The South Dakota Grand Chapter Order of the Eastern Star has elected Grace Bick to the office of Grand Conductress and appointed Keith Sorge to the office of Grand Sentinal for the 202223 Session. Both Bick and Sorge are members of Juno Chapter in Vermillion. The Order of the Eastern Star is a Masonically related fraternity of women and men. The order is primarily social and charitable in nature, supporting many local services as well as statewide projects. Funding in the past year includes the Vermillion, Elk Point and Centerville Food Pantries, John Ryger Music Scholarships to two University of South Dakota students, the ESTARL (Eastern Star Training Awards for Religious Leadership), The Eastern Star Home in Redfield, SD and the Eastern Star Educational Scholarship.

The South Dakota Well Drillers Association (SDWDA) announced that it is offering the “SDWDA Quality Groundwater Scholarships” totaling $10,000 to be divided between five deserving students. There will be one $4,000, one $3,000 and three $1,000 scholarships awarded.

The South Dakota High School Activities Association board of directors is considering adding more specific language to its policy against recruiting student athletes from one school to another. “We had a charge of recruiting this year,” said SDHSAA Executive Director Dan Swartos, noting that it was the first one in his six years with the association.

At some South Dakota schools, students are taking the lead in trying to get better sportsmanship at athletic contests. During a discussion on Wednesday of the association’s initiative to increase spor tsmanship among players, coaches and fans, members of the South Dakota High School Activities Association’s board of directors heard a message recorded by grade school students at Hoven. “You are our role models,” the young narrator tells the fans. “We see and hear everything you say and do. Please refrain from making any negative comments.”

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) launched a new online tool to help farmers and ranchers better navigate the farm loan application process. This uniform application process will help to ensure all farm loan applicants receive equal support and have a consistent customer experience with USDA’s Farm Service Agency (FSA) regardless of their individual circumstances.

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.

.

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.