In celebration of National First Responders Day, which takes place annually on Oct. 28, and to show appreciation for all those who work tirelessly to ensure the safety and wellbeing of individuals in the communities they serve, Western Governors University (WGU) has launched a new scholarship designed for first responders and their spouses. Each First Responders Scholarship is valued at up to $4,000 and is open to EMTs, police officers, firefighters, corrections officers, dispatchers and their spouses who are interested in completing their bachelor’s or master’s degrees at the fully online, nonprofit university. New students can apply for the scholarship online at wgu.edu/ firstresponders through Dec. 31, 2022.

The 25th Annual South Dakota Elementary State Honor Choir sang in concert Saturday, Oct. 29, at the Sioux Falls Convention Center, in Sioux Falls, SD.

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Opening night for Dakota Valley’s Seussical the Musical is Thursday, Nov. 10 with additional shows running on Nov. 11 and 12. All performances start at 7 p.m. in Dakota Valley’s Performing Arts Center.

Every year at Thanksgiving the Dakota Valley PTO likes to show their gratitude to each of their teachers and staff with a pie to take home for the holidays. With needing over 200 pies, they are asking for donations so they can purchase enough pies for all of DV staff.

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A trip to China in 1995 forever changed the perspective of life and love for a local surgeon, Dr. Steven Meyer, MD F.A.A.O.S Orthopaedic Surgeon at CNOS. In June of 1996, Meyer travelled to Tanzania with Pastor Jon Gerdts and fell in love with the beauty of the country. However, Meyer was struck by the level of poverty around him. With his eyes opened, Meyer realized he was in a position where he could open his heart and give back. “I felt like God had blessed me with so much and it was my time to give back,” Meyer said. That’s when the idea of an organization to help the people of Tanzania became more than an idea. Siouxland Tanzania Educational Medical Ministry (STEMM) was founded in 1996 and organized in 1997. The founders were Meyer and his wife, Dana Meyer, Rev. Jon Gerdts and Lazaro Nyalandu. In 1997, the founders led a group of 10 area residents on the first trip to Tanzania. Since then, 25 years later, there have been over 200 mission trips of which Meyer has been on almost 60.

The Dakota Valley High School welcomed Steve Grant, a former NFL linebacker for the Indianapolis Colts, to be a guest speaker on Tuesday, Nov. 1 in the performing arts center. Grant addressed the crowd of students in grades 9th through 12th, as well as teachers, staff and administrators, on the power of making positive choices. He addressed issues such as bullying, mental health and not being a bystander in life.

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