Scholarship Recipients

Golden West’s scholarship program has been going strong since 1999. Every year, the cooperative awards $1,000 scholarships to more than 40 deserving high school seniors across the service territory. These students possess qualities including leadership, academic success, civic and extracurricular achievement, and the motivation to succeed.

Now in its 27th year, the scholarship program has contributed over $1 million in educational support since its launch. Golden West is excited to introduce the 2026 scholarship winners.

2026 Scholarship Recipients

Each 2026 high school graduate will receive a $1,000 Golden West scholarship.

Select a high school to view the recipient:

Armour High School – Alex Werkmeister

Alex Werkmeister is the son the Jim and Jami Werkmeister. During high school he was involved in basketball, baseball, football, track, plays, band, choir, Skills USA, quiz bowl, and the National Honor Society. Outside school hours, he helped with the Snack Pack program, Freshmen Impact, and at church events. He planned to attend South Dakota State University to pursue a degree in finance.

Avon High School – Abby Gretschmann

Abby is the daughter of Gene and Connie Gretschmann. She was involved in the National Honor Society, volleyball, basketball, track, softball, oral interpretation, and one and two act plays. She also served as the football and boys’ basketball statistician. She planned to attend the University of South Dakota to pursue a degree in medical laboratory science.

Bennett County High School – Blair Louden

Blair Louden is the son of Dallas and Eleisha Louden. During high school he was involved in academic and athletic activities. He planned to attend Western Dakota Technical College to pursue a degree in welding and fabrication.

Bon Homme High School – Luke Guthmiller

Luke planned to attend South Dakota State University to pursue a degree in agricultural business.

Bridgewater High School – Holden Wollman

During high school, Holden was involved in football, basketball, track and field, FFA, student council, and the National Honor Society. He planned to attend Southwest Minnesota State University to pursue a degree in exercise science.

Burke High School – Kyrie Matucha

Kyrie Matucha is the daughter of Nikki and the late Loris Matucha. She was involved in volleyball, basketball, student council, chess club, flags, FCA, the play, and C-club. She planned to attend Minnesota West Community and Technical College to pursue a degree in radiologic technology.

Canistota High School – Allison Leber

Allison Leber, a 2026 graduate from Canistota High School, will receive a $1,000 Golden West scholarship.Allison is the daughter of Susan and Steve Leber. She was involved in basketball, volleyball, cross country, track and field, band, and FFA. Outside of school, she served her community through 4-H, FBLA, and her church. She planned to attend South Dakota State University to pursue a degree in animal science.

Colome High School – Gracie Rohde

Gracie Rohde, a 2026 graduate from Colome High School, will receive a $1,000 Golden West scholarship.

Corsica High School – Cali Vanden Hoek

Cali is the daughter of Trent and Abby Vanden Hoek. She was involved in FCCLA, the National Honor Society, student council, the yearbook club, choir, marching band, band, volleyball, basketball, and as a football and basketball statistician. She planned to attend South Dakota State University to pursue a degree in nursing.

Custer High School – Keira Alfson

Keira is the daughter of Dan and Kari Alfson. She was involved in cross country, track, student council, the National Honor Society, FCA, band, choir, youth group, worship team, and Bible study. She planned to attend Northwestern College in Orange City, Iowa, to pursue a degree in ag business with a minor in entrepreneurship.

Dell Rapids High School – Sarah Schoolmeester

Sarah is the daughter of Tim and Jenny Schoolmeester. She was involved in Impact, Health Occupation Students of America, quiz bowl, TATU, the National Honor Society, student council, and served as the powerlifting team captain, stage manager, drum major, and as a study buddy. Outside school she served as a Sunday School teacher, a vacation bible school leader, was part of Awana, and coached Girls on the Run. She planned to attend Augustana University to pursue a degree in human biology on the pre-med track.

Edgemont High School – Raelee Curtis-Provorse

Raelee was involved in the National Honor Society, student council, quiz bowl, FFA, volleyball, basketball, and drama club. She planned to attend Sheridan College to pursue a degree in nursing.

Faith High School – Cashley King

Cashley is the daughter of Glen and Elke King. She was involved in volleyball, basketball, rodeo, FFA, the National Honor Society, and 4-H. She planned to attend Laramie County Community College to pursue a degree in diagnostic medical sonography.

Freeman Academy – Alea Miller

Alea is the daughter of Matthew and Digna Miller. She was involved in choir and band. She planned to attend Bethel College to pursue a degree in biochemistry and molecular biology and work toward becoming a dentist.

Freeman High School – Thor Aanenson

Thor was involved in golf, basketball, quiz bowl, the National Honor Society, oral interpretation, student government, and serving as a football student manager. He planned to attend Furman University in Greenville, SC, to pursue a degree in applied mathematics.

Gregory High School – Madisan Graber

Madisan Graber is the daughter of Cory and Ronda Graber. She was involved in band, choir, competitive cheer and dance, sideline cheer, oral interpretation, school plays, quiz bowl, the National Honor Society, and served as a class officer. Madisan planned to attend the University of Sioux Falls to pursue a degree in psychology.

Hot Springs High School – Owen White

Owen was involved in football, wrestling, track, FFA, the National Honor Society, and student council. He planned to attend Chadron State College to pursue a degree in finance.

Jones County High School – Cyrus Hendricks

Cyrus Hendricks is the son of Travis and Diana Hendricks. He was involved in golf, basketball, FFA, the National Honor Society, band, and a spot-lighter for the play. He planned to attend Mitchell Technical College to pursue a degree in radiologic technology and radiation therapy.

Kadoka High School – Shaylee Porch

Shaylee Porch is the daughter of Shayne and Heidi Porch. She was involved in basketball, volleyball, rodeo, FFA, and the National Honor Society. She planned to attend Chadron State College to pursue a degree in agribusiness.

Lakota Tech High School – Natalia Brave Heart

Natalia Brave Heart, a 2026 graduate from Lakota Tech High School, will receive a $1,000 Golden West scholarship.

Lower Brule High School – Nathaniel Middletent

Nathaniel was involved in football, track and field, wrestling, and basketball. He planned to attend Mount Marty University to pursue a degree in secondary education.

Lyman County High School – Benjamin Herman

Benjamin Herman is the son of Nathan and Tisha Herman. He was involved in football, track, basketball, the National Honor Society, Jobs for America’s Graduates, and his school’s mentorship program. Outside school hours, he was involved with Victory Center Bible Camp. He planned to attend the University of Sioux Falls to pursue a degree in mathematics secondary education.

Marion High School – Kallie Johnson

Kallie was involved in volleyball, basketball, track, FCCLA, FCA, the National Honor Society, student council, theater, and oral interpretation. Outside school hours, she helped in her community and was an active member of her local church. She planned to attend Southeast Technical College for its EMT program.

Menno High School – Izayah Ulmer

Izayah Ulmer is the son of Ashley and Allen Ulmer. He was involved in football, basketball, track, baseball, FCA, the National Honor Society, and yearbook club. He has also served as his class president for all four years of high school. He planned to attend Southeast Technical Institute to pursue a degree in mechatronics.

Montrose High School – Camren McGuire

Camren is the daughter of Cheri and Jay McGuire. She was involved in basketball, choir, softball, band, and the National Honor Society. Outside school hours, she volunteered for youth girls’ basketball camps, food banquets, blood drives, and her church’s vacation bible school. She planned to attend the University of Nebraska.

New Underwood High School – Kingston Wulf

Kingston Wulf, a 2026 graduate from New Underwood High School, will receive a $1,000 Golden West scholarship.

Kingston is the son of Justin and Kayla Wulf. He was involved in football and the National Honor Society. He planned to attend Mitchell Technical College to pursue a degree in ag power diesel technology.

Oelrichs High School – Riley Bear Robe

Riley is the son of Melissa Tobacco and Johnson Bear Robe. He was involved in basketball and student council. Riley planned to attend United Tribes Technical College to pursue a degree in welding.

Philip High School – Creston Burns

Creston Burns is the son of Craig and Heidi Burns. He was involved in track, cross country, student council, FCCLA, and the National Honor Society. He planned to attend South Dakota State University to pursue a degree in accounting.

Pine Ridge High School – Riley Backward

Riley was involved in archery, music club, the National Honor Society, student council, and served as a basketball manager. Riley planned to attend the University of South Dakota to pursue a degree in music education.

Plankinton High School – Layce Bruns

Layce is the daughter of Rustin and Kama Bruns. She was involved in volleyball, basketball, rodeo, FCCLA, student council, oral interpretation, choir, and the National Honor Society. She planned to attend Mitchell Technical College to pursue a degree in accounting and business management.

Red Cloud (Maȟpíya Lúta) School – Jaedyn Crow

Jaedyn Crow, a 2026 graduate from Red Cloud (Maȟpíya Lúta) School, will receive a $1,000 Golden West scholarship.

Scotland High School – Kailin Odens

Kailin Odens is the daughter of Chad and Erin Odens. She was involved in volleyball, basketball, golf, and rodeo. She planned to attend South Dakota State University to pursue a degree in exploratory studies in the humanities, fine arts, and design track.

St. Mary’s High School – Madelyn Klein

Madelyn Klein, a 2026 graduate from St. Mary’s High School, will receive a $1,000 Golden West scholarship.

Stanley County High School – Tessa Rasmussen

Tessa Rasmussen is the daughter of Jared and Allie Rasmussen. She was actively involved in band, choir, oral interpretation, and student council. She planned to attend Southeast Technical College to pursue a degree in business administration.

Sturgis Brown High School – Brooke LaMont

Brooke is the daughter of Ryan and Shilo LaMont. She was involved in volleyball, the youth leadership team, and FCCLA. She planned to attend Black Hills State University to pursue a degree in psychology.

Todd County High School – Marcos Knox

Marcos is the grandson of Sheri Knox. He was involved in football, basketball, track, the National Honor Society, and weightlifting club. Outside school hours, Marcos volunteered for community events, nursing homes, and Feeding South Dakota. He planned to attend the University of Minnesota Morris to pursue a degree in environmental studies.

Tri-Valley High School – Gracie Pedersen

Gracie is the daughter of Jerrit and Jamie Pedersen. She was involved in FFA, FCA, the National Honor Society, volleyball, archery, and softball. She planned to attend Lake Area Technical College to pursue a degree in nursing.

Wall High School – Brand Hilgenkamp

Brand is the son of Dan and Dawn Hilgenkamp. He was involved in football, rodeo, student council, and the National Honor Society. Outside school hours, Brand volunteered for community service projects. He planned to attend Sheridan College.

West Central High School – BreAnn Heider

BreAnn Heider, a 2026 graduate from West Central High School, will receive a $1,000 Golden West scholarship.

White River High School – Evan Krogman

Evan is the son of Josh and Casey Krogman. He was involved in band, the National Honor Society, basketball, football, cross country, and FCCLA. Outside school hours, he volunteered for Feeding South Dakota, helped with the National Honor Society volunteer activities, and worked with elementary students. He planned to attend Mitchell Technical College to pursue the heating and cooling technology and power line construction and maintenance programs.

Winner High School –Amanda Edwards

Amanda Edwards is the daughter of Ryan and Cindi Edwards. She was involved in competitive dance, band, choir, oral interpretation, Educators Rising, stage fright, and the National Honor Society. Outside school hours, she volunteers as assistant director of the Winner Community Children’s Play. Amanda planned to attend the University of Mary in Bismark, North Dakota to pursue a degree in elementary education.

At-Large Scholarship – Braelyn Berens

Braelyn Berens is the daughter of Riston & Tami Berens. She was involved in the National Honor Society, choir, FFA, FCA, volleyball, track, 4-H, and Community Youth Together Youth Group. She planned to attend Dakota State University for the pre-physical therapy program.