Growing up on horseback and very little passion for sports, Jacki Waldner found that passion in her adult life thanks to another friend. “One of my friends at my church actually mentioned that she was trying out for a football thing,” Waldner explained.

The South Dakota Public Utilities Commission, after final deliberation, approved a settlement stipulation for MidAmerican Energy Co. to increase rates for natural gas service to customers in its South Dakota retail service territory at their regular meeting, March 28.

With the cool temperatures and many areas of the state still accumulating snow, it is hard to imagine that high school baseball season will soon be here. The Dakota Valley Panthers look to be as strong as ever. Many returning lettermen from last year’s roster are back.

Science students in grades sixth-ninth showcased their knowledge in Science Olympiad on Saturday, March 25. The all-day event for South Dakota schools took place at the University of South Dakota and Vermillion High School. Dakota Valley won many honors. The team is coached by Eighth Grade Career Exploration teacher Amanda Vande Vegte and Sixth Grade Science instructor Lynda Grasso.

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Spring is here which means that Kindergarten Roundup is just around the corner. Entering school can be exciting and a little scary for new students and their parents for different reasons. There is quite a bit of paperwork involved when your child starts school which can seem very overwhelming. The State of South Dakota has requirements for school entry, including several required immunizations, a certified copy of the child’s birth certificate and a physical form.

National Junior Honor Society inductions for Dakota Valley occurred on Tuesday, March 28 in the Performing Arts Center. Students in 8th grade, who became members in 2022, were on-hand to usher in the new inductees from this year’s 7th and 8th grade classes. In order to be eligible for the National Junior Honor Society (NJHS) a pupil must have a 3.0 grade point average or higher. Community service work, leadership skills, citizenship and character are other criteria taken into consideration when a student applies for NJHS.

Ella Demers has been named the April 2023 Rotary Club Student of the Month from Bishop Heelan High School. She will be honored during the Rotary Club meeting on Monday, April 10, 12 p.m. at the MidAmerican Energy Community Room.

The Dakota Valley PTO Daddy Daughter dance was held on Saturday, March 25 at the DV elementary school building from 6 to 8:30 p.m. This was the first time the event has been held post-COVID and it was a resounding success. Many attended all dressed-up and it was a fun time for all. The night was a success in large part to the many volunteers who donated items and helped chaperone. Kellie Markve and Emilie Schroeder, both members of the DV PTO, coordinated the event which included slow songs, fast tunes, cotton candy, balloons, plenty of photo opportunities and more.

For faith, family and the drive to help others, Dakota Valley student Tyler Schutte visited West Africa for a memory making trip. It was an experience that showed him first-hand how far kindness can go, especially in a third world country. Schutte travelled to Bamako in Mali, with his parents, Kyle and Stephanie of Dakota Dunes, this past February for 10 days. The trio stayed with the operators of ASEMALI orphanage and provided love and service to those in need.