Winners

January 15, 2022 - January 21, 2022

School

Brookings High School (605-696-4124)

GPA

3.97

Activities

Dear Selection Committee: Erica Peterson, a senior at Brookings High School, is a wonderful asset to this school as well as to the community of Brookings. From being an ideal student in her academic work to her drive in extracurricular activities to her strong character, Erica brings a great energy to BHS. As her school counselor, I have had the pleasure of seeing Erica make valuable contributions both in school and out of school. Erica’s intelligence is easily shown by her strong GPA and history of taking challenging courses. She has a strong GPA and has taken a rigorous course load each year including Honors English Courses her entire high school career. She is currently taking AP Composition and Literature. She also is taking advantage of Dual Credit College Courses as well. Her instructors would describe her as an active contributing member of any class, willing to respectfully and enthusiastically assist others and participate in class discussions. While keeping academics a priority, Erica has given of herself in terms of extracurricular activities. Her leadership in the Brookings High School Orchestra has been exemplary. She has led her violin section for the past three years, serving as concertmaster for orchestra rehearsals and being the pit violinist in the high school musical “Mary Poppins. She is an outstanding musician both in and outside of school. I have not encountered a student of her caliber in music in all of my 21 years as a school counselor. She has played the violin since the 4th grade and piano since she was six years old. In the fall of 2019, she fully composed her first original song. She has given her all to her music, yet she is very humble in doing so. Not many people know that she holds this special vocal talent. I am so excited to see what her album release will bring! Erica is active and truly gives of herself to others and does so with enjoyment and impact. What I enjoy the most about Erica is her friendly and kind spirit. She is truly a person of character. She is so kind, and has high energy and positive mood daily. She works exceptionally well as a leader in groups and manages her responsibility to that group. She pays attention to individual needs, has expectations of high achievement and has regard for moral character. In summary, she cares about people. Erica describes herself as “hardworking, respectful and compassionate”. I couldn’t agree more. When asked what motivates her the most, she replies that her family is most motivating to her. “They encourage me to do what is right and follow my dreams every day.” It is not often that you meet a student such as Erica who has strengths in many areas. She is a confident young woman who is intelligent and a hard working student. Erica emulates strong character traits that draw others to her. Erica has goals of attending Belmont University in Nashville, specializing in Commercial Music with an emphasis on Performance or Songwriting. She hopes to release multiple albums successfully, put on a world tour, and perform at/attend the Grammys. Additional Info: Other Awards/Honors: 9th grade: All grade high school boys basketball manager; varsity sport all-academic award recipient; concertmaster for orchestra rehearsals and performances 10th grade: Pit violinist for high school musical, concertmaster for orchestra rehearsals and performances, finish first full song professionally, lettered in varsity orchestra 11th grade: Invitation and acceptance in National Honor Society, Concertmaster for orchestra rehearsals and performances, lettered in varsity orchestra. Community Activities: Taught students in TaeKwonDo class as black belt instructor, helped in the family business office, recording songs with WOLVII studios in Sioux Falls, done vocal performancees for business parties and events. Erica has been writing and producing songs for her first album. She is professionally recording this album which will have 11 tracks, which will be finished the fall of 2021. She loves to write, sing and perform for everyone that she can. In Erica's own words, "I think something that sets me apart from other students is my music and my morals. I have a unique set of songs I have written, and obviously this is personal to me because I am the creator. No one else wrote the songs I wrote. I believe my message and lyrics set me apart. The values that I have learned from my parents and grandparents will be traits I apply to all aspects of my life: respect, leadership and hard work." I have no doubt as her nominator that Erica will accomplish her musical goals. We are proud to have her as a student at Brookings High School.

Erica Peterson is from Aurora, SD, located within Sioux Valley Energy, a Touchstone Energy Cooperative.

January 8, 2022 - January 14, 2022

School

Bridgewater Emery High School (605-449-4271)

GPA

4

Activities

Julia participates in volleyball, basketball, track, journalism, FCCLA, NHS, student council and youth group. Julia has earned all conference and all state honors in basketball and volleyball. Julia is an extremely talented athlete and student, yet she is very humble and the first to encourage others. She is a positive role model who leads by her actions. She has always been willing to take a rigorous academic load including dual credit classes.

Julia Weber is from Alexandria, SD, located within Central Electric Cooperative, a Touchstone Energy Cooperative.

January 1, 2022 - January 7, 2022

School

Tripp-Delmont School District 33-5 (605-935-6766)

GPA

3.66

Activities

Member of SD Army National Guard and completed basic training in Summer 2021. Raevin has overcome some tremendous obstacles in her life and has persevered through very tough circumstances. What this young lady has accomplished through the National Guard and with her academics is simply remarkable. Her recruiter SGT. Jimmy Holloway speaks volumes about who she is and who she will become.

Raevin Castle is from Tripp, SD, located within Southeastern Electric Coop, a Touchstone Energy Cooperative.

December 11, 2021 - December 17, 2021

School

Warner High School (6052256397)

GPA

4.01

Activities

Dillon has been engaged and actively involved in many programs and activities throughout his student career both at school and in the community. He has participated in Band (since 5th grade), Choir (since 6th grade), Cross Country (6 years), Track (6 years), One-Act Play (4 years), Oral Interp (4 years), Small Group and Solo Contest performances for band (4 years), All-State Choir (2019-21) and Student Government. He currently presides over the student body as Student Council President, and previously served as class representative for 3 years (2018-2021). He has also been recognized for High Honors on the Honor Roll every quarter/semester since the 6th grade. Dillon is also active outside of school, he is very active in 4-H. He has served as an officer for the last 4 years at the county level, SD 4-H State Ambassador from 2020-22, been a member of the SD 4-H Teen Leadership Conference Planning Committee, and participated in the Pennsylvania 4-H Statewide Leadership Conference in 2021 (virtually). Dillon was also recognized for his academic excellent by being selected for the Stockholm Junior Water Prize in 2019 at Northern State University Science Fair, was selected to attend the University of Chicago's Emerging Rural Leaders II Summer Scholarship Program (2021) and awarded the AP Scholar Award. He was accepted into the Gustavus Adolphus Academy for Faith, Science and Ethics Conference (virtual) in 2019. Dillon's involvement in school activities, community events, and leadership programs keeps him very busy. We are proud of all of his accomplishments and know his future is bright.

Dillon Browning is from Mansfield, SD, located within Northern Electric Cooperative, a Touchstone Energy Cooperative.

December 4, 2021 - December 10, 2021

School

Ipswich High School ((605)426-6561)

GPA

4

Activities

Football (4), Basketball (6), Track (4), Band (4), National Honor Society, FBLA, YPS church group

Trevor Beyers is from Roscoe, SD, located within FEM Electric Association, a Touchstone Energy Cooperative.

November 27, 2021 - December 3, 2021

School

Miller High School (605-853-2455)

GPA

4

Activities

FFA- District Secretary, Chapter President; August 2016-September 2025 Cross Country- Team Captain; August 2015-October 2021 BEST Robotics- Exhibit Manager; September 2016-October 2021 One Act Play- Actress; November 2019- February 2022 Track- Team Captain; February 2016- May 2022 Band- Drum Major, instrumentalist; August 2014- May 2022 Jazz Band- instrumentalist; November 2016-March 2022 Oral Interpretation- competitor; August 2020-November 2021 Fellowship of Christian Athletes- participant; August 2021-May 2022 Class Officer- President; August 2018-May 2022 4-H- Club Reporter; October 2012- October 2023 CCD- member; September 2009- May 2022 Presbyterian Youth Group- member; February 2020- May 2022 Historical Society Board of Directors; Student Member; August 2018- May 2022 Community Play- actress; August 2021- November 2021

Alana Howard is from Miller, SD, located within Dakota Energy Cooperative, a Touchstone Energy Cooperative.

November 20, 2021 - November 26, 2021

School

Woonsocket High School (605-796-4431)

GPA

4

Activities

-Co-President of Town-N-Country Kids 4-H Group -Participated in Nationals for Shooting Sports with multiple awards and records. -Vice President of Sanborn Central-Woonsocket FFA Chapter -Volunteers Feeding the Homeless -Member of National Honor Society -President of Woonsocket Student Council -Member of All-State Chorus -Member of Youth Group with Spirit of Faith Church with number of volunteer projects that includes: feeding South Dakota, writing cards for elderly, helper vacation bible school. -Works with Sand Creek Vet Clinic -Narrative- Dilyn is an exceptional student and leader who would certainly be a deserving recipient of this award. Thank you for your consideration.

Dilyn Brooks is from Woonsocket, SD, located within Central Electric Cooperative, a Touchstone Energy Cooperative.

November 13, 2021 - November 19, 2021

School

T.F. Riggs (6057737354)

GPA

4

Activities

FBLA, T.F. Riggs Newspaper lead editor, National Honor Society President, Stem Savvy Chapter; 2017 Citizenship Award, 2018 Principal's Education Award, 2018 History Student of the Year, 2018 South Dakota National History Day Research Paper place holder

Nevaeh Starr is from Pierre, SD, located within Oahe Electric Cooperative, a Touchstone Energy Cooperative.

November 6, 2021 - November 12, 2021

School

Avon High School (605-286-3291)

GPA

3.64

Activities

Choir; Cheerleading; Cross Country; Volleyball; Basketball; Track; Archery; Fellowship of Christian Athletes; A Club; Drama; Oral Interp; School Newspaper and Yearbook staff; Junior Legion Auxillary; 9th -10 grade Student Council representative; Nominated for Congress of Medical Leaders; taking dual credit courses

Reese Powers is from Avon, SD, located within Charles Mix Electric Association, a Touchstone Energy Cooperative.

October 30, 2021 - November 5, 2021

School

Elk Point-Jefferson (605-356-5900)

GPA

3.88

Activities

Activities Include: -Cross country -Band -Newspaper -Track and Field -Some basketball -Student council in middle school Accomplishments Include: -Lettering in band -Lettering in cross country -Winning spelling bee awards - Winning the presidential award -Medaling in cross country and track and field -Lettering because of good grades -Receiving a plaque for "best attitude" in cross country

Rosie Calamanco is from Sioux City, IA, located within Union County Electric Cooperative, a Touchstone Energy Cooperative.