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Scholar of the Week

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.

View Cooper's Bio View / Search All Winners

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Annika Estwick

May 14, 2023 - May 20, 2023

School
Sisseton High School (605-698-7613)
GPA
4.07
Activities
Student Activities: FCCLA, FBLA, National Honor Society, SADD, Student Council, Volleyball, and Track. Accomplishments: Senior Spotlight recipient, Honor roll all quarters of high school, former South Dakota Junior Snow Queen

Annika Estwick is from Sisseton, SD, located within Traverse Electric Cooperative, a Touchstone Energy Cooperative.

Mitchell School logo

Kobi Lutjens

May 7, 2023 - May 13, 2023

School
Mitchell High School (605 995-7705)
GPA
3.82
Activities
I am delighted to recommend Mr. Kobi Lutjens as a Scholar of the Week. Kobi is a very interesting young man with many attributes. He can make one crazy with his opinions but as he has matured, I have found him willing to listen and process information different from his own. Kobi is a very strong academic student with a 3.824 grade point average. During his junior year alone, he earned a total of 23 dual credits for college. His senior year, Kobi will earn an additional 19 credits allowing him to graduate high school as a college sophomore. Kobi’s academic strength is, without question, mathematics and he has excelled throughout his school career in that area. Kobi is also an active community member. He began a Men’s Softball team and organized members so they could play each week. He uses his trumpet talents for his church during holidays as well as his school’s band and jazz band programs. He assists with Mitchell’s Rodeo program, participates in Track and Field, grooms local bike trails, helps elderly neighbors with snow removal and yard work. One incredible endeavor Kobi has taken on is a Community Garden. Kobi organized a garden in his own backyard and welcomed community members to pick up fresh produce during the summer months. Due to his academic gifts, Kobi’s goal is earn a degree in Civil Engineering. He is so anxious to make a difference in our world. I high recommend Kobi Lutjens as a Scholar of the Week!

Kobi Lutjens is from Mitchell, SD, located within Central Electric Cooperative, a Touchstone Energy Cooperative.

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Alison Nankivel

April 30, 2023 - May 6, 2023

School
Parker High School (6052973456)
GPA
4
Activities
Band: Drum Major 2022, FCCLA: National Qualifier 2022, Regional Vice President, Chapter President, State Leadership Team: National Outreach. Great Plains Zoo: 4 year volunteer, Zoo Camp Counselor, Cheerleading, National Honor Society; Kindness Committee Leader.

Alison Nankivel is from Parker, SD, located within Southeastern Electric Cooperative, a Touchstone Energy Cooperative.

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Blue Lily

April 23, 2023 - April 29, 2023

School
Iroquois School (605-546-2426)
GPA
3.98
Activities
National Honor Society, HOSA Nationals, Humanity Launch Student Leadershp Academy, Honor Roll, Senior Class President, FFA officer, Iroquois Peer Assistance Team, Volleyball 4 years, Band, Choir

Blue Lily is from Iroquois, SD, located within Dakota Energy Cooperative, a Touchstone Energy Cooperative.

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Reese Voorhees

April 16, 2023 - April 22, 2023

School
Sully Buttes High School (605 258 2618)
GPA
4
Activities
: Throughout Reese's high school career he has been involved in the following activities; football four years, basketball one year, golf four years, legion baseball four years, FFA four years, band three years, chorus four years, and student council four years. His accomplishments include being his class president four years, having a 4.0 GPA, placing top three in the fed cattle challenge, placing top five in state FFA for Ag Mechanics, and being nominated as a Boys State delegate.

Reese Voorhees is from Onida, SD, located within Oahe Electric Cooperative, a Touchstone Energy Cooperative.

Brayden Metzger HBC

Brayden Metzger

April 9, 2023 - April 15, 2023

School
Hills-Beaver Creek (507.962.3240)
GPA
3.93
Activities
Football, Basketball, Track, Knowledge Bowl, Math League, Student Council, PBIS team

Brayden Metzger is from Hills, MN, located within Sioux Valley Energy, a Touchstone Energy Cooperative.

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Cally Faulhaber

April 2, 2023 - April 8, 2023

School
Plankinton School District (6059427743)
GPA
4.04
Activities
Cally has an endless list of activities and accomplishments beginning with National Honors Society, volleyball, basketball, student council, class officer, track, quiz bowl team, yearbook staff, choir, band, Honor Roll, and FCCLA at school. Cally participated in National FCCLA in San Diego this past summer along with an ample list of other awards in various activities. Cally is also actively involved with volunteer opportunities and community clubs. Cally has taught Sunday School for the past 3 years and is actively involved in 4-H Youth opportunities. Cally is her 4-H club president as well as 4-H Legislative representative, 4-H Teen Lead, SD Junior Beef Ambassador, and 4-H Ambassador.

Cally Faulhaber is from Plankinton, SD, located within Central Electric Cooperative, a Touchstone Energy Cooperative.

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Shalayne Nagel

March 19, 2023 - March 25, 2023

School
Wagner Community School (6053845426)
GPA
3.92
Activities
Shalayne is involved in volleyball, basketball, track, student council, activities council, national honors society. She has been selected all conference in both volleyball and basketball. Shalayne is a great role model for the elementary students in our building and is always putting in time in both the ELC and the elementary. She goes above and beyond in everything she does.

Shalayne Nagel is from SPRINGFIELD, SD, located within Charles Mix Electric Association, a Touchstone Energy Cooperative.

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Juliann Seeley

March 12, 2023 - March 18, 2023

School
Beresford (6057632145)
GPA
4.12
Activities
Juliann is extremely committed to her family, school, and community. She currently serves in the role as president of the Beresford High School National Honor Society and Beresford High School HOSA-Future Healthcare Leaders. Ms. Seeley was also elected to serve as a SD HOSA State Officer for the 2022-2023 School Year. Juliann earned that position through demonstrating positive leadership, hard work, perseverance, dependability, and always willing to put effort forth where needed. In addition, she earned 1st place at the 2022 HOSA State Conference in the Sports Medicine Event! Juliann's curiosity and quest to always go above and beyond what is expected is what sets her apart from her peers. She currently drives 70 miles, four days a week, to attend a Chemistry 112/L course at the University of South Dakota. She made the commitment, along with several sacrifices, to make this a reality. Ms. Seeley is also involved in volleyball, band, powerlifting, quiz bowl, and softball. She is able to successfully juggle all these areas of her life while also working a part-time job at the local nursing home! I am impressed by her commitment and drive in her servant leadership endeavors. Juliann is an outstanding young lady who will definitely continue to make a significant impact in all that she touches.

Juliann Seeley is from Beresford, SD, located within Southeastern Electric Cooperative, a Touchstone Energy Cooperative.