2024 scholarship winners

April 29, 2024

Since 2005, we’ve awarded $89,000 to local high school seniors through our scholarship program.

We believe in the importance of lifting up our local communities by supporting the students who will one day lead them, which is why we’re excited to announce the winners of our 2024 scholarships!

These five high school seniors each earned $1,000 by wowing us with a short application and a 30- to 60-second video answering this prompt:

What type of business would you open in your community, and why?

So, let’s meet these outstanding students and find out how they answered our question:

Adoniram Franchuk

Following graduation, Adoniram plans to attend Dakota State University for computer science.

Given the opportunity, he says he would open an arcade in his community of Baltic.

“I’ve had an interest in arcade games and vending machines for several years,” Adoniram said in his video. “As a volunteer at our local thrift store, I currently maintain several vending machines for the benefit of the store’s not-for-profit mission and the free community garden.”

Adoniram even made a virtual pinball machine for his senior capstone project, and he believes a local arcade would offer a safe environment for kids to hang out and have fun. Great work, Adoniram!

Kassandra Bruning

In her video, Kassandra outlined her plan to start her own hair salon.

First, the Sioux Falls native will be attending the University of South Dakota this fall for a degree in business, specifically in innovation and entrepreneurship.

“After that, I want to go to cosmetology school and eventually open up my own hair salon,” Kassandra said in her video. “I want to be able to make people feel good about their appearance and more confident in how they look every day.”

Kassandra is currently a senior at Harrisburg High School. Good luck, Kassandra!

Natalie Berg

Natalie is a senior at Dell Rapids High School and is planning to major in English at the University of Minnesota Twin Cities starting this fall.

Right in line with her education plans, Natalie says she would open a publishing and editing firm in Dell Rapids given the chance.

“I think there are so many people out there who have written books and want to get them published, and they need someone who is willing to do that for them,” Natalie said in her video. “We need a spot where local, small-town writers can get their big breaks and publish their books.”

Once she finishes college, Natalie plans to become an editor herself. Congratulations, Natalie!

Noah Donohoe

Noah will be attending Minnesota State University, Mankato, for construction management after graduating from O’Gorman High School.

He says he plans to use his education to start a construction company in his hometown of Sioux Falls.

“In this construction company, there will be a non-profit branch that will build free or reduced-price homes for the less fortunate,” Noah said in his video. “I believe, when given the resources that a construction company has, you should use these resources to positively impact our community and our society.”

Noah’s goal for his future business is to help create a better world for all. Well done, Noah!

Sierra Weber

Sierra, a senior at Bridgewater-Emery High School, says she would open a small bakery and coffee shop in her community.

“For me, personally, a fun coffee and dessert never fail to make my day,” Sierra said in her video. “I think it would be a great space for people to meet up, even for students to get some homework done.”

Other benefits Sierra feels the business would offer her community include job opportunities for high schoolers and a place for community members to purchase high quality, fresh-baked goods without having to travel far.

Sierra plans to attend South Dakota State University for pharmacy in the fall. Way to go, Sierra!

Thank you to all of this year’s applicants, and congratulations to these five winners. We can’t wait to see what you do next!