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.

.

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.

To dip their toes into the season of track, Dakota Valley coaches took some of their squad to two indoor meets near the end of March. Runners and jumpers were at Yankton on March 24 and in Vermillion on March 27.

The spring baseball opener for Dakota Valley happened on Sunday, April 2 versus Wagner at home. While Wagner scored early during their initial at-bat to get 2 runs, the Panthers quickly answered and scored 3 of their own in the bottom of the 1st inning.

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.

The Panther girls golf team will be adding more depth this season as they see their roster size grow in comparison to last year. The team will once again be coached by Brooke Ehlers. Upperclassmen for this talented roster includes senior Lexi Squier and juniors Peyton Carlson and Eliana Vondracek.

For the first time ever, high school softball in South Dakota will be played as a sanctioned sport. And with its inaugural season, the Panthers look to be competitive.