Winner High School athletes chosen as “most representative” in their sport

Dan Bechtold/Winner Advocate Photo
Winner High School athletes were chosen as most representative in their respective sport. Pictured in front from left are Rylee Root, girls golf; Melanie Brozik, cross country; Kendyl Bachmann, dance; Jenna Hammerbeck, volleyball and Emma Jorgensen, cheer and girls basketball. In back from left are Chaz Blotsky, cross country; Finn Bartels, football; Karson Keiser, golf; Slade Cournoyer, basketball and Kaleb Osborn, wrestling. The awards were presented in a ceremony on May 12.

Winner High School graduates who received the president’s award of excellence

Dan Bechtold/Winner Advocate Photo
Winner High School graduates who received the president’s award of excellence are in front from left Adam Bohnet, Jenna Hammerbeck, Joey Cole, Slade Cournoyer, Michael Olson and Ryan Sell. In back from left are Emma Jorgensen, Marissa Meiners, Bella Swedlund, Hattie Hespe, Ellie Brozik and Adrienne Lewis.

The Tripp County Community Foundation is proud to announce two additional scholarship funds that have been established.

Dan Bechtold/Winner Advocate Photo
Shayla Bice, center, is the recipient of the Tony and Kay Berg scholarship. This scholarship is administered through the First Fidelity/Tripp County Community Foundation.

The Dr. Tony and Kay Berg Scholarship is set up as a permanent endowment to provide a $1,000 scholarship to a graduating student from Winner High School or an employee of Winner Regional Health wanting to pursue or continue their education in the healthcare industry. The Berg’s commitment to the Winner area and healthcare prompted their decision to establish this scholarship.

This  $1,000 scholarship will be awarded to the recipient in the second semester of their education to seek a career or advance their career in healthcare. The recipient must attend a school of higher education (to include industrial, technical, and four-year accredited universities).

The 2022 recipient of this scholarship is Shayla Bice who is the daughter of Tucker and Michele Bice. Shayla plans to attend Mount Marty University and will be seeking a Bachelor of Science in Nursing. She hopes to continue her education to someday be a doctor.

The Benson Family Scholarship has also been set up as a permanent endowment by Robert and Judy Benson. This scholarship will provide $1,000 to a graduating student from Winner High School  who plans to attend a school of higher education (to include industrial, technical, and four-year accredited universities). Both Bob and Judy have been lifelong residents of the Tripp County area and are graduates from Winner High School. Their value of education and love for our community prompted the establishment of this scholarship.

The 2022 recipient of the Benson Family Scholarship is Emma Jorgensen who is the daughter of Cody and Abby Jorgensen. Emma plans to attend South Dakota State University and will be seeking a degree in Human Biology. Her long-term goal is to go to medical school and become a pediatrician.

Judy Benson is a long-time board member of the Tripp County Community Foundation board. Judy has had firsthand experience with the establishment of several scholarship funds and realizes the importance of investing our community.

Over the years the Benson’s and the Berg’s have been very generous donors to our foundation. Their contributions have increased the availability of grant funds for many non-profits in our community.

“We are very thankful for the Benson’s and Berg’s along with all those who have made any type of donation to the Tripp County Community Foundation. All donations ensure continued improvements and opportunities for our community,” said Dawn Covey, a member of the foundation board.

The scholarship funds administered through the Tripp County Community Foundation now total $13,750 each year.

Winner Food Center sold to County Fair

By Dan Bechtold

Editor

Winner Food Center has been sold to County Fair Food Stores. The change will take place on June 6.

Tom and Steve Boltjes of Platte, owners of Winner Food Center, said they have also sold the Platte Food Center to County Fair.

County Fair owns three other stores in Mitchell, Dell Rapids and Valentine, Neb. They also have a convenience store in Mitchell.

Marc King purchased Winner Food Center in 1989. At that time the grocery store was located across the street where The Store is now located.

In 1996 the grocery store moved into its present location in a new building.

Tom and Steve Boltjes have owned Winner Food Center for about 15 years.

Denice Duffy has worked at Winner Food Center since June 1989 and is the current manager and will remain in this position.

Both Winner and Platte stores will be named County Fair. Current employees will be able to keep their jobs.

“We are very excited to be here,” said Justin Luther, owner of the company.

“The Boltjes family has done a great job. Winner and Platte have wonderful stores with wonderful long term staff. We are very honor and excited to take over the two stores and bring what County Fair does to the communities. We are big part of the community. We firmly believe that we shouldn’t just be a part of the community but a part of what makes our communities great,” explained Luther.

He added the ownership is adamant about being involved and supporting our communities.

Luther explained all staff will have their jobs. “We are lucky to have great, long term staff with a lot of experience. There are a lot of wonderful people working in both stores. We have no need to change. We hope they all stay and move forward with us as a company,” he said.

Right away there will be no cosmetic changes to the store. “We would like to get into the space and live in it before we make any changes. The staff and customers know the most about the store. We want to learn from them. We want to know what makes the store tick and what needs to be changed,” said the owner of County Fair.

County Fair is a family owned business that are fourth generation retailers. “We are very customer and staff oriented. We feel our County Fair staff is family. We sell groceries but this is a people business,” he said.

Eventually the signage on the front of Winner Food Center will come down and be replaced with the County Fair name.

“We think there is a lot of potential in Winner. We look around and see some investment in the community. It is great to see growth in small towns,” Luther said.

Winner seniors at the academic banquet

Dan Bechtold/Winner Advocate Photo
Winner seniors who were honored at the academic banquet are in front from left Achilles Willuweit, Kolbie Osborn, Kaden Keiser, Charley Pravecek, Kaleb Osborn. Second row from left are Ellie Brozik, Sidda Schuyler, Bella Swedlund, Adrienne Lewis, Marissa Meiners and Jenny Guan. Third row from left are Hattie Hespe, Kelsey Sachtjen, Emma Jorgensen, Skyler Hansen, Jenna Hammerbeck, Shayla Bice. Fourth row from left are Alex Bohnet, Devon Senter, Jackson Vesely, Elijah Peterson, Ryan Sell. Fifth row from left are Finn Bartels, Aaron Debus, Slade Cournoyer, Michael Olson. Back from left are Adam Bohnet and Joseph Cole.