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.
Nathaniel Steinlicht
December 2, 2012 - December 8, 2012
- School
- Milbank High School
- GPA
- 3.8
- Activities
- FFA for 4 years. Currently Milbank FFA Chapter President. Was awarded the State Star Greenhand Award as a Sophomore. National FFA Convention--Dairy Foods Debate--4 years Oral Interp--4 years Band--4 years Choir--4 years Theatre- 4years 4-H Member for 4 years Student Congress--4 years.
Nathaniel Steinlicht is from Milbank, SD, located within Whetstone Valley Electric Cooperative, a Touchstone Energy Cooperative.
Brian Peterson
November 25, 2012 - December 1, 2012
- School
- Warner High School
- GPA
- 4.25
- Activities
- Brian's school activities include band, chorus, football, and wrestling. Brian also represented Warner High School on numerous occasions in the Northern State University math contest as well as the Lake Region math contest. He was also chosen as a Boys State Delegate and a representative to the Youth Senate Program.
Brian Peterson is from Warner, SD, located within Northern Electric Cooperative, a Touchstone Energy Cooperative.
Megan Williams
November 18, 2012 - November 24, 2012
- School
- RTR High School
- GPA
- 3.746
- Activities
- yearbook-4 yrs, film club-2 yrs, band-4 yrs, band manager-1 yr, choir-4 yrs, Satin 'n Lace women's group-3 yrs, volleyball manager-2 yrs, honor society-2 yrs, FFA-4 yrs, current FFA President
Megan Williams is from Russell, MN, located within Lyon-Lincoln Electric Cooperative, a Touchstone Energy Cooperative.
Brady Bury
November 11, 2012 - November 17, 2012
- School
- Webster Area High School
- GPA
- 3.75
- Activities
- Football, Basketball, Track, National Honor Society, Key Club, and W Club
Brady Bury is from Webster, SD, located within Lake Region Electric Association, a Touchstone Energy Cooperative.
Danielle Van Kooten
November 4, 2012 - November 10, 2012
- School
- Sioux Valley High School
- GPA
- 3.95
- Activities
- SV Honor Roll (Ranked #1 in class),Student Body Treasurer, Student Council (3 yr. member),FFA Chapter President (4 yr. member), Competitive Cheer Team (3 yrs), Sideline Cheer (4 yrs), Choir (4 yrs)
Danielle Van Kooten is from Volga, SD, located within Sioux Valley Energy, a Touchstone Energy Cooperative.
Rose Konechne
October 28, 2012 - November 3, 2012
- School
- White Lake
- GPA
- 4
- Activities
- Volleyball Basketball Track Choir Band
Rose Konechne is from White Lake, SD, located within Central Electric Cooperative, a Touchstone Energy Cooperative.
Samuel Pond
October 21, 2012 - October 27, 2012
- School
- Waverly/South Shore
- GPA
- 3.818
- Activities
- National Honor Society President Student Council President Math Club Football (4 years) Football All-Conference Honorable Mention (2 years) Basketball (4 years) Track (3 years) Participant, ECC Business and Math Contest ECC Math Contest team Member Northern State University Math Contest Participant(4 years) Northern State University Math Contest team Member Actively involved in Church youth group Volunteer service at Bennett Place in Watertown Boys State Representative HOBY participant Regional Science Fair Competitor PACH Program Volunteer Takes AP Courses
Samuel Pond is from Watertown, SD, located within Codington-Clark Electric Cooperative, a Touchstone Energy Cooperative.
Rachel Thiewes
October 14, 2012 - October 20, 2012
- School
- Deuel
- GPA
- 4.04
- Activities
- Volleyball Basketball Track Chorus National Honor Society FFA Key Club
Rachel Thiewes is from Clear Lake, SD, located within H-D Electric Cooperative, a Touchstone Energy Cooperative.
Taylor Donnelly
October 7, 2012 - October 13, 2012
- School
- Elk Point-Jefferson High School
- GPA
- 4
- Activities
- Cross Country-Captain Dance Team-Captain Flag Team- Captain Newspaper-Editor National Honor Society- Secretary Student Council-Treasurer Natural Helpers Wrestling Cheerleader Basketball Manager Show Choir Vocal Musical One Act Play Oral Interpretation Track Friend's Feast Humane Society CCD Teens Encounter Christ Cantor for St. Josephs Singer in a band at United Parish Horseback riding Training to recieve pilot's license Race for the Cure Ran a half marathon
Taylor Donnelly is from Elk Point, SD, located within Union County Electric Cooperative, a Touchstone Energy Cooperative.
Collin Bertram
September 30, 2012 - October 6, 2012
- School
- Vermillion High School
- GPA
- 3.5
- Activities
- Football, Basketball
Collin Bertram is from Vermillion, SD, located within Clay-Union Electric Corporation, a Touchstone Energy Cooperative.