What does it take to be a Touchstone Energy Scholar of the Week? It's not just about grades or athletic ability. It takes a well-rounded individual that excels in the classroom and the community.
Touchstone Energy Cooperatives and Dakota News Now have joined together to recognize the achievements of high school seniors throughout the region. "Touchstone Energy Scholar of the Week" has been celebrating the achievements of high school seniors since 2002. Recipients are highly motivated high school seniors who excel in the classroom and community. This program was founded on the four pillars of Touchstone Energy: Integrity, Accountability, Innovation and a Commitment to Community. For more information on the program please call your local Touchstone Energy cooperative.
If there are outstanding seniors in your school that you would like to recognize, please nominate them here.
This Week's Scholar
Noah Felderman
Doland High School
Noah will be featured on Dakota News Now during the 6:00PM news on Monday, April 13 and again on the Dakota News Now morning news on Tuesday, April 14 between 6:00AM and 7:00AM.
Noah Felderman
April 12, 2026 - April 18, 2026
- School
- Doland High School ((605) 635-6302)
- GPA
- 3.74
- Activities
- Current Doland FFA Chapter President (Has been a 5-year chapter officer) 3x District FFA Champion in Marketing Plan LDE 2022 SD FFA State Marketing Plan LDE - 4th Place 2023 SD FFA State Marketing Plan LDE - 3rd Place 2024 SD FFA State Marketing Plan LDE - 5th Place 2021 SD FFA Agriscience Fair State Champion (Plant Systems, Div 1) 2022 SD FFA Agriscience Fair State Champion (Environmental/Nat Res Systems, Div 1) 2022 National FFA Agriscience Fair - 5th Place (Environmental/Nat Res Systems, Div 1) 2024 SD FFA Agriscience Fair State Champion (Environmental/Nat Res Systems, Div 3) 2025 SD FFA Agriscience Fair State Champion (Plant Systems, Div 5) Numerous placings and awards at Doland/Hitchcock-Tulare Science Fair and Northern South Dakota Mathematics and Science Fair 2022 State FCCLA Champion in Entrepreneurship STAR Event 2022 National FCCLA Entrepreneurship STAR Event - Gold 2022 Tiny SD Big Idea Contest Winner with Feldy’s Ice Cream 2022 SD Big Idea Contest Winner with Feldy’s Ice Cream Multiple year academic letter winner, citizenship award winner and character award winner at Doland Jr High/High School. Noah is also the proud owner of Feldy's Ice Cream at Lake Poinsett which he started in 2020 from a small freezer in the back of an ATV. He has since grown his business to include a storefront on the lake and a mobile ice cream bus and trailer. Noah serves private and community events and has become the "go-to" dessert destination at Lake Poinsett. He has also expanded his menu to include not only ice cream, but also caramel rolls, bagel sandwiches, lotus drinks and more. Additionally, Noah is working on obtaining his pilot's license, works as an intern for the Spink County Sheriff's Department and drives for the ambulance in Lake Norden.
Noah Felderman is from Doland, SD, located within Northern Electric Cooperative, a Touchstone Energy Cooperative.
Benjamin Curd
April 5, 2026 - April 11, 2026
- School
- Lake Preston School District (605-847-4455)
- GPA
- 4
- Activities
- Throughout high school, he has been involved in Football, Golf, Basketball, Track and Field, FCA, Student Council, Show Choir, All-School Musical, National Honor Society, and a Big Buddy. Ben has been given the following awards: Outstanding Physical Science Student, Outstanding Biology Student, Outstanding Advanced Biology Student, Outstanding Physics Student, Outstanding Overall Science Student, Outstanding Geometry Student, Football Rookie of the Year, Football Lifter of the Year (2x), DVC All-Conference, and 9B All-State Linebacker. I highly recommend Ben as Touchstone Energy Scholar of the Week. He is a great student-athlete and kid both inside and outside of school. He mentors younger students in the weight room before school every day. He is also a favorite amongst the elementary kids!
Benjamin Curd is from Lake Preston, SD, located within Kingsbury Electric Cooperative, a Touchstone Energy Cooperative.
Shaina Kleeman
March 29, 2026 - April 4, 2026
- School
- Langford Area High School (6054936454)
- GPA
- 3.85
- Activities
- Shaina is a hardworking, kind, intelligent, and highly involved senior who consistently demonstrates integrity, compassion, and leadership. She is accepting of everyone and is never afraid to be herself, making her a positive role model within our school community. Shaina has always been on the honor roll, reflecting her strong academic commitment and work ethic. She is actively involved in play, chorus, student council, National Honor Society, and Hope Squad. In each of these roles, she is dependable and always willing to help wherever she is needed. Shaina’s leadership extends beyond our school. She was selected as a HOBY Ambassador and returned the following year to serve as a camp counselor, demonstrating her dedication to leadership development and mentorship. She is also very involved in Upward Bound, where she continues to challenge herself academically and prepare for her future goals. Despite facing significant personal challenges, Shaina has shown remarkable resilience. She was raised by her grandparents, and last year she experienced the tragic loss of her grandfather in a car accident. Through grief and family hardship, she has remained focused, driven, and committed to her goals. She is not afraid to stand up for herself or fight for what she believes in, demonstrating strength of character and courage beyond her years.
Shaina Kleeman is from Langford, SD, located within Lake Region Electric Association, a Touchstone Energy Cooperative.
Lincoln Reidburn
March 22, 2026 - March 28, 2026
- School
- Clark School District (605532-3605)
- GPA
- 3.91
- Activities
- Football-Lettered 4 years-Captain Wrestling- Lettered 2 years Track- Lettered 3 years- Captain FFA- Green Hand Award-Chapter Degree-State Degree National Honor Society Student Body President-Outstanding job!!!!! Sunday School teacher Special Olympics Bowling partner Blood Donor Board member on the Clark Community Foundation Board Member of Students Against Destructive Decisions Member of FCA
Lincoln Reidburn is from Clark, SD, located within Codington-Clark Electric Cooperative, a Touchstone Energy Cooperative.
Tiger Duinkherjav
March 15, 2026 - March 21, 2026
- School
- T.F. Riggs High School (605-773-7350)
- GPA
- 4
- Activities
- Musically gifted. He has been a member of All-State Band, All-State Orchestra, SDSU Honor Band, USD Honor Band, Augustana Honor Band, Dakota Wesleyan Honor Band. He participates in TF Riggs High School Jazz Band, Symphonic Band, Concert Band, and Concert Choir. He plays the oboe and piano at church.
Tiger Duinkherjav is from Pierre, SD, located within Oahe Electric Cooperative, a Touchstone Energy Cooperative.
Cali Vanden Hoek
March 8, 2026 - March 14, 2026
- School
- Corsica-Stickney (605-946-5475)
- GPA
- 3.95
- Activities
- Mixed Chorus(9-12), Girl's Chorus(9-12), Vocal Contest (9-12), Band(9-12), Pep Band(9-12), Instrumental Contest(9-12), Yearbook(9-12), Drama(9-12), Oral Interpretation(9-12) Oral Interp.State Superior (11), Class Officer(9-12), Student Body President(9-12), FCCLA(9-12), FCCLA Local President(12), CBH Academic Contest(9-12), Volleyball(9-12), Basketball(9-12), Track(9-10), Golf(11-12), Football and Boy's Basketball Stats(9-12)
Cali Vanden Hoek is from Corsica, SD, located within Douglas Electric Cooperative, a Touchstone Energy Cooperative.
Kali Hofer
March 1, 2026 - March 7, 2026
- School
- Woonsocket High School (605-796-4431)
- GPA
- 4
- Activities
- School Activities- Girls Basketball (2025 State Runner-Up), Volleyball, Track, Student Council, National Honor Society, Academic Festival, Football Statistician, FFA, Choir: Volunteer Activities- Works Concessions, Helps in local Daycare, Refs JH VB games: Awards/Honors- Sept. Student of the Month, Outstanding English Award, JV VB MVP, JV Basketball MVP, VB Leadership Award, Basketball Hustler Award, Varsity VB Most Assists, Varsity Coaches Award for Dedication/Hardwork: Leadership Positions- Student Council Rep, Student Council Vice President, Student Council Treasurer, National Honor Society Treasurer, Volleyball Captain, Homecoming Queen. Nomination Comment- "The Touchstone Energy Scholar of the Week recognizes outstanding seniors. I'm just so proud to nominate a person like Kali for this award as you have just read off everything she has been involved with and still maintains the highest level of achievement in our school with a 4.0 GPA. I appreciate your consideration of this well deserving student of ours." Rod Weber
Kali Hofer is from Huron, SD, located within Central Electric Cooperative, a Touchstone Energy Cooperative.
Taylor Hoxeng
February 22, 2026 - February 28, 2026
- School
- Gayville-Volin High School (605-267-4476)
- GPA
- 4.15
- Activities
- Rodeo · Qualified for the National Junior High School Finals Rodeo (2022) · State High School Finals Qualifier (2023-2025) · State 4H Rodeo Qualifier (2016-2025) Varsity Volleyball (7th-12th grade) · All Conference (2021-2024) · First Team All-State (2024) · Defensive MVP Award (2022-2024) Varsity Basketball (7th-12th grade) · All Conference (2022-2025) · All State Team (2024) · MVP Award (2023-2025) Varsity Track and Field (7th-12th grade) · State Track Qualifier (2021-2025) · Track MVP Award (2023-2025) LEADERSHIP · GV SADD Chapter · GV Student Council · GV Mentoring Program · Natural Leaders · FCA (Fellowship of Christian Athletes)
Taylor Hoxeng is from Volin, SD, located within Clay-Union Electric Corporation, a Touchstone Energy Cooperative.
Jennifer Stark
February 15, 2026 - February 21, 2026
- School
- Scotland School District (605-583-2237)
- GPA
- 3.97
- Activities
- It is my pleasure to recommend Jennifer as a Scholar of the Week. Throughout her high school career, she has exemplified outstanding leadership, dedication, and character—both within FFA and throughout our school community. She has been an active FFA member for four years, serving as an FFA officer every year and leading the chapter as President during her senior year. Her skills and professionalism also helped propel her team to become a National Qualifying Parliamentary Procedure Team, an achievement that demonstrates her communication, leadership, and teamwork abilities. Her involvement extends across a wide range of school activities. She is a dedicated member of the National Honor Society, an active participant in Cheerleading, and supports athletics as a Volleyball and Basketball Statistician. Her academic achievements are equally impressive, earning Academic All-State recognition as well as being on the Honor Roll all four years. Her leadership shines through her four years in Student Council, where she served as President her senior year and Treasurer her junior year. She is also deeply involved in her faith and community through Fellowship of Christian Athletes and her Youth Group. In addition, she contributes her talents to the arts as a member of Choir, Band, Oral Interp, and participates in the school Play. She has also represented our school with honor as a Girls State delegate. She regularly shares her voice by performing the National Anthem at school events and supports the classroom environment as a Computer Teacher’s Aide. Jennifer is a model of integrity, service, and commitment. She embodies the core values of our school and sets a high standard for her peers. It is with great pride that I nominate her as Scholar of the Week.
Jennifer Stark is from Lesterville, SD, located within Bon Homme-Yankton Electric Assn., a Touchstone Energy Cooperative.
Lauren McDermott
February 8, 2026 - February 14, 2026
- School
- Elk Point-Jefferson (6053565901)
- GPA
- 4
- Activities
- Activities: Track, NHS president, Newspaper, Youth Discipleship Accomplishments: 4.0 GPA, ranked #1 in class, 2024 class A 100 hurdle state champion, 6 school records in track, 2x all conference, 13 state medals
Lauren McDermott is from Elk Point, SD, located within Union County Electric Cooperative, a Touchstone Energy Cooperative.