Touchstone Energy Cooperatives and Dakota News Now Television have joined together to recognize the achievements of high school senior's 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.
Touchstone Energy Cooperatives are local, active members of their communities, dedicated to building our communities and improving our way of life. Since the Scholar of the Week program began, more than $80,000 in scholarships has been awarded to more than 530 students. The program is a great partnership between local Touchstone Energy Cooperatives and their members and truly captures the commitment that electric cooperatives have to the communities they serve.
Nominations for the weekly awards are submitted by area school principals and faculty, whose selections were based on excellence in the classroom and service in the community.
Previous Clay-Union Electric Winners:
Tayden Wells, Vermillion High School
Andrea Miller, Gayville-Volin High School
Keana Lee, Gayville-Volin High School
Molly Larson, Gayville-Volin High School
Darien Rabe, Gayville-Volin High School
Joshua Bern, Vermillion HighSchool
Samual Ward, Vermillion High School
Sydney Kuhnert, Gayville/Volin
Mason Schroeder, Vermillion
Justin Sorensen, Vermillion
Alexander Palecek, Yankton
Madisen Martinez, Vermillion
Brandon VanOsdel, Gayville-Volin
Hope Knedler, Vermillion
Joe Miller, Vermillion
Katherine Brockevelt, Vermillion
David Wang, Vermillion
William Pirak, Gayville-Volin, will be featured on Dakota News Now during the 6:00PM news on Monday, January 6th, 2025 and again on the Dakota News Now morning news on Tuesday, January 7th, 2025 between 6:00AM and 7:00AM.
Will was presented with a $250 check for his accomplishments by Clay-Union Electric's Board Secretary, Jim Ryken. - GPA 4.16
- Extra-Curricular Activities: • Cross Country (state qualifier for four years, team captain as a junior/senior year) • Basketball (varsity player soph/jr/sr years) • Track (state qualifier junior year-and hopeful for spring 2025!) • Student Council (four years) • Fellowship of Christian Athletes (four years) • Mentoring (four years) • Gayville Lutheran Church Youth Group (four years) • Eagle Scout - BSA awarded July 2024 • Boys State representative (May 2024) Work Experience: Pirak Brothers Lawn Care 2017-2022 • Mowed timely for 20+ local customers under the direction of my brothers who started the business. • Reported time sheets and billing WIlliam Pirak Lawn Care 2022-present • Single handedly, mowed for 15 customers and two cemeteries as needed. • Scheduled, billed and kept contact with all customers • Procured new customers • As I head to college, I’ve made contact with all my customers and a younger lawn mower in my community making sure customers’ lawn are taken care of when I attend UNL.
- Will has been taking AP courses with dual credit through SDSU and will attend the University of Nebraska, Lincoln, in the fall of 2025.
- William Pirak is from Gayville, son of Tara Olson, and are members of Clay-Union Electric Corporation, a Touchstone Energy Cooperative.
