Touchstone Energy® Cooperatives in eastern South Dakota and western Minnesota honored some of the area’s most impressive high school seniors Saturday, April 28, during the 16th annual Touchstone Energy Scholar of the Year banquet and recognition on the campus of Lake Area Technical Institute.
The event honored the 33 high school students who were chosen each week throughout the school year as the Touchstone Energy Scholar of the Week. It’s a program which recognizes students for academic achievement, co-curricular involvement and community service. The students are featured in weekly segments which air on KSFY Television and each student receives a $100 scholarship for being chosen as the Scholar of the Week.
Nathan Hulscher, a senior at Florence High School within Codington-Clark Electric’s service territory, was selected during the banquet as the Touchstone Energy Scholar of the Year. Hulscher, who plans to attend Augustana University in the fall, received a $1,000 scholarship. Trevor Case, a senior at Webster Area High School within Lake Region Electric’s service territory, and Alexander Palecek, a senior at Yankton High School within Clay-Union Electric’s service territory, were both chosen to receive $500 scholarships. The names were drawn from among the attendees.
Lake Area Technical Institute’s President Michael Cartney was the keynote speaker for the Scholar of the Year banquet. KSFY News anchor Brian Allen served as the master of ceremonies.
Touchstone Energy Cooperatives in eastern South Dakota and western Minnesota provide safe and reliable electricity to more than 113,000 homes and businesses. The cooperatives have sponsored the Scholar of the Week program since 2002. In that time Touchstone Energy Cooperatives have awarded over $80,000 in scholarships as part of the Scholar of the Week program.