Touchstone Energy Scholar of The Week

Kailee Berger from Waubay High School was honored as Scholar of The Week. 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.

Kailee very outgoing and is viewed as a leader. She is active in her high school student council and is the Senior Class President. She is Basketball Varsity Team Captain and Vice President of her local 4-H club. “Being a leader to me, is a very rewarding accomplishment. I feel honored that people look up to me in a way that they would elect me to be their leader or team captain. To be a leader you need to be honest, determined, and understanding,” said Kailee. Her advice to the younger classman, is “Do not procrastinate, and get your work done.” Kailee has excelled academically, while continuing to be involved in extracurricular activities. She has the highest GPA in her class, takes dual credit courses and is a member of the National Honor Society. Outside of school, she participates in 4-H, and several barrel racing associations. In addition to her love of riding horses, Kailee loves to read books.

 I asked Kailee what advice she would give herself, given the opportunity to go back and have a conversation with her younger self, what would be the most important thing she would share, and her advice is something that she will undoubtedly follow as she continues her education and life beyond high school, “I would tell her not to lower your expectations of yourself based on those around you.”

Kailee’s parents are Art Jr. and Nicole Berger of Ortley, and she has two younger siblings, Bo and Jett. After graduating from Waubay High School, she plans to attend SDSU to study Animal Science.

She was nominated for the Scholar of The Week award by school counselor Dan Kennedy, based on her excellence in the classroom and community activities. Each weekly winner receives a cash award from their local Touchstone Energy Cooperative; Kailee was presented with a check for $250 from Lake Region Electric and was featured on Dakota News Now Monday, March 6 and again on the Dakota News Now morning news on Tuesday, March 7. She is also eligible to receive one of the three scholarships that are given away at the annual Scholar of the Year banquet. Kailee said, “It was an honor to be chosen as scholar of the week, and it feels very rewarding.”

Langford High School student Avery West strives to be a role model for younger students. Judging by the way the other students look up to Avery and come to her for help, she has been successful in this endeavor. As one of the top students in her class, she is described as being responsible and accurate. Her teachers say that she is always willing to help her classmates with anything, especially explaining material that is being taught in a way that they can understand. Avery feels that being a positive role model is important, “I remember being little and thinking that the seniors were doing amazing things. And they look up to us. I always make sure I’m doing the right thing, so I can help them do the right thing also.”

This year, Avery is doing a student internship in Susan Larson’s fourth-grade classroom. “My fourth graders just adore her. They’d much rather seek Avery’s help than mine sometimes in class. That’s just so nice to see. She’s just a gentle kind soul,” says Larson. This experience should help her in the future as Avery plans to attend Northern State University to pursue a degree in elementary education, and a minor in special education.

Avery is active at school outside of the classroom in volleyball, chorus, band, student council, and the school play just to name a few. Susan Larson who is also Avery’s volleyball coach, says that it is a privilege to coach Avery,  “She always give 100%. She has great determination. She’s an awesome role model. She’s a great leader, on and off the court.”  She is also very active within the community, helping teach Sunday School at our local church.

Avery is humbled by the award and appreciates being nominated and chosen. She is very proud of her community and school “The teachers have pushed us to do great, and I’ve always enjoyed going to Langford. I think it is a great school, and a nice community. That’s the most important part. I think this place has a nice spot in my heart.”

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.

Avery is the daughter of Mathew and Amanda West. She was chosen as Scholar of The Week for the Week of November 27^th. Avery, who was nominated by Langford School Principal, Mary Hosford, received a check for $250.00 from lake Region Electric Association and was featured on Dakota News Now on Monday, November 28th and again on the Dakota News Now morning news on Tuesday, November 29^th.

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.

Alyssa James, daughter of Lake Region Electric member Brian and Carrie James, is a student at Britton-Hecla High School. She is a leader in every sense of the word. She has been a student council representative for the entirety of her high school career and was a HOBY (Hugh O’Brien Youth Leadership) representative her sophomore year. “She is rarely seen without a smile on her face and a pep in her step,” says teacher Jenna Peters who nominated Alyssa.

A true scholar, Alyssa has maintained a 4.0 GPA or better throughout her high school career. According to her teachers, she is always attentive in class; taking organized notes, asking questions, and sharing ideas in class discussions. Alyssa is well known for being the student to ask when other students are in need of help.

Alyssa is and has been involved in extracurricular activities throughout her high school career. She is involved in volleyball, girls basketball, golf, all school play, chorus, and was in track and field. Although she has faced many injuries throughout her sports seasons, she has never let it get her down. She was always cheering on the bench, giving a fellow teammate a pat on the back or helpful tip, and/or helping the coach with team manager duties.

Alyssa is also always the first to volunteer when needed.  Outside of the school, Alyssa is a kind, caring young lady with a heart of gold. She is an avid volunteer at her church as well as with the community’s youth. She has many special bonds with kids all around the community from babysitting children to mentoring young athletes.  Alyssa would do just about anything for anyone whether she’s baking cookies for someone in need of a little extra love or she’s listening to a little one tell a story, she is always engaged and giving of her time and attention.

Alyssa was featured on Dakota News Now during the 6:00PM news on Monday, October 10 and again on the Dakota News Now morning news on Tuesday, October 11 between 6:00AM and 7:00AM.