichole Dvorak is from Lake Andes, SD, located within Charles Mix Electric Association, a Touchstone Energy Cooperative.
Michael Saffel
November 24, 2013 - November 30, 2013
- School
- Irene-Wakonda HS
- GPA
- 3.85
- Activities
- Football ? 9, 10, 11, & 12th grades Lettered in 10th & 11th grades; Varsity Starter in 11th grade Basketball ? 9, 10, & 11th grades Varsity, most improved player ? 11th Track ? 11th Lettered; Placed at Conf. & Regional Meet Student Council ? 9, 10, 11, & 12th grades Class President ? 9, 10, & 11th grade Region Rep. for I-W School & attended Sate Convention ? 10th & 11th grades Academic Awards - I-W Honor Rolls ? 9, 10, 11th, Academic Letter Award ? 9, 10, 11th, National Honor Society ? 11, 12th Community Activities: American Legion Boys? State Rep. ? 2013 Helped w. Knights of Columbus breakfasts Boys Scouts ? 2010 Senior Patrol Leader; Order of the Arrow Work Experience: Wakonda Town Employee ? Summers of 2011, 2012, & 2013 Life Guard & Park worker
Michael Saffel is from Wakonda, SD, located within Clay-Union Electric Corporation, a Touchstone Energy Cooperative.