Over $1 Million Awarded to MHS Seniors

A total of $1,031,614 in scholarships was awarded to MHS seniors during Awards Day on May 10. It was an increase of over $180,000 from last year.

“These students are truly blessed by our community which gives so much back to education,” stated Principal Dan Snaza. “This is truly remarkable. There are not many communities who award this kind of money.”

The list of recipients and the name and amount of each scholarship received include:

Brooke Fraasch – Modern Woodmen, $1,000; United States Naval Academy appointment, $425,000.
Nate Wiese – United States Army, $41,000.
Zach Angerhofer – South Dakota National Guard, $29,000.
Connor Lightfield – MEF – Engebretson, $26,000; University of Alabama – Charger Distinction, $79,064; Scottish Rite Book Grant, $200.
Paige Johnson – MEF – Engebretson, $26,000; Basin Electric scholarship, $1,000; LaBolt Farmers Grain, $500; Grant-Deuel – Angie Boehm Memorial scholarship, $500; Milbank Chamber Ag, $500; Riverview, $1,000; Jackrabbit Guarantee, $5,000; Border States Cooperative scholarship, $250; SD Opportunity scholarship, $6,500.
Kerissa DeBoer – MEF – Kiwanis, Dr. Johnson, $2,500; USF – Provost’s Academic scholarship, $44,000.
Clare Van Dover – MEF – Whetstone Valley Nursing Home, $2,500; Catholic United Financial, $500; Snow Queen, $500; U of Mary – Sister Thomas Welder Leadership, $4,500; CHI Senior scholarship, $15,000; Milbank Girls Basketball Association, $500.
Hannah Tietjen – USD – academic, $8,000; MEF – Patridge/Brisco, $9,400; SD Opportunity scholarship, $6,500; Doris Enquist scholarship, $500.
Mallory Trapp – MEF – Patridge/Brisco, $9,400; SD Opportunity scholarship, $6,500; SDSU – Jackrabbit Guarantee, $4,000.
Sarah Grabow – WolfPACT, $7,000; MEA, $200; MEF – Patridge/Brisco, $9,400.
Caryssa Mielitz – MEF – Paul & Aaron Buri, $5,000; NSU Athletic scholarship, $8,000; Milbank Chamber Ag, $500; WolfPACT, $7,000; SD Opportunity scholarship, $6,500; Catholic United Financial, $500; Milbank Girls Basketball Association, $500.
Mackayla Schuelke – MEF – Leo Flynn, $5,000; First Bank & Trust, $500; Milbank Girls Basketball Association, $500.
Tanner Gauer – MEF – Paul & Aaron Buri, $5,000; SD Opportunity scholarship, $6,500; Jackrabbit Guarantee, $4,000.
Brianna Veen – Forman Family scholarship, $500.
Kadon Leddy – Whetstone Valley Electric, $1,000; MEF – Reva J. Bracht, $2,500; SD Opportunity scholarship, $6,500; Milbank Chamber Ag, $500; National Wild Turkey Federation, $1,500; SD Association of Towns & Townships, $1,000; Monsanto Fund, $1,500.
Sarah Ward – NSU – Music Performance scholarship, $3,500; NSU Band Clinic, $500; Blood Drive, $250.
Anna Thyne – Menze/Veen, $1,500.
Matt Cornelius – Diversified Occupations, $500; UND Merit scholarship, $1,000.
Mikaela Hoeke – Lee Schlagel Memorial scholarship, $250; Ortonville VFW Post 3964, $1,000; MEF – Kiwanis, $2,500; SD Volleyball Coaches Association, $300; Gene Dockter Bowling scholarship, $1,500; First Bank & Trust, $500; Milbank Girls Basketball Association, $500.
Taylor Balling – DSU, $500.
MyKayla Thyne – MEF – Robert and Verna Ostlie, $2,500; LATI – Alumni scholarship, $500; SD Opportunity scholarship, $6,500; Clarence and Phyllis Justice Memorial scholarship, $2,500.
Madison Schulte – MEF – Stengel Family, $2,500.
Bailey Storm – MEF – Valley Queen, $2,500; SD Opportunity scholarship, $6,500; NSDU Provost scholarship, $6,000; Milbank Area Hospital, $1,000.
William Mischel – MEF – Valley Queen, $2,500.
Jimmie Berkner – MEF – Valley Queen, $2,500.
Jake Anderson – MEF – Valley Queen, $2,500; Catholic United Financial, $500; Justin Maass/Wrestling Booster scholarship, $500.
Presley Peschong – MEF – Valley Queen, $2,500; SD Opportunity scholarship, $6,500; NSU WolfPACT, $7,000.
Emma VanVooren – MEF – Valley Queen, $2,500; FOP scholarship, $500.
Trevor Schmidt – MEF – Valley Queen, $2,500; MEF – Stengel Family, $1,000.
Sarah Jarman – MEF – SA, $2,500; Sam Grorud, $2,500; Amdahl Talent scholarship in Theatre, $800; SDSU Campanile scholarship, $200; KSFY Scholar of the Week, $100; Midwest Dairy Association, $250; FFA/Milbank Ford scholarship, $500; Justin & Hannah Maass scholarship, $1,000.
Hallie Van Sambeek – MEF – Dr. Norm & Carol Madsen, $2,500; MEF – JoAnn VanLith, $1,500; Blood Drive, $250; Catholic United Financial, $500; Grant-Roberts Rural Water, $500.
Kody Johnson – Grant-Roberts Rural Water, $500.
Macie Redmond – MEF – James Emanuel, $2,500; MEF – Connor Munson, $1,000; First Bank & Trust, $500; MAIP scholarship, $500.
Albert Pavlinac – MEF – Gus Kline, $2,500; MEF – Class of 1956, $1,000; SD Opportunity scholarship, $6,500; ITC Telecom & Dean E. Anderson scholarship, $600.
Justin Schweer – MEF – Art Campbell, $2,500; Coyote Commitment, $7,000; SD Opportunity scholarship, $6,500.
Karlee Mertens – MEF – Linda’s Fashions, $2,500; Arlen Conrad Memorial scholarship, $500; Milbank Girls Basketball Association, $500.
Nate Bien – MEF – Kiwanis, Agriculture, $2,500; SD Opportunity scholarship, $6,500; SDSU Blue & Yellow, $8,000.
Rebecca Trapp – MEF – Anderson Family, $2,500; Sanford Health Network scholarship, $2,000.
Allison Grear – MEF – Clarence Modin, $2,500; Blood Drive, $250.
Korinne Roggenbuck – MEF – Willard Meyer, $2,500; SD Opportunity scholarship, $6,500; DSU Merit Champion scholarship, $6,600; Catholic United Financial, $500.
Ben Wagner – Connecting Point Computer scholarship, $250.
Kaleb DeBoer – SD Opportunity scholarship, $6,500.
Ben Nelson – SD Opportunity scholarship, $6,500; Catholic United Financial, $500.
Kaitlyn Rufer – Grant-Deuel – Angie Boehm Memorial scholarship, $500.
Caden Wollschlager – Grant-Deuel – Angie Boehm Memorial scholarship, $1,000; FOP scholarship, $500.
Taran Mogard – Gene Dockter Bowling scholarship, $1,000.
McKenzie Severson – Kibbe Family scholarship, $1,500.
Trey Jankord – Kibbe Family scholarship, $1,500.
Lindsey Geyer – Milltones, $500; NSDU – choir, $1,000.
Jordin Stricherz – Andrew Schmidt Memorial scholarship, $500.
Jordan Gonzalez – DSU Champion Merit scholarship, $6,600.
Matt Lenards – First Bank & Trust, $500.
Jamie DeVaal – American Legion Post #9 scholarship, $500.

Seniors were also presented with their bronze, silver, gold, or platinum NCRC rating certificates. The 2016-2017 Students of the Month were recognized as well as the HOSA event state participants.

The Babe Ruth Sportsmanship awards were given to Albert Pavlinac and Brooke Fraasch, as voted on by the senior class.

Seniors with a cumulative grade point average of 3.2 or higher were presented with their honor cords which they wear during the graduation ceremony. National Honor Society members from the senior class were presented with their medals which will be worn with their caps and gowns on graduation day. Students were recognized for one, two, or three years of perfect attendance at Milbank High School.