View the current list of winners for this year’s Scholar of the Week program. The Scholar of the Week program is a partnership between Dakota News Now and your local Touchstone Energy Cooperatives that honors the region’s accomplished high school students. Each weekly winner receives a cash award from their local Touchstone Energy Cooperative and is featured on Dakota News Now. All winners are also eligible to receive one of the three scholarships that are given away at the annual Scholar of the Year banquet. Nominations for the weekly awards are submitted by area school principals and faculty, whose selections were based on excellence in the classroom and service in the community.
Chayse Shoemaker
November 12, 2023 - November 18, 2023
- School
- Webster Area High School (6053453548)
- GPA
- 4.08
- Activities
- Chayse is involved in National Honor Society, Robotics, and FFA. He also helps run Bearcats TV and announces at many of our sporting events. He has been on the honor roll all semesters of his high school career and has earned his Academic Letter.
Chayse Shoemaker is from Webster, SD, located within Lake Region Electric Association, a Touchstone Energy Cooperative.
Shaylee Gill
November 5, 2023 - November 11, 2023
- School
- Leola High School (605-439-3142)
- GPA
- 4
- Activities
- Shaylee Gill is a highly motivated, inquisitive senior who likes to challenge herself academically. She is attending college classes through NSU’s Northern Academy this fall. She is currently taking four dual credit college courses, an AP course, and her required HS classes to graduate this coming May. Shayle has plans to attend college to pursue a degree in Computer Engineering or Computer Science. Her plan is to obtain a master’s degree in one of the fields from a STEM university on the East coast, ideally through Questbridge. She hopes to make use of this degree by becoming a Computer Scientist/Computer Engineer. Her favorite subjects in school are mathematics and physics. Shaylee has also been involved in band, yearbook, STEAM club and student council during high school. After school for the past three years, Shaylee has been an elementary school tutor during the afterschool program. She also keeps herself busy in the summers by lifeguarding at the local pool for the past three years and being assistant manager for one.
Shaylee Gill is from Leola, SD, located within FEM Electric Association, a Touchstone Energy Cooperative.
Samuel Waldner
October 29, 2023 - November 4, 2023
- School
- Waverly-South Shore (605-886-9174)
- GPA
- 3.68
- Activities
- All-school Play, National History Day winner, science fair winner, National Honor Society, multi-dual credit enrollment
Samuel Waldner is from STOCKHOLM, SD, located within Whetstone Valley Electric Cooperative, a Touchstone Energy Cooperative.
Olivia Morlock
October 22, 2023 - October 28, 2023
- School
- Frederick Area High School (605-329-2145)
- GPA
- 4.02
- Activities
- Olivia participates in volleyball, basketball, track, and band. She has received honors in these activities including superior and excellent ratings in band contests and being a starter on the girls' basketball team that made it to the SoDak 16 last year. What sets Olivia apart is her willingness to volunteer in the community. She helps out with her church's children's programs by assisting them with crafts or just playing with them. She also serves as the narrator for the children's Christmas program. Olivia has also volunteered at our local preschool, assisting the teacher and students with various activities.
Olivia Morlock is from Frederick, SD, located within Northern Electric Cooperative, a Touchstone Energy Cooperative.
Cassidy Woerner
October 15, 2023 - October 21, 2023
- School
- Corsica-Stickney High School (605-946-5475)
- GPA
- 3.91
- Activities
- Family Career Communication Leaders of America President, 4 years in family career communication leaders of America, number 1 in class, 3 years varsity cheerleader, 3 years varsity volleyball, 6 years varsity track, 2 years varsity basketball, 2 years in National Honor Society, 4 years in oral interpretation, 3 years in school plays, Corsica Community Youth Group, went to South Dakota Girls State, attended academic festival 4 years consecutively
Cassidy Woerner is from Corsica, SD, located within Douglas Electric Cooperative, a Touchstone Energy Cooperative.
Kellen Kueter
October 8, 2023 - October 14, 2023
- School
- Montrose (605-363-5025)
- GPA
- 4.05
- Activities
- Vice-President, secretary and student advisor for the FFA program, treasurer for the National Honor Society and Student Council Vice President
Kellen Kueter is from Montrose, SD, located within Southeastern Electric Coop, a Touchstone Energy Cooperative.
Julia Trygstad
October 1, 2023 - October 7, 2023
- School
- Rutland High School (605-5864352)
- GPA
- 3.75
- Activities
- Julia is very active at school being involved with National Honors Society, Student Council, Volleyball (current captain), Basketball (current captain), Track (current captain), Choir, A-Honor Roll, Band, Drama, and FFA. She also takes dual-credit classes such as: Introduction to Sociology, Fundamentals of Speech, College Algebra, and Art Appreciation. When she is not in school she participates in a church youth group and has completed volunteer hours through the Alpha Center, Granite Threshing Bee, Banquet (Sioux Falls), and Sanford (as part of senior project). She also works as a CNA and nanny.
Julia Trygstad is from Nunda, SD, located within Sioux Valley Energy, a Touchstone Energy Cooperative.
Caden Hojer
September 24, 2023 - September 30, 2023
- School
- Oldham-Ramona (6054828244)
- GPA
- 3.87
- Activities
- Caden has participated in many sports and fine arts activities during his high school career. His sports include: four years of football, four years of baseball, and four years of basketball. His fine art activities include: four years of chorus (all four in All-State), one year of One Act, six years of student council, and two years in the National Honors Society. He was also part of the ORR Consolidation committee. He also like to challenge himself in the classroom by taking dual-credit classes like sociology, US History, foundations of communication, and college Algebra. When Caden is not busy at school, he is a reporter for the Town and Country Snowdrifters, six years of 4-H. He also volunteers with his local church, the Oldham Fire Department, the M.O.R.E group, and the Town and Country Snowdrifters. An interesting note about Caden is that he started a goat ranch in 2019
Caden Hojer is from Oldham, SD, located within Kingsbury Electric Cooperative, a Touchstone Energy Cooperative.
Gracie Haug
September 17, 2023 - September 23, 2023
- School
- Castlewood High School (6057932351)
- GPA
- 4.05
- Activities
- Gracie plays volleyball, basketball, track, and fastpitch softball. She participates in band, yearbook, National Honor Society, Fellowship of Christian Athletes, Special Olympics Unified Champions, and her local church Youth Group. She has been on the honor roll of excellency every year of high school.
Gracie Haug is from Castlewood, SD, located within H-D Electric Cooperative, a Touchstone Energy Cooperative.
Emily Heuer
September 10, 2023 - September 16, 2023
- School
- Waverly-South Shore (605-886-9174)
- GPA
- 4
- Activities
- Volleyball, Basketball, National History Day winner and competitor at national level, National Honor Society, Sacrifice of Freedom essay winner, Student Council, honor student, chorus, band, volunteer in summer months to clean her community cemetery, mowing of the yard for her church, bible school teacher, and helps with the local youth baseball program.
Emily Heuer is from Summit, SD, located within Codington-Clark Electric Cooperative, a Touchstone Energy Cooperative.