Category Archives: News

 Brady Fritz, a Winner 6^th grader, won second place in the state Elks Americanism essay contest. Fritz won first place in the local contest sponsored by the Winner Elks Lodge.

“What the pledge of allegiance means to me” was the topic of his essay.

By Dan Merritt, Winner Advocate

No leukemia in his bone marrow is a great test result from early last week for Eli Kortan of Colome, 13.

But it’s considered a “false remission,” according to his mother Shannon Kortan.

Though it would seem it’s an indication that cancer-fighting medicine is making progress towards curing the Pre B Cell Acute Lymphocytic Leukemia (ALL) her son was diagnosed with last January.

Last week, Shannon and Eli were at “the Castle” — Sanford Children’s Hospital of Sioux Falls — which looks like a castle.

They weren’t supposed to be there as of Friday (May 8) when Shannon was contacted by phone, but it was taking longer to flush high-potency cancer medicine from Eli than expected.

He received the medicine on Monday to begin what was supposed to be a three-day treatment.

It was just one of many rounds of treatments for him that were expected to last three years from the time of his January 2015 diagnosis.

Ethan Engel’s journey hasn’t always been easy.

As graduation day nears for Ethan, he looks back on his time at BHSU, and reflects on how he’s grown over the past four years.

“It was a challenge for me as a freshman. I have a learning disability, autism, which is a complex disorder that deals with verbal communication and social interaction,” Ethan said. “For me to be out of my comfort zone and away from home, my family and my friends, it was a challenge to experience the new surroundings at BHSU and make new friends.”

Through his involvement in the art department at BHSU, Ethan’s confidence and leadership skills have grown over the years, earning him the respect of his fellow students and professors. Ethan has been the president of the BHSU Art Club for two years, helping organize art displays on campus and in the community. He also has taken the reins in his classes, such as gallery management, organizing an art show in the library and the recent BHSU Art Walk on campus.

Name: Frank Finney

Birthplace: At home on the family ranch near Seneca, Neb.

Family: Wife: Jeriann; Sons: Jon, Jeff, Joel, and their families.

Currently reside where: Winner, SD

Occupation: Retired school administrator.

Some civic/religious/other board(s) on which you serve or group(s)/organization(s) you belong to: Winner city council president; chairman of the Rural Office of Economic Development (located at Lake Andes); Winner Senior Citizens board of directors member; Methodist Church board, SPR committee.

The best thing about my current life circumstances: Enjoying my retirement and having time to serve on the city council, church boards, and pheasant guiding.

My favorite childhood memory: Growing up on a small sandhill ranch with my five brothers and four sisters.

When growing up, I wanted to be: A teacher

My most prized possession: My family

Favorite sports team(s): Big Red and the Denver Broncos.

Favorite current television show: The Big Bang Theory

Favorite past television show: In the Heat of the Night

Favorite movie(s): Lonesome Dove, Broken Trail

Favorite actor: Robert Duvall

Favorite actress: Sandra Bullock

Favorite musician(s)/band(s): Willie Nelson, Garth Brooks.

Favorite book(s)/author(s): James Michener, Centennial, and The Source.

Favorite publication(s) (newspapers, magazines): Winner Advocate, The Daily Republic, South Dakota Magazine.

Favorite holiday and why:  Christmas. Time with family.

Favorite Bible verse: John 3:16

Hobbies: Hunting, fishing, woodworking, and watching sports events.

Three things that can always be found in my refrigerator: Cheese, milk, meat.

My favorite snack: Homemade cookies.

Pet peeve: People who are not honest.

Someone I most admire and why: My wife. She is the light of my life.

Three words that best describe me: Kind, caring, willing to help.

People would be surprised to know: That I’m as old as I am.

I’ve never been able to: Ski or dance.

I wish I could stop: Wasting time.

When nobody is looking, I: I eat snacks.

I’m better than most at: Putting things off that need to be done.

The best time of my life: Right now.

My most embarrassing moment was: There are too many to list.

I’d like to have a dollar for: Every book I’ve read and for every time I’ve said, “Yes, Dear.”

If I could go anywhere in the world, I’d go to: Straubing, Germany, where I was stationed in the Army. And also I’d visit Ireland.

If I won the lottery: I’d share it with my family and church.

My definition of a great evening is: Doing something with my wife and family.

A goal I have for the future: Grow old with my loved ones.

The best thing about where I live: Good friends and community.

If I’ve learned one thing in my life, it’s: Change will always happen.

David Burger, a Pioneer sales representative, has donated $1,000 to the Winner School District to be used in the form of a scholarship.  This year’s scholarship recipient is Lesley Soles. Soles is a senior at Winner High School and plans to attend South Dakota State University this fall.

Burger was awarded this contribution money by DuPont Pioneer for his dedication to customer-focused activities throughout the year.  DuPont Pioneer is the world’s leading developer and supplier of advanced plant genetics, providing high–quality seeds to farmers in more than 90 countries.  Pioneer provides agronomic support and services to help increase farmer productivity and profitability and strives to develop sustainable agricultural systems for people everywhere.

DuPont has been bringing world-class science and engineering to the global marketplace in the form of innovative products, materials, and services since 1802.   The company believes that by collaborating with customers, governments, BGO’s and thought leaders, we can help find solutions to such global challenges as providing enough healthy food for people everywhere, decreasing dependence on fossil fuels, and protecting life and the environment.  For additional information about DuPont and its commitment to inclusive innovation, please visit  HYPERLINK “http://www.dupont.com” www.dupont.com

Bryce Hauf of Colome graduated from Northern State University, Aberdeen, on May 9.

His degrees are in  environmental science, biology, medical laboratory science

By Dan Bechtold, Editor 

Winner School Board Monday night agreed to enter into contract negotiations with the architectural firm Upper Deck of Rapid City to design an auxiliary gym.

On May 6, a school committee interviewed three architectural firms. Supt. Bruce Carrier recommended the board approve Upper Deck.

The Winner Quarterback Club presented its outstanding member award to Scott Schramm Friday night. The honor was presented at the annual Winner QB Club athletic awards night.

Scott is the son of Jeff and Sharon Schramm of Winner and a 1990 graduate of Winner High School. He participated in football, basketball and track during his high school years.

It was also at that time, in 1987, that he started working part-time as a DJ on local radio station KWYR.

After high school graduation, he attended the University of South Dakota majoring in mass communications. After graduation, Scott pursued his career on the eastern side of the state in Sioux Falls and Vermillion and on the western end of the state in the Rapid City radio market.

In 1996 he make the major decision to commit to local radio by purchasing KWYR.

Winner and the surrounding area are fortunate to have a local connection broadcasting games, sponsoring “Coaches Corner” and posting results and schedules for various events around south central South Dakota and north central Nebraska.

Scott’s commitment to the Winner School District was evident in 2009 when he opened the phone lines of his radio station to a radiothon to help the district raise the necessary funds to keep working at its current level of competency. Over $40,000 was raised during that one day event.

Austin Calhoon of Winner who plays baseball for Dakota Wesleyan University came up with the game winning RB I single as DWU won 7-6 over Midland University to win the Great Plains Conference Athletic Conference.

Calhoon’s biggest moment came in the seventh inning. After junior Cole Wenande led off the bottom of the inning with a single and advanced to third on a bunt and Midland error, Calhoon poked the game winning hit.

“We’ve been preaching on good at bats and one inning at a time,” Calhoon told the Mitchell Daily Republic. “I was just looking for my pitch and whenever I find it, I’m looking to swing.”

The junior outfieldier hit a bloop single in left field that put DWU up 7-6 and it later proved to be the difference in deciding the GPAC championship.

“He’s been a spark all year long,” said DWU coach John Greicar. “He’s really settled into his approach and knows what he has to do. It’s been his role to provide leadership, whether it’s a walk or a huge hit. He’s capable of a lot of things and we count on him to have strong at-bats.”

Calhoon finished the game 2-2 with two runs and an RBI enroute to helping the Tigers claim their fourth GPAC title since 2009.

Calhoon was named to the GPAC all-conference honorable mention list.

“It feels great after we came up short last year,” said Calhoon. “It feels amazing to come back and get the job done.”

Calhoon, the son of John and Jodi Calhoon, has played in 29 games  and has a batting average of .392.

DWU played Missouri Baptist in the first round of the NAIA baseball tournament on Tuesday, May, 12, in Oklahoma City, Okla.