The Lynx Way
Mutschelknaus named to Gustavus Adolphus Dean’s List
Hanna Mutschelknaus, of Brandon, has been named to the spring semester dean’s list at Gustavus Adolphus College in St. Peter, Minn. The list comprises students who have earned a 3.7 grade point average (based on a 4.0 scale) or higher for the semester ending in May 2020.
Area students land on ISU dean’s list
Five area students achieved academic success at Iowa State University in the spring semester. Austin Eigenberg (construction engineering major), Matthew Eigenberg (mechanical engineering), Alex Rogen (veterinary medicine) and Noah Weber (interior design), all of Brandon, and Lily Harvison (kinesiology and health) of Valley Springs are among the more than 12,500 ISU students recognized for outstanding academic achievement. Students named to the Dean’s List must have earned a grade point average of at least 3.50 on a 4.00 scale while carrying a minimum of nine credit hours of graded course work.
Brandon quiz whiz kid wins again
The move to social distancing caused many changes for students, but the changes also brought about new opportunities to shine on an international stage. Ryan Presler, a freshman from Brandon Valley High School, was one of 178 high school students competing online in Buzzword this season. But unlike their normal quiz bowl competitions, in which teams play face-to-face, Presler played from home as an individual.
Presler was the top scorer in the entire state in 2020 season 1 Level B in the high school division.
Buzzword is a web-based academic competition with divisions for middle school, high school, and college competitors. Players listen to recordings of questions being read and buzz in as soon as they think they know the answer. Correct answers are scored, with extra points given for earlier buzzes. National Academic Quiz Tournaments created Buzzword to allow academic competitions to continue during social distancing. NAQT had to cancel most of its 2020 quiz bowl national championships, which collectively would have brought about 10,000 people together. Buzzword also has an Open Division for the general public.
For those with an interest in playing Buzzword, whether you’re a student or not, try a sample game and register at naqt.com/buzzword. The next season of Buzzword begins July 2 and runs for eight weeks. There are also often individual games with special subjects like movies, sports, history, and more.
Sylliaasen awarded Legends for Kids scholarship
A new class of outstanding high school seniors have been selected to receive the fifth annual Legends for Kids Scholarship. The scholarship is a $5,000 award that recognizes high school student-athletes for their exceptional character in leadership in athletics, school and community involvement. This year, the number of recipients increased to 10, up from nine in 2019. This class will bring the cumulative total to 40 scholarships totaling $200,000 in five years.
Developed in conjunction with Hy-Vee/Sanford Legends, the scholarship program was created by Hy-Vee, Sanford and First PREMIER with support from KELOLAND Television, Beal Distributing, Audi of Sioux Falls, Novak Sanitary Service, Argus Leader Media, Dean Foods/Land O’ Lakes, Lamar Advertising, Pepsi-Cola/Dr. Pepper, Principal Financial, Smithfield, Burger King, Great Life Golf & Fitness Club and Schoeneman’s Building Materials. Recipients must use the scholarship for post-secondary education.
The following graduating seniors were selected based on nominations from coaches, teachers and administrators: Cole Sylliaasen, Brandon Valley, South Dakota State University; Ellie Abraham, Brookings, U.S. Naval Academy; Grace DuVall, Chamberlain, Augustana University; Rose Eitemiller, Wagner, SDSU; Hattie Giblin, Sioux Falls Roosevelt, University of South Dakota; Kaden Hackman, O’Gorman, Bethel University; Brady Hawkins, Ethan, SDSU; Courtney Mongar, SFR, Grand Canyon University; Macey Nielson, SFR, Dordt University; and Jacob Randle, Sioux Falls Lincoln, Dakota State University).
The Hy-Vee/Sanford Legends program provides learning opportunity for young student-athletes to grow and be inspired in the world of sports by providing different sporting clinics and camps. Each year, celebrity athletes who represent the Legends goals—quality, integrity and character—are brought to Sioux Falls.
