Category Archives: News

Naasz to Receive Eagle Scout Award

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sam naasz

Sam Naasz will receive his Eagle scout award in a Boy Scout court of honor Sunday, May 10 at the Holiday Inn Express. The ceremony will start at 1:30 p.m.

Naasz, a senior at Winner High School, is the son of Brian and Sharon Naasz. He is a member of Troop 100 and has been in scouts for 12 years.

His Eagle scout project was landscaping the elementary school sign and planting grass after construction. All of this is located at the north entrance of the school.

Several other Boy Scouts awards will be presented at the court of honor.

Organizations Join Forces

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feed bunk Rose Manor

In time for planting season, Modern Woodman of America with Vicki Condon, financial representative and Winner Ladies Auxiliary VFW #4674 delivered planters to Rose Manor of Colome, Golden Prairie Manor and Elder Inn both of Winner.  The  project was completed in conjunction with the Good Neighbor program.  The planters built by veteran Ken Van Kekerix are designed to resemble “feed bunks”.  The dirt and plants were also provided to the facilities. Residents of the facilities should be able to work in the garden without having to get down on their knees.  A wheelchair or chair will facilitate their planting, weeding, harvesting and anything else that needs done to a flower or vegetable garden.

The public is encouraged to drive by and look at their beautiful garden in late July or August.  One resident stated, “I can’t wait to get my hands in the dirt and watch the flowers grow.”

Members Demonstrate Leadership Skills at State FCCLA Conference

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molly connot fccla legislative

1,400 students recently attended the state convention of the South Dakota Family, Career and Community Leaders of America (FCCLA), which was held April 26th  – 28th at the Ramkota Convention Center in Sioux Falls. The Hunger Games themed event was a great success. FCCLA members attended workshops, competed in STAR (Students Taking Action with Recognition) Events, and ran for leadership positions. On Sunday night, students listened to highly acclaimed keynote speaker Kent Julian. Students also had the opportunity to attend workshops presented by Kent Julian, State Leadership Team members, and special guests.  Shannon Duffy presented a workshop for the Trends State Leadership Team.  Molly Connot, a 2014-15 State FCCLA Officer, presided over the meeting along with the 9 other state officers.  On Monday, the new state executive council was announced.  Abi Leyden, a sophomore at Winner High School, was elected to serve as the 2015-2016 SD FCCLA Vice President of Chapter Recognition where she will help recruit and retain over 2,000 members across the state. STAR Event winners were also announced; seventeen members competed in various STAR Event competitions that advanced from district competition.  Gold medal winners in their respective STAR Event Categories include: Shannon Duffy, Sydnie Peters, Abi Leyden, Bethany Cable, Bailey Harter, Marcie HeHaan, Brea Heth, Deiyondra Gillis, Chantelle Brill, Dani Ferguson, Janine Bartels, and Taylor Audiss; Silver Medal Winners include JoHannah Whiting, Molly Connot, Emily Moser, Alex Meiners, and Hannah Peterson.  Top Superior Medal Winners include:  Brea Heth, Bethany Cable, and Shannon Duffy.  Shannon Duffy won the overall plaque in Career Investigation and will be representing South Dakota at the national meeting in Washington, DC in July. Molly Connot was selected to serve on the Advocacy State Leadership Team for the 2015-2016 school year.  The chapter received numerous Power of One Awards and was named a Gold Level Merit Chapter State award winner.  Mrs. Brockhoft was named the South Dakota FCCLA Adviser of the Year.

The Winner Chapter received a Gold Award from the State Outreach Leadership Team and a Silver Award from the Trends State Leadership Team for service projects completed throughout the year.  The Winner FCCLA Chapter also received the District VI Top Honors Award for having the highest STAR Event score average of all schools competing from District VI.
Judy Duffy, Brad Duffy, Linda Nelson, and Susan Hauff accompanied the students as chaperones and served as judges for the event.   Kris Brockhoft, Winner FCCLA Adviser, accompanied students and served as a STAR Event Lead Consultant for the Career Investigation competitions.

FCCLA was first established in 1945 and in South Dakota in 1946.  The family has served as the focus of this organization since its establishment.  It is a career-technical student organization that prepares youth to assume adult roles in society as wage earners, community leaders, and caring family members by giving them the “life skills” they need to thrive in their communities, careers, and families.

Students Honored at DWU

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Area students were honored at the Dakota Wesleyan University  honors banquet on April 24.

Michael Rohde, Colome, received the Harriet Houk scholarship; Anthony Husher, Winner, St. Joseph Hospital endowed scholarship; Austin Calhoon, Winner, Education Learning Through Service scholars; Lindsey Calhoon, GBHEM United Methodist scholarship; Anthony Husher and Michael Rohde, Phi Kappa Phi; Tyler Vavra, Pi Gamma Mu, a national social science fraternity intended to stimulate achievement by students in the social sciences; Husher, Rohde, Austin Schroeder, Sigma Zeta—science and mathematics; Emily Richey and Tyler Vavra, F. Dwain Randall scholarships; Anthony Husher, Michael Rohde, Tyler Vavra, Sara Husher, honor scholarships; scholar-athlete awards—Anthony Husher; NAIA-Daktronics All America scholar athletes—Rohde, football.

New Members Take Seat on City Council

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city donation to lib

By Dan Bechtold, Editor

Frank Finney was elected the president of the Winner City Council as the new term for city officials started Monday night.

Elected as vice president was Dave Baker.

The oath of office was given to three persons who are beginning to serve a two year term. Finney will serve another term in Ward One. New to the council this year and taking their seats were Jody Brozik in Ward Two and John Meyer in Ward Three.

Plaques were presented to Val Sherman for her 16 years on the council and Zach Anderson for his four years on the council.

Mayor Jess Keesis made several appointments. Paul Jensen was named city attorney and Sandy Steffen was named assistant city attorney.

Paul Schueth was appointed police chief and Rhonda Augspurger was appointed finance officer.

Appointed as city engineer was the firm of SPN of Mitchell.

Re-appointed to the city planning commission were Kay Berg and Joe Hockett.

Council committees for 2015-2016 include:

Police commission—Jess Keesis, Frank Finney and Jena Littau

Cemetery, parks and recreation—Jena Littau, Dave Baker and Jody Brozik

Utilities/streets/drainage—Frank Finney, Brad Schramm and Jody Brozik

Finance and ordinance—Frank Finney, Jena Littau and John Meyer

Insurance/administration building and fire hall—Littau, Brozik and Schramm

Union committee—Keesis, Finney, Augspurger and Paul Jensen

Administrative policy/personnel—Finney, Baker and Meyer

Emergency management/airport—Finney, Schramm and Baker

Third District planning/ Chamber of Commerce/economic development—Keesis

Housing/county relations—Keesis

Senior citizens—Frank Finney

The mayor and city council members signed an ethics pledge which is  part of city ordinance 830.

A look at you… Karla Brozik

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bill matousek chamber

Name:  Karla Brozik

Birthplace:  Mitchell, SD

Family:  3 brothers, 1 sister, 2 daughters, 1 son.

Currently reside where:  Winner, SD

Occupation:  Executive Director of the Winner Area Chamber of Commerce.

The best thing about my job is:  Networking with the members.

My most prized possession:  My children.

Favorite musician(s)/band(s):  Toby Keith, Blake Shelton.

Favorite holiday and why:  Independence Day – usually a fun and relaxing day.

Hobbies:  Coach softball, listening to music, scrapbooking.

My favorite snack:  Fruit smoothies.

If I won the lottery:  I probably won’t because I don’t play. But if I did, I would probably save the majority of the money and give to organizations that need it.

My definition of a great evening is:  Hanging out with friends.

The best thing about where I live:  We live in a caring community.

If I’ve learned one thing in my life, it’s:  Be yourself.  Count your blessings.  Actions speak louder than words.

Medley Places 4th at Howard Wood

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hw schuyer 4x200

The Winner boys medley relay team placed fourth at the Howard Wood Dakota Relays in Sioux Falls this weekend.

The team of Nick Hossle, Tyrel Haley, Nathan Galbraith and Coleton Schuyler ran a 3:41.93.

Nathan Galbraith qualified for the state track meet in the open 400 with a time of :51.36.

The boys 1600 relay team took seventh place in 3:34:95. Runners were Coleton Schuyler, Sam Naasz, Kayleb Brozik and Galbraith.

The 800 relay team took 8th place in 1:35.22. Runners were Nick Hossle, Tyrel Haley, Sam Naasz and Nathan Galbraith.

The Winner girls ran the 400 relay in :55.68 and the 800 relay in 1:57.58. The Lady Warriors ran the mile relay in 4:24.07 and the medley in 4:31.20.

hw kayleb to nate mile relay

The Winner track team competed in the Cecil Johnson Invitational in Presho on Friday and the boys team won the championship. The Winner girls took fifth.

Results of the Winner girls include:

1600—Chloe Bartels, 2nd, 5:37

200—Hayley Halverson, 1st, :29.96

800 relay—2nd, 1:57.06, Sydney Fritz, Alexis Richey, Kelsey Bertram and Sydney Schuyler

400 relay—1st, :55.11, Rachel Sherman, Sydney Fritz, Kelsey Bertram and Hayley Halverson

Medley relay—1st, 4:36.40, Sydney Fritz, Hayley Halverson, Alexis Richey and Chloe Bartels

1600 relay—1st, 4:28.7, Sydney Schuyler, Alexis Richey, Chloe Bartels and Hayley Halverson.

In Presho, Coleton Schuyler ran a  state qualifying time in the 800 as he took first place in 2:03.59.

Other results of the Winner boys include:

Shot put—Kelly Kidwilier, 2nd, 44-1

Shot put—Jayden Schroeder, 5th, 39-9

Shot put—Trevor Sachtjen, 6th, 38-5

Colome at Howard Wood

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laprath and kinzer in relay

Several athletes from the Colome track team competed this weekend at the Howard Wood Dakota Relays in Sioux Falls.

Jackson Kinzer competed in the triple jump and Taylor Hrabanek in the high jump.

Jaclyn Laprath ran the mile in 6:01.3 and the two mile in 12:32.5.

The boys 400 relay team of Reed Harter, Chase Hrabanek, Cole McCarty and Jackson Kinzer ran a :47.04

The medley relay team of Reed Harter, Chase Hrabanek, Cole McCarty and Jackson Kinzer ran a 3:53.3.

hw laprath mile run

Royals Defeat Lead-Deadwood

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curtis out at 3rd

The Winner/Colome club baseball team lost to St. Thomas More and then came from behind to defeat Lead-Deadwood Sunday in Rapid City.

“This was a fun trip out west,” said coach Drew Weber. “We needed to win one of two to keep our place at the top of our division and we came through with a nice come from behind win over Lead-Deadwood.

Winner/Colome defeated Lead-Deadwood 12-5 in nine innings. Holden Thieman had an RBI single in the top of the seventh to tie the game and send it into extra innings. The Royals scored seven runs in the 9th inning.

Kelly O’Bryan earned the win on the mound pitching five innings in relief. He had 8 strikeouts.

Riley Calhoon started and pitched 3 innings giving up 5 runs on three hits. Ty Bolton pitched a scoreless 9th inning.

In hitting, Nick Lantz had a double and two singles with 4 RBIs; Reed Harter was 2-2 with 3 hit by pitches, 3 runs and 5 stolen bases; Thieman and Brandon Bicek each added 2 singles and 2 RBIs.

Coach Weber said O’Bryan did a fantastic job in relief. “We were a little sloppy at times in the field which was really uncharacteristic but we were able to overcome that and earn a big win,” said Weber.

He said Nick Lantz, Kelly O’Bryan and Brandon Bicek had clutch hits and Harter did a fantastic job of getting on base five times.

St. Thomas More defeated the Royals 12-2.

Reed Harter started on the mound and pitched four innings giving up 8 runs on 9 hits, 4 walks and had 2 strikeouts. Ty Bolton gave up 4 runs in the fifth inning.

At the plate, Harter had a tripe and single and Kelly O’Bryan added 2 singles.

Weber said the St. Thomas More game was  a bit of a let down. “They are ranked No. 1 for a reason and I thought we played pretty well up until the fifth inning. We hit the ball hard all game against one of best pitchers in the state which should be a nice confidence boost for our young guys,” said the coach.

In the junior varsity game, St. Thomas More defeated Winner/Colome 9-6.

The Royals will travel to Mission on May 7 and on May 11 will host Platte-Geddes starting at 5:30 p.m.

Winner Area Golfers Place 2nd

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golf ronae klein

Winner Area  girls golf team placed second in both the Winner Invitational and Big Dakota Conference golf meet last Tuesday.

Ronae Klein led the Winner golfers as she took second in both meets.

In the Big Dakota meet, Liz Jankauskas was 8th and Sam Marts, 9th. Also golfing for the local team were Addy Root, Darbi Nelson and Colby Taggart.

In the junior varsity division, Cheyenne Dougherty won first place. Dougherty shot a 116.

Also place for the junior varsity team were Kara Ewing, 5th; Kiersten Durrin, 8th; and Macie Ferwerda, 10th.

golf liz jankauskas