The Lynx Way
Presler wins DMM District Optimist essay contest
Ryan Presler, a junior at Brandon Valley High School, first won the BV Optimist Club essay contest and scholarship. Presler’s essay went on to win the Optimist International DMM District Essay Contest and the accompanying $2,500 DMM District scholarship. This is the second time in four years a BVHS student has won the District contest.
Local students selected
to UofM Twin Cities Dean’s List
The following local students have been named to the 2021 fall semester Dean’s List at the University of Minnesota Twin Cities. To qualify for the Dean’s List, a student must complete 12 or more letter-graded credits while attaining a 3.66 grade point average.
The students from Brandon are: Rachel DeSmet, junior, College of Contin & Professional Studies; Catherine Hinzman, sophomore, School of Nursing; Julia Jacobson, freshman, College of Liberal Arts; Jessica Krogman, sophomore, College of Liberal Arts; Kate Livingston, sophomore, College of Biological Sciences; and Emilie Bartels, a senior, Carlson School of Management.
Speaking Lynx,
Coach Koehn win awards
Earlier this month, Amina Koch and Ellen Joseph, both members of Speaking Lynx at Brandon Valley High School. competed in Student Congress via Zoom. Joseph was awarded the Rosella Blunk Interp Award by the South Dakota Forensic Coaches Association. This makes the fourth year in a row that a BVHS senior has won this award.
Gina Koehn, BVHS oral interp coach, was also selected as he SDFCA Interp Coach of the Year for South Dakota.
BVHS seniors
awarded Sioux Valley Energy scholarships
Sioux Valley Energy awarded 32 graduating high school seniors with $17,000 in scholarships this year, including two Brandon Valley High School seniors. The majority of scholarship funds came from Sioux Valley Energy’s Operation Roundup program, with additional funds from Basin Electric Power Cooperative, L&O Power Cooperative, and the Rodney Park Memorial Scholarship. A total of 112 young people applied for the scholarships.
“Applications were judged on the basis of grades, work experience, school activities, volunteer community service and an essay question,” said Tim McCarthy, CEO/general manager. “Sioux Valley Energy is proud to help these students reach their future goals through this scholarship program.”
The BVHS students are Tayven Badger, $750; Tessa Bowar, $250; Grace Heiberger, $250; Tate Roberts, $750; Rachel Spencer, $250; and Henry Wright, $1,000.
Students from Garretson High School are Jaelyn Benson, $250; Lauren Fick, $750; and Erin Steen, $750.
