Each year, national nonprofit Wreaths Across America (WAA) recognizes top sponsorship groups for excellence in serving their local community while helping to share the yearlong mission to Remember, Honor, Teach. Among the thousands of supportive groups honoring locally interred veterans through wreath sponsorships, WAA recently announced that special recognition has been given to five sponsorship groups for their contribution as the 2023 top groups in South Dakota.

On Tuesday, April 16, Ben Linden received the Hancher Finkbine medallion. This 107 year old award is the highest, most prestigious award given to students at the University of Iowa.

The Dakota Valley School Board called a special meeting on May 1 and held two executive sessions and approved the resignations and new hires. The first executive session for personnel matters had no motion made in open session.

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Auditions for Dakota Players’ original musical production of On the Road to Bremen Town theatre camp will be held at the EPJ middle school Gym on Monday, May 20 at 1 p.m. Dakota Players will guide the young talent of Union County and the surrounding area through a fun-filled, motivating week of theatre magic! On the Road to Bremen Town production is designed with suitable parts for every age, skill and experience level involved.

The South Dakota Newsmedia Association held its annual Awards Conference in Huron April 26. The Dakota Dunes/ North Sioux City Times had two 1st place finishes from reporter/photographer Kelly Riibe.

Competitive dancers from North Sioux City’s 5678! Dance Studio traveled to Orlando, FL on April 26-29 for The Dance Worlds Competition at Coronado Springs Resort & Convention Center. Five competitive dances qualified for the studio which is owned and operated by Melissa Strong.

Panther softball started off the week on Monday, April 29 with another battle versus West Central in Hartford. Dakota Valley had fallen to the undefeated Trojans the week prior in the quarterfinals of the DAK XII tournament. They fell short in their 2nd match-up of the season by a score of 2-7.

Steep competition faced Dakota Valley’s talented track and field team on May 3 and May 4 for the Howard Wood Relays in Sioux Falls. Qualifiers for the Panthers represented well with many achieving personal records and performing at the highest level.

The destination for the Panther girls golf team on Tuesday, April 30th Course in Dell Rapids. The trip north proved to be worthwhile as 8th grader Katie Betsworth shot a personal best at the Dell Rapids Invitational.