Winners

September 15, 2019 - September 21, 2019

School

Madison High School (605-256-7706)

GPA

4.05

Activities

Activities - FFA, Student Council, School Newspaper, Student Congress, Debate, FCA, Basketball, Volleyball, Pentagon Volleyball, Souled Out, National Honor Socienty, FBLA, Youth Group Accomplishments - Began the 1st ever FCA at Madison High School, Study Body President, Student Council Secretary, FFA Chapter Vice President and former Chapter Treasurer/Secretary, 2018-2019 Varsity Basketball Captain, School Newspaper Editor, FCA Chairmen, Senior Ambassador, NHS Secretary, 2015-2016 Student of the year, 2017 and 2018 Regional FFA Extemporaneous Speaking Champion, Hugh O'Brien Youth Conference Nominee, 2019 Girls State Delegate, Local VFW Voice of Democracy winner, "Future 50" nominee for volleyball, Church Youth Group Ambassador, Tutor

Grace Nelson is from Madison, SD, located within Sioux Valley Energy, a Touchstone Energy Cooperative.

September 8, 2019 - September 14, 2019

School

Tea Area High School (6054982700)

GPA

4.03

Activities

I participate in Tri M, TATU, NHS, and jazz band. I am also the secretary for our school's HOSA chapter. I have made it into South Dakota All State Band the last three years and South Dakota All State Orchestra last year. I have also been in many other honor bands throughout the years.

Jaqualyn DeYoung is from Tea, SD, located within Southeastern Electric Coop, a Touchstone Energy Cooperative.

May 5, 2019 - May 11, 2019

School

Doland High School (635-6302)

GPA

4

Activities

Big IDEA winner, Region Student Council State Rep, Student Body President, several FFA awards

Danielle Houghtaling is from Doland, SD, located within Northern Electric Cooperative, a Touchstone Energy Cooperative.

April 28, 2019 - May 4, 2019

School

Bridgewater Emery (605-449-4271)

GPA

4.04

Activities

Activities: Band,Emery Development Committee, Family, Career and Community Leaders of America (FCCLA) (Chapter VP, President, State Current Trends State Leadership Team, HOSA, 4-H (Chapter VP, Secretary), National FFA Organization (Chapter President, Secretary, Treasurer, District VP), National Honor Society, Newspaper, Yearbook, Oral Interpretation, School Play, Student Council, Track, Volleyball Accomplishments: Gold Placing National FFA Convention Gold Placing National FCCLA Convention State Track Participant

Kristin Kotas is from Emery, SD, located within Central Electric Cooperative, a Touchstone Energy Cooperative.

April 21, 2019 - April 27, 2019

School

Lennox High School (6056472203)

GPA

3.86

Activities

National Honor Society, Cross Country, Track, Student Council: Student Body President, FFA President (National Qualifier in Meat Sciences), Best Buddies Chapter President, Turner County Evangelical Youth Group, Tennis, Archery,

Cooper Benning is from DAVIS, SD, located within Southeastern Electric Coop, a Touchstone Energy Cooperative.

April 14, 2019 - April 20, 2019

School

Marshall High School (507-537-6920)

GPA

4.08

Activities

• Math Team (2015-present) • Student Council (2015-present) • BPA (2015-present) • Upward Bound (2015-present) • Knowledge Bowl (2015-16) • Marshall Youth Against Alcohol, Chemicals, Tobacco, and Substances (ACTS) (2015-18) • Robotics (2015) • Speech (2016) • Marshall Honor Society (2017-present) • Link Crew (2017-18) • School Board (2017-present) • Yellow Ribbon (2017-present) • Tutor for Marshall Middle School Wednesday Homework Help (2017-18) • Tennis (2018) • Generation Next (2018-present) • Collegiate (all 2018-present): o Chemistry Club o Black Student Union o Honors Club o Muslim Student Association o Enactus • Student Council President (2018-19): o Plan, with the aid of the council, the objectives, programs and meetings of the student council. o Coordinate events to promote and support school community and spirit. • Student Council Vice President (2017-18): o Aid and advise the President. o Perform the duties and have the powers of the President during any absence or inability of the President to act. • School Board Student Representatives (2017-present): o Work with the superintendent and staff to lead the district toward fulfilling the vision created by the board. o Foster excellence for every student in the areas of academic skills and knowledge, citizenship and personal development. o Serve as education’s key advocate on behalf of students and the community schools to advance the vision of our schools. • ACTS Leader (2016-18): o Plan events to educate our community about the dangers of drugs and alcohol. o Find resources and people to effectively get our message out. • Honor Society Committee Chair (2018-present): o Lead the Scholarship Committee in events that enhance the academic environment of our school. o Plan events such as Mock Elections and a tutor system for our school. • Yellow Ribbon Leader (2018-present): o Educate the community about mental illnesses and suicide. o Plan events that create a more inclusive school atmosphere to decrease the chances of students feeling alone (which could result in depression). o Work with Southwest Minnesota State University and the general public to plan a city wide walk against suicide.

Ammran Mohamed is from Marshall, Mn, located within Lyon-Lincoln Electric Cooperative, a Touchstone Energy Cooperative.

April 7, 2019 - April 13, 2019

School

Brookings High School (605-696-4100)

GPA

4.05

Activities

Letter of Recommendation KSFY News and Touchstone Energy Cooperatives Re: Ms. Ashley Anderson October 24th, 2018 Dear Sir or Madam, It is without reservation, I would like to highly recommend Ms. Ashley Anderson. As her School Counselor, at Brookings High School, I have had opportunities to view first hand both her outstanding level of commitment and phenomenal character. Ashley’s academic integrity, extracurricular activities, experiences and commitment to her school and community are all of utmost quality. Ashley’s academic record at Brookings High School is incredibly impressive. To date, Ashley has received no grade lower than one B+ on her transcript, displaying her outstanding commitment to her academics. She has also maintained a grade point average of 4.052 and is ranked 7, out of a class of 192 highly academically competitive students. Additionally, Ashley earned an impressive score on her ACT of 31, with subscores of: English - 34, Mathematics - 32, Reading - 32 and Science - 25. Ashley has taken a number of Honor’s courses while attending BHS, including: Honors English I, Honors Biology, Honors English II, Advanced Algebra II, Honors Chemistry, AP Biology and AP U.S. History. In addition to these challenging high school courses, Ashley has chosen to continue setting high academic goals for herself, enrolling in AP Calculus, AP Microeconomics, Dual Credit Senior English, Dual Credit Political Science 100 and Dual Credit Psychology 100, earning credit through both BHS for high school graduation and South Dakota State University for her future college education. She anticipates taking two additional Dual Credit courses during the second semester of her senior year. Each of these examples speaks loudly, not only of the academic commitment and integrity Ashley possesses, but also of the quality of the work Ashley completes and the goals she sets for herself and achieves. While Ashley has worked to great achievement levels throughout her academic career at BHS, she has also been a part of a variety of activities, leadership opportunities, experiences, and volunteer opportunities. Ashley has participated in Brookings High School Student Council, BHS Volleyball, BHS Track and Field, Basketball, Brookings Fastpitch Softball and BHS Cross Country throughout her high school years and for a number of years. During her years at Brookings High School, Ashley has earned a number of honors and awards. Those include, but are not limited to: National Honor Society membership, BHS Athlete Scholar Award, BHS Cross Country Runner of the Meet and winning a State Championship with her softball team. Each of these an outstanding accomplishments for a young lady that is already so involved in her academics and extracurricular activities. In addition to her other achievements, Ashley has shared her time, volunteering in her community in a number of ways. Ashley has given her time working with the National Honor Society Group on a variety of projects to better her school and community. She has also shared her time and talents, volunteering at the Harvest Table of Brookings, preparing and serving meals to those in need and allowing her to provide local community members with a free warm meal once a week. Ashley has also given her time to the Brookings youth swimmers, serving as a swim instructor and teaching swimming lessons to the young and strengthening their skills as athletes, while sharing her love and passion for the sport. Lastly, Ashley has given her time at the local Humane Society caring for a variety of animals by feeding, cleaning, providing attention and care and working with other volunteers. Each of these volunteer and service learning projects have given Ashley hands on experiences and opportunities to work with the community, customers, animals, teams, youth and other students, while strengthening her personal goals, organization and time management skills. This is merely a snapshot of her involvement in the Brookings community, but shows her true kindness and compassion for others. In addition, Ashley’s involvements show her ability to balance multiple roles, while being extremely successful. Included in Ashley's future goals is attending a university, yet to be determined, following her high school graduation. Another of her goals is becoming a Medical Doctor, continuing to show her kindness and compassion for others, Ashley has shared that she wants to enter the medical profession so that she can help improve the lives of as many people as possible through the medical care she would be able to provide. Ashley also hopes to accomplish the goal of going on a mission trip to another country, seeking to help others in any way she is able to, again showing her empathy, humanity and kind heartedness for others and the entire world. Ashley is helpful, kind, hardworking and open-minded, all personal qualities and characteristics that will make her a phenomenal Medical Doctor, in addition to her intelligence. Her dedication and commitment to all the things shared, do not go unnoticed. Ashley is an incredible and multi-talented young lady. In conclusion, Ashley Anderson is an amazing young lady, with a number of talents, who has demonstrated the highest levels of work ethic, commitment, motivation, teamwork, integrity and balance in reaching multiple achievements and goals. Ashley is committed, ethical and a valuable asset to anything she chooses to be a part of. This is shown not only in her academic success, but in all she chooses to be a part of and experience. As a School Counselor, at the Brookings High School, it is without hesitation that I would like to highly recommend Ms. Ashley Anderson. Sincerely, Ms. Amanda Neville-Coble 9-12, Professional School Counselor, M.S., N.C.C. Brookings High School 530 Elm Avenue Brookings, South Dakota 57006

Ashley Anderson is from Brookings, SD, located within Sioux Valley Energy, a Touchstone Energy Cooperative.

March 31, 2019 - April 6, 2019

School

SISSETON H.S. (605-698-7613)

GPA

3.72

Activities

Activities and Organizations Sisseton High School • Future Business Leaders of America - 9 • Family Career and Community Leaders of America – 10,12 • Key Club – 11,12 • Knowledge Bowl - 11 • Art Club – 9,10 • Student Government – 9,10,11,12 • Volleyball – 9,11,12 • Golf – 9,10,11,12 • National Honor Society – 11,12 Religious • Church Youth Group – 9,10,11,12 Community • Figure Skating – 9,10,11,12 • Dance – 9,10,11,12 Offices Held Sisseton High School • National Honor Society President - 12 • Class President – 9,10 • Class Vice President – 11 • Student Body Vice President – 12 Community • Watertown Figure Skating Club Vice President - 10 Honors and Awards Sisseton High School • “A” Honor Roll – 9,10,11,12 • SHS Honor Junior (Given to top juniors at the end of the school year) – 11 • National Honor Society Inductee – 11 • SHS Student of the Month – 9 • Hugh O’Brien Youth Leadership Award (HOBY) – 10 • South Dakota Girls State Participant - 11 Community • Watertown Figure Skating Club  “Determination” Award – 9  Figure Skater of the Year Award – 10  “Leadership” Award - 11

COURTNEY HEATH is from SISSETON, SD, located within Traverse Electric Cooperative, a Touchstone Energy Cooperative.

March 24, 2019 - March 30, 2019

School

Vermillion High School (677-7035)

GPA

4

Activities

band 9-12, soccer 9-12, wrestling 9-12, SOAR 11-12, board game club 10-12, German club 10-12, National Honor Society 11-12, Questbridge College Prep Scholar, Questbridge STEM Scholarship Recipient, Lettered in band, wrestling, and soccer, soccer ref, nanny, peer mentor, teen court, volunteer wrestling coach for youth

Mason Schroeder is from Vermillion, SD, located within Clay-Union Electric Corporation, a Touchstone Energy Cooperative.

March 17, 2019 - March 23, 2019

School

Yankton High School (605-6657378)

GPA

4.1

Activities

Activities: Track, and National Honors Society Achievements: Lettered in Football and Track and Field, ACT 30+ club

Bryce Dangler is from Yankton, SD, located within Bon Homme-Yankton Electric Assn., a Touchstone Energy Cooperative.